sony

If you've been visiting the site often, you'll have read something about the plethora of Sony notebook batteries being reluctantly recalled by computer giants Dell and Apple. And although it has been Dell and Apple who have thrown their names into ... the fire by officially announcing the recalls, Sony batteries came into an infamous limelight in recent months with actual video of their wares causing laptop fires. Of the handful of flaming machines, the most memorable was the one caught on film in Japan. (Source: betanews.com ) Rick Clancy, spokesman for Sony, has assured the public that there ... (view more)

The most significant problem with Microsoft's Xbox 360 console was not the alleged disc-reading hiccups or the reportedly faulty systems. No, the real issue with the Xbox 360 when it launched was that very few people, even some with preorders, could ... actually get their hands on the console. The limited number of 360s in North America created a mass outcry over Microsoft's handling of the launch, and seriously hurt the Big M's console reputation. Having witnessed that little November 2005 debacle, Sony is assuring the media that the Playstation 3 (PS3) will not have such issues. Despite the ... (view more)

It's getting to be an expensive day for Apple. Hours after the announcement of its $100 million settlement with digital music competitor Creative, the Cupertino, California company has also made public that it will be recalling 1.8 million batteries ... once installed in its laptop line. The recall is on the same Sony batteries found in the 4.1 million Dell systems cited as faulty by that company earlier this month. For those consumers who own a Macintosh iBook G4 or Powerbook G4, the recall affects those models sold between October 2003 and August 2006, a time window larger than that outlined by ... (view more)

Let the mud-slinging, well, continue: just months before the intended release of Sony's Playstation 3 (PS3) console, rumors are beginning to swirl in the tech industry on which console company might come out on top. In response to a recent analyst ... report which projected the PS3 to claim victory, Microsoft alleges that one of Sony's most significant claims about its console is unlikely to be a success. Furthermore: Boston-based market analyst "The Yankee Group" recently predicted that Sony, undoubtedly the most successful console-producer of the last two gaming generations (PS1 and PS2), will ... (view more)

Although yours truly reported a few days ago that the recently released specfications for the upcoming Nintendo Wii were a little modest -- and in some insiders' opinions, barely an improvement on the Gamecube -- the gaming industry's biggest ... developer is coming out in support of the system. Electronic Arts (EA), makers of everything from strategy to sports (including the massively popular Madden series) have gone public with not only their support for the Wii, but also candid statements about where it might finish in the next-gen showdown. Despite its reported sluggish specs, Nintendo's Wii ... (view more)

Last November, Microsoft faced intense criticism upon the release of its Xbox 360 console. Many die-hard Xbox "fanboys" -- gamers dedicated to Bill Gates' wares -- were unable to purchase the system due to massive production shortages. Those with ... their eye on the industry recognized a ridiculousness in Microsoft's pitiful attempt to attract Japanese gamers (who typically flock to Nintendo and Sony events) when the North American market was starving for more Xbox 360s. The end result? Millions in lost business on this side of the Pacific and thousands of 360s gathering dust in Japanese game ... (view more)

As Nintendo faces both scrutiny for its admittedly fragile DS Lite and applause for shipping its 20 millionth unit, Sony is doing its damndest to keep up. Provided with a golden PR opportunity as Nintendo scrambles to cover itself over an ... approximate 400,000 faulty portable units, Sony is announcing a slew of new features for the Playstation Portable (PSP), in hopes that it can increase shipments. When it launched the PSP in North America on March 24, 2005, many insiders -- including yours truly -- saw the system's power and Sony's third-party support as a dynamic that simply could not fail. ... (view more)

With Microsoft increasing online capabilities and downloads via Xbox Live in anticipation of the release of the Sony Playstation 3 (PS3) and Nintendo Wii, the gaming landscape is busier than ever. And it's exciting too: console launches have become ... events occurring about once every four years, making them rare affairs. As the industry continues to grow, excitement over such releases has become comparable to the popularity of the Olympics and perhaps even the anticipation of a U.S. presidential election. But, is gaming growing too fast? Can the North American culture and economy keep up with ... (view more)

Recent findings by gaming insiders predict that the Sony Playstation 3's (PS3) hardware and software will end up costing consumers considerably more than originally thought. The rise in cost is primarily due to the PS3's use of next-gen Blu-Ray DVDs ... its lavish hardware configuration. The inevitable result will be titles that cost the average gamer more money, making the already expensive PS3 ($499 USD for 20GB hard drive, $599 USD for 60GB hard drive) a system only appealing to those with fire money -- the kind that burns holes in your pocket. Japanese gaming magazine Ge-Maga recently ... (view more)

With many current generation DVD players available in grocery stores next to paper towels and plastic cups (for about the same price), movie fanatics and technological gurus are eagerly awaiting the newest way to blow through a pay check. ... Unfortunately for such consumers, Sony's much-anticipated Blu-Ray technology has been delayed -- again. After initially postponing release of the first major wave of Blu-Ray players due August 15th, sources have revealed that Sony has again delayed their release: this time two months later. The significance of the most recent delay means that Sony's first ... (view more)