Sony officially announced the heavily-rumored Sony PSP2 at Thursday Tokyo PlayStation meeting, which come with the codename NGP for “Next Generation Portable”. Sony NGP features a 5-inch OLED (without 3D function) with 960X544 resolution (4 times higher than PSP’s) and 16:9 ratio, two analog sticks, Sixaxis motion sensors, rear touchpad, 3G, WiFi, GPS and  front and rear cameras with a microphone. From the outside, Sony NGP is more like Sony PSP with rounded edge. The Sony NGP’s official dimensions are 182mm wide by 83.5mm high by 18.6mm deep.

The rear touchpad of Sony NGP

Sony NGP brings five new concepts: revolutionary user interface, social connectivity, Location-based Entertainment, Converging Real and Virtual (augmented reality), PlayStation Compatibility.

Sony NGP Screen

Sony NGP comes equipped with the most advanced duad-core CPU- ARM Cortex-A9 core and duad-core PowerVR SGX 543 MP4+ GPU. But the memory space is unknown, which may be the same as the previous test model with 16 GB memory and 512 MB LPDDR2 RAM.

Sony NGP

Sony NGP also comes with double cameras in the front and rear, but the detail resolution is still unknown. Sony NGP supports a 3.5 inches headset jack and an internal microphone. Sony NGP also features sixaxis sensors, including a accelerometer senor, a gyro sensor and a electronic compass.

New game media of Sony NGP

In the aspect of gaming, the new game media, a memory flash card will take place of UMD media, which look like a SD card. The new game media card will become the most important weapon of Sony NGP. Additionally, Sony stress particularly that Sony NGP is the first handheld game console that comes with double analog sticks in the world.

Game interface of Sony NGP

As to the game lineup, there are many games on display, such as wipeout, resistance, little Deviants, uncharted, Smart As, hot shots golf, gravity daze, Reality Fighters, and so on. As previously rumored, Sony NGP has the 5-inch rear touchpad, the same size as the front OLED touch screen. Gamers can use the front and rear touchpad simultaneously to control the game, which is a really complicated technology.

Ranking of Sony NGP Livearea

The newly user interface is called Livearea instead of the classical XMB, a brand-new game-oriented communication platform with vast social network to communicate with friends in real time and share gamers’ accomplishments in the same game.

Sony NGP

In the communication, Sony NGP supports WiFi wireless technology, the latest version of 802.11n and is compatible with 802.11b and 802.11g. Sony NGP also supports Bluetooth 2.1+EDR（A2DP/AVRCP/HSP）, but the battery life is still not unveiled.

Sony NGP

What’s more, Sony emphatically introduced a cross-platform software – “PlayStation Suite”, which is equal to an official PlayStation Store filled with games for cell phones with Android 2.3 or above and Android tablets. PlayStation Suite is going to launch in the later 2011.

Sony NGP

Sony NGP indeed give us many surprises, but there still a lot of key details are still undefined,  such as the battery life, price, memory, etc, and it’s a pity that Sony NGP will be available this holiday season which is kind of late compared with Nintendo 3DS release date of Mar 27.

Nintendo 3DS will be released in Japn on Feb 26. There’s a rumor said that Nintendo is planning to phase out its DSi handheld console.

Nintendo has denied the phase-out rumor:

“We plan to still manufacture and supply DSi consoles in a range of colours in the UK in 2011,” Nintendo said in a statement to the media. “On an on-going basis, continuing supply is based on retail and consumer demand.”

As 3DS released in Japan firstly, it will be followed in North America and Europe in March. Nintendo is to ship 1.5 million units of the device to Japan to avoid supply shortages that were experienced with older iterations of the console.

The 3DS will sell for 25,000 Japanese Yen.

Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite Notebook on sale recently, including 12-month gold membership service, the starting price for 1950 U.S. dollars. This Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite Notebook is from the Modder TwoJ’s and his friend spend 650 hours DIY, host XBOX360 Elite, through the DVI connection to install 17-inch Gateway widescreen displays, shell is new and all hand-built .

