Tech Shout!

Sony has announced that the PlayStation gaming console, the company’s next-generation computer entertainment system has arrived in most stores and is ready for sale immediately in North America.

The Sony PlayStation 3 console is available in two configurations at the moment. One features a 20-GB hard disc drive and carries a suggested retail price of $499. The second configuration features a 60-GB hard disc drive and a built-in Wi-Fi adapter and multiple memory card slots at a retail price of $599.

Besides the PlayStation 3 hardware, a software lineup of more than 20 first and third party titles will be available at retailers in North America.

So what is so great about this gaming console, the coveted PlayStation 3? At the heart of PlayStation 3 is the Cell Broadband Engine, that enables massive floating point calculation, and Blu-ray Disc drive, which provides true High Definition (1080p) next-generation gaming and movie experiences.

Besides, up to 50 GB of data capacity is available for video games to store content. Imagine, this means it is up to five times the capacity of DVD.

But the technological advances do not just stop in the system itself. They are also found in the controller. The Sony PlayStation 3 gaming console’s new SIXAXIS wireless controller enables gamers to physically turn and twist their controllers to command the on-screen gameplay.

Besides, each PlayStation 3 console comes equipped with an HDMI output for the best connection possible to high-definition displays, supporting Full-HD resolution up to 1080p for games as well as movies.

PlayStation 3 owners can enjoy online game play and services, such as Web browsing through the PlayStation Network and downloadable content through the PlayStation Store. All this is credited to the fact that the PS3 has built-in network capabilities.

The first half million PlayStation 3 systems that were shipped in North America will include on of the biggest blockbuster hits from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment on high-definition Blu-ray Disc format, “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby”, which stars Will Ferrell.

Sales of Sony’s coveted PlayStation3 began early on the morning of November 17 in North America, with consumers waiting in line to be the first to purchase the system.

At the launch and through the holiday season which is soon approaching, more than 20 first and third party PS3 software titles across the most popular genres will also be released.

Some of the PlayStation 3 game titles that will be released include Resistance: Fall of Man; NBA ‘07; Genji: Days of the Blade- Third Party Publisher Titles: Blazing Angels Squadrons of WWII (Ubisoft); Call of Duty 3 (Activision); EA Sports Fight Night Round 3 (Electronic Arts); Full Auto 2: Battlelines (Sega); Madden NFL 07 (Electronic Arts); Marvel: Ultimate Alliance (Activision); Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire (Namco Bandai); NBA 2K7 (2K Sports); Need For Speed Carbon (Electronic Arts); NHL 2K7 (2K Sports); Ridge Racer 7 (Namco Bandai); Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 (Electronic Arts); Tony Hawk’s Project 8 (Activision); Untold Legends Dark Kingdom (Sony Online Entertainment).