Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[PSA: PlayStation Network goes down for maintenance from 9am EST]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/16/psa-playstation-network-down-for-maintenance/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/16/psa-playstation-network-down-for-maintenance/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/16/psa-playstation-network-down-for-maintenance/#comments PSA: PlayStation Network goes into maintenance from 9am EST

Sony is taking its PlayStation Network offline for another health check, starting this morning. During the 13-hour tune-up, you won't be able to access PlayStation Home, Store, their account or play online. Similarly, official PlayStation sites will also go down, but you can steel yourself through those offline hours by checking on the PlayStation Twitter account, which will provide all the latest details.

PSA: PlayStation Network goes down for maintenance from 9am EST originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 05:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>maintenanceminipostonline gamingOnlineGamingplaystationplaystation networkplaystation storePlaystationNetworkPlaystationStoreps vitaps3psnpspPsVitasceasceisen idSenIdsonyMon, 16 Apr 2012 05:42:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: PlayStation Network goes down for maintenance tomorrow, will last around 15 hours]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/03/psa-playstation-network-goes-down-for-maintenance-tomorrow-wil/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/03/psa-playstation-network-goes-down-for-maintenance-tomorrow-wil/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/03/psa-playstation-network-goes-down-for-maintenance-tomorrow-wil/#commentsWe know that it's become all too easy to assume that the PlayStation Network is getting hacked again whenever it goes down. That said, consider this another heads-up in long line of previous friendly reminders: Since being postponed last Thursday, Sony's announced that the PSN will go down for "significant maintenance" tomorrow, March 4th starting at 2 3 PM EST until approx 5 AM on Monday, March 5th. Unlike February's fixin', you'll still be booted offline even if you've logged-in with your SEN ID prior to the scheduled maintenance window. This means you won't be able to hop into a game of Domination on MW3, along with being restricted from accessing your account, the PlayStation Store, Home etc., as per usual. You can stay glued to PlayStation on Twitter to get the official word on when everything's back up, but may we suggest it could be a good chance for a lazy Sunday stroll? Hey, consider it an excuse to try out Near if you were one of the 1.2 million to snag yourself a PS Vita -- oh wait, that requires being logged into the PSN, too. Sigh.

PSA: PlayStation Network goes down for maintenance tomorrow, will last around 15 hours originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 03 Mar 2012 20:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>minipostonline gamingOnlineGamingplaystationplaystation networkplaystation storePlaystationNetworkPlaystationStoreps vitaps3psnpspPsVitasceasceisen idSenIdsonySat, 03 Mar 2012 20:55:00 EST<![CDATA[PS Vita Facebook app officially resurfaces, available for download (again)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/01/ps-vita-facebook-app-officially-resurfaces-available-for-downlo/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/01/ps-vita-facebook-app-officially-resurfaces-available-for-downlo/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/01/ps-vita-facebook-app-officially-resurfaces-available-for-downlo/#comments If you were lucky enough to snag the free Facebook app for the PS Vita last week while it was briefly available, you probably found its performance balky, at best. Shortly thereafter, Sony unsurprisingly pulled it from the PlayStation Store, noting issues stemming from Facebook's side of town. Well, good news just came in from Sony's PlayStation Twitter account -- Zuckerberg's app is "fully restored" and ready for your downloading pleasure. Facebook's relationship with Vita OS will, hopefully, be less "complicated" this time around, but let us know how it's working for you in the comments.

PS Vita Facebook app officially resurfaces, available for download (again) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 21:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appfacebookMark ZuckerbergMarkZuckerbergPlayStationPlayStation Storeplaystation store usplaystation vitaPlaystationStorePlaystationStoreUsPlaystationVitaps vitaPsVitasceasocial networkingSocialNetworkingSONYusvitaThu, 01 Mar 2012 21:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Foursquare PS Vita app hits US PlayStation Store, gives you another reason to consider 3G]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/28/foursquare-ps-vita-app-hits-us-playstation-store/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/28/foursquare-ps-vita-app-hits-us-playstation-store/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/28/foursquare-ps-vita-app-hits-us-playstation-store/#comments Good news for all you socially connected (and hip) regulars of local retail establishments -- who have PS Vitas, of course. Sony's just announced that the free Foursquare app has officially landed at the PlayStation Store (US), and it can be yours for a paltry 4.5MBs of space on your precious proprietary memory card. The app works over WiFi, however, the fine print advises that users may want to use 3G for the best results to help alongside the Vita's GPS. Notably, the rear touchpad and cameras are listed as being compatible with the app, as well. We've poked around the app for a few minutes, and it does feel peppy compared to what we experienced with Facebook (while it was available, anyway) -- the only oddity that's arisen lies with the map functionality, which opens a Google Maps page within the Vita's browser rather than its Maps app. Now that we can watch Netflix over WiFi, and view our Flickr albums along with Tweeting and "Checking In" between our ModNation racing tours, how's about finally letting us get our Skype on? (P.S. We'd really like Facebook back in the store, too!)

Gallery: Foursquare PS Vita app (screenshots)

Foursquare PS Vita app hits US PlayStation Store, gives you another reason to consider 3G originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 21:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3gappcheck inCheckInfoursquarefreemayorpis vita appsPisVitaAppsplaystationplaystation storeplaystation store usPlaystationStorePlaystationStoreUsps storeps vitaps vita foursquareps vita foursquare appPsStorePsVitaPsVitaFoursquarePsVitaFoursquareAppsceasocial networksocial networkingSocialNetworkSocialNetworkingsonyTue, 28 Feb 2012 21:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony updates PS Vita sales figures: 'over 1.2 million units worldwide', 2 million in software]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/28/sony-updates-ps-vita-sales-figures-over-1-2-million-units-worl/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/28/sony-updates-ps-vita-sales-figures-over-1-2-million-units-worl/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/28/sony-updates-ps-vita-sales-figures-over-1-2-million-units-worl/#comments As of recently, the PS Vita has become available in the locales of America, Europe and PAL territories, and now Sony's updated sales figures are in. How does "over 1.2 million units worldwide" sound? Because that's how many systems were purchased as of February 26th. If you'll recall, just two days after its December 19th arrival in Japan, the Vita rushed out of the gate, with Sony citing 321,000 units sold. Sales quickly slowed, however, despite the system making its way across Asia, as that number only rose to 500,000 by the time CES hit in January. Considering that means an additional 700K+ units were moved in less than two months, it seems that Sony's latest handheld isn't doing too shabby. Furthermore, it looks like a healthy amount of early adopters stocked up on games, as Sony also noted that more than two million pieces of software have been sold (out of 25 currently available titles) via retail and the PlayStation Store -- that said, there's no telling how popular those slightly cheaper digital editions have proved. Hit up the press release after the break for all the details, courtesy of the House of Kevin Butler Kaz Hirai.

Continue reading Sony updates PS Vita sales figures: 'over 1.2 million units worldwide', 2 million in software

Sony updates PS Vita sales figures: 'over 1.2 million units worldwide', 2 million in software originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital downloadsDigitalDownloadsgamesgaminghandheldsngpplaystationplaystation storeplaystation vitaPlaystationStorePlaystationVitaps vitaPsVitasalessceasceesoftwaresonySony Computer EntertainmentSonyComputerEntertainmentvideogamesTue, 28 Feb 2012 19:31:00 EST<![CDATA[PlayStation Vita Facebook app pulled for repairs, Sony blames house of Zuckerberg]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/24/playstation-vita-facebook-app-pulled-for-repairs-sony-blames-ho/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/24/playstation-vita-facebook-app-pulled-for-repairs-sony-blames-ho/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/24/playstation-vita-facebook-app-pulled-for-repairs-sony-blames-ho/#comments After a short, two day stint on Sony's next generation portable, Facebook's Vita app has been pulled from the PSN store. According to a post on the official PlayStation Forums (EU), users were encountering an error code while trying to log into the popular social network, forcing them to close the application. Community team leader PadPoet says the error is a "Facebook specific issue (on their side)," and that the two outfits are working on a solution. "We will announce further details when ready," a Sony rep told Joystiq. Hopefully the app will make a triumphant return shortly, though it's absence doesn't make cripple the handheld's social aspiration's completely -- after all, there's always Twitter.

