Nov 08

PlayStation 3’s Bluetooth headset slims down, shines on, adorns ears later this month

Posted in: bluetooth, headset, playstation, playstation 3, Playstation3, ps3, sony, Today's Chili

My, what a difference a couple years makes. As we suspected, Sony is updating its old Bluetooth headset design with a decidedly more elegant model. Here’s what we’ve got: dual mics, USB pairing, in-game status indicator, a charge cradle that doubles as a desktop mic, and of course, a giant mute button for when you have only moments to smack yourself in the ear and curse loudly about your good-for-nothing teammates. It’s also smaller and glossier — and rocking the same $49.99 price tag. When’s it arriving? Soon, later this month. When is that, exactly? Have patience.

PlayStation 3’s Bluetooth headset slims down, shines on, adorns ears later this month originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Nov 2010 14:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nov 04

Hulu Plus hits 2010 BRAVIA HDTVs, coming to all PS3 users next week

Posted in: content, hdtv, hulu, playstation, playstation 3, Playstation3, ps3, sony, Today's Chili

Sad, dreary day at your place? Fret not, as the Boob Tube is just about to get even better. Hulu has just revealed a movement to get Hulu Plus stocked with more content and onto more devices, STAT. Making sure those words aren’t empty, we’re learning that all 2010 Sony BRAVIA HDTVs will today have access to the subscription programming service, with it bleeding over to Sony’s various Blu-ray players, home theater systems, network media players and even the Dash — yeah, that Dash — in due time. In related news, Hulu will be soon yanking the invite requirement to get Hulu Plus on the PlayStation 3, and as of next week, any ole PlayStation Network member (as opposed to PlayStation Plus, as it stands today) will be able to grab it. ‘Course, even those freeloaders will be forced to pony up $9.99 per month if they’re interested in using it, but hey, it’s not like Raising Hope is financed with pixie dust, right?

[Thanks, Brian]

Continue reading Hulu Plus hits 2010 BRAVIA HDTVs, coming to all PS3 users next week

Hulu Plus hits 2010 BRAVIA HDTVs, coming to all PS3 users next week originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Nov 2010 13:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nov 04

Hulu Plus For PlayStation 3, Invitation-Free

Posted in: Home Audio and Video, hulu, playstation 3, ps3, sony, streaming video, Today's Chili, video games

Today Hulu’s Plus subscription service is available to anyone in the US willing to pony up ten dollars per month, no invitation required. Next week, Sony’s Playstation 3 will be the first dedicated video gaming console offering the service to all its users.

“In the next week, all PS3 owners with a PlayStation Network account, which is free, will be able to download and subscribe to Hulu Plus,” writes Hulu’s Rob Wong. “This will also coincide with an updated PS3 application that incorporates some of the feedback we’ve received to date.”

Hulu Plus first became available as an app for the PS3 in July, but only for some PlayStation Plus subscribers. So you had to pay Sony, get an invitation to Hulu Plus, and then pay Hulu. Starting next week, two of those three barriers will be down.

Soon, Hulu Plus will also be rolling out to net-connected Sony Bravia TVs and Blu-ray players, TiVo Premiere and Roku boxes, and Vizio TVs. It’s already available for computers and iOS devices. The pay service streams in 720p HD and offers a wider selection of current-season and backlist TV titles than Hulu’s free site. On the Hulu device page, service for Microsoft Xbox 360 is listed as “coming soon.”

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Nov 03

Sony’s PS3 Bluetooth headset sheds a few ounces and gets a slinky new outfit

Posted in: bluetooth, headset, playstation, playstation 3, Playstation3, ps3, sony, Today's Chili
PS3 Bluetooth sheds a few ounces and gets a slinky new outfit

The official Bluetooth headset for the PS3 has been around for a few years, still rocking the same $49.99 price point, still wearing the same “Wow, look at me, I’m a Bluetooth headset” design while others have gotten fancier, artsier and, well, better. Now Sony looks to finally be making an update, whittling the sides down make the new model look a bit more modern — while not actually going too far. The price is said to stay the same and overall the design looks much the same too, just pointier and featuring a daintier clip that should be somewhat less taxing on your ear as you spend hour after hour screaming at your SVER teammates who insist on staying back and sniping while you throw yourself at the Valor lines. If only they could see your cool new headset, maybe then they’d listen.

