Sony has released the new v1.90 system software update for the PS3, adding plenty of new features and adjustments to its latest console, such as XMB customization, emoticons in chat over PSN, AVCHD video playback on mem stick/camera and plenty more...

SCEA announced that it will release an 80GB PS3 model in August for a suggested retail price of $599/$659 CND, including a copy of its online-enabled racing game MotorStorm. Effective immediately, Sony is dropping the price of the current 60GB PS3 model by $100 in North America, to $499/$549 CND. Sony Europe is expected to make a price announcement at E3.

Pirates of the Burning Sea is a massively multiplayer online roleplaying game set in the Caribbean islands of the 18th Century. You play a bold sea captain, master of your own ship and crew, as you seek glory and adventure across the trackless deep. While Flying Labs stays indie, and is in charge of the development, SOE will handle the distribution and marketing.

To coincide with the recent PlayStation 3 v1.80 update, which amongst other things added Remote Play ability allowing anyone with a PSP to access their PS3 over the Internet, Sony has now also released a new v3.50 PSP firmware update, adding support for remote play over the internet, and RSS Channel Guide has been added as a feature.

Earlier this week Sony Computer Entertainment America held its annual gamers/press day, where various third party developers/publishers showed off plenty of upcoming titles. Check out our SCEA Gamers Day 2007 page, for news, screens and trailers on the following titles :

• 'The Transformers' (ALL) - 2 New Screens
• 'TimeShift' (PS3/X360/PC) - 3 New Screens
• 'The Bigs' (PS3) - 3 New Screens
• 'Surf's Up' (ALL) - 3 New Screens
• 'Stranglehold' (PS3) - 3 New Screens & Trailer
• 'Rainbow Six Vegas' (PS3) - 3 Screens
• 'Hellboy' (PSP/PS3/X360) - 4 New Screens
• 'Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer' (ALL) - 4 New Screens
• 'Devil May Cry 4' (PS3/X360/PC) - 3 New Screens
• 'The Darkness' (PS3/X360) - 2 New Screens
• 'SEGA Rally Revo' (PS3/X360/PC) - 4 New Screens
• 'Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End' (ALL) - 5 New Screens
• 'Ninja Gaiden Sigma' (PS3) - 7 New Screens
• 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' (ALL) - 3 Screens
• 'Dynasty Warriors: Gundam' (PS3) - 8 New Screens
• 'Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2' (PS3) - 3 New Screens
• 'Dark Sector' (PS3/X360) - 3 New Screens
• 'Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles' (PSP) - 4 New Screens
• 'NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja Heroes' (PSP) - 9 New Screens
• 'Final Fantasy II' (PSP) - 4 New Screens'
• Final Fantasy' (PSP) - Screens
• 'Crush' (PSP) - 3 New Screens
• 'Silent Hill Origins' (PSP) - 3 New Screens
• 'Crazy Taxi: Fare Wars' (PSP) - 6 New Screens
• 'Dead Head Fred' (PSP) - 3 New Screens
• 'Dungeons & Dragons Tactics' (PSP) - 3 New Screens
• 'PQ2: Practical Intelligence Quotient' (PSP) - 3 New Screens
• 'Monster Hunter Freedom 2' (PSP) - 3 New Screens
• 'Hot Brain: Fire up Your Mind' (PSP) - 12 New Screens

Earlier this week Sony Computer Entertainment America held its annual gamers/press day, where they showed off plenty of upcoming first and third party titles. Check out our SCEA Gamers Day 2007 page, for news, screens and trailers on the following titles :

• 'Folklore' (PS3) Announced - Screens & Trailer
• 'SOCOM Confrontation' (PS3) Announced - Screens & Trailer
• 'PAIN' (PS3) Announced - Screens
• 'Uncharted: Drake's Fortune' (PS3) - Screens & Trailer
• 'Heavenly Sword' [PS3] - Screens & Trailer
• 'God of War: Chains of Olympus' (PSP) - Screens
• 'Warhawk' (PS3) - 7 New Screens
• 'The Eye of Judgment' (PS3) - 7 New Screens
• 'Singstar' (PS3) - 5 New Screens
• 'NBA '08' (PS3) - 3 New Screens
• 'Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction' (PS3) - 5 New Screens
• 'Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow' (PSP) - Features, Screens & Trailer
• 'Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice' (PSP) - Features, Screens & Trailer
• 'Hot Shots Tennis' (PS2) - Features & Screens
• 'LittleBigPlanet' (PS3) - 9 New Screens
• 'SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Tactical Strike' (PSP) - Screens & Trailer
• 'Jeanne d'Arc' (PSP) - Features, Screens & Trailer
• 'Buzz Junior: Jungle Party' (PS2) - Features & Screens
• 'Buzz! The Mega Quiz ' (PS2) - Features & Screens
• 'PaRappa The Rapper' (PSP) - Features & Screens

Sony's Q4 2007 financial results reveal the gaming division has lost $1.9 billion, mainly due to the below-production cost sale of the PS3, as well as declining PS2 hard/software sales. So far Sony has shipped, not sold, 13 million PS3 units, and a whopping 193 million PS2s. Sony expects a turnaround next fiscal year, as it is reorganizing and taking steps to cut production costs for the PS3.

