Sony’s 2012 PlayStation torn down, shows its evolved roots (update: another teardown)

Sony 2012 PlayStation torn down to its tiny essentials, shows evolved roots video

We’ve looked intensely at the outside of the redesigned PlayStation 3 ever since it was unveiled in Tokyo last month. Getting a look inside has proven unusually tougher, but French YouTube member K0st3yr has volunteered to do what few gamers dare and tear down Sony’s updated console. As we’ve quickly learned, Sony hasn’t chosen to radically rework the insides like Microsoft did with the slim Xbox 360. The Cell processor and its RSX graphics companion are still separate parts, and a similar power supply capacity suggests that neither of the main chips has been built on a more efficient manufacturing process. Instead, it’s everything else that has been given the shuffle: a smaller Blu-ray drive and more clever overall construction appear to be the tickets to the 20 percent volume reduction compared to the last model. While the revealed internals might be disappointments to those who were hoping the PS3’s possible sendoff would involve more of a bang than a whimper, they do hint that Sony might have breathing room if it wants to advance the design any further. Just have some popcorn and a grasp of French on hand if you’d like to have a peek at the three-part video dissection found after the break.

Update: Not to be outdone, iFixit has conducted its own teardown. There aren’t any shockers in the mix beyond improved repairability, but you’ll find many of the components given their exact names as well as more explanations of what’s been changed to shrink the PS3 a second time.

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Sony’s 2012 PlayStation torn down, shows its evolved roots (update: another teardown) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Oct 2012 18:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Redbox app for Android updated with a new UI and better filtering, no Instant streaming yet

Redbox app for Android update brings a new UI and better filtering, no Instant streaming yet

The official Redbox app for Android hasn’t seen many changes since it was first introduced early last year, but that’s changing with version 3.0. Now available in Google Play, it brings a new look that should make browsing a bit easier, plus enhanced filtering (you can sort Blu-ray discs by genre) and the ability to sort by date or alphabetical order. Finally, support for push notifications could mean unsubscribing to those weekly texts for coupon codes, and users report you can now input the coupon codes in the app while making reservations. We poked around but couldn’t find any references to its Instant streaming service, so there’s at least one thing to expect for the next update. Android powered kiosk renters can grab the app at the source link below.

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Redbox app for Android updated with a new UI and better filtering, no Instant streaming yet originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Sep 2012 04:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony’s HMZ-T2 3D headset at TGS: gaming at close range (video)

Sony's HMZ-T2 3D headset at TGS: gaming at close range

Sony’s second generation 3D visor didn’t make a big splash back at IFA, but the HMZ-T2 certainly has a pigeonhole at Tokyo’s premier gaming event. In addition to the headset’s substitutional reality prototype, the standard model stakes claim to almost a fifth of PlayStation’s demo area. With all the local buzz, we decided to weigh in on how the $900 headgear shapes up as a gaming display. The answer? Heavily. Out of necessity, the HMZ-T2 crams the majority of its hardware in front of the users eyeballs, bearing most of its weight on the nose. Over extended gaming sessions, we could see this becoming uncomfortable — and indeed, in our short time with the device we found our neck relaxing, begging to give in to the weight of the device. As silly as hung-head gaming might appear, however, the visual effect certainly does the trick — creating the illusion of a large 3D television 4-6 feet in front of the user. It didn’t add anything to Hot Shots Golf 6 in terms of gameplay or experience, but it certainly comes in a more compact form than a full size television. The fancy headgear could surely be a boon for gamers living in a tight space, but folks with room (and cash) to spare are probably better off with a proper flat screen. On the other hand, visors are way more futuristic looking. Don’t believe us? See us get our Geordi La Forge on after the break.

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Sony’s HMZ-T2 3D headset at TGS: gaming at close range (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Sep 2012 03:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Razer Game Booster enters closed beta, ready to fine tune your rig (video)

Razer Game Booster enters closed beta, ready to fine tune your rig

Normally we associate Razer with hardware. Gaming mice, keyboards and headsets are the company’s bread and butter. It even has a laptop geared expressly towards the serious pixel pusher. But, you might be surprised to learn it’s also in the software business. The latest member of its burgeoning application family is the Razer Game Booster. Based largely on IObit’s app of the same name, the new downloadable utility will crank your rig to 11. There are three basic features, the most important being Game Mode which, with the click of a button, shutsdown unessential services and programs to keep your PC focused on the task at hand. (We assume that involves killing something or other with a large weapon.) There’s also a calibration guide that ensures your drivers are up to date and your essential gaming files are properly defragged. Last is Share Mode, which allows you to take screen shots or capture live audio and video to preserve your accomplishments. For now Razer Game Booster is in private beta, but you can request an invite at the source link. And don’t miss the PR and video after the break.

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Razer Game Booster enters closed beta, ready to fine tune your rig (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Sep 2012 03:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’re live from Tokyo Game Show 2012 in Tokyo, Japan!

We're live from Tokyo Game Show 2012 in Tokyo, Japan!

