This Is Not The Next PSP. But You Get The Idea.

A report from the Wall Street Journal seems to hint that Sony are planning on taking on Apple in their own patch; suggesting a device that “blurs distinctions among a netbook, an e-reader and a PSP”, that will be released to compete againt the iPad.

The report hints that the device will be compatible with Sony’s new global device media platform, which in-turn will go head-to-head against iTunes.

If there’s anything Sony can beat Apple at, it’s games. Which may be their strongest hand if they develop a platform competitive on every level, and stronger in the games department.

We’ll see.

Media Molecule Are Now Part Of Sony's First-Party Development Suite.

Media Molecule and SCE has today announced that they’re getting hitched. That is — Sony has acquired Media Molecule making them an official first-part studio under the SCE Worldwide Studios banner. Obviously, if you didn’t know, Media Molecule made the brilliantly innovative LittleBigPlanet.

“Since they burst onto the gaming scene, Media Molecule have proved to be a truly exciting and innovative studio, who have proved their world-class credentials with the creation of the incredible LittleBigPlanet,” said Shuhei Yoshida, President, SCE Worldwide Studios. “SCE WWS is all about creating ambitious, innovative and ground breaking games, traits that Media Molecule clearly have.  To bring them into our family proves our dedication to creating fantastic new experiences that we believe will cement our position as industry leaders.”

“Since Media Molecule’s inception, we’ve had a uniquely close relationship with Sony. Over the years they have consistently shown their dedication to Creative Gaming and Media Molecule, not only through their support of the company, but their willingness to take risks and embrace our often unusual approach and ideas.” said Alex Evans, co-founder of Media Molecule. “What we’ve achieved already with LittleBigPlanet has proved this to us and we’re excited by this new chapter of innovation and creative gaming, for all involved.”

If you didn’t realise, this is properly amazing news for the breadth of Sony’s first-party line-up. In just Europe alone Sony already has several development houses, including Killzone’s Guerrilla Games and Singstar’s Studio London. Media Molecule are a fine addition to a SCEE banner that could only be complete with the addition of Quantic Dream.

Here’s hoping Yoshida’s on the phone to David Cage as we type.

SCE... Now Known As, Erm, SNE.

Update @ 11:18GMT: In light of further press releases and what-not we’re actually really bloody confused. But what we understand is that Sony Computer Entertainment will become SNE, then the Playstation business will be separated back out into a new company called, erm, Sony Computer Entertainment. Fucking ridiculous, right? That’s what appears to be the case, though — meaning Playstation is still all about SCE, SCEE, SCEJ, and SCEA.

Sony Computer Entertainment Presents. It’s a phrase that’s fond to all of us, right from the very earliest of our Playstation memories. But, indeed, it seems the phrase is to die a dirty death. That’s right folks, we’re not sure if it’s an early April fools joke or not, but SCE (Sony Computer Entertainment) will now be known as, erm, SNE.

Nobody actually knows what SNE stands for (though it’s assumed it’s Sony Networked Entertainment), but it’s all to do with Sony’s united-device vision which was announced last year. For those not quite in the know, Sony want to reward brand loyalty by introducing a united service between all of their products. So for example, if you have a Bravia connected to the ‘net, then you should be able to access the Playstation Video Store from your Bravia, and use money in your PSN wallet to stream a film, without ever needing to switch on your PS3 or PSP.

Playstation’s Kaz Hirai will be fronting the new division. We still hate the name.

Sony Has Pulled Within Touching Distance Of The XBOX 360, Despite A Year's Head Start.

Sony’s reported that they are just 5.5 million systems behind the XBOX 360 now, with a strong showing for the Playstation 3 this Christmas driving the system up to 33.5 million global sales.

Sony also reiterated that they will hit their 13 million systems sold target during the fiscal year, with 10.8 million systems sold for the nine months ending December 31st.

With the figures already reported, Sony will once again post year on year growth, with 3.5 million PS3s in FY06, rising to 9.1 in FY07 and then to 10.1 in FY08.

We’re sure there’s some back-patting going on in SCE’s various worldwide offices.

PlaystationArc.com - Owned By SCE. Erm.

Yo, you know we told you that the Playstation Motion Controller was almost probably going to be called the Playstation Arc? Well, erm, yeah. Sony has filed for the domain PlaystationArc.com. The domain’s empty but the WhoIs totally says it was purchased by none other than Sony Computer Entertainment.

We expect Sony will announce the name at GDC.

[Ta, PSLS]

Sony Sold A Fair Amount Of Playstation 3 Consoles This Holiday Season.

There was some fist-pumping from SCE shortly after Sony’s CES 2010 keynote ended: as the company were able to boast Playstation 3 sales exceeding 3.8million over the holiday season. According to the company, “during the five weeks following the last week of November 2009″, the console sold more than any previous holiday season — up 76% on last year’s figures.

Sony also reconfirmed there are currently 38million PSN users.

Soon You'll Be Able To Play Minis On Your Playstation 3.

As rumoured mere minutes ago, Sony has confirmed that Firmware 3.15 will launch “very soon.” As rumoured, the update includes the ability to play PSP Minis on the Playstation 3. If you’ve already bought some Minis for your PSP, worry not, you’ll be able to download them again to your PS3 and enjoy them on the big-screen.

The other big feature of Firmware 3.15 is the ability to data transfer between PS3s. The transfer tool makes it super easy to copy content between systems, and is presumably being introduced as an added incentive to get current PS3 owners to upgrade to the PS3 Slim.

You can read more on the European Playstation.Blog.