Toshiba has announced that is planning to launch two new commercial products that will be based on PlayStation 3 technology. The Japanese news site Tech-On! reports that an upcoming Toshiba HDTV will use the PS3's core Cell processor to enable some high-end features not normally seen on consumer television sets. One of these features is "real-time upscaling of SD signals into HD resolution". Another interesting feature will be "the ability to play and record multiple TV shows at the same time." Another feature is described as the ability to "display video as if it is being viewed through opera glasses." Although unclear, it seems that may be a description of a zoom function. The second product is a notebook which will use Toshiba and Sony's SpursEngine graphics processor. There was no other details available for the laptop however. The notebook is expected to launch Q4 2008 while the TV should arrive in fall 2009.

Playstation 3 owners, unhappy that they won't get a crack at the Grand Theft Auto IV downloadable content might still have a glimmer of hope.

Speaking to Videogamer.com, SCEE head David Reeves said that PS3 owners will probably see GTA IV content eventually.

Microsoft has a stranglehold on GTA IV DLC after they signed a $50 million agreement with Rockstar to bring additional content to the Xbox 360 version of the game.

However, fans have been left in the dark, as neither Microsoft or Rockstar has revealed any details as to what the DLC entails.

PlayStation president Kaz Hirai is confident the PS3 will win the console war, despite what he calls an "underwhelming" start.
"I am very confident that after the 10-year lifecycle we will have the install base that we are looking for, and that is obviously to be in the leadership position," Hirai told the BBC after his PlayStation Day keynote on Tuesday.
In his earlier remarks to the media, Hirai admitted to the slow start of the PS3. "I think it's fair to say that the first year of PlayStation 3 was somewhat a difficult one," he said. "There were some teething problems, success from our competitors, and our customers were a little underwhelmed by the range of titles that were available.
"This is something that we're very much aware of, and something we were always confident we could overcome."
Despite its inferior graphics, the Nintendo Wii has handily outsold Sony's PS3 and Microsoft's Xbox 360 at a rate similar to that of the PlayStation 2, which has become the all-time best selling console with 127 million units sold thus far.

The UK's Advertising Standards Authority has banned a recent televised PlayStation 3 ad for including "misleading" language which claimed the system would play all PlayStation 2 software.
While certain PlayStation 3 versions are indeed compatible with a majority of previous-generation software, the ad's claims (particularly the phrase "and it plays your PS2 games as well") were found to be in violation of CAP TV Advertising Standards Code rule 5.1, the UK's truth-in-advertising statute, reports Next Generation.
Despite ad creator PC World's argument that "around 80 percent of PS2 software is compatible with 60GB PlayStation 3s," the ASA has stated that the ad should not appear again in broadcast in its current form.

I'm just back from Sony's Playstation Day event in London. I'll stick some impressions up tomorrow - early playable code of Killzone and Motorstorm 2 were shown, along with a stack of PSP stuff - but Sony's big announcement was sales related. Yes, the PS3 has now outsold the 360 in Europe. Sony's David Reeves credited this success to the quality of software. Hmm. Did the solid, yet unspectacular likes of Resistance and Motorstorm really drive those sales? Unlikely. If you wanted the best games in 2007 you bought a 360. No, clearly Blu-ray and European brand loyalty were the main drivers. Oh, and the fact the PS3 doesn't suffer from the red ring of death was probably quite important too. So considering the paucity of must-have PS3 games to date - certainly in comparision to the 360 - the PS3 Euro sales success must be a worry for Microsoft.
Of course, the one sales figure Reeves didn't touch on was Nintendo's Wii - the console that has outsold both 360 and PS3. In fact you got the impression that Sony didn't even see Nintendo as a competitor anymore - a huge turnaround from only a couple of years ago when Sony press conferences were littered with Xbox and Gamecube comparison graphs. Anyway, PS3 - why did you buy? For the games? For Blu-ray? For the brand? Do tell

Talking to videogaming247, Haze creative head Derek Littlewood has confirmed that the shooter’s demo, to be released on PSN on May 6 as part of the forthcoming Playstation Day, will feature the game’s opening level.

“It’s the first mission in the game,” said Littlewood. “You take on the role of Shane Carpenter as a Mantel trooper as he’s scrambled into a jungle battlezone to secure the site of a crashed Mantel plane carrying a shipment of nectar.

