We previously gave you a heads-up on what could be the features of Sony PlayStation 3 Firmware 2.20. Now, a new report ups the ante by revealing yet another cool feature.

PC World recently revealed that PS3 FW 2.20 will support "Portable Copy". Essentially, it strengthens the bond of Sony's console with its handheld counterpart, the PlayStation Portable, by allowing movie sharing.

Portable Copy lets users create standard-definition versions of Blu-ray movies and transfers them to the PSP.

This goes with other enhancements that BD-Live, otherwise known as Blu-ray Disc Profile 2.0, will bring.

We'll keep an eye out for more information on this exciting development. Keep checking back here with us to make sure you don't miss it.

[Via QJ.net]

I don’t know what it is about the PlayStation 3, but there are very few people out there who’ve dared to attempt any sort of casemodding for the shiny black console. So I was tickled when I came across this PS3 mod which cleverly integrates the curvaceous lines of Sony’s latest gaming system.

Inspired by the game Rainbow Six Vegas, the console is disguised as a casino tower in the midst of the Vegas Strip. If you squint really hard, it’s reminiscent of the design of the Wynn.

Illuminated with bright colorful LEDs, the PS3 serves as the backdrop for the Strip, which includes a tiny Eiffel Tower (Paris), a Pyramid (Luxor), little tiny people, and even a light up S.W.A.T. van to get you in the Rainbow Six mood.

Built by German casemodder Butterkneter, the Vegas PS3 was built for a special UbiSoft promotion.

[via PCGames Hardware X]

Sony Ericsson today revealed their new XPERIA X1 smartphone, and it looks like it could be a serious contender in the battle for mobile supremacy. With a slick, modern user interface and industrial design to match, the phone is clearly designed to compete with Apple’s iPhone Juggernaut. The X1 has a luscious aluminum shell and an amazingly sharp display with a resolution which puts Apple’s to shame.

While the XPERIA X1 runs on the Windows Mobile Platform, Sony Ericsson developed a slick new user interface which gives it a much more forward looking design than most WinMo devices. Sony’s new “panel” interface shows nine tiny tiles which represent individual application windows. When touched, they open up to display the application using a smooth animated style.

It’s a full 3G phone, working on just about every phone and data network you can think of, supporting Quad-Band GSM, EDGE, HSDPA, HSUPA, and UMTS standards. Most of Sony’s X1 propaganda fails to mention Wi-Fi connectivity, but this spec sheet I found says “Utilize high-speed Internet at Wi-Fi™ hotspots at airports and other facilities”, so I’m hoping it really does. 

The X1 really is loaded to the hilt with features. There’s a 3.2 megapixel digital camera with video recording and even video chat on high-speed networks. Internet surfing is achieved using the Internet Explorer Mobile browser. Unlike iPhone’s tower-triangulation navigation, the X1 offers true aGPS maps and directions. All the requisite PDA features are there, including E-mail, an alarm clock, calculator, calendar, document readers, address book, and task manager. And yes, it all syncs with Outlook and Exchange via ActiveSync. Heck, it even has push e-mail support like a Blackberry.

Of course, there’s full media playback support using Windows Media Player, including wireless stereo headset connectivity over Bluetooth A2DP. The X1 features a beautiful 3-inch TFT screen with a whopping 800 x 480 resolution (that’s way sharper than the iPhone’s already ample 480 x 320 display).

While the phone only has 400MB of on-board memory, but you can store up to 8GB of media files on optional SanDisk Micro or Memory Stick Micro memory cards. Behind its touchscreen display, the phone’s QWERTY keyboard than slides out to form an elegant arc when viewed from the side. 

When closed, the X1 measures in at 4.3 x 0.7 x 2.1 inches, making it just a hair smaller than an iPhone on the width and height, but about 1/3rd thicker. Weight is 5.1 ounces, just a tiny bit heavier than the iPhone’s 4.8 ounces. 

My greatest concern about the X1 is it’s Windows Mobile roots. While Sony Ericsson has clearly stepped up their game in the interfaces shown here, I’m afraid it all could just be a facade for WinMo’s less-than-stellar roots. I guess we’ll just all have to wait until we can get our hands on one to see. Expect the XPERIA X1 to make its way to stores sometime in the second half of 2008. Pricing hasn’t yet been revealed.

[Xperia X1 Product Page]

Next time you head to your job over at Chotchkie’s, your boss won’t have anything to complain about since you’ll have tons of these awesome video game badges pinned all over your suspenders.

  Created by Alexander Pfaender of Augenbluten/ITF, these fun 1-inch round buttons offer whimsical renditions of classic gaming systems and controllers from 1977 through 2006.

Featuring bold icons for classic gaming systems from the Atari 2600 to the Nintendo Wii, the series of 22 video game buttons offers something for everyone. You can find the entire collection of badges from Prickie for $2.99 a piece.

Drooling over the forthcoming satin silver Playstation 3? Thought you had to live in Japan to enjoy its non-thumbprinty matte finish? Well not if reseller Play-Asia has anything to say about it.

The video game importer is now taking orders for the luscious silver PS3, and the price isn’t much higher than you’d pay for a standard model. The retailer expects to start shipping the new color on March 6th, for $429 USD, a $30 premium over what you’d typically spend for a stock black PS3 here in the states.

Of course, it’s a Japanese PS3, so the default menus are in Japanese (which you should be able to change), and the manual isn’t in English, either. Thankfully, the console does run on standard 110v power, and PS3 games aren’t region-locked, so you should be okay.

So if you’re willing to do a little grey-market importing, check out Play-Asia’s silver PS3 product page. If you’d like to grab a matching Dual Shock 3 controller, they’ve got those too.

Looking for a way to bring your gaming obsession into the bedroom? What better way but with a couple of these video game controller pillows on your bed.

Perfect in bed or on your sofa, these 20″ x 20″ pillows from Tofu Design ($40 each) are covered with images of controllers from just about every gaming console you could want. Every system from the Atari 2600 to the Intellivision to the NES to Wii is represented here. Heck, even the never released PS3 boomerang controller makes an appearance on these spectacular pillows. Can you guys name them all?

What’s not to like? As soon as you’re ready to rest your weary head on a couple of comfy cushions, head on over to Upper Playground and place your order. If pillows aren’t your thing, be sure to check out Tofu’s matching controller hoodie and t-shirt designs.

[via Apartment Therapy]

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