PlayStation Vita Facebook app pulled for repairs, Sony blames house of Zuckerberg originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appfacebookMark ZuckerbergMarkZuckerbergminipostPlayStationPlayStation Storeplaystation store usPlaystationStorePlaystationStoreUsps vitaPsVitasceasocial networkingSocialNetworkingSONYusvitaFri, 24 Feb 2012 17:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Facebook PS Vita app hits US PlayStation Store]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/22/facebook-ps-vita-app-hits-us-playstation-store/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/22/facebook-ps-vita-app-hits-us-playstation-store/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/22/facebook-ps-vita-app-hits-us-playstation-store/#comments Although the PlayStation Vita's official US launch brought with it the pleasures of LiveTweeting, WiFi-only Netflix access and Flickr's photo-based networking, its Facebook, Foursquare and Skype apps were curiously absent. Today that's partially changed, however, as Sony's announced that the service that Zuckerberg built is now available as a free 12MB download from the PlayStation Store (on the wall of its PlayStation Facebook profile no less). We've gained access to the social network without a hitch, so be sure to let us know how it goes on your side of the screen in the comments. Hopefully it's more pleasing than AR table soccer.

Gallery: PS Vita Facebook app screenshots (US)



[Thanks, Mauricio]

Facebook PS Vita app hits US PlayStation Store originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appfacebookMark ZuckerbergMarkZuckerbergminipostplaystationPlayStation Storeplaystation store usPlaystationStorePlaystationStoreUsps vitaPsVitasceasocial networkingSocialNetworkingSONYusvitaWed, 22 Feb 2012 22:43:00 EST<![CDATA[SCEA Senior VP hints Hulu may be headed to PS Vita]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/22/hulu-may-be-headed-to-playstation-vita/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/22/hulu-may-be-headed-to-playstation-vita/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/22/hulu-may-be-headed-to-playstation-vita/#comments SCEA Senior VP hints Hulu app may be headed to PS Vita
By now, we're sure you have that shiny new PlayStation Vita all unboxed and have logged several hours on the thing playing games, Tweeting and watching vids on Netflix. But, if those apps we told you about earlier weren't enough to fulfill your entertainment needs, you'll be happy to know there could be more in stock for you. SCEA Senior VP Guy Longworth may have spilled the beans when he told The Hollywood Reporter "we have a partnership with Netflix and Hulu; this is a new way for them to distribute content." An interesting statement given the fact there's no Hulu app available now that Vita has launched. Good news is, the previously unknown hook-up indicates we may be be able to catch some episodes of Gossip Girl at some point in the future on our monstrous quad-core handheld.

SCEA Senior VP hints Hulu may be headed to PS Vita originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appapplicationappsguy longworthhuluhulu apphulu plusplaystationplaystation vitaplaystation vita huluportable gamingpsps vitaps vita appsps vita hulusceavitaWed, 22 Feb 2012 18:13:00 EST<![CDATA['Select' PS Vita apps hit the US PlayStation Store: Netflix, LiveTweet and Flickr (Update: video hands-on)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/22/select-ps-vita-apps-hit-the-us-playstation-store-netflix-liv/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/22/select-ps-vita-apps-hit-the-us-playstation-store-netflix-liv/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/22/select-ps-vita-apps-hit-the-us-playstation-store-netflix-liv/#comments Did you just brave the lines of a midnight launch party and snag yourself a PS Vita in the US? Good news ye early adopters, Sony's PlayStation.Blog.US has just announced that select free apps will be available as part of today's PlayStation Store update. Currently, you'll find Netflix, LiveTweet and Flickr, but there's still nary of trace of Facebook or Foursquare among the bunch (nor any official word on release dates for that matter). We gave each app a download and quick spin prior to them being officially listed without much in the way of hiccups -- however, Netflix does take its sweet time to start-up. Disappointingly, Vita's 20MB cap on 3G data is totally in effect on Netflix, as switching to our cellular connection denied us any access to the service. We're giving the apps some extended use to bring you our initial impressions shortly, but for now, you'll find more info at the source link below.

Update: We've added gallery below and a brief video hands-on just past the break to let you grab a taste of each app before downloading them for yourself.

Gallery: PS Vita apps: Netflix, LiveTweet and Flickr (US)

Continue reading 'Select' PS Vita apps hit the US PlayStation Store: Netflix, LiveTweet and Flickr (Update: video hands-on)

'Select' PS Vita apps hit the US PlayStation Store: Netflix, LiveTweet and Flickr (Update: video hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsflickrgaminghands-onlive tweetlivetweetnetflixplaystationplaystation blogplaystation blog usplaystation storeplaystation vitaPlaystationBlogPlaystationBlogUsPlaystationStorePlaystationVitaportable gamingportableaudioPortableGamingps vitaps vita appsPsVitaPsVitaAppssceasonytwitterusvideoWed, 22 Feb 2012 01:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony PS Vita demo hardware drops in at US GameStop locations, lets you go hands-on (update)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/05/sony-ps-vita-demo-hardware-drops-in-at-us-gamestop-locations-le/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/05/sony-ps-vita-demo-hardware-drops-in-at-us-gamestop-locations-le/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/05/sony-ps-vita-demo-hardware-drops-in-at-us-gamestop-locations-le/#comments http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/04/sony-ps-vita-demo-kiosks-at-us-gamestop-locations/
Live within the United State's borders? Fingers itching to spend some quality with Sony's latest portable gaming sensation before the First Edition Bundle lands on February 15th? Good news is here then, since GameStop has equipped "over 3,300" of its retail stores with PlayStation Vita demo kiosks. The rigs will allow you to score some quality hands-on time with many of its upcoming titles, including the likes of Uncharted: Golden Abyss and wipEout2048 -- perfect if you're not sure about reserving one just yet. Hit up the source link below to find a Vita-packing location near you, and don't forget to check out our review of the Japanese variant if you need even more help making up your mind in the meantime. Full press release after the break.

Update: We're hearing from many of you in the comments, noting you're finding Vitas at some GameStop locations locked-up, and for your eyes only. So heads-up: your mileage may vary. We also want to add that according to GameStop's website, it currently has 4,460 stores in US, meaning there's a very solid chance the one near you might not be included in the demo.

Update 2: Also worth note, a few other folks have mentioned that certain BestBuys will also let you get paws on one.

[Thanks for all the feedback, everyone.]

Continue reading Sony PS Vita demo hardware drops in at US GameStop locations, lets you go hands-on (update)

Sony PS Vita demo hardware drops in at US GameStop locations, lets you go hands-on (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 10:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demo kioskDemoKioskfirst edition bundleFirstEditionBundlegamestopgaminghands onHandsOnngpplaystation vitaPlaystationVitaportable gamingPortableGamingpreorderps vitaps vita demoPsVitaPsVitaDemoreserveretailsceasonySun, 05 Feb 2012 10:49:00 EST<![CDATA[PlayStation Network ID moniter sacked, falls under Sony Entertainment Network umbrella on Feb. 7]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/05/playstation-network-becomes-sony-entertainment-network-feb-7th/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/05/playstation-network-becomes-sony-entertainment-network-feb-7th/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/05/playstation-network-becomes-sony-entertainment-network-feb-7th/#comments Listen up, those of you with PlayStation Network IDs. Sony Computer Entertainment International has announced that, as of February 7th, PSN IDs will change into SEN IDs as a part of its existing Sony Entertainment Network The company has aimed the move at clearly unifying the services of PSN and SEN, such as Music Unlimited. Fret not, however, as Joystiq notes that the change is basically a looks-only affair, meaning your current account information and related services will remain the same. Notably, the moniker refresh won't apply to the PSP, which will curiously remain under the PSN moniker for network services. The news comes as a part of SCEI's updated Terms of Service and privacy policy, both of which take effect on the same day. Those changes, by the way, appear to mainly be regarding location-based services for PS Vita, and parental controls for sub-master accounts. After all of the bad times PSN has been through, partnering up closer to SEN might just be the refreshed outlook on (online) life it needed all along -- and hopefully with less downtime. Hit up the source link below for the full details.

