The PS3 Debuts

Today, at a press conference, Sony let details of the PS3 finally be known.


*It will be backwards-compatible

*It will use the blu-ray since the talks with Toshiba for a compromised universal format broke down

*It will be released in 2006. Apparently Sony doesn't consider the strongest competitor they ever had (Microsoft) to be a threat.


*Detachable hard drive, six USB ports, a bluetooth slot, and even seven bluetooth wireless controllers.


*3.2 GHz CELL processor, 2.18 tetraflops of performance, 256 Mb RAM


From Gamespot:
Sony also confirmed the PlayStation 3, will use Blu-Ray discs as its media format. The discs can hold up to six times as much data as current-generation DVDs. It will also support CR-ROM, CDR+W, DVD, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD+R formats. It also confirmed the machine would be backwards compatible all the way to the original PlayStation. It will also have slots for Memory Stick Duo, a SD slot, and a compact flash memory slot. It will also sport a detachable 2.5 inch HDD.

Out of the box, the PS3 will have the capability to support seven Bluetooth controllers. It will also have six USB slots for peripherals--four up front and two in the back.

Sony also laid out the technical specs of the device. The PlayStation 3 will feature the much-vaunted Cell processor, which will run at 3.2 Ghz and feature 2.18 teraflops of performance. It will sport 256mb XDR main RAM at 3.2 Ghz, have 256MB of GDDR VRAM at 700mhz.

The PlayStation 3 will also sport some hefty multimedia features, such as video chat, internet access, digital photo viewing, digital audio and video. Sony Computer Entertainment head Ken Kutaragi introduced it as a "Super computer for computer entertainment."

Many of those multi-media features were promised for the HDD, but never materialized.



Update: GTA and Metal Gear Solid 4 are confirmed as titles that will launch with the PS3 when it gets released in 2006. Devil May Cry 4 and Gran Turismo 5 are also confirmed titles for the PS3.