“And you can assume by default that I’ll say it’s great,” he added.

Haze is released exclusively for PS3 on May 23.

An Insomniac Games employee has written in the NeoGAF boards and confirmed that a Resistance 2 demo will be present during the Sony PlayStation day on May 6, two days from now. It is likely that impressions will leak out of the press-only event, and we'll make sure to post them when they appear.

1) Delete the game's install data. This is done via the PS3 options. Scroll along the cross media bar until you reach the 'Game' tab, now scroll up / down the list until you reach the 'Game Data Utility' Enter this and locate the GTA IV option. Highlight this and press triangle once, from the menu select Delete. This will delete the game's install information.
2) Delete the game's save files. To delete any save files you will need to do the following. Scroll along the cross media bar until you reach the 'Game' tab, now scroll up / down the list until you reach the 'Save Data Utility' Enter this and locate the GTA IV option. Highlight this and press triangle once, and from the context menu select Delete.
3) Disable your Internet connectivity for the PS3. To do this scroll along the cross media bar until you reach the 'Settings' tab, now scroll up / down the list until you reach the 'Network Settings'. Now scroll down to the Internet connection option and press x, now select the disable option. Once this has been done unplug the ethernet cable if you are connecting to the Internet if using this.
4) Disable the console's information board. To do this scroll along the cross media bar until you reach the 'Network' tab, now scroll up / down the list until you reach the 'Information Board', highlight this and press triangle. From the menu select 'Do not display' Press X to confirm this.
5) Disable Media Server functionality. Scroll to Settings, now scroll up / down to 'Network Settings' select Media Server connection. Once this has been done press triangle and change the option Disabled.
6) Delete all of the system's Internet cache. To do this scroll along the cross media bar until you reach the 'Network' tab, now scroll up / down the list until you reach the 'Internet Browser', highlight this and press X. Once you browser opens press the triangle button once, from the new menu highlight the 'Tools' option and press X. Scroll down the menu until you reach 'Delete Cookies' and press X. Confirm the files deletion. Repeat this for 'Delete Cache'.
7 ) Turn off the PS3 screen saver. Use the cross media bar to scroll to 'Settings', select 'Display Settings'. Now highlight 'Screensaver' and set this to 'Do not use'.
8 ) Once this has been done, manually restart you PS3 by holding down the power button for 5 seconds it will beep once and then shut down. Release the power button and re-press it and hold for about 5 seconds. The system will then boot and reset all display settings. You will be prompted to reset your display settings to how you require them.
9) Once restarted please try the game again, you will be prompted to reinstall.
Once the game has started please turn off the following features:
1) The game's auto-save. Press Start, Game, and locate the Auto-save option. Turn this off.
2) Turn off the game's flicker filter. Press Start, Display and locate the Flicker Filter option. Turn this off.
3) Turn off the controller vibration feature. Press Start, Controls and locate the vibration option. Turn this off.

With a recession in full swing, Microsoft (MSFT), Sony (SNE), and Nintendo may have to cut the prices of the Xbox 360, Wii, and PS3. At least that is what the head of Activision (ATVI), the video game company, thinks. He told Reuters "With the rising costs of fuel and food and housing, it is more difficult to go out and buy a $399 console, and I think it's going to put pressure on the console manufacturers to reduce their prices."
For the game console people, the idea may not be all bad, but it has significant risks. Nintendo's stock price rise has been based on both the rapid sales of the Wii and its high profit margins. Its market cap is larges than that of all companies in Japan except Toyota (TM). Microsoft's device division, primarily the Xbox 360, is making money for the first time, after years of losses. Sony, which still has not dug its way out of its own video game disaster, is finally doing well with PS3 sales.
The saving graces of price cuts are derived from the two facts. Higher unit volumes drive down component costs In addition, the console companies make money from video game licenses. Each time a version of Grand Theft Auto IV from Take-Two (TTWO) is sold, either Sony or Microsoft gets a piece. The Wii, PS3, and Xbox 360 have been in production long enough so that parts suppliers are probably charging much less for the bill of materials.
Ultimately, the three console companies may have no choice. Poor consumers want their games, but they may need a little break to get them