Update: We've adjusted the post to clarify that the PlayStation Network will remain named as such, but that PSN IDs have now become SEN IDs.

PlayStation Network ID moniter sacked, falls under Sony Entertainment Network umbrella on Feb. 7 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 07:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gaminghdpostcrosslocation based servicesLocationBasedServicesmusic unlimitedMusicUnlimitedonline gamingOnlineGamingplaystation 3playstation networkplaystation onlineplaystation vitaPlaystation3PlaystationNetworkPlaystationOnlinePlaystationVitaprivacy policyPrivacyPolicyps vitaps3psnpsn idPsnIdpspPsVitasceasceisen idSenIdsonySony Entertainment NetworkSonyEntertainmentNetworkterms of serviceTermsOfServicetosSun, 05 Feb 2012 07:37:00 EST<![CDATA[PS Vita's Twitter app shown off in Hong Kong, we go hands-on (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/21/ps-vitas-built-in-twitter-app-shown-off-in-hong-kong-we-go-han/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/21/ps-vitas-built-in-twitter-app-shown-off-in-hong-kong-we-go-han/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/21/ps-vitas-built-in-twitter-app-shown-off-in-hong-kong-we-go-han/#comments Here's a little souvenir for Twitter addicts eyeing the upcoming PS Vita: at today's debut event in Hong Kong, we got to see said console's Twitter app in action for the very first time, and we were also fortunate enough to get some exclusive hands-on time with Sony's in-house software. As you can see in our video after the break, the overall design feels very much in line with Twitter's standard ID: the same shade of blue, the usual tabs on the left column, slick elastic scrolling in the timelines, and support for geotagging, hash tags plus photo attachment while tweeting. No surprises here, but hey, the app worked well for us.

That said, we were told that the app wasn't quite finished yet, and Sony still couldn't confirm whether this -- along with the other dedicated apps like Skype, Foursquare and Facebook -- will be ready for download by the time the Vita launches in Hong Kong on December 23rd (just a tad later than Japan's launch on the 17th). In case you're wondering, the Vita there will cost HK$2,280 (US$290) for the WiFi version and HK$2,780 (US$360) for the 3G flavor, both unsubsidized but cheaper than their Japanese counterparts. Of course, given that the console isn't region-locked, feel free to go do some shopping in Hong Kong then -- just save some for the locals, OK? Also, check out our gallery below for some close-up shots of the Vita's music and video apps.

Gallery: PS Vita launch event in Hong Kong

Continue reading PS Vita's Twitter app shown off in Hong Kong, we go hands-on (video)

PS Vita's Twitter app shown off in Hong Kong, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 06:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appexclusivefeaturedfeaturesgaminghands-onhkhong kongHongKongmoviemusicplaystationplaystation vitaPlaystationVitaps vitapsvPsVitascesceascehksceisonytwittervideovitaFri, 21 Oct 2011 06:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony responds to Congress: all 77 million PSN accounts compromised, finger pointed at Anonymous]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/04/sony-responds-to-congress-all-77-million-psn-accounts-compromis/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/04/sony-responds-to-congress-all-77-million-psn-accounts-compromis/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/04/sony-responds-to-congress-all-77-million-psn-accounts-compromis/#comments We've heard Sony explain itself at length regarding the gigantic PlayStation Network breach, but this might be the most useful version of the story yet -- it's the one that Sony's Kaz Hirai is forwarding to US Congress members concerned about your personal information. The official PlayStation.Blog has the full English document up on Flickr for your perusal, and we'll warn you it's much the same tale -- Sony says all 77 million PSN and Qriocity accounts have had information stolen, but the company's still not sure exactly which pieces have gone missing, whether credit card numbers are compromised or not, or who could be behind the hack. Sony does say, however, that it had 12.3 million credit card numbers on file, and 5.6 million of them from the US, and that investigators found a file on one of the servers named "Anonymous" with the words "We are Legion" inside it. Hard to draw many conclusions from that.

Update: Anonymous has apparently responded saying it "has never been known to have engaged in credit card theft."

Sony responds to Congress: all 77 million PSN accounts compromised, finger pointed at Anonymous originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 May 2011 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breachcongresscongressionaldatahackhacksKaz HiraiKazHiraiKazuo HiraiKazuoHiraiPlayStation NetworkPlaystationNetworkPSNSCEAsecuritySNEISonytheftWed, 04 May 2011 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony provides PSN update, confirms a 'compromise of personal information' (updated)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/26/sony-provides-psn-update-confirms-a-compromise-of-personal-inf/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/26/sony-provides-psn-update-confirms-a-compromise-of-personal-inf/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/26/sony-provides-psn-update-confirms-a-compromise-of-personal-inf/#commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2011/04/26/sony-provides-psn-update-confirms-a-compromise-of-personal-inf/ It's looking like things are just as bad as we feared and that "external intrusion" got a little deeper than we might have liked. In an update on its PlayStation.Blog, Sony just confirmed that the ongoing PSN outage was caused by "malicious actions," which we already knew, but continues by indicating that there has also been "a compromise of personal information." Exactly what that means Sony isn't saying, and it stops short of saying that credit card data for PSN and Qriocity users has been exposed, but the company does say "your credit card number (excluding security code) and expiration date may have been obtained." Yes, it may have been obtained -- even Sony isn't sure. There's no further ETA for when PSN may be back up online or when you might be able to finally sample Portal 2's delicious online co-op mode, but at least you can still watch Netflix.

Update: Our friends at Joystiq are reporting that Connecticut Senator Blumenthal is rip roarin' mad about the situation, "demanding answers" from SCEA president Jack Tretton. Right now, we're more curious what Kevin Butler has to say about things.

Update 2: Sony UK is shedding more light on just what data has been exposed, and frankly we were happier when it was dark. By the sound of things, everything Sony had about you has been accessed. There's a full list after the break, so only click on through if you dare.

Update 3: Sony's just posted a clarification regarding the delay of their response: in a nutshell, PSN was shut down after the intrusion on April 19th, and the company needed to work with outside experts to "understand the scope of the breach" before posting the full lowdown earlier today. For those interested, Sony has a lengthy FAQ page regarding this incident.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Sony provides PSN update, confirms a 'compromise of personal information' (updated)

Sony provides PSN update, confirms a 'compromise of personal information' (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anonymousbreaking newshackhackedplaystationplaystation networkPlaystationNetworkpsnqriocitysceasceesearch enginesSearchEnginessonyTue, 26 Apr 2011 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[SCEA vs. Geohot: Sony wins a not-quite flawless victory]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/11/scea-vs-geohot-sony-wins-a-not-quite-flawless-victory/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/11/scea-vs-geohot-sony-wins-a-not-quite-flawless-victory/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/11/scea-vs-geohot-sony-wins-a-not-quite-flawless-victory/#comments Well, after all the talk of TROs, tweets, and YouTube user info, it seems that the SCEA vs. Geohot litigation has come to a rather uneventful conclusion. According to Sony's Playstation Blog, the case has been settled, and Hotz has agreed to a permanent injunction preventing him from distributing his PS3 jailbreak hack ever again. Of course, while this settlement has cowed the man who did the initial distribution deed, the jailbreak genie's out of the bottle, and no court order can ever put it back.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

SCEA vs. Geohot: Sony wins a not-quite flawless victory originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>copyrightDigital Millennium Copyright ActDigitalMillenniumCopyrightActdmcafail0verflowgeohotgeorge hotzGeorgeHotzhackhackinghacksjailbreaklawsuitlegalplaystationplaystation 3Playstation3ps3sceasonyMon, 11 Apr 2011 12:18:00 EST<![CDATA[PlayStation now offers customer service via Twitter, probably won't help you jailbreak your PS3]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/09/playstation-now-offers-customer-service-via-twitter-probably-wo/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/09/playstation-now-offers-customer-service-via-twitter-probably-wo/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/09/playstation-now-offers-customer-service-via-twitter-probably-wo/#comments Got a question about a PlayStation product? Have a Twitter account? If you answered yes to both, then you'd be interested to know about @AskPlayStation -- the official account for all of your PS concerns. They'll assist you via tweets Monday through Friday from 9:30AM - 5:00PM PST and will answer in real-time between the hours of 2 and 5 PST. Hit up the source link to get all of your inquiries answered -- just behave yourselves, OK?