Vanguard: Saga of Heroes is an MMORPG with a vast, seamless, immersive virtual world filled with elements of familiar High Fantasy, including traditional themes and more. SOE announced it has acquired both Vanguard and its developer Sigil Online, re-hiring 50 people from the original staff.

Konami announced an agreement with Sony BMG Music to digitally distribute Konami's library of songs from its diversified catalog of video games.

Sony has released details about the upcoming v2.0 system software update for the PS3, delivering features such as XMB (XrossMediaBar) accessible during gameplay, RSS channel added, and plenty more ...

SCEA announced the arrival of the next-generation Playstation Eye camera, an essential accessory for voice, video chat and online gaming that will enable gamers to enjoy their PS3 experiences like never before.

Sony Computer Entertainment America today announced its 2007 second-quarter software line-up for PS3, PSP, and PS2, pomising no less than 100 new titles in the next few months across all platforms.

Sony has released a new v1.70 system software update for the PS3, delivering features such as the ability to download PSOne titles from Playstation Store (and play it on the PS3), use saved data for PSOne software on the PSP, and adding the vibration function of accessories that are for use with PSOne and PS2 titles. The v3.40 PSP update adds more PSOne title compatibility, and a change to the method of managing certificates.

An internal letter from SCEE's senior executive David Reeves reveals that in order to further its market leadership, management has concluded that it needs to streamline and strengthen its business operations, including reducing its cost base. In order to do so, 160 redundancies in the UK offices, WWS studios in Europe, and territory offices need to be cut, and staff across all areas of the business are likely to be affected.

Sony officially announced that it will no longer offer two editions of the PS3, doing away with the 20Gb model, mainly due to low demand, and only offer the high end $599 60Gb model. Read more for the official statement...

Ghost Rider co-creator Gary Friedrich filed a 61-page complaint in federal court claiming 21 violations based on the production and marketing of Sony's recent "Ghost Rider." Friedrich claims the Ghost Rider copyrights reverted from Marvel to him in 2001, and accuses Sony, Marvel and Take Two of a "conspiracy to exploit, profit from and utilize" his copyrights to the comic book character.

Following the recent second anniversary of PSP, Sony Computer Entertainment America announced a reduced price for PSP hardware. Effective today, PSP Core Pack will be available in North America for $169.99 (MSRP), delivering a significant $30 savings to consumers.

Sony has released a new v3.30 PSP firmware update, adding new features such as display thumbnails under RSS Channel, expanded support for PlayStation Network-downloaded PSOne games, support for displaying thumbnails for files in the VIDEO folder, and the option to set Disc-Load speed to Fast or Normal.

As promised, Sony has released the v1.60 system software update for the PS3, delivering features such as Folding@home connectivity, enhanced downloading of content from the PS Store, support for Bluetooth keyboards and mice, and an optional full QWERTY on-screen keyboard for text entry.

SCEA announced that the next system software update for the PS3 will be available March 22, delivering features such as Folding@home connectivity, enhanced downloading of content from the PS Store, support for Bluetooth keyboards and mice, and an optional full QWERTY on-screen keyboard for text entry.

Check out the following new screens from Sony's GDC 2007 lineup:

• Calling All Cars (PS3) - Screens
• fl0w (PS3) - Screens
• Home (PS3) - Screens & Trailer
• LittleBigPlanet (PS3) - Screens & Trailer
• SingStar (PS3) - Screens
• Warhawk (PS3) - Screens & Trailers

Sony unveiled a first-of-its-kind 3D online user community service for the PS3. The service, known as "Home," will enable users to create their own avatar and explore a real-time virtual community, as if they are playing a detailed 3D game.

During a Morgan Stanley investor conference Electronic Arts' outgoing chief executive Larry Probst said the publisher expects Sony's 10 year console market dominance to slip in the current hardware war, mainly due to the year lead by Microsoft, and the much cheaper Wii with its innovative Wiimote controller. While Probst still expects Sony to prevail, it will be a tough fight with a less commanding lead.

Immersion and Sony Computer Entertainment announced they have agreed to conclude their patent litigation at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and have entered into a new business agreement to explore the inclusion of Immersion technology in PlayStation products.

The PS3 has received yet another new firmware update, adding the ability to increase your chat window, support for compatible USB camera, and presumably a few security tweaks. If you read Japanese, here's the full fix list...