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Sony cuts PS3 numbers (again), MS rolls out 360 update

Published on 31st October 2006 by Wil Harris

XBox 360 owners get a Dashboard update.

A couple of interesting console-based titbits for you this morning.

First off, Sony has cut launch allocations for the PS3 console even further, with Japan being the first for the chop. Sony's home territory will now only see 80,000 of the machines at launch, as contrasted to the 100,000 it was promised. Once again, it seems it's those pesky blue lasers that are causing the problem.

It's interesting to consider the few hundred thousand consoles that will land for the PS3 launch against the 1 million consoles that tipped up for the PS2 launch. There are going to be some sky-high eBay bids come Chrimbo!

Secondly, Microsoft has updated the Xbox 360 Dashboard, bringing new features to console users. Notable additions include 1080p support over component or VGA, HD-DVD support, as well as support for playing video back from USB keys or plug-in drives.

There's also support in there for Zune, although more on that later.

Let us know what you think of the news over in the forums.

18 Comments

Discuss in the forums Reply

Bindibadgi 31st October 2006, 11:20

Any details of video playback? what types and wrappers are supported?

Veles 31st October 2006, 12:01

Video playback sounds awesome, but theres gonna be loads of codec problems surely?

rupbert 31st October 2006, 12:23

Only wmv and H.264 are rumoured to be supported.

kenco_uk 31st October 2006, 13:04

Apart from the fact that Sony will probably stop most if not all ebay auctions.

Bindibadgi 31st October 2006, 13:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by rupbert
Only wmv and H.264 are rumoured to be supported.

So it's useless then.

Roll on XBMC

M4RTIN 31st October 2006, 14:40

i love the new layout of the marketplace with little pictures on the menu. the moving of some videos to the media blade is a good idea, maybe paving the way for downloadable tv and films?

moving trailers to the medi blade is a bit weird tho. also i like the fact everything is categorized so i can show only game or only film trailers i have downloaded. what exactly are xna games tho?

another minor update i quite like is the hdd instead of now just saying for example 4gb left when it could be 4.5 says the correct 4.5

the rather unusual "does not expire" next to games and videos is worrying tho, could we have self deleting content soon

perplekks45 31st October 2006, 15:41

All that cutting down and stuff makes me feel like Sony don't want us to buy their console. :|

It won't be availible in adequate numbers, it won't feature HDMI (if you're not willing to pay 600+ ) and yea of course 600!!!

DougEdey 31st October 2006, 15:59

It will feature HDMI on both version.

Blademrk 31st October 2006, 16:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by M4RTIN
what exactly are xna games tho?

XNA games, I think, are user created games using the XNA API, which should be available shortly. I'll try and dig a link out when I get home from work.

evanbraakensiek 1st November 2006, 04:08

If I were Sony i would seriously learn some common sense, and just keep stum. It seems any news from Sony these days is bad news concerning PS3 :? and i cant see how they can stop people selling them on ebay lol

Colonel Sanders 1st November 2006, 04:36

I think no sale on eBay is not a bad idea- considering the XBox 360's went for at least a thousand on eBay that is giving a consumer a very large profit for very little work and I believe it encourages people to buy consoles with the intent to inflate the cost of the console.

As for Sony preventing sales on eBay- I'm sure eBay could prevent PS3s from being sold if they choose to do so, eBay has already banned listing fake PS3 auctions, if Sony and eBay were to work together to prevent real PS3 auctions I believe it would be entirely possible.

L J

D3DAiM 1st November 2006, 05:26

I heard you'll be able to fold on the PS3 processor.

Hehe

rupbert 1st November 2006, 10:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by D3DAiM
I heard you'll be able to fold on the PS3 processor.

Hehe

Yep, curing cancer is what every 14 year old boy wants to do ;)

Valo 1st November 2006, 11:41

well... maybe not 14, but being 16 i must say yes! ;)

DXR_13KE 1st November 2006, 15:23

and being 20 i prefer to help. :D

rupbert 1st November 2006, 15:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by DXR_13KE
and being 20 i prefer to help. :D

:D ;)

Iago 2nd November 2006, 10:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colonel Sanders
I think no sale on eBay is not a bad idea- considering the XBox 360's went for at least a thousand on eBay that is giving a consumer a very large profit for very little work and I believe it encourages people to buy consoles with the intent to inflate the cost of the console.

As for Sony preventing sales on eBay- I'm sure eBay could prevent PS3s from being sold if they choose to do so, eBay has already banned listing fake PS3 auctions, if Sony and eBay were to work together to prevent real PS3 auctions I believe it would be entirely possible.

L J

For what I've read, it's not that you can't put them on sale on eBay. Only that eBay doesn't allow sales based on preorders, to cut complaints and problems.

But as long as you are able to get one, you'll be able to sell it on eBay with no problem.

Cthippo 2nd November 2006, 13:41

That's my impression as well. You can list a PS 3 with a pair recipet and your driver's license. Screwy, but possible.