PlayStation now offers customer service via Twitter, probably won't help you jailbreak your PS3 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 20:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask playstationAskPlaystationassistancecustomercustomer serviceCustomerServicehelpinstructionsplaystationplaystation 2playstation 3playstation twitterPlaystation2Playstation3PlaystationTwitterpsps1ps2ps3ps3 slimPs3Slimpspquestionssceaservicesonysony ps2sony pspSonyPs2SonyPsptroubleshoottwitterWed, 09 Mar 2011 20:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Judge in Sony vs. Geohot orders YouTube and others to give up users' personal info]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/07/judge-in-sony-vs-geohot-orders-youtube-and-others-to-give-up-us/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/07/judge-in-sony-vs-geohot-orders-youtube-and-others-to-give-up-us/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/07/judge-in-sony-vs-geohot-orders-youtube-and-others-to-give-up-us/#commentsRemember when Sony sued Geohot and demanded that YouTube hand over the user info of all the folks who posted comments to Geohot's PS3 jailbreak video? Well, score a victory for SCEA, as the judge overseeing the case's jurisdictional discovery process has ruled that Sony can get what it wanted -- information from: Bluehost (who hosts Geohot's website) regarding who downloaded the jailbreak, Twitter regarding any tweets made by Hotz, Google Blogspot regarding comments made on his blog, and the aforementioned YouTube user data. Keep in mind that Sony's getting this information to show that many of the downloaders and commenters are from Northern California and that Hotz's hacking efforts were aimed at Californians -- meaning the case should remain in the Bay Area instead of moving to New Jersey where Geohot hacked his PS3. With this new information at its disposal, Sony's better equipped to oppose Hotz's motion to dismiss in a hearing early next month, but this doesn't mean the company will succeed in its bid to keep the litigation a West Coast affair. We'll have to wait and see if this latest victory helps Sony win the war. Stay tuned.

Judge in Sony vs. Geohot orders YouTube and others to give up users' personal info originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 07:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>copyrightDigital Millennium Copyright ActDigitalMillenniumCopyrightActdmcafail 0verflowfail overflowFail0verflowFailOverflowgeohotgeorge hotzGeorgeHotzhackhackinghacksjailbreaklawlawsuitlegalplaystation 3Playstation3ps3rulingsceasonysubpoenaMon, 07 Mar 2011 07:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony's Shuhei Yoshida drops some NGP knowledge: PSP sticking around, PS3 games easy to port]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/sonys-shuhei-yoshida-drops-some-ngp-knowledge-psp-sticking-aro/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/sonys-shuhei-yoshida-drops-some-ngp-knowledge-psp-sticking-aro/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/sonys-shuhei-yoshida-drops-some-ngp-knowledge-psp-sticking-aro/#comments Details about Sony's next-gen portable Playstation, the NGP, have been scarce since we spoke with SCEA President-CEO Jack Tretton about the new device. However, in an interview in the forthcoming issue of Edge, Shuhei Yoshida --who happens to be president of SCEA Worldwide Studios -- revealed a few more tidbits about Sony's NGP strategy (alas, still no official price). Apparently, the PSP will stick around even after NGP's release because of high demand for the older handheld, not to mention a lower price. For those of you concerned about a dearth of titles upon the NGP's debut -- a la the PS3 -- fear not, as Yoshida stated that porting PS3 games was a goal from the very beginning and the process will be simple (relatively speaking, of course). Combine that with a push to make the NGP's development environment "as easy as possible," and we'll hopefully see plenty of available titles upon the device's release. Oh yeah, Yoshida-san also said that NGP is just the console's codename, and the real name will be announced later this year -- PSP2 just rolls off the tongue, now doesn't it?

Sony's Shuhei Yoshida drops some NGP knowledge: PSP sticking around, PS3 games easy to port originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 17:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developmentnext generation portableNextGenerationPortablengpPlayStationplaystation 3Playstation3ps3psppsp 2Psp2sceashuhei yoshidaShuheiYoshidasonysony ngpSonyNgpMon, 14 Feb 2011 17:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony vs. Geohot litigation heats up, SCEA demands YouTube give up Hotz and Fail0verflow's personal info]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/08/sony-v-geohot-litigation-heats-up-scea-demands-youtube-give-up/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/08/sony-v-geohot-litigation-heats-up-scea-demands-youtube-give-up/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/08/sony-v-geohot-litigation-heats-up-scea-demands-youtube-give-up/#comments Now that Sony has started gathering the evidence it needs via discovery in the lawsuit over Hotz and friends' PS3 jailbreak, the company has dropped a hammer by moving to reduce the amount of time the hackers have to get Sony the information it wants. Sony filed the motion -- which will be heard by the court tomorrow -- to better arm itself with information to oppose Geohot's motion to dismiss, scheduled to be heard in early March. Casting its evidence-gathering net far and wide, SCEA has demanded that YouTube surrender not only information for Hotz's account where his jailbreak video was posted, but also how many users accessed the video, the usernames of those with access to the video, and all usernames and IP addresses of everyone who posted or published comments to the vid. In addition to hitting up YouTube for dirt, Wired reports that Sony has demanded Twitter hand over the personal info of fail0verflow's members -- we're waiting for Sony's lawyers to don TSA gear as the next step in their search. Geohot's attorney thinks the requests seem a bit much, but we think they make sense given Sony's strategy of going after the entire fail0verflow team. While these goings-on make for fairly standard legal tactics, they won't do much for Sony's public image.

Sony vs. Geohot litigation heats up, SCEA demands YouTube give up Hotz and Fail0verflow's personal info originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>copyrightdicsovery motionDicsoveryMotionDigital Millennium Copyright ActDigitalMillenniumCopyrightActdmcafail overflowfail0verflowfailoverflowgeohotgeorge hotzGeorgeHotzhackhacksjailbreaklawsuitlegalplaystationplaystation 3Playstation3ps3sceasonyTue, 08 Feb 2011 15:56:00 EST<![CDATA[PlayStation Move headed to PCs under official 'Move Server' project]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/01/playstation-move-headed-to-pcs-under-official-move-server-proj/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/01/playstation-move-headed-to-pcs-under-official-move-server-proj/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/01/playstation-move-headed-to-pcs-under-official-move-server-proj/#comments Oops. Looks like Sony's plans to make its PlayStation Move controller an official PC accessory have been unceremoniously revealed in a description of a Sony Computer Entertainment America talk scheduled for Game Developers Conference 2011. According to the synopsis, John McCutchan, SCEA's lead for Game Systems and Developer Support, will be on hand to discuss the "Move Server project that will make it possible for academics and hobbyists to develop software using the PlayStation Move controller on their own PCs." Hmm, sounds like somebody feels left out by all of the unofficial Kinect hackery which could be treated to official Microsoft support sometime this summer. Now go hit up the source link below to read the description for yourselves.

