Sony to hook PSX console users up with TV schedules via GEMSTAR system; CDDB compatibility likely.
In a recently-published interview, Kenji Matsuoka, the Sony worker who led PSX development, talked about the new console's genesis. He also revealed a new corporate partnership, and speculated on future software-based upgrades for the PSX. Matsuoka revealed that the PSX that hits the stores in Japan next month will have one small difference from the prototypes displayed at CEATEC: a G-GUIDE logo on the front panel. G-GUIDE is the Japanese name for the electric programming guide that Sony has selected for the PSX. Produced by U.S. company Gemstar, the publisher of TV Guide, G-GUIDE will broadcast updated information to PSX consoles four times per day. Although Gemstar also offers this information as a download service, Sony decided to stick with broadcast delivery in the expectation that some PSX buyers would not have their consoles hooked up to a network.
Gemstar also offers this electric programming guide in the U.S. and Europe; in those markets it is branded as TV Guide On Screen and Guide Plus+ respectively. Although there has been no announcement to date, it seems likely that the Sony/Gemstar partnership will extend to these markets when PSX sales start there. Matsuoka also spoke about the genesis of the PSX, and the reason why Sony decided to use the PS2 processor and graphics engine in its newest console. Matsuoka was involved with creating the Blu-ray Disc before being given charge of the PSX project, so his first inclination was to approach the PSX as an AV device rather than a gaming platform, and there was no internal mandate to use PS2 technology. However, according to Matsuoka, his team's goal was to create "a GUI that would be easy to understand even for people that barely look at the manual," and they decided that the PS2 processor was the best tool for this.
News source: GameSpot
In a recently-published interview, Kenji Matsuoka, the Sony worker who led PSX development, talked about the new console's genesis. He also revealed a new corporate partnership, and speculated on future software-based upgrades for the PSX. Matsuoka revealed that the PSX that hits the stores in Japan next month will have one small difference from the prototypes displayed at CEATEC: a G-GUIDE logo on the front panel. G-GUIDE is the Japanese name for the electric programming guide that Sony has selected for the PSX. Produced by U.S. company Gemstar, the publisher of TV Guide, G-GUIDE will broadcast updated information to PSX consoles four times per day. Although Gemstar also offers this information as a download service, Sony decided to stick with broadcast delivery in the expectation that some PSX buyers would not have their consoles hooked up to a network.
Gemstar also offers this electric programming guide in the U.S. and Europe; in those markets it is branded as TV Guide On Screen and Guide Plus+ respectively. Although there has been no announcement to date, it seems likely that the Sony/Gemstar partnership will extend to these markets when PSX sales start there. Matsuoka also spoke about the genesis of the PSX, and the reason why Sony decided to use the PS2 processor and graphics engine in its newest console. Matsuoka was involved with creating the Blu-ray Disc before being given charge of the PSX project, so his first inclination was to approach the PSX as an AV device rather than a gaming platform, and there was no internal mandate to use PS2 technology. However, according to Matsuoka, his team's goal was to create "a GUI that would be easy to understand even for people that barely look at the manual," and they decided that the PS2 processor was the best tool for this.
News source: GameSpot
Changes:
- feature: implemented ringtone manager
- feature: implemented 'block user' feature
- feature: "delete" key works in address bar dropdown
- feature: friends list hints show username and Fullname
- feature: improved voice quality and call setup
- feature: added check for audio hardware presence on startup
- feature: added application-wide hotkeys and keyboard tab under options
- feature: "Esc","N" and "H" act like the hangup button on the calltab, "Y" and "A" act like the green button on the calltab if there is an incoming call
- feature: "F1" key anywhere in main window opens the help url
- feature: autocompletion in send contacts form
- feature: users can set global hotkeys for using main features of Skype under options
- feature: added view text message history items to Friends List and call-log context (right-click) menus
- change: faster online presence updates
- change: new Estonian language file
- change: new English language file
- change: calltab context menu (right-click) has mute/unmute item
- change: picking up usbphone focuses Friends List tab now
- change: space key is disabled on call tab (some users were inadvertently answering calls)
- change: call and search results tabs can be closed with Ctrl-F4
- change: some minor changes in Dutch translation
- bugfix: echo cancellation is enabled even when little echo is detected (fixes version 0.94 echo problem)
- bugfix: confirm dialogs are unicode enabled now
- bugfix: usbphone support - several bugfixes, more error handling
- bugfix: fixed problem with detection of multi line hyperlinks
- bugfix: sound streams are now always correctly closed after they are played
- bugfix: friend is now marked as offline when message or call fails with "user not online" message.
The less cynical amongst us might believe this
Nintendo know that and it's console is now at 139.99$ CND! Now that's cheap! How is a normal PS2 and xBox huh?
In conclusion, Sony will suck my nuts on that one...
*sorry I can't elaborate more, I'm drunk*
LOL no joking, I only mean that it's useless to have integrated. I prefer to upgrade a single part of my machine, instead of have to change the WHOLE machine the nextime you want something.
Damn fan boy of everything, they don't think using their logic!
dont get me wrong psx is cool but why would i want to throw out the whole thing just to upgrade one piece (ps2 --> ps3) i would rather get it all seperate so i only have to upgarade things as needed not everything everytime a new feature comes along
also it seems to me things bougth seperatly have more funcitonality than things combined like you can get better dvd players and vcrs than the functionality in the dvd/vcr combos and if one part breaks like the vcr that means that you have to throw out a posibly well working dvd player atached to it
Thats why i refuse to buy a dvd/vcr combo and thats also how i talked my granny out of buying one of those. She opted to keep them seperate after i sugested that
2. PS3 Vs PSX: The games console part is just part the deal not the main focus, just like it doesn't use Blu Ray Discs instead of DVDs. There will allways something new and better. Also being compatible with the biggest selling/most popular console in the world today is a no brainer for a universal media box.
3. No body is forcing you to buy it:
Just because sony are brining out a combined system doesn't mean seperates will dispear. It didn't happen with HiFis it won't happen with games consoles / dvd players / digital tv boxes.
Commenting has either been disabled on this article or you are not logged in. Click here to login or register, its free!
Note: Anonymous commenting is disabled in order to keep the quality of responses to a high standard.