This week Japan’s capital city welcomes gamers from around the globe for some show and tell with the country’s finest at TGS. As for us, we’re particularly anxious to see what Sony may have in store. Will we see another PS3 redesign? Perhaps some buzz about it’s next-gen console? Will we see some energized color options for the PS Vita? We’re eager to find out. Worried you’re too far away to be in the loop with the happenings here? Fret not! We’ve got you covered on all of the proceedings at Makuhari Messe, so keep your peepers locked here for all of the latest news over the next few days.

Sean Buckley contributed to this report.

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We’re live from Tokyo Game Show 2012 in Tokyo, Japan! originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Sep 2012 23:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft announces new entertainment and game studio focused on Windows 8 tablet development

Microsoft announces new entertainment and game studio focused on Windows 8 tablet developmentWindows 8 slates are riding a wave of 40 Xbox titles into an October launch, and now Microsoft has laid the foundation to deliver more games with a brand new studio focused on tablet development. The currently unnamed, London-based outfit will be headed by former Rare Production Director Lee Schuneman, who has shepherded Kinect Sports titles, the Xbox 360 Avatars, Fable: The Journey and the Xbox’s Sky TV app to completion. Slabs running Redmond’s latest OS won’t see a project from the team for a while, however, as the studio is still looking for new hires and won’t open its doors until November.

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Microsoft announces new entertainment and game studio focused on Windows 8 tablet development originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 15 Sep 2012 15:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Atari 2600s get PC innards, 22,857 times more processing power

Atari 2600s get PC innards, 22,857 times more processing power

Atari games redesigned in HTML 5 may bring back a flood of nostalgia, but they leave out a key part of the gaming experience: the classic hardware. Hard Drives Northwest filled that void by gutting a limited number of authentic Atari 2600s and stuffing them with modern PC components. Packing a Core i7 3.4GHz processor, the retro console now boasts 22,857 times more processing power than it did in its heyday, according to Microsoft’s calculations — more than enough oomph to handle the recent remakes. Other internals include 8GB of RAM, a 120GB SSD and a Radeon HD 6570 graphics card with 1GB of video memory. With support for USB 3.0 and 2.0, eSATA, DisplayPort, DVI and HDMI, the system is well stocked on the connectivity front. Finally, the signature of Atari founder Nolan Bushnell acts as the cherry atop the faux wood grain-toting package. While the souped-up machines aren’t up for sale, a pair of them are slated for a giveaway. Glamour shots and the full set of specs await you at the source.

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Atari 2600s get PC innards, 22,857 times more processing power originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Sep 2012 18:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo’s Wii U up close and personal: a photo tour

Nintendo

We’re here at Nintendo’s Wii U event in New York City where the gaming outfit’s prexy Reggie Fils-Aime just announced US pricing and release details for the console, as well as it’s own unique TVii service. And now that those important tidbits have been squared away, it’s time to focus on the hardware. Yes, you may have seen the Wii U console many times before, but the House that Mario built‘s been notoriously stingy about giving media access to a non-tethered unit. Well, the time has come to see nearly every facet of this next-gen contender. As you’ll note in the gallery below, the only area the Big N wouldn’t let us photograph is this Premium version’s backside. For whatever reason, the company doesn’t want those ports shown, but we can tell you what they consist of: AC adapter, AV multiout, sensor bar, HDMI out and what looks like two ports for USB. Undecided on whether you should be placing that pre-order right about now? Then take a tour of this onyx pair and see if it changes things any.

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Nintendo’s Wii U up close and personal: a photo tour originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Sep 2012 11:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BitGym Motion SDK brings Kinect-style games to Android and iOS, no huge living room required (video)

BitGym Motion SDK brings Kinectstyle gaming to Android and iOS, no massive living room required video

If there’s a common barrier to playing with a Kinect controller, it’s free space. The sheer amount of necessary distance between sensor and player is fine for suburbanites with expansive living rooms, but not so hot for apartment dwellers. Thankfully, BitGym is doing its best to bring hands-free gaming to small spaces with a new Motion SDK for Android and iOS developers. The kit takes advantage of the front cameras on phones and tablets to track three-axis movement, leans and multiple players without any special hardware — and without necessarily rearranging the furniture. It’s built to work with Unity 3D and most common app code on both platforms, all with a reportedly low overhead for mobile processors. Just don’t anticipate any leaps and sidesteps in your loft for the next little while. Although the SDK is ready today, we won’t see shipping games built on the motion-friendly framework until early 2013.

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BitGym Motion SDK brings Kinect-style games to Android and iOS, no huge living room required (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Sep 2012 03:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NYT: Steam’s Big Picture public beta begins Monday

NYT: Steam's Big Picture public beta begins on Monday

Can’t wait to use Steam’s forthcoming Big Picture mode to game from the comfort of your couch? Well, you’re in luck, because it might be ready for a test drive tomorrow. According to The New York Times, the living room-friendly user interface is getting the public beta treatment starting Monday. Gabe Newell let loose last month that both the TV-geared view and Steam for Linux betas would be “out there fairly quickly,” but there’s still no word on when the Ubuntu-bound preview will land. In the meantime, we’ll keep busy by gawking at Valve’s augmented reality headset, which the NYT got a glimpse of during a trip to the firm’s headquarters, at the source link below.

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NYT: Steam’s Big Picture public beta begins Monday originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 Sep 2012 20:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Joystiq  |  sourceThe New York Times  | Email this | Comments