PlayStation Move headed to PCs under official 'Move Server' project originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 04:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gdcGDC 2011Gdc2011John McCutchanJohnMccutchanmovemove serverMoveServerplay stationplaystationplaystation 3playstation movePlaystation3PlaystationMovepsps 3ps moveps3PsMovesceasonyTue, 01 Feb 2011 04:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony says NGP will be 'affordable,' won't cost $599, WiFi-only version also coming]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/28/sony-says-ngp-will-be-affordable-wont-cost-599-wifi-only-v/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/28/sony-says-ngp-will-be-affordable-wont-cost-599-wifi-only-v/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/28/sony-says-ngp-will-be-affordable-wont-cost-599-wifi-only-v/#comments We had quite the interview with Sony's Jack Tretton, but we certainly didn't corner the market on hot new NGP details -- Eurogamer and Game Informer quizzed the company's Andrew House and Shuhei Yoshida, respectively, and came out with some important tidbits about the quad-core gaming handheld, particularly regarding pricing. Though Tretton seemed to suggest we'll see a price somewhere northward of the Nintendo 3DS's $250, Yoshida was quoted as saying "It's not going to be $599," laughing off the idea that the system would cost as much as the PlayStation 3's infamous appraisal at launch, and House said that Sony "will shoot for an affordable price that's appropriate for the handheld gaming space."

While none were willing to cough up a real ballpark estimate, the SCEE president revealed one way that the cost might come down: pushing out a lesser model, a strategy we've seen before. House said that while all devices come with WiFi, "a separate SKU will have 3G," making us wonder which of the handheld's other groundbreaking features might carry a premium. After all, OLED screens don't come cheap. Find the rest of Eurogamer's excellent interview (including a bit about how Sony will prioritize downloadable content over physical media) at our source link.

Sony says NGP will be 'affordable,' won't cost $599, WiFi-only version also coming originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 01:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3GAndrew HouseAndrewHouseNGPpricepricingPSP 2PSP2SCEASCEEShuhei YoshidaShuheiYoshidaSonySony NGPSonyNgpWiFiWiFi-onlyFri, 28 Jan 2011 01:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Engadget interview: SCEA's Jack Tretton talks Sony NGP, announces (and then un-announces) PlayStation Suite for PS3]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/27/engadget-interview-sceas-jack-tretton-talks-sony-ngp-announce/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/27/engadget-interview-sceas-jack-tretton-talks-sony-ngp-announce/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/27/engadget-interview-sceas-jack-tretton-talks-sony-ngp-announce/#comments Ever since his candid and humorous E3 2009 Sony keynote introduction -- wherein he thanked the audience for showing up despite the big news (PSP Go) having already been leaked -- we've always had something of a soft spot for Jack Tretton. We managed to have a sit-down with the SCEA President-CEO following the company's big Tokyo meeting, a non-working NGP unit in tow. For a brief moment, Tretton "confirmed" that PlayStation Suite games (currently slated for Android devices) would work on PlayStation 3. We asked rather directly, to which he responded, "Yes, they will. Yeah." By the next question, however, he explained that he might've misspoken and wanted to clarify that Suite is only NGP right now. It should come as no surprise, then, that there was no talk of Suite for any other devices, be it Bravia sets or Google TV. Tretton said there was at least one compatible Android device currently on the market but wouldn't elaborate -- given the 2.3 requirement, we're presuming he meant the Nexus S.

We weren't able to get him to budge on the issue of the NGP's price, but we did ask him to opine on the Nintendo 3DS's $250 tag. Instead of offering friendly competitive jabs, he said only, "I think if the quality's there, then the people will find a way to buy it, within reason... I think that if you could create content that consumers see as compelling, they'll find money that they didn't think they had." A bit too reminiscent of former boss Ken Kutaragi's old adages, but hey, it's not like we expected a sub-$300 sticker, anyway. Some other highlights:
  • Tretton wouldn't definitively say whether or not original PSP titles are in Suite's future -- "at this point, it's PlayStation One games, but I think it can go in a number of directions." This runs a bit counter to what Kaz Hirai said earlier in the day, but either he might've misspoken or the translator erred.
  • The controller overlay we saw used as an example at the event was just that -- an example, with no guarantee of future use.
  • That "holiday 2011" launch applies to at least one territory, but Sony was "ambiguous for a reason" (i.e. simultaneous global rollout is a dream but far from a promise.) We probably won't have a clearer image until fall rolls around, sometime after E3.
  • No discussion on battery life, but Sony is "certainly look to improve upon [original PSP]." For what it's worth, that one measured about 4.5 to 7 hours at launch, and Sony eventually sold an extended-life pack.
  • PS Suite will have non-gaming apps.
  • A WiFi-only version? "We haven't made any determination on models yet," which is infinitely more vague than the confirmation of non-3G SKUs from SCEE president Andrew House.
  • Will Sony or a Sony partner make a flagship device to show off the Suite? A, dare we say, PlayStation phone? "Stay tuned" was all Tretton would say, followed by a laugh. Hey, at least we acknowledged the elephant in the room.
Full transcription after the break.

Gallery: Sony NGP detailed hands-on

Continue reading Engadget interview: SCEA's Jack Tretton talks Sony NGP, announces (and then un-announces) PlayStation Suite for PS3

Engadget interview: SCEA's Jack Tretton talks Sony NGP, announces (and then un-announces) PlayStation Suite for PS3 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 16:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidgoogle androidGoogleAndroidinterviewjack trettonJackTrettonnext gen portablenext generation portableNextGenerationPortableNextGenPortablengpplaystation 3playstation suitePlaystation3PlaystationSuiteps suiteps3psppsp 2Psp2PsSuitescesceasonysuitetrettonThu, 27 Jan 2011 16:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Court grants Sony's temporary restraining order against Geohot, PS3 jailbreak still available everywhere]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/27/court-grants-sonys-temporary-restraining-order-against-geohot/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/27/court-grants-sonys-temporary-restraining-order-against-geohot/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/27/court-grants-sonys-temporary-restraining-order-against-geohot/#comments It looked for a moment like Geohot and fail0verflow might beat Sony's DMCA lawsuit over the PS3 jailbreak on a jurisdictional technicality, but things didn't go their way: the US District Court for the Northern District of California granted Sony's request for a temporary restraining order forbidding Mr. Hotz and his merry men from distributing or linking to the jailbreak, helping or encouraging others to jailbreak, hacking into the PS3 or PSN, or distributing any information they've found while hacking. What's more, they've been ordered to turn over any computers or storage media used to create the jailbreak to Sony's lawyers -- although we've got a feeling Geohot's attorneys will raise a bit of a fuss about that.

Of course, this doesn't mean that Sony's won anything substantive -- it's just proven to the court that the jailbreak will cause it ongoing harm while the case continues, and it still has to actually win its formal lawsuit to collect any damages or a permanent injunction. And let's not forget that forcing Geohot to stop distributing it won't stop anyone else -- in almost an exact mirror of the deCSS case, we're already seeing the jailbreak mirrored all over the internet. Way to learn from history, Sony.

[Thanks, Henry]

Court grants Sony's temporary restraining order against Geohot, PS3 jailbreak still available everywhere originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 14:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>copyrightdmcafail 0verflowfail overflowFail0verflowFailOverflowgeohotgeorge hotzGeorgeHotzinjunctionjailbreaklawsuitlegalps3ps3 jailbreakPs3Jailbreaksceasonytemporary restraining orderTemporaryRestrainingOrdertroThu, 27 Jan 2011 14:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Geohot wins round one against Sony (kinda) -- judge declines to rule on SCEA restraining order (updated)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/14/geohot-wins-round-one-against-sony-we-think-sceas-restrainin/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/14/geohot-wins-round-one-against-sony-we-think-sceas-restrainin/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/14/geohot-wins-round-one-against-sony-we-think-sceas-restrainin/#comments By now we all know that Sony filed a lawsuit against Geohot and fail0verflow for their distribution of PS3 jailbreak firmware and asked the court for a temporary restraining order (TRO) to stop said distribution of the offending code. Well, according to Geohot, the court denied declined to rule on Sony's motion earlier today. Geohot has reposted the code online, so it seems safe to say that the TRO is back for now, and the jailbreak can once again roam the internet unencumbered by any legal decrees. The decision, while favorable to the defendants, has little effect on the outcome of the litigation itself, so Hotz and company aren't out of the woods just yet. We'll keep you posted on the status of the order, and will also watch as the case progresses for the real fireworks to start.

