Source Code For Hulu Site Reveals Hulu Plus For PlayStation 3

Recently, Technologizer discovered a line in the source code for the Hulu website which indicates that the company is planning on releasing Hulu Plus for the Playstation 3 console and that you will need PlayStation Plus on top of your Hulu Plus subscription to enjoy the features it has to offer. It does add up to an extra bit of money if you add up the $18 for three months or $50 annually on top of the $10 monthly Hulu Plus fee, but still is cheaper than or equivalent to any other game console thus far. It is an all streaming app as well, unlike Netflix which for the most part still relies on those discs. Further down in the source code, there is another hint of Hulu developing an app for the PlayStation 3. Check out the code below:

PlayStation 3 Firmware 3.40 Around The Corner - PlayStation Plus Incoming

News on a firmware update for the PlayStation 3 is in the air (firmware 3.40). This firmware update has the PlayStation Plus, premium service which Sony announced at E3 2010. To give a quick recap, $50 annual fee nets you a 50 percent discount on PSN titles, early access to betas, and one hour of demo time on select full titles (among other benefits). If you aren't willing to shell out the money though however for the Plus service, there are a few other worthy tidbits in the software patch including five-star ratings for content purchased on the Store, a video editor and uploader for Facebook and YouTube (not a video capture service), and further integration into Picasa and Facebook photo galleries. While we are on the topic of Facebook, a new app will be appearing on the social site showing off your PSN profile and friending others. Although a list of some of the firmware updates was released, no exact release date was given, but if the past is any indication of when this firmware is to be released, then it won't be too long until everyone will see the update message upon logging onto PSN. You can check out some pictures of firmware 3.40 below:

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Sony Focuses On Releasing Games In 3D In The Future

According to head of Sony's UK Playstation division, Ray Maguire, the majority of the company's first-party games will be in 3D in the future, as the technology seems to become popular in the mainstream. The comment was made in a recent interview with CVG. The first of the 3D PS3 games were released today on the PSN network and include games such as Wipeout HD and SuperStarDust HD, both of which have been retrofitted with 3D technology. However, Maguire mentioned that Sony's attention will soon turn to its more popular franchises such as the Killzone series. The first confirmed 3D title Sony plans to release is Killzone 3 (set to release in 2011) which will be shown off at E3 2010 next week. You can watch a video trailer of the game below:

The studio plans to expand their interest in 3D gaming to other series as well such as God of War. When asked about further development of 3D gaming, Maguire said the following: "In time, yes. I think when you get to 2014 and beyond the majority of games will be 3D. You will be able to have backwards compatibility with 2D - as opposed to 3D being the exception." Sony also suggested that they expect 40% of households to have adopted a 3D TV by 2014. What are your thoughts on the whole direction Sony plans to take? Are you as excited as we are? Share your thoughts and comments below!

Sony Rumored To Reveal ‘PSN+’ Service At E3 2010

According to sources over at Joystiq, Sony is set to reveal a premium service of the PlayStation Network, labeled PSN+, as announced during its E3 2010 media briefing. Unlike Microsoft's Xbox Live Gold service, PSN+ will focus on giving paid subscribers additional bonuses without limiting online multiplayer between paying and non-paying users.

As per the sources, subscribers will have access to a rotating list of PSP Minis and PSone Classics, exclusive in-game DLC, discounts to the PlayStation Store and "first hour" demo access to full retail titles. Following the first hour of gameplay, players will have the ability to purchase the full title; however, demo access will only be available once the entire title has been downloaded.

PSN+ subscribers will also receive protection for their consoles with the recently announced PlayStation Protection Plan, as well as exclusive access to the long-awaited cross-game voice chat, gamers will also have the ability to enable an auto-patching feature, which will detect, download and install updates for recently played PS3 titles on the system. Additional features are said to be in the works following the launch of PSN+, including the previously rumored cloud-based saving system.

Pricing and a release for the PSN+ service is unknown, though one source speculates PSN+ may cost $9.99 per month. When contacted, a Sony representative said the company does not "comment on rumors or speculation."

Stay tuned for more info by following us on Twitter and/or subscribing to our RSS feeds.

Gloves That Can Revolutionize A User's Interface

With both Microsoft and Sony set to reveal Natal and Move software lineups at E3, it’s a little crazy to think about the millions of dollars they have invested into their software and they would have just done fine with $1 Lycra gloves and a webcam. The gloves seen below are hideously colored on purpose. According to their designers at MIT, the 20 irregular shapes and 10 colors are read by a webcam and translated into unique commands via simple finger-based gestures.

