Sony unveils Playstation 3
Sony has unveiled three colours of its new PlayStation 3 in what is set to be a new round of console wars with rivals Microsoft and Nintendo.
The new machine, set for release in the spring of 2006, is about the same size as the PlayStation 2 but has a more rounded look. Besides black, the PS3 will be available in silver and white.
Sony officials said the PS3’s new processor technology – called Cell – will offer high performance for movie-like realism in games, high-definition movies and other features.
It will be launched next spring, but Sony has not yet confirmed when it will hit shops in Ireland.
“The PS3 truly is a system to be placed in the centre of the living room,” said Ken Kutaragi, creator of the original PlayStation console as well as the more recent PlayStation Portable handheld.
Prices or a specific line-up of games that will be available were not provided, though Sony showed off numerous demonstrations of games in development.
The PS3 will use the Blu-ray disc format, capable of holding 50 gigabytes of information, which is about six times the capacity of existing DVDs, as well as slots for memory cards, a detachable hard drive and Bluetooth wireless for up to seven wireless controllers.
The PS3 also will be able to run the thousands of games available for the older PS2 and PS1, officials said.
Last week, Microsoft showcased its new Xbox 360 in a 30-minute special on MTV.
Microsoft said it would begin selling Xbox 360 in North America around Thanksgiving in November, and Europe and Asia by the end of the year.
No pricing details have been announced on any of the systems.
Microsoft is taking an entertainment hub approach with Xbox 360.
The curvy, white machine plays DVD movies and lets users listen to music, view photos and do real-time video chats with friends and relatives around the world.
The Xbox 360 features three processors, a removable 20-gigabyte hard drive, a custom graphics chip and built-in wireless for cable-free access to the company’s Xbox Live online multi-player service.