Sony’s PS3 Bluetooth headset sheds a few ounces and gets a slinky new outfit originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 11:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 28

320GB PlayStation 3 to retail without Move tag-along for $350

Posted in: playstation, playstation 3, Playstation3, ps3, sony, Today's Chili

Hate moving your body? Sony’s been selling a 320GB PS3 bundled with a Move controller, PlayStation Eye, and Sports Champions for $400, but for you layabouts the 320GB model will soon be available all by itself. The steep $350 pricetag underlines how strongly Sony is subsidizing its Move paraphernalia — are you really sure the opportunity to get off the couch isn’t worth $50 to you? — but at least it’s nice to have the option. Compared to the $300 160GB it makes more sense: $50 for double the storage. Sony says the console is shipping the new standalone SKU to stores as we speak, so keep an eye out for shelves straining under the sheer weight of gigabytes at your local retailer over the next few days.

320GB PlayStation 3 to retail without Move tag-along for $350 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 12:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 28

New PS3 Model Has Bigger Hard Drive, Still Awfully Expensive

Posted in: playstation, playstation 3, ps3, sony, Today's Chili, Toys and Games

For the holidays, Sony is releasing a standalone Playstation 3 with a 320 GB hard drive, retailing $350. The same PS3 with a Playstation Move controller, Eye camera and Sports Champions game will cost $400; a standalone unit with a 160 GB hard drive costs $300.

The extra hard drive space is purportedly for games, video and other content distributed over the Playstation Network, but I’ve got to say that I agree with this Playstation Blog commenter:

You know I understand that with DLC content increasing at an alarming rate, we do need the extra space. What I don’t understand is why you don’t just keep all systems across the board with the same amount of memory and have consistent price drops (as technology gets cheaper) instead? 160GB would be ample space for most owners and for those who do a lot more downloading, I’m sure those are the people fully capable and comfortable swapping out hard drives. Honestly if I were a basic user, I’d prefer to spend $300 for a 160GB PS3 than spend $350 for a 320GB. It also causes more confusion for many “non gamer” types. What is the difference? Hard drive size. Really? That’s it?

Many other commenters point out that it’s easy to upgrade the internal hard drive of the PS3, making the savings relative to the 160 GB model nominal. On its own, the Move Starter Pack (controller, camera, game) costs $100.

Meanwhile, Nintendo’s offering bundled units at steep discounts and Microsoft Xbox is selling Kinects and new Xboxes like crazy. Either Sony’s margins don’t permit a price drop or they think they’re fine with the price points they have.

Offering a new package with a bigger hard drive makes sense if you’re cutting prices across the board. All this does is make the high-end bundle with the Move controller look like a marginally better deal.

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Oct 23

Power Gig’s full-size, handmade guitar / controller now on sale for $250

Posted in: available, controller, gaming, guitar, Microsoft, Music, now available, NowAvailable, on sale, OnSale, peripheral, playstation 3, Playstation3, sony, Today's Chili, xbox 360, Xbox360

Ah, ha! There it is! Way back in March, we had a sit-down with folks from Seven45 Studios about their plans for Power Gig: Rise of the SixString (for PS3 and Xbox 360), focusing mainly on how they intended to rival the Rock Band and Guitar Hero franchises from a peripheral standpoint. The six string guitar accessory that ships with the game bundle today is already leaps and bounds better than what RB3 is packin’, but an instrument we were keenly interested in at GDC was also one we couldn’t photograph at the time. The company made clear that it was looking at releasing a real-deal, bona fide guitar in the future — a full-size First Act axe that could be used with the game or with a legitimate amplifier. Now, that limited edition piece is on sale for both of the aforesaid consoles, boasting a single cutaway basswood body, humbucking pickup, and a maple neck with a rosewood fretboard. Each one is available for $249.99, but there’s no telling how many will be produced. We’d also prefer to see these in larger music shops in order to give consumers an idea of the fit, finish, feel and sound, but those into taking chances can get one headed their way as we speak.