The demo can be seen below:

For those of you who are totally against the color and design of these gloves, Francis MacDougall, CTO and co-founder of gesture-recognition company GestureTek, says the pattern could be changed to something a little less loud and still function properly. He mentioned using a “retro-reflective” material, stating that someone could make gloves with patterns that only a camera’s eyes could see. We personally thought the colors looked like half of the fun on these gloves but the technology alone will do.

Google TV Coming This Fall - Sony, DISH, Adobe, and Others Join Along

Sony will be the first company out of the gate with a Google TV powered device, with its "Sony Internet TV" devices, which will be int he form of either an HDTV or a set-top box with Blu-ray player, arriving on shelves this fall. The rest of the partners were just as the rumors indicated, with Logitech adding a QWERTY Harmony remote, "companion box" to birdge the gap to existing home theater equipment and eventually video chat capabilities, Intel providing the CE4100 Atom processor at the heart of the devices, and an Android 2.1 OS with Chrome browser brings it all together. DISH Network and Google have admitted to their ongoing trials. DISH announced it will enable "advanced integration" via HDMI on all of its HD DVR receivers this fall while Best Buy is already on board to sell all of this inevitably offer to hook up those IR blasters for a fee, while Adobe is just happy to see another device that runs Flash 10.1. Check out the video form below as well as the press release. You can sign up for updates at Google.com/tv (developers check in here) and stay tuned for more information by following us on Twitter and/or subscribing to our RSS feeds.

Press Release:

Google and DISH Network Collaborate to Develop Integrated Multichannel TV and Web Platform

Enhanced Integration with Google TV Available to DISH Network Customers This Fall

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. and ENGLEWOOD, Colo., May 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Google and DISH Network L.L.C., America's fastest-growing pay-TV provider, today unveiled the launch of Google TV, an open platform that seamlessly integrates multichannel television with rich web media content. This technology brings the full power of the Internet to the television viewing experience.

Google TV merges traditional TV programming with the wide amount of content on the web, allowing viewers unprecedented access, control, and flexibility over all forms of digital content. DISH Network subscribers using Google TV can simultaneously search for content across DISH Network, the Internet and their DVRs. They can overlay online content related to television shows, movies, actors and more; and also hyperlink web content back to multichannel TV.

"DISH Network has enjoyed a strong partnership with Google for many years, built on a common foundation of innovative thinking and risk-taking," said Charlie Ergen, Chairman, President and CEO of DISH Network. "DISH Network's integration of Google TV marks the next evolution in television, and DISH Network customers will be able to enjoy the best of TV and the web in one platform using their existing HD DVR receivers and a Google TV device."

"We are excited to bring the web to television and enable developers to innovate on the Google TV platform," said Eric Schmidt, Chairman and CEO, Google. "With DISH Network's contributions, Google TV delivers a richer user experience and a compelling product for consumers."

The DISH Network Google TV integration is the outcome of a joint development process between the two companies. The companies began their collaborative trial over a year ago by beta testing the technology with more than 400 DISH Network and Google users. Based on continuous feedback from the trial, Google and DISH Network built the Google TV experience that seamlessly integrates traditional TV programming with rich web content.

Google and DISH Network plan to make the optimized Google TV experience available to customers later this fall. DISH Network will integrate the software to enable this advanced integration on all HD DVR receivers. Users can then simply connect their Google TV devices to their DISH Network receivers via HDMI. For more information, visit www.dish.com/googleTV .

PSN Premium Service Rumored To Be Announced At E3 2010

Rumors of a premium Playstation Network service have been around for some time now, even from Sony’s Kaz Hirai himself, and a report from VG247 says it will become a reality at E3 next month. According to the site, a “highly-placed source” says that Sony will be announcing the service and a list of new premium PSN features during its June 15^th keynote at the show, and that it will cost less than $70 a year. As we’ve heard previously, the current PSN service won’t changed for those who don’t want to upgrade, but as always Sony will be throwing in big incentives to get people to pay up. Supposedly you will get a free PSN game from a choice of “two to four” each month with your subscription. Details on the premium service are otherwise still lacking, but VG247 says it will include a music streaming service similar to Spotify as well.

Stay tuned for more info by following us on Twitter and/or subscribing to our RSS feeds.

Sony Sued For Removing Other OS Option

 

On April 1st, Sony's PS3 3.21 firmware update removed the ability to run other operating systems on the device. This ticked off a lot of users, considering if the users opted out from upgrading it knocked off their ability to log on to the PSN.