Update: Looks like we jumped the gun and got the story a little wrong, but thanks to our readers we've discovered that the judge declined to rule on the TRO. Instead she tabled the TRO issue because she was not satisfied that the Northern District of California has jurisdiction to rule on the matter because Geohot hacked the PS3 in New Jersey.

Geohot wins round one against Sony (kinda) -- judge declines to rule on SCEA restraining order (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 20:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsfail0verflowgeohotgeorge hotzGeorgeHotzhackhackingHector Martin CanteroHectorMartinCanterojail breakjailbreaklawsuitlegalPlayStationPlaystation3ps3SCEASONYSony-Computer-Entertainment-Americatemporary restraining orderTemporaryRestrainingOrdertroFri, 14 Jan 2011 20:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony's Kaz Hirai talks up virtues of touch controls, weighs in on PlayStation phone]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/22/sonys-kaz-hirai-talks-up-virtues-of-touch-controls-weighs-in-o/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/22/sonys-kaz-hirai-talks-up-virtues-of-touch-controls-weighs-in-o/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/22/sonys-kaz-hirai-talks-up-virtues-of-touch-controls-weighs-in-o/#comments The PlayStation phone keeps popping up time and again, and still no one at Sony is going to flat-out admit anything -- but that hasn't stopped playful speculation. Even SCE chief Kaz Hirai is joining in the fun. "We don't want gamers to be asking, what's the difference between that [a PS phone] and a PSP... we have to come up with a message that users will understand," he told The New York Times. "It would have to be a product that keeps the PlayStation's strengths intact." So that's the issue, then, differentiating a new PSP and a variant with phone capabilities -- nothing a good marketing campaign can't fix, if you ask us.

But enough about the phone, what of the PlayStation's portable brand in general? Hirai seems to fancy touch controls, actually. "Depending on the game, there are ones where you can play perfectly well with a touch panel," he said, adding that "immersive games" -- the ones he think are Sony's focus, vs. the more casual fare offered by Apple and Android -- do well with physical buttons, and that some games work well with the two. We can't help but notice he said touch panel and not touch screen, which reminds us of the touchpad we saw on the PS phone leaks, but we wouldn't want to harp too much.

Sony's Kaz Hirai talks up virtues of touch controls, weighs in on PlayStation phone originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 22:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hiraikazkaz hiraiKazHiraiplaystationpsps phonepsppsp 2Psp2PsPhonescesceasonyxperia playXperiaPlayz1zeuszeus z1ZeusZ1Wed, 22 Dec 2010 22:07:00 EST<![CDATA[PlayStation Move Sharpshooter hands-on: a first-party SMG peripheral coming in February]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/09/playstation-move-sharpshooter-hands-on-a-first-party-smg-periph/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/09/playstation-move-sharpshooter-hands-on-a-first-party-smg-periph/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/09/playstation-move-sharpshooter-hands-on-a-first-party-smg-periph/#comments This isn't the first PlayStation Move peripheral to replicate a firearm, but the Sharpshooter is brought to you by Sony itself, so you expect a higher degree of quality than from the third-party deluge. And if you're the sort who like to accessorize, it's a pretty good offering. We had a chance to check it out this morning over a brief round of Killzone 3, which Sony says was the inspiration (along with the upcoming SOCOM). Overall, it's pretty light and sturdy. The Move controller slides into the front, and the buttons then become mapped around the gun: RL is under the grip, the Move button is just under the trigger, start and select rest on opposite sides of the barrel, and Square / Triangle are mirrored above the trigger, making it easier to reach regardless whether you're right- or left-handed. There's a cradle under the stock for the Navigation Controller to rest, the butt is adjustable, and the top has a mount for a scope (no details on that peripheral of a peripheral). There's additionally a lock button and what seems like burst-fire mode that won't be used by Killzone 3; the reps told us they spoke with various other developers to make sure the accessory fit their needs as well but couldn't elaborate more.

So, how did it handle? We'll say the buttons were all easy to get to, but this accessory is fundamentally not for us. Having to move the entire submachine gun (or your whole body, as it were) to aim felt more unwieldy than simply twisting a wrist like you would with the first-party Shooting attachment (or the Move controller by its lonesome). Speaking of which, the Sharpshooter is lacking in retro aesthetic, something we really liked in the "1950s laser pistol" replica that came out last month. We get the feeling this wasn't made with us in mind, anyway. Sharpshooter should hit store shelves in February (same month as Killzone 3) for a penny under $40. Looking for something more traditional? A jungle green DualShock 3 is also coming in February for $55. Press release after the break.

Gallery: Sony Sharpshooter for PlayStation Move hands-on


Gallery: PlayStation Sharpshooter and Jungle Green DualShock 3

Continue reading PlayStation Move Sharpshooter hands-on: a first-party SMG peripheral coming in February

PlayStation Move Sharpshooter hands-on: a first-party SMG peripheral coming in February originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ds3dual shock 3DualShock3greenhands-onjungle greenJungleGreenkill zonkill zone 3KillZonKillZone3moveplaystationplaystation 3playstation moveplaystation sharpshooterPlaystation3PlaystationMovePlaystationSharpshooterpsps moveps3PsMovescesceasharp shooterSharpShootersonyThu, 09 Dec 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony fires barrage of touchscreen patent applications, only one points at new PSP]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/28/sony-fires-barrage-of-touchscreen-patent-applications-only-one/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/28/sony-fires-barrage-of-touchscreen-patent-applications-only-one/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/28/sony-fires-barrage-of-touchscreen-patent-applications-only-one/#comments Lawyers for Sony Computer Entertainment America must have been mighty busy last October, hatching the wild scheme that came to light this week -- a series of eight intertwining patent applications all describing a single device with an intriguing touchscreen interface. Though it's hard to tell what form the final device might take -- the apps suggest sliders, clamshells and slates -- a few distinct ideas bubble to the surface, and we'll knock them out one by one. First, the inventors seem to be rather particular about having a touchpad that's separate from the main screen -- perhaps even on its back like the rumored PSP2 -- and Sony's trying to patent a way to manipulate objects through the screen as well. Second, there's a lot of mumbo-jumbo about being able to "enhance" or "transform" the user interface in response to different forms of input, which seems to boil down to this: Sony's trying to get some multitouch up in there, especially pinch-to-zoom.

Last but not least, the company's looking to cordon off a section of touchscreen buttons, including a 'paste' command, and patent a "prediction engine" that would dynamically change the onscreen layout based on your past behavior. If most of these ideas sound more at home in a new tablet computer rather than a gaming handheld, then great minds think alike. Still, SCEA is Sony's gaming division -- forlorn Linux computing aside -- so consider us stumped for now.

Sony fires barrage of touchscreen patent applications, only one points at new PSP originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 28 Nov 2010 21:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gesturegesturesmulti touchmulti-touchmultitouchpatentpatent applicationpatent applicationsPatentApplicationPatentApplicationspatentspinch to zoomPinchToZoomprediction enginePredictionEnginePSPPSP 2Psp2SCEASonySony Computer EntertainmentSony Computer Entertainment AmericaSonyComputerEntertainmentSonyComputerEntertainmentAmericatouchscreenSun, 28 Nov 2010 21:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony ships EyePet for PSP, complete with camera]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/02/sony-ships-eyepet-for-psp-complete-with-camera/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/02/sony-ships-eyepet-for-psp-complete-with-camera/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/02/sony-ships-eyepet-for-psp-complete-with-camera/#comments Looking for a pinch of adorable, a taste of augmented reality and a shiny new peripheral for your PSP? Look no further, mate. Sony's EyePet title is now shipping in the US of A, and a required camera will come bundled in with each UMD. Amazon and friends have it listed for $39.99, and if you're hoping to avoid the otherwise unavoidable "sold out forever" sign during the final week of December, we'd recommend getting that order in now. Oh, and PSPgo owners need not apply -- this one's too cute for NAND.