We can see TwoJ’s and his friends have a great idea in reform, the overall appearance of Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite Notebook is very close to notebook, but still a bit rough on the detail performance. It is worth of appreciating that their superior practical ability.

Sony Corporation announced that it will regroup SCE, according to plan, SCE PlayStation Network business will be off after regrouped and incorporated into the Sony Corporation. The regroup plan will be effected on April 1, 2010.

It is reported that the regroup plan will change SCE to a new name of SNEP, and create new SCE by SNEP company. New SCE will be primarily responsible for game console development, distribution business and so on while SNEP Corporation for PlayStation Network-related brands and services, planning, development, operation and other undertakings. At last, SNEP corporation will be incorporated into Sony Corporation.

In short, the old SCE will be off PlayStation Network related businesses and become a new SCE corporation while PlayStation Network related businesses into Sony corporation.

Industry analysis, the cause of Sony separate PlayStation Network from SCE is to build a company cover a unified network services, not just for the game host. Such as the Sony Ericsson mobile Aino can log in PlayStation Network directly. Now I believe that there would be more Sony products support PlayStation Network.

Final Fantasy XIII  Xbox 360 version in the European market, the two X360 host associated version – Special Edition and the Elite. Special Edition which includes inscribed with “Final Fantasy XIII” name of the 250GB hard drive, 2 wireless controller, you can download the embodiment of props (clothing, as well as Chocobo pets), “Final Fantasy XIII” games; Elite Edition includes 120GB hard drive, a wireless controller and the “Final Fantasy XIII” games.

The £ 249.99 special edition of the online booking has been sold out, the game will available on March 9, players who looking forward to this for the X360 do not miss it.

We dismantle Xbox 360 HDMI version and power consumption test and know Xbox 360 enhaneces graphics chip (GPU) cooling, overall power consumption has dropped significantly.

New HDMI Xbox 360 version CPU chip package size smaller than earlier version, the heat sink it uses is changing from large heat sink which is assited heat pipe to non-heat pipe and smaller size of aluminum extrusion heat sink. Display CPU process may be from original 90nm reduced to 65nm, power consumption has also declined also reduce cost with streamlining design.

New Xbox 360 version is still maintained double-chip package and the size is similar with earlier versions. The main heat sink uses low-profile aluminum extrusion heat sink by limited space. Add a hot-catheter at the top of chip, connected heat sink to CPU heat sink front, share cooling airflow with CPU.

Survey data shows that new Xbox 360 power consumption has decreased significantly from 153 ~ 174 W to 103 ~ 122 W which is about 57% ~ 70% of earlier version when we test Forza Motosport 2.

We also do temperature measurements on cooling fan and get 48 degrees on old version and 43 degree on new version. In addition, according to the internal engraving showing new Xbox 360 is OEM by Foxcon.

New Xbox 360 uses this design not only reduce power consumption but also solve the problem of three red lights failure and providing a more stable energy-efficient operation.

Xbox 360 shell

Xbox 360 after removed the shell

You can see changes in cooling system

New Xbox 360 add the heat pipe for cooling and has a special wind tunnel.

There is no difference between new Xbox 360 and old one.

Focus on heat pipe.

Overall picture of cooling system.

Motherboard

Processor

Graphics core

Memory chip

A positive picture of Motherboard The back of motherboard.

This is an internal picture of Xbox 360. Compare this, new coolingsystem have been carefully designed.

The joints of PS3 need to be soldered

Geohot released the file can crack PS3 after the third day he said he has cracked PS3. Geohot confirmed that file can already cracked PS3 but players can not use this file for there is no home-made software to support. People may not suspect for Geohot for he has releases PS3 crack file within three days.

Geohot said that 2.4.2 firmware has been running successfully in old PS3 while has not experiented in other PS3 version. Other PS3 verison shoule be able to use in theory but PS3 slim.

The crack approach is not easy for ordinary people, editors suggest that do not try, because not only compile PS3 crack files but also disassemble PS3 console and connect PS3 solder joints in the motherboard at the real time. So PS3 crack is no sense for ordinary players.
The release of PS3 crack file has a great significance, I believe there will be a large number of emerging-related cracking program, home-made software and so on.