Grand Theft Auto IV isn't only good for Take-Two and Rockstar; it will also help to spur console sales. That much is undebatable. And according to SCEA and GameStop, GTAIV's release caused PS3 sales to spike. As Next-Gen.biz reported:
"...As expected, the demand for Grand Theft Auto IV drove sales of the PlayStation 3 entertainment system within the first 24 hours, continuing the strong legacy of the franchise on PlayStation platforms." Senior vice-president of merchandising at GameStop, Bob McKenzie, had to agree with Sony's assessment on the matter: "From our position, the launch of GTA IV has been tremendous in driving traffic to our stores, as well as providing a vigorous lift in PS3 console sales over this time last week." However, all this being said, we don't yet have official figures to back up these statements; we imagine those numbers will arrive within the next few days. The results will be even more relevant when the NPD issues their monthly findings.
Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter further believes that the power of the PlayStation brand is going to make its presence known...as of now: "I think brand loyalty is going to kick in for Sony, starting today. There is a huge installed base of loyal PlayStation 2 owners who have been looking for a reason to upgrade, and they have strong previous ties to the Grand Theft Auto franchise on PlayStation platforms." He also talked about upcoming PS3 exclusives that will help to spur PS3 sales even higher, and concluded that Sony is "in a great position right now."

Downloadable Games

echochrome ($9.99)
Featuring an elegant black and white art design, echochrome is a puzzle game unlike any other. With gameplay based on optical illusions, players must utilize 5 simple laws of perspective to join walkways, hide dangers, and create new paths to reach the goal. Once you’ve mastered the 5 laws, use them to create your own mind-bending levels to play and share with friends using the custom level editor. Available for PlayStation 3 and PSP systems.
ESRB Rated E
File size: 86.4 MB
Add-on Game Content

Rock Band
Build your Rock Band library by purchasing these song game tracks. For song credits, visit www.RockBand.com.

* “Zero” - Smashing Pumpkins ($1.99)
* “Time-Sick Son of a Grizzly Bear” - The Mother Hips ($1.99)
* “Red Tandy” - The Mother Hips ($1.99)

File sizes: 15.5 MB - 36 MB

Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore sownloadable songs ($1.49 each)
Plug in the microphone and live out your dream as a singing sensation! Expand your Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore library by purchasing tracks from the in-game store. For music credits, visit the Karaoke Revolution section of www.konami.com. Full list of tracks (42) after the jump.
Game Demos (free)

Dark Sector Demo
Dark Sector thrusts players into the role of Hayden Tenno, an operative sent on a dangerous assassination mission into Lasria – an Eastern European city on the brink of ruin that hides a deadly Cold War secret. Attacked by an unknown enemy, he awakens to find part of his body altered by an infection that has granted him inhuman abilities. Now, Hayden must learn to evolve along with his powers, to survive and to become a hero.
ESRB Rated M
File size: 483 MB
Game Videos (free)

echochrome Trailer
Featuring an elegant black and white art design, echochrome is a puzzle game unlike any other. With gameplay based on optical illusions, players must utilize 5 simple laws of perspective to join walkways, hide dangers, and create new paths to reach the goal. Once you’ve mastered the 5 laws, use them to create your own mind-bending levels to play and share with friends using the custom level editor.
File size: 37 MB (1080)

Battlefield Bad Company Redford Blog
Sergeant Redford has seen plenty of action while in B Company, maybe even too much, and having squad members like Sweetwater and Haggard in his crew doesn’t put his tensions to rest. With only a couple weeks left in the Army, Redford is on his last string and will let nothing come in his way of a peaceful retirement…or will he?
File size: 97 MB (HD)

Kung Fu Panda Trailer
Check out the trailer for the new action-packed Kung Fu Panda game, based on the DreamWorks Animation movie!
File size: 68 MB (HD)

Dead Space Announcement Trailer
Dead Space brings the terror to your PS3.
File size: 91 MB (HD)

Dead Space Ship Date Trailer
Dead Space brings the chills on Halloween 2008.
File size: 78 MB (HD)

Turok - “Kane” Gameplay Trailer
The “Kane” Gameplay Trailer highlights the struggle between Turok and his former mentor Roland Kane as Turok fights to survive on a mysterious planet controlled by Kane and overrun with ravenous dinosaurs.
File size: 5.5 MB (SD), 30 MB (HD)