Continue reading Sony ships EyePet for PSP, complete with camera

Sony ships EyePet for PSP, complete with camera originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arAugmented RealityAugmentedRealityeyepetgamingpetplaystationplaystation portablePlaystationPortablepspSCEAsonyTue, 02 Nov 2010 20:40:00 EST<![CDATA[PlayStation Move review]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/01/playstation-move-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/01/playstation-move-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/01/playstation-move-review/#comments The PlayStation Move. It's funny to think just 15 months have passed since Sony first unveiled its motion controller, and now we're mere weeks away from hitting the retail market. To be sure, it's not like the company didn't have waggle on the mind already -- patents dating as far back as 2005 reveal as much, and of course the incredible success of Nintendo's Wii proved there's a market for more physically exerting gameplay. And it's not just PlayStation; Microsoft's got its controller-free Kinect motion camera system coming this November. So, in the year where all major game consoles now ask you to get off the couch and earn arm muscle, how does Move fare? Read on for more!

Gallery: PlayStation Move review

Continue reading PlayStation Move review

PlayStation Move review originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 03:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arceye petEyePetfightfight 3dFight3dgemgolfheavy rainHeavyRainmotionmotion controlmotion controllermotion controlsMotionControlMotionControllerMotionControlsmovenav controlNavControlnavigation controllerNavigationControllerplay stationplay station 3play station 3 moveplay station movePlayStationPlayStation3PlayStation3MovePlayStationMovepsps 3ps 3 moveps movePs3Ps3MovePsMover u s ereviewRUSEscesceasocomsocom 4Socom4sonysports championsSportsChampionstiger woodsTigerWoodstumblevideoWed, 01 Sep 2010 03:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony taken to court over PS3 'Other OS' removal]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/29/sony-taken-to-court-over-ps3-other-os-removal/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/29/sony-taken-to-court-over-ps3-other-os-removal/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/29/sony-taken-to-court-over-ps3-other-os-removal/#comments Sony forced PS3 owners into a tough decision with the mandatory 3.21 firmware update: either lose online play, or forgo Linux support. On Tuesday, Anthony Ventura chose door number three -- and filed a lawsuit in California, asking the judge for class-action status. The complaint quotes Sony executives on numerous occasions saying how vital and important the "Install Other OS" feature was to the game console (it's a computer, remember?) and claims breach of contract, false advertising, and several other causes of action against the entertainment giant. Sure, a lawsuit was bound to happen, given the number of angry PS3 owners out there, but here's the thing: there's no telling whether the court will grant a class-action certification here, and even if the case gets that far it's pretty unlikely to force Sony to turn the feature back on -- instead, customers will probably receive a token amount in damages while the lawyers get their full fees. For example, a rare, successful class-action suit against Palm -- filed in 2004 -- got Treo 600 owners only $27.50 in store credit, five years later. Meanwhile, we hear European PS3 owners just have to ask for their money back -- which, we promise you, is the fastest way to put an end to your Linux-based PS3 nightmares. Either that, or just wait for Geohot to make it all better.

Sony taken to court over PS3 'Other OS' removal originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Apr 2010 15:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>class actionclass action lawsuitclass action lawsuitsclass action suitClassActionClassActionLawsuitClassActionLawsuitsClassActionSuitfirmware 3.21Firmware3.21install other osInstallOtherOslawsuitlawsuitslegallinuxother osOtherOsPlayStation 3Playstation3PSPS3SCEASonySony Computer EntertainmentSony PlaystationSony Playstation 3Sony PlayStation3SonyComputerEntertainmentSonyPlaystationSonyPlaystation3Thu, 29 Apr 2010 15:47:00 EST<![CDATA[PlayStation Move sub-controller hits FCC, will be named Navigation Controller]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/playstation-move-sub-controller-hits-fcc-will-be-named-navigati/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/playstation-move-sub-controller-hits-fcc-will-be-named-navigati/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/playstation-move-sub-controller-hits-fcc-will-be-named-navigati/#comments
 Wondering what Sony's going to call that PlayStation Move sub-controller -- you know, since "nunchuk" is already taken? Wonder no more. Sony part number CECH-ZCS1U just hit the FCC's database, and "Navigation Controller" is written in nice bold letters right there on the label. It's looking like this is official, as the Sony US website has been quietly updated with the change, and we think it makes a certain amount of sense, as most 3D games let you aim the camera with your dominant hand and relegate navigation to the other. Like the Motion Controller, Sony's opted for confidentiality on this one, meaning we won't have photos of the controller's juicy guts for six months, but hey, at least you already know what the outsides look like -- and you can see it in action on the Engadget Show right here.

PlayStation Move sub-controller hits FCC, will be named Navigation Controller originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CECH-ZCS1UFCCmotion controllerMotionControllerNavigation ControllerNavigationControllerPlayStationPlayStation MovePlaystationMoveSCEASonysub-controllersubcontrollerMon, 12 Apr 2010 00:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony wants to patent 'feature erosion' in game demos, illustrates the idea vividly]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/05/sony-patents-degradable-video-game-demos-illustrates-the-idea/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/05/sony-patents-degradable-video-game-demos-illustrates-the-idea/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/05/sony-patents-degradable-video-game-demos-illustrates-the-idea/#comments Want more evidence of the patent degradation of modern society? Well, here's Sony with its latest idea for selling games. The feature-eroding demo concept gives the user the full game to start off with, but then grows increasingly more limited the more you play it. In racing games, that means the number of tracks you can race on gradually dwindles, whereas in classically themed smack-em-ups like God of War your sword, erm... well, it also dwindles. We're kind of on the fence about this -- on the one hand, it's hilariously insulting to the user as it perpetually nags him about what a cheapskate he is for not purchasing the entire game, and yet on the other it does at least let you taste the full breadth of the game, albeit for a limited time. However you may feel, this is still at the application stage, but given the patent office's recent track record, there's no reason why Sony should be denied the rights over this supposed innovation.

Sony wants to patent 'feature erosion' in game demos, illustrates the idea vividly originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applicationconsoleconsolesdegradabledegradable demoDegradableDemodemodemosgame demoGameDemogamesgaminglawpatentpatent applicationPatentApplicationplaystationplaystation 3Playstation3sceasonysony playstationSonyPlaystationtrialFri, 05 Mar 2010 13:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony exec says PSP Go 'confused' consumers, might have been too expensive]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/25/sony-exec-says-psp-go-did-confuse-consumers-might-have-been-t/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/25/sony-exec-says-psp-go-did-confuse-consumers-might-have-been-t/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/25/sony-exec-says-psp-go-did-confuse-consumers-might-have-been-t/#commentsWell, we've already heard some rumors that Sony was considering a relaunch of sorts for the PSP Go, and it looks like at least some execs from the company are now starting to speak publicly about why such a move might be necessary. In an interview with IndustryGamers, SCEA Senior Vice President of Publisher Relations Rob Dyer admitted that the PSP Go did "confuse" customers, and that the "higher price point didn't help matters any either" -- not exactly the sort of thing you hear Sony say every day. Does that mean we'll be seeing updated hardware or a lower price anytime soon? Dyer unsurprisingly wouldn't say when pressed, adding only that Sony is "going back and re-communicating" with consumers.

Sony exec says PSP Go 'confused' consumers, might have been too expensive originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>playstationplaystation portablePlaystationPortablepsppsp goPspGoRob DyerRobDyerSCEAsonyThu, 25 Feb 2010 14:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Netflix coming next month to PlayStation 3]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/26/netflix-coming-to-playstation-3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/26/netflix-coming-to-playstation-3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/26/netflix-coming-to-playstation-3/#comments What a coup. After we've been hearing all along that Xbox 360 had a game console exclusivity to Netflix streaming, Sony just announced it, too, will be joining in on the fun. Timeframe? Sometime next month. Press release after the break.