Gallery: Power Gig’s full-size, handmade guitar from First Act

Continue reading Power Gig’s full-size, handmade guitar / controller now on sale for $250

Power Gig’s full-size, handmade guitar / controller now on sale for $250 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 23 Oct 2010 15:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourcePowerGig (PS3), (Xbox 360)  | Email this | Comments

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Oct 19

Netflix’s new PS3 app includes new features, new headaches (video)

Posted in: netflix, playstation 3, Playstation3, ps3, sony, streaming, Today's Chili, video, watch instantly, WatchInstantly

Take Netflix’s widely adored streaming service, subtract the disc, add 1080p video and 5.1 audio and you should have something everyone’s happy with right? Not exactly, as we’ve discovered a day after the updated Netflix app launched for the PlayStation 3 with a bunch of new features and unfortunately, a few new issues to go along with them including the app not working at all on imported systems, needing a new PSN user ID and the confusion of certain users seeing very different interfaces than what was promised. You’ve been lighting up our comments with things you’ve noticed so we tried it out ourselves and with Netflix’s help, have a few answers. Check after the break for a video walkthrough of the new interface including the new video browsing feature pictured above, plus information about some of the initial problems users have experienced and how to solve them.

Gallery: Netflix PS3 walkthrough

Update: And here’s another. Reader Joel has forwarded screens of what appears to be yet another variation of the Netflix interface that is appearing on his 80GB PS3, while some commenters also report they’re not seeing the video browsing option yet. Check the gallery for more pictures and a video after the break.

Continue reading Netflix’s new PS3 app includes new features, new headaches (video)

Netflix’s new PS3 app includes new features, new headaches (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 18:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 18

PlayStation 3 Netflix update hitting XMBs across the USA, say goodbye to the discs

Posted in: 1080p, netflix, playstation 3, Playstation3, ps3, streaming, Today's Chili, update, watch instantly, WatchInstantly

As promised, the new discless Netflix app for Sony’s PlayStation 3 is rolling out across the land, so all should see a convenient icon under the video tab on the XMB, leading directly to movies in 1080p with 5.1 audio. As for those old discs? Just in case you were feeling attached to the old way of doing things there is a 31 day transition period before they expire and stop working completely, however our tipster informs us once he downloaded the app he was never able to use the disc again. It certainly seems like an easy trade, but you may want to consider… nothing, there’s absolutely nothing to consider. Click the X button to download, then enjoy your new coaster and National Chocolate Cupcake Day. No, really.

[Thanks, Chris]

PlayStation 3 Netflix update hitting XMBs across the USA, say goodbye to the discs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 16:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 16

Netflix on PS3 ready to download on some consoles, service starts Oct. 18th

Posted in: 1080p, netflix, playstation 3, Playstation3, sony, streaming video, StreamingVideo, Today's Chili, video, watch instantly, WatchInstantly

You can’t really use it for anything for two more days, as Netflix will tell you “this product is not currently available in your location,” but if you turn on your PlayStation 3, you might notice the disc-less, 1080p and 5.1 surround sound version of the instant movie streaming service is already available to download. The above install screen popped up on our console without even requiring a trip to the PlayStation Store, which suggests that 1.) Sony has decided that this is a big deal and 2.) should an evil force ever wrest control from the Japanese manufacturer, they’d have some pretty rad propaganda pushing power.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Netflix on PS3 ready to download on some consoles, service starts Oct. 18th originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 16 Oct 2010 17:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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