Turok “Bring It” Trailer
The Turok CG Trailer showcases the overwhelming odds of Turok’s fight to survive on a mysterious planet overrun with ravenous dinosaurs.
Wyclef Jean talks about his experience with the PLAYSTATION 3 system.
File size: 5.72 MB (SD), 29 MB (HD)

NBA Ballers: Chosen One TV Spot
Live the Game. Play the Life.
File size: 23 MB (HD)

Wyclef’s “Fast Car” Music Video
Wyclef’s latest music video, “Fast Car”! Visit PlayStation.com to view exclusive behind the scenes footage and interviews with Wyclef.
File size: 195 MB (HD), 323 MB (1080)
PS3 Wallpaper (free)

echochrome Wallpapers (x4)
Customize the background of your PS3 system with this new echochrome Wallpaper.
File size: 20 KB - 500 KB

Kung Fu Panda Wallpapers (x3)
Customize the background of your PS3 system with this new Kung Fu Panda Wallpaper.
File size: 334 KB - 4.76 MB

Here is this week’s content release for the PLAYSTATION Store for PC. To download these games to your PSP, navigate to http://store.playstation.com. There, you’ll find descriptions of the content and directions on how to get started. For more on the PLAYSTATION Store for PC, please click here.
Downloadable Games

* echochrome ($9.99) (also downloadable via PS3)
Game Videos (free)

* echochrome Trailer
* Wyclef’s “Fast Car” Music Video
PSP Wallpaper (free)

* echochrome Wallpapers (x4)

Hope you enjoy!

Karaoke Revolution Presents:

American Idol Encore, 42 song tracks

* “(You Make Me Feel Life) A Natural Woman” - Aretha Franklin
* “Against All Odds” - Phil Collins
* “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
* “Ain’t Nothing Life the Real Thing” - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
* “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” - Temptations
* “Alone” - Heart
* “Always Something There to Remind Me” - Naked Eyes
* “American Woman - Lenny Kravitz
* “Born to be Wild” - Steppenwolf
* “Careless Whisper” - Wham
* “Complicated” - Avril Lavigne
* “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” - Queen
* “Do I Make You Proud” - Taylor Hicks
* “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me” - Culture Club
* “Every Rose Has its Thorn” - Poison
* “Flashdance…What a Feeling” - Irene Cara
* “Greatest Love of All” - Whitney Houston
* “Here I Go Again” - Whitesnake
* “I Got You Babe” - Sonny & Cher
* “If I Ain’t Got You” - Alicia Keys
* “I’m Coming Out” - Diana Ross
* “It’s Your Love” - Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
* “Just the Way You Are” - Billy Joel
* “Ladies Night” - Kool & the Gang
* “Let’s Get it On” - Marvin Gaye
* “Love Will Keep Us Together” - Captain & Tennille
* “My Girl” - Temptations
* “New York
* New York” - Frank Sinatra
* “On the Road Again” - Willy Nelson
* “Photograph” - Nickelback
* “Proud Mary” - Creedance Clearwater
* “Respect” - Aretha Franklin
* “Stand By Your Man” - Tammy Wynette
* “Straight Up” - Paula Abdul
* “Sugar
* We’re Goin’ Down” - Fall Out Boy
* “Taking Care of Business” - Bachman Turner Overdrive
* “The First Cut is the Deepest” - Sheryl Crow / Rod Stewart
* “The Real Thing” - Bo Bice
* “When the Sun Goes Down” - Kenny Chesney & Uncle Kracker
* “Who Can it be Now?” - Men At Work
* “You and Me” - Lifehouse
* “You’re My Best Friend” - Queen

The freezing issues with Grand Theft Auto IV is affecting a limited number of Playstation 3s and there has been a low volume of calls to customer service about the issue, Sony Computer Entertainment of America said today in the first public statement about the apparent problem.

Despite the "limited number" of people effected by the freezing, Sony says they are working with Rockstar to isolate the issue and identify a solution.

Yes, we are aware of what the message boards and a few of the industry blogs are saying about a 'freezing' issue with GTA IV on a limited number of PS3s. Although we have seen an extremely low volume of contacts to our customer service department regarding such an issue, we want to ensure that every consumer has a great experience on our console and with GTA IV. All parties involved are working to isolate the problem for those few units and identify a solution.

Let's hope this is something that can be fixed with a quick patch and those few, vocal consumers effected by the problem will be able to get down to the business of playing GTA IV finally.