For those who don’t own a PlayStation 3, PSP, or PSP go yet, Sony has just announced some news that may make you want to jump onboard. According to Sony’s press release today, PlayStation Network (PSN) has become the first entertainment system to offer HD movies for rent or purchase from all the major Hollywood studios. Titles from 20th Century Fox, Walt Disney Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Universal Pictures, and Warner Bros. Digital Distribution will available in U.S. starting today and soon in the U.K., France, Germany, and Spain. FYI, you can also rent, purchase, and organize PSN entertainment content through your Windows PC for playback on your PSP device using Sony’s Media Go application [demo], or access PSN directly on the PSP via Wi-Fi. All movie rentals will available for progressive download to watch instantly or held for 14-days for later viewing (note: once you hit play you have 24 hours to finish viewing the video). MORE »

If you’re curious what the interface and experience is like with Netflix Instant Streaming on a PS3, have a look at the attached user created video. It takes a few seconds for the required disc to initiate, but the UI appears similar to other Netflix enabled products and doesn’t suffer from any noticable lag (other than when initially loading cover art or buffering a movie). [via] MORE »

Netflix members with Sony PlayStation 3 game consoles are going to be ecstatic to learn (it was previously thought that Netflix was exclusive to the Xbox 360 game console) that in the next month or so Netflix will begin shipping free, instant streaming Blu-ray discs to all members upon request. The disc, which leverages Blu-ray’s BD-Live functionality and PS3’s XMB interface, allows members to access their Netflix Queue and select movies or TV shows for instant viewing. Users can also rate movies, read synopses, and manage the whole experience using PS3’s Wireless Controller. However, there’s a catch: PS3 owners must insert the Netflix Blu-ray disc each time they wish to use the service. MORE »

It’s out! Hard to believe that in less than three years Sony is now unveiling a slimmer, lighter, and less power-hungry PlayStation 3. The new PS3 Slim will sell for $299 [Amazon] this September and include a larger 120GB hard drive — not bad for a combined Game Console, Blu-ray player, PC/Internet streamer device. Attached above is a video of Sony’s Jack Tretton introducing the PS3 Slim. [via] MORE »

Own a Logitech Harmony remote, a Sony PlayStation 3, and have $60 to spend? If you do, then you’re going to want to run down to Best Buy and pick up one of these handy IR receiving Bluetooth adapters that will give your Harmony remote the ability to operate all 51 commands the PS3 supports. With the Logitech Harmony Adapter for PlayStation 3, you’ll be able to control DVD / Blu-ray movie playback, navigate the XrossMediaBar (XMB), as well as power on and off your console. Really, it’s a no-brainer purchase if you own the two other devices already.

I was just thinking… could the PS3 be the ultimate living room friendly platform for Boxee? If you remember at the beginning of December, Boxee announced Netflix streaming support for their platform; but, unfortunately, couldn’t get it to work consistently on the Apple TV because it was underpowered. As such, the Apple TV gets knocked out of contention as the go-to device for Boxee by most people in regards to streaming video from online content providers. Well, as you know, the PlayStation 3 is more than capable spec wise to handle streaming video – it is a Blu-ray player and game console by design. The PS3 is also a Linux PC as well, if you want to install a Linux OS on it. Being the case, one can install Ubuntu and then Boxee to get the whole shebang with full HD support and a powerful processor. Even better… I’d recommend that the Boxee team create a custom barebones Ubuntu-based installer for the PS3 that launches Boxee automatically after boot-up – so all you have to do is toggle over in the PS3 menu and launch Boxee. What do you guys think?

Aside: Now we just have to wait for Netflix to support streaming on Linux, which rumor has it will be available sometime in 2009.

Man, this sucks. The highly anticipated PlayTV DVB-T adapter that was supposed to allow PS3 users in Europe to record TV shows and transfer their recordings to memory stick, PC, or PSP has been neutered, according to Eurogamer. The device, in conjunction with the PS3, will now only “stream” live or recorded content to a PSP using Remote Play functionality. And, oh yeah… HD signal recording got nixed too (may be available in the future). Look for the emasculated PlayTV (Promo Video) this September for 69.99 GBP. MORE »

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today launches the company’s new video delivery service on PLAYSTATION®Store for PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) systems in the United States. Consumers will have the ability to download full-length movies, television shows, and original programming accessible through the PLAYSTATION Store on PLAYSTATION®Network. With nearly 300 full length movies and more than 1,200 TV episodes, many available in both standard-definition (SD) and high-definition (HD), PLAYSTATION Network’s video delivery service makes PS3 the ultimate entertainment platform and enhances PSP’s status as a portable entertainment marvel. PLAYSTATION Network’s video delivery service will become available later this evening. MORE »

TVersity Inc., the pioneer in enabling access to personal and Internet media on game consoles and TV connected devices, is launching today its 1.0 version and announcing that its media server software has surged past two million downloads. MORE »

Sony today presented a series of new initiatives designed to build on its previous three-year revitalization plan and to position the company as the leading global provider of networked consumer electronics and entertainment. In particular, the company will focus on strengthening core businesses, enhancing network initiatives and leveraging international growth opportunities to build for the future and drive further growth and profits. In addition, Sony announced the following key mid-term goals: MORE »