14 DAY TRIAL // As you all know, yesterday reputed electronic and gaming company Sony held its press conference at the GamesCon event, which is unfolding in Cologne, Germany. It was a highly anticipated day, as many gamers and game journalists wanted to see which rumors regarding the Japanese company would come true.
One of the most talked about announcements regarded the supposedly true PlayStation 3 Slim and how it would arrive coupled with a $100 price cut off the regular tag associated with the console. All of these things came true, as Sony's Kaz Hirai went on stage and revealed the new and improved PS3 Slim, codenamed CECH-2000A.
The model, which will be sporting a matte charcoal black exterior, is almost half the height of the original PS3 and will come in just one 120GB flavor, for only 300 dollars, Euros or 29980 yen. A worldwide release date was given and, as such, on September 1, people from all regions, including North America, Europe and Asia, will get their hands on the newer, slimmer and cheaper platform.
The current PlayStation 3 consoles, which are still available in 80GB and 160GB versions, will see their prices slashed to $300 and $400, respectively, and will be available for sale until their stocks run out, at which point the PS3 Slim will be the only version available for Sony fans.
And now for some technical details, as the company was keen to highlight that such a drastic reduction in weight and height was possible thanks to new main semiconductors, power supply unit and the cooling mechanics. Also, the new platform boasts improved power consumption, which was reduced by two thirds, and a much quieter fan. The new matte texture won't have users worry about any scratches, as it happened with the glossy finish of the first PS3 models.
Also, fans who were hoping that the PS3 Slim would bring back the backward compatibility feature of the first few PS3s will be disappointed, as Sony considers that the library of games made for the platform is quite adequate and such a feature would only impact the manufacturing price of the new model. Modders and those who wanted to experiment with other operating systems on the PS3 will now be unable to install anything else, as the company revealed that this would have only distracted mainstream users.
Among the other new features of the PS3 Slim will be the 3.00 version of firmware, which will bring new options when it will be released at the beginning of September. Sony Bravia owners will also be happy to hear that it will have a Bravia Sync feature, meaning that they will be able to control the functions of the console with the TV remote. Last but not least, a vertical stand for the console will be sold separately for those of you who want to squeeze it anywhere in your home.
Overall, these are some massive changes that Sony made to the PS3 and, with the new lower price, it will definitely make a lot of people interested in the platform and get Sony back into the console war.