Sony has been handed a class action lawsuit for removing the 'Install Other OS' option from its PlayStation 3 console. In the lawsuit, plaintiff Anthony Ventura argues that "Sony's decision to force users to disable the Other OS function was based on its own interest and was made at the expense of its customers." Ventura also alleges deceptive business practices "perpetrated on millions of unsuspecting customers."

"On information and belief, contrary to Sony's statement, the 'security concerns' did not involve a threat to PS3 users, but rather reflected Sony's concerns that the Other feature might be used 'hackers' copy and/or steal gaming and other content," the lawsuit reads.

The lawsuit would cover anyone who purchased and kept a PS3 (not PS3 Slim, which never supported other OSes in the first place) from its November 2006 launch to when the update was first announced on March 28th, and damages sought are over $5 million.

PS3 Firmware Update Allows Remote Play From PC and Bitstream Audio

Trophy sorting and 3D gaming readiness should have been enough to satisfy PS3 owners after the latest v3.30 system update (at least it didn't cause issues like the last time) but there are a couple of surprises in store. There is now a toggle for Bitstream Direct (output audio with the original digital signal prioritized) or Mix (mixed with sound effects such as button sounds and then converted to bitstream format) on Blue-ray movies, while future VAIO PC owners can get a taste of remote play without any PSP intermediary. Other unconfirmed reports include updated Flash compatibility, enhanced region free Blu-ray movie playback, and the usual complaints of bricked or otherwise busted consoles a swell as erroneous claims of an updated EULA that maintains Sony can update your PS3 whenever it wants. You can always wait for a custom build from Geohot instead, but to some the update might be worth it.

Palm CEO Thinks Company Can Survive Independently

In the face of constant struggles and buyout rumors the past couple of weeks, Palm CEO Jon Rubenstein is holding the line he’s held ever since he’s taken the helm. In a chat with Financial Times today, the CEO said that he still believes that “Palm can survive as an independent company” and that he’s got a plan to get the company spitting black ink rather than red. He also mentioned that “if someone came to the board with a reasonable offer of course it’s something [they’d] have to consider,” which isn’t anything really different than anything he’s said in the past – it’s just a good business sense, and it’s worded very cautiously.



Rubenstein did mention a few key things though in his note, though. First, he mentioned that they’re working “fast and furious on new handsets” with a “strong pipeline” of new goodies, which gives us good hope that we’re finally going to see something that doesn’t like a Pre or a Pixi soon. He’s also opening the idea of licensing webOS to third parties, confirming sentiment we’d heard a few days back. He’s looking at it from a pretty objective business perspective, saying that “if there’s an appropriate strategic relationship or business deal that makes sense to us then of course we would license the webOS because obviously the more scale we get the more benefit there is to us.” That sounds food from our end, especially thinking back to the overwhelming cool factor of the mighty Sony NX90 back in the Palm OS days. Any way you look at it though, independent or acquired, it sounds like Rubenstein has every intention of making more waves in 2010.

PS3 Firmware 3.21 Firmware Bypass

Let's face it. Sony has backed you up in a corner. As of right now, you can't officially play the Playstation 3 online without downloading the new PS3 3.21 firmware update, but if you download, your precious "Other OS" is forfeit, on top of which, there might also be a whole slue of other side effects. You could wait it out, hoping that Geohot comes through with a workaround. If you live in europe, you can even sue Sony for a refund. Or, if you aren't terribly worried about the security of your PSN account and personal information, you could instead just input ten digits into your PS3 and magically bypass the entire issue.

Though technically minded individuals have been skirting around Sony's firmware checks for years now using private proxies, homebrew developer Aaron Lindsay decided to set up a public server at 67.202.81.137 , which allows anyone to piggyback on his success in mere seconds. We tried it out ourselves and not surprisingly, it worked like a charm. By doing so, you do run the risk of giving Aaron all your credentials, but if the odd identity thef doesn't break your stride, you can jump right back onto your online PS3 games by entering the above number into Internet Connection > DNS Setting > Primary DNS.

Apple Makes A Name For Itself In Portable Gaming

Apple's intentions to jump into the handheld gamin market were pretty clear back in March of 2008 as the company had game studio after game studio lined up behind the iPhone (and iPod Touch) to start developing for the devices. Based on data from Flurry Analytics, Apple's casual gaming approach is carving out a nice slice of the US revenue related to gaming software. The PSP was effected the most as its revenue from from a 20% share in 2008 to an 11% share of the US revenue last year.

