playstation

A rather noteworthy firmware update arrived yesterday for the PlayStation Vita in Japan, just weeks before the device is set to debut in the U.S. on February 22.

Vita can now shoot MP4 video (1.5Mbps) at 640x480 resolution with supplementary audio-recording support up to 128Kbps AAC. This is not HD-quality by any means, but it will probably look above-average based on the strength of Sony's mobile-camera sensors. There's a note of an improvement to "Featured Photo," which now supports video content.

We also spotted an optional Content Manager Assistant app for Vita (available now in English for PC and Mac) that lets you run a system update and transfer and/or back up data between the Vita and a computer. … Read more

PlayStation Network accounts will soon be no more.

In a move toward unifying its online services, PlayStation Network accounts are changing to Sony Entertainment Network accounts. "This helps us get closer to our goal of establishing a global comprehensive network platform of services across games, movies, music and more, all accessible from one convenient account," the company said in a statement.

The change is in name only, and users of the service will not have to worry about changing their username or password. A software update for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita will arrive tomorrow to usher in the rebranding, but oddly, this change is not occurring for the PlayStation Portable (PSP). … Read more

Gamers eager for a taste of Sony's upcoming PlayStation Vita console may be able to try out a playable demo unit at their local GameStop store.

The Vita is available at more than 3,300 GameStop stores across the U.S. to offer potential buyers their first hands-on experience. Entering your ZIP code at GameStop's Vita Web page displays a list of your closest stores, but it looks like you'll need to call them to see which ones have a playable unit on hand.

The units will offer eight different games to try out--Uncharted: Golden Abyss, Little … Read more

A hacker has figured out a way to play PlayStation 3 games such as Battlefield 3, Red Dead Redemption, Batman: Arkham Aslyum, and other major titles on a PlayStation Vita.

Remote play between the Vita and PS3 is normally limited to a select group of games. However, YouTube user homer49 figured out a way to stream a variety of games from his hacked PS3 (using hacked firmware 3.55) to a PS Vita. Talk about the ultimate handheld! … Read more

Microsoft's Xbox 360 was one of the few bright spots in a year marked by a downturn in retail gaming sales, according to data out yesterday from NPD Group.

The Xbox 360 scored almost 40 percent of physical retail sales across all product categories in 2011. Microsoft's gaming console was the top-selling platform of the year, said NPD, though Sony's PlayStation 3 also saw a jump in unit sales over 2010.

Revenue from software, accessories, and other items for the Xbox 360 and PS3 rose 5 percent for the year.

But the gaming industry as a whole … Read more

LAS VEGAS--For our last live episode from CES, we're joined by Sony's John Koller who shows us the U.S. version of the PlayStation Vita and President of CBS Interactive Jim Lanzone...fingers crossed that we still have jobs after this!

First we sit down with Sony's Director of Hardware Marketing John Koller for a first glimpse at the American version of the PlayStation Vita mobile gaming device. Last year Jeff got the chance to look at a preview of the Japanese-only model, and the hardware is truly meant for the hard-core gamer.

Replete with dual-control pads, … Read more

Sony had a strong showing during the busy holiday shopping season, the company announced last night.

Between November 21 and January 5 in Japan and Asia, and November 21 and December 31 in North America, the company sold 6.5 million PlayStation hardware units worldwide. That figure takes into account sales of the PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation Portable, and PlayStation 2.

PlayStation 3 sales were especially strong, hitting 3.9 million units worldwide during the shopping season. Sony also announced that it sold 500,000 units of its new portable, the PlayStation Vita, across Japan and Asia. And although … Read more

LAS VEGAS--AT&T customers will soon be able to get their game on with the PlayStation Vita, as the carrier announced pricing and availability date today.

Shipping on February 22, the 3G/Wi-Fi model of the Vita will cost $299, with the choice of two data plans. There is a $14.99 plan that offers 250MB data, and a $25 plan that gives you 2GB of data. Both plans will be month-to-month and will not require a long-term contract. A free game download is included with the purchase of the Vita and a data plan.

The gaming handheld will … Read more

Quantum superconductors are an amazing thing.

With the right materials cooled down to below -301 degrees Fahrenheit, you can create a superconductive magnetic field known as the Meissner effect that is capable of floating stably in midair.

Over the past year, we've seen the effect demonstrated with a floating crystal wafer and a skateboard, and discussed as a real-world solution for high-speed rail.

With all that said, it seems completely plausible that some bored science students might construct a small-scale quantum superconductive racetrack styled after the '90s PlayStation game Wipe'out. I mean, why not?

Well, as badly as I want to believe in the above piece of awesomeness, it is likely a hoax.… Read more