Sony Reveals PlayStation 3 Details And New Controller

Sony's E3 press event has finally revealed more solid details about their PlayStation 3 next-gen console, and the replacement controller for last year's quirky "boomerang"! As it stands, the PS3 will launch on 17 November 2006 in North America and Europe, six days after its 11 November debut in homeland Japan. The basic version of the console will have a 20 GB pre-installed hard disk drive (HDD), and will be priced at $499 / €499 (somewhat more expensive than its Japanese price of 59.800 Yen), with a 60 GB HDD version also to be available for $599 / €599.

Both of these will also come equipped with a Blu-ray drive, Giga-bit Ethernet, basic input/output ports supporting a broad range of displays from conventional NTSC/PAL standard TVs to the latest full HD (1080i/1080p) flat panel displays. Oh, and let's not forget the brand spanking new PS3 controller, with "manual shaking" sensors that will cause the removal of the old DualShock vibrations (which would obviously interfere with the motion sensors):

"The controller for PS3 employs a high-precision, highly sensitive six-axis sensing system that is capable of processing all parameters within the controller itself, thereby eliminating the need for any additional settings on the display system. By applying this technology, it will become possible to freely control the PS3 system over the network.

In addition to the "3-posture-axis" of roll, pitch and yaw, "3-dimension acceleration information (X, Y, and Z)" can be detected in high-precision and in real-time. In addition to standard key input available in existing controllers, more natural and more intuitive play will become possible as if the controller has become part of your body.

All input information will be immediately transferred to the PS3 system through the Bluetooth wireless technology. By using a USB cable, the PS3 controller can be swapped seamlessly from wireless to wired, and can be charged automatically. The cable can be attached and detached at anytime."

Behold the beast!

(N.B. Archive text, links removed)