Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Kazuo Hirai introduced to the public their next generation portable video game console aptly entitled PSP Go during the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, California. The Sony PSP Go is smaller than the predecessor PSP (apparently less than half the size), has a slide-up screen, will come with Wi-Fi and an internal 16G of flash memory. What’s missing is the U

MD (Universal Media Disc) drive which is now consider obsolete. Still not in the new console are such anticipated upgrades as a touch screen and second analog stick.

Here’s some fact about the highly anticipated PSP Go.

• The PSP Go has a 3.8-inch wide screen.
• Has 16GB of built-in flash memory and an expandable Memory S tick Micro (M2) slot.
• Controls: Four-way d-pad on the left, the standard quartet of geometrically coded Sony controls (circle, square, cross, triangle) on the right, select/start buttons in the cen ter, and the PlayStation “home” button to the left of the screen.
• Wi-fi Support which could allow standard Bluetooth headsets and A2DP headphones and speakers to link up with the PSP Go.
• Support for music, video, and photo files. Movies can be downloaded from Playstation Store via Wi-fi.
• Apparent existing interoperability between the PS3 and the PSP line.
• PSP games will be available for download directly from the PlayStation Store via Wi-Fi.

The new PSP Go will be available in stores in North America on October 1. Priced at $249.

SOURCES: CNET, CNN, PCMAG

The franchise that resurrected and reintroduced the bands and the music they have played to have whole new generation has hit the jackpot. The dream has come true – The Beatles is now in Rock Band. The band that history considers to be the ones who revolutionized the music industry as we know it will continue to do so using technology. You can now jam with The Beatles with their hit such as “I Saw Her Standing There,” “Day Tripper,” “I Am The Walrus” and “Back In The U.S.S.R.” with “The Beatles: Rock Band.”

The two surviving members of the iconic group were onstage during the launch of the new game at the E3 video-game and entertainment conference in Los Angeles. Yoko Ono (widow of John Lennon) and Olivia Harrison (George Harrison’s widow) and Dhani Harrison (George’s son) were also at the event but did not speak.

Here are some quotes from the two remaining Beatles:

“We love the game, it’s fantastic! Whoever thought we’d end up like androids?”, said McCartney.

“Well, the game is good, the graphics are very good, and we were great,” said Ringo Starr.

“The Beatles: Rock Band” was developed by Harmonix and published by MTV Games. The game will take let you become anyone of The Beatles (John, Paul, George and Ringo) and take the band from their Liverpool beginnings to worldwide superstardom.

“The Beatles: Rock Band” will be available on Microsoft’s Xbox 360, the PlayStation 3 and the Nintendo Wii on September 9, 2009.

SOURCES: CNN, NEW YORK TIMES, LA TIMES

Nope. It is not natal as in embryo. It is pronounced “nuh-TALL” and it could be in your living rooms in the nearest future.

Microsoft has announced that it will go head-to-head with the Nintendo Wii with its Xbox without any controllers. Instead, it will use a camera to capture the movements of players in a 3-dimensional space. Your entire body becomes your controller. It aims to immerse the player inside the game. It’s a literal “Look Ma! No hands.” deal. Not only that. It recognizes faces and voice commands – technology that is already present today.

“Before, there was a barrier separating video-game players from everyone else. Now, with Natal, everyone can join in using the best controller ever invented: you.” said Don Mattrick, senior vice president for Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft.

The Microsoft Xbox Natal was demonstrated to an audience recently. During the demonstration, players interacted with a soccer/football game using their legs, hand and, practically, their entire body.

None other than acclaimed director Steven Spielberg was in attendance. He even mentioned that this new technology will reach a new audience who are afraid of holding a controller or a joystick.

Microsoft has not announced when the Xbox Natal will be available nor its pricing. However, much anticipation was generated and it seems that the console wars are not yet over.

SOURCES: CNN, INFORMATION WEEK, DEVIN’S ADVOCATE