[Via PlayStation blog]

Continue reading Netflix coming next month to PlayStation 3

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Netflix coming next month to PlayStation 3 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu rayblu-raybluraybreaking newsBreakingNewshdinternetnetflixplaystation 3Playstation3ps3sceasonyMon, 26 Oct 2009 08:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Netflix coming next month to PlayStation 3]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/26/netflix-coming-to-playstation-3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/26/netflix-coming-to-playstation-3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/26/netflix-coming-to-playstation-3/#comments What a coup. After we've been hearing all along that Xbox 360 had a game console exclusivity to Netflix streaming, Sony just announced it, too, will be joining in on the fun. Timeframe? Sometime next month. Press release after the break.

Update: Turns out a disc will be required for streaming, and that's the only solution available until a PS3 software update sometime in late 2010.

[Via PlayStation blog]

Continue reading Netflix coming next month to PlayStation 3

Netflix coming next month to PlayStation 3 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsnetflixplaystation 3Playstation3ps3sceasonyMon, 26 Oct 2009 00:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony plans to keep PSP downloads at 'pricing parity,' whatever that means]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/23/sony-plans-to-keep-psp-downloads-at-pricing-parity-whatever-t/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/23/sony-plans-to-keep-psp-downloads-at-pricing-parity-whatever-t/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/23/sony-plans-to-keep-psp-downloads-at-pricing-parity-whatever-t/#comments Here's a great scenario for you, if you happen to be Sony's wallet: charge $250 for a handheld console without a physical game media option, and then charge on average $5 more for downloaded titles than they go for at retail, since you have zero competition in the download space. That seems to be SCEA's definition of "price parity" right now for the PSP, though in Japan downloadable titles have been on average slightly cheaper than their physical counterparts. Sure, it's rough on retailers if they have to compete with a lower-than-MSRP price coming straight Sony, but the likes of Amazon are already at below MSRP on plenty of titles, and we're not so sure consumers are going to take kindly to paying more for less (in the physical sense, anyway) after they already splurged hard on the PSP Go... not that they'll have much choice in the matter, outside of trying their luck at the old swap-a-roo.

[Via Joystiq]

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Sony plans to keep PSP downloads at 'pricing parity,' whatever that means originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>downloadgame downloadsGameDownloadsmsrppsppsp goPspGosceasonyWed, 23 Sep 2009 21:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Brilliant PS3 Slim ad loses Nigerian scam reference, internet rumors now known to have started WWI]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/11/brilliant-ps3-slim-ad-loses-nigerian-scam-reference-internet-ru/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/11/brilliant-ps3-slim-ad-loses-nigerian-scam-reference-internet-ru/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/11/brilliant-ps3-slim-ad-loses-nigerian-scam-reference-internet-ru/#comments Turns out not everyone was amused by Sony's tongue-in-cheek PlayStation 3 Slim ad about internet rumors -- just ask the Nigerian government. The line in question, "you can't believe everything you read on the internet, otherwise I'd be a Nigerian millionaire by now," apparently caused a bit of a stir, and the local authorities demanded the company pull the commercial. It's now been replaced in the company's Viddler account with a slightly altered version that claims online FUD is "how World War One got started." Someone should tell Sony Director of Rumor Confirmation Kevin Butler that there's a certain assassinated Austrian Archduke who would beg to differ. Revised video after the break, and just for kicks, we found the old video on YouTube for comparison.

[Via Joystiq]

Continue reading Brilliant PS3 Slim ad loses Nigerian scam reference, internet rumors now known to have started WWI

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Brilliant PS3 Slim ad loses Nigerian scam reference, internet rumors now known to have started WWI originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 21:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adadscommercialcommercialscontroversynigerianigerianplaystationplaystation 3playstation 3 slimPlaystation3Playstation3Slimps3ps3 slimPs3SlimscamscamssceaslimsonyFri, 11 Sep 2009 21:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony: PlayStation 2 compatibility 'is not coming back' to PS3]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/20/sony-playstation-2-compatibility-is-not-coming-back-to-ps3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/20/sony-playstation-2-compatibility-is-not-coming-back-to-ps3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/20/sony-playstation-2-compatibility-is-not-coming-back-to-ps3/#comments Cling to that Cell-based PlayStation 2 emulator patent all you want, but Sony director of hardware marketing John Koller has some disparaging words for those wanting Shadow the Colossus to one day work one the latest hardware. PS2 backwards compatibility "is not coming back, so let me put that on the table," he told Ars Technica, soon after reaffirming, "that won't be returning." Apparently people have been buying the PS3 not for PS2 titles but for the newest games and Blu-ray movies -- and given PS2's continued dominance in sales, presumably to play those last-gen games, we don't doubt it. Seeing such a feature standard in all other consoles out there, including the first two iterations of this one, we can't help but feel burned. Still, it was less than two months ago when Sony's mantra was no PS3 price cuts, and funny enough, that's more or less what happened. So if Koller wants to go back on his word and offer PS2 compatibility further down the line, hey, we'll forgive him.

[Via Joystiq]

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Sony: PlayStation 2 compatibility 'is not coming back' to PS3 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backward compatibilityBackwardCompatibilitybcjohn kollerJohnKollerkollerplaystation 2playstation 3Playstation2Playstation3ps2ps3ps3 slimPs3SlimsceasonyThu, 20 Aug 2009 21:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: White PSPgo hands-on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/video-white-psp-go-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/video-white-psp-go-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/video-white-psp-go-hands-on/#commentsSure, speaking with Sony's John Koller was great and all, but one of the real treats with the interview was some quiet hands-on time with a white PSP Go, unfortunately not turned on but with the same build quality and weight as its functional black model (also found tagging along to the Q&A). Our impression of the device is largely unchanged from the initial experience -- a sturdy build that's surprisingly light, although with this go around we didn't find the shoulder buttons to be more comfortable this time. Still, our interest wanes pretty dramatically when we're reminded of its $249 price tag, but enough with our chatter, hit up the break for an up-close video of all its nooks and crannies, and while you're there, stick around for more tidbits from our interview.

Continue reading Video: White PSPgo hands-on

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Video: White PSPgo hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 08:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3 2009E32009featuredfeaturedvideofeatureshands onhands-onHandsOnimpressionimpressionsinterviewjohn kollerJohnKollerpreviewpsppsp goPspGosceasonysony pspsony psp goSonyPspSonyPspGovideoFri, 05 Jun 2009 08:54:00 EST<![CDATA[PlayStation 3 motion-sensing controller to be shown off at E3?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/01/playstation-3-motion-sensing-controller-to-be-shown-off-at-e3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/01/playstation-3-motion-sensing-controller-to-be-shown-off-at-e3/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/01/playstation-3-motion-sensing-controller-to-be-shown-off-at-e3/#commentsIt's now just over a month before Sony's E3 press event and already the rumor mill is aflutter with what the comapny's planning to debut on stage. We've already heard about PSP's apparent makeover, and now comes word from Variety that the PlayStation 3's oft-rumored motion sensing controller, closer in the vein of the Wii remote than of its relative-positioning Sixaxis pad, will be getting some time on stage. A source from Kombo late last month suggested key third-party developers have already been brought up to speed and asked to implement the functionality into their upcoming titles. Like we said, this isn't the first time we've been down this road, and it's not happened infinitely more times than has, so... take that as you will. Brace yourself, this is only the beginning of the of a flurry of game-related murmurs and speculation in the leadup to next month's conference.

Read - Variety
Read - Kombo

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PlayStation 3 motion-sensing controller to be shown off at E3? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 May 2009 01:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controllermotion controlmotion controllermotion controllingmotion sensingMotionControlMotionControllerMotionControllingMotionSensingplaystationplaystation 3Playstation3psps3remoteremote controlremote controllerRemoteControlRemoteControllerrumorrumorssceasonysony playstationsony playstation 3sony pssony ps3SonyPlaystationSonyPlaystation3SonyPsSonyPs3Fri, 01 May 2009 01:37:00 EST