Hasta La Gadget!

Sony today confirmed the release of the PS3 (CECH-2000A). The console has picked up the far more suave nickname of “PS3 Slim” from various blogs that have been reporting on rumors of its existence for some time; the nickname comes from the console’s newly streamlined form factor. Evidence of the console emerged this morning when it began to show up in store ads for Kmart and Sears.

The console features a built-in 120GB hard drive and will go on sale September 1 for $299–a price shared, interestingly enough, with the new discounted 80GB PS3. The 160GB model will be lowered to $399.

Sony has also officially rebranded the unit the PS3 (rather than the PlayStation 3), though in today’s press release, it did use the old name. Old habits die hard.