An excellent analog controller should be with no different in response and feel, so as give the player a immersive feeling. It is very difficult to do this, especially for joystick and light gun. Player can identify easily in steering wheel simulation and performance is good or bad, because many people are actually not driving F-22 or AK-47, but maybe have had driving experience.

Fortunately, Microsoft’s steering wheel  is quite excellent in all aspects. Players can set steering wheel on your knees, or playing games on stand shelf. The steering wheel itself is very solid and will not fall on your knees, weight relatively moderate, it will not feel uncomfortable even though play game for a long time. Players can fix steering wheel on the bracket, then fix on the table.

In addition, Microsoft X360 Wireless Racing Wheel uses advanced touch-sensitive ergonomic design, “Forza Motorsport 2″ development team also participated in its design work, try to make X360 Wireless Racing Wheel achieve balance in game and comfort, which is the X360 Wireless Racing Wheel is developed with one of the main goals and principles.

People who have racing game experience using steering wheel and pedals may know that pedal is the most vulnerable part in whole simulation device, after all , people may have no time to think whether the pedal too much force in the intense process of playing games. Microsoft XBOX360 Wireless Racing Wheel can bear long time playing.

One problem in pedal design is how to keep fixing in the course of the game, because players may not force in one direction, that often led to pedal move in game. Microsoft’s designers use newly develop corner-type chassis sturctural to solve this problem, not only more stable but also more accurate response. There are anti-skid pads to protect pedal to prevent friction and wear to the floor.

Microsoft XBOX360 Wireless Racing Wheel uses the same type of battery with Xbox 360 wireless controller, and can do fast replacement. Microsoft XBOX360 Wireless Racing Wheel using time around 20 hours according to Microsoft’s developers.

Features of Microsoft XBOX360 Wireless Racing Wheel
•    Drive with confidence and zero loss of performance knowing that the wheel is powered by the same award winning wireless technology used in the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller.
•    High quality Force Feedback performance replicate the yanks and shudders that a racecar driver feels while blasting around the oval.
•    Real world automotive design with comfortable and intuitive ergonomics immerses you in the action with a uniquely authentic racing experience.
•    Choose the Lap mount or the Table mount to race the way you want to.

In our view, the game steering wheel has always been focused on Logitech, Saitek and other brands. However, you may change the point of view if have seen Fantec Porsche 911 Turbo S Racing Wheel. Fantec Joint Porsche has unveiled a full simulation of wireless Porsche 911 Turbo S steering wheel for PC, PS3 and XBOX360.

Fantec Porsche 911 Turbo S Racing Wheel is the whole simulation followed Porsche 911 Turbo S Racing Wheel style, all are consistent with 911 Turbo S including steering wheel, gear, pedal, the steering wheel in leather is also indentical with the real car.

Fantec Porsche 911 Turbo S Racing Wheel built-in full-simulation rechargeable battery, can play 100 hours, support for force feedback, pedals are feedback according to the road conditions, speed differences, also comes with 1G flash memory to store data.

Fantec officials said it took seven years to give them time to convince the Porsche authorized, and Porsche asking them to make the best game steering wheel, now, seven years later, Fantec did not let people down, full simulation Porsche 911 steering wheel with its high price has also proved that the luxury of Porsche.

Sony said PlayStation 3 (PS3) motion controller will come out this year, this also means a new challenges to rival Nintendo Wii’s popular game console. PlayStation 3 (PS3) motion controller comes with bulit-in camera in the host, can track people’s movements, so that do simulation the characters on the screen, no matter game characters hands are swords, tennis rackets, baseball bat or a gun.

Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Kazuo Hirai pledged to release stick with this new PlayStation 3 (PS3) motion controller “an exciting and varied series of” game. PlayStation 3 (PS3) motion controller will appear in this fall in Japan, North America, Europe and other markets for sale.
Sony showed a prototype of PlayStation 3 (PS3) motion controller last year, shaped like a lollipop, and similarities to Nintendo hand-held joystick.

Nintendo launched Wii with motion-sensing joystick in 2006, can simulate a variety of actions, and the sales performance of Microsoft’s Xbox game console and Sony gradually fell behind.