One question comes to mind is how things will tun out once the iPad is released considering that 44% of the applications that are currently being tested on the iPad are games. Apple might see more of the share of US revenue if things keep up as it does have a high number of pre-orders already set and companies such as Novell working on developing games for the iPhone OS.

Whats your take on Apple's introduction to the portable gaming market? Share your thoughts and comments below.

Google TV In Development

The New York Times has it on good authority that Google, Intel, and Sony have all teamed up to develop a new Android-powered internet platform that utilizes Atom processors for televisions and set-top boxes. The whole thing will be given the name Google TV; the apparent mantra seems to be making web app navigation (such as Picasa, Twitter, etc.) as simple as changing the channel. Logitech is going to be joining in on the action by creating peripherals for the device as well. Stay tuned for more information on the whole topic as more information is revealed in the future.

Google seems to be working on a plethora of things that will make the daily lives of people easier. From Google Alerts, Blog Search, Chat, Chrome, to Earth, Mail, Maps, and Picasa; Google seems to have some sort of feature for everything. Google products are usually not ones that disappoint and Google TV probably won’t be any different. Share your thoughts and comments below.

Sony Starts to Advertise Their Playstation Move

Sony's Vice President of Realistic Movements Kevin Butler has appeared in a video ad for the Playstation Move. In the video, he's supposedly back from the future to thank us for all the success of the Playstation Move and pokes at Nintendo and Microsoft for their efforts on working on a similar device. Some of the more comedic quotes from the ad include:

• "Because real boxers don't hit like this *flails arms exasperatingly*
• "It's also got what we in the future call buttons, which turn out to be pretty important to those handful of millions who enjoy playing shooters, platformers, well, anything that doesn't involve catching a big red ball."
• "Come'on who wants to pretend their hand is a gun. What is this, third grade? PEW, pew, pew, pew."

Sony's VP of Realistic Movements Kevin Butler (boy, does that guy have a large business card) is at it again, this time in a video ad for the PlayStation Move. He's back from the future to thank us all for the success of the motion control device, and make a few jabs towards Nintendo and Microsoft for their efforts. Here's a few choice quotes.

• 'Because real boxers don't hit like this [flails arms exasperatingly]'


• 'It's also got what we in the future call buttons, which turn out to be pretty important to those handful of millions of people who enjoy playing shooters, platformers, well, anything that doesn't involve catching a big red ball.'


• 'C'mon, who wants to pretend their hand is a gun. What is this, third grade? Pew, pew, pew.'

Check out the commercial below:

What do you think of Playstation's advertisement for their Move? Do you think it'll be a hit? Share your thoughts and comments below.

3D From PC to 3DTVs Brought by Nvidia

NVIDIA has just announced a new twist to their 3D bow, in the shape of NVIDIA 3DTV Play, a way to hook up GeForce-based notebooks and PCs to HDTVs for full 3D video and gaming. A new software app – that works with any GeForce GPU-using machine with either DVI or HDMI connectivity – 3DTV Play supports 1080p24, 720p60 and 720p50 3D formats and will work both with active-shutter TV glasses and passive polarized glasses.

As well as full HD Blu-ray 3D playback, the system offers streaming 3D video support and the ability to convert over 400 games titles from 2D into 3D, in real-time, with no patches or extra software.

The graphics company has linked up with Panasonic, who will be demonstrating the system on their upcoming line of Sony and Panasonic’s 3D-capable HDTVs around the US in hopes of coercing a few sales out of wowed viewers.

NVIDIA is all about raising the bar of PC gaming, and gamers are going to love playing in 3D on one of the new Panasonic VIERA 50-inch full HD 3D TVs,” said Phil Eisler, general manager of 3D Vision technology at NVIDIA. “This is truly one of those ‘must experience to believe it’ moments, and we are ecstatic that consumers will have the chance to try it for themselves on any of our 15 stops across the US.

NVIDIA 3DTV Play will go on sale later in the spring, priced at $39.99. Meanwhile those already using NVIDIA 3D Vision will be offered a free copy.

Facts about NVIDIA 3DTV Play:

• Can be run on GeForce GPU-based desktop or notebook PCs equipped with an HDMI or DVI connector.


• Full support for all HDMI 1.4-compatible 3D TVs, including Panasonic VIERA Plasma full HD 3D TVs. Enables 1080p24, 720p60, and 720p50 3D formats.


• Supports any type of 3D TV including active-shutter TV glasses or passive polarized glasses


• Advanced NVIDIA software and graphics drivers automatically convert more than 400 games to stereoscopic 3D in real time, without the need for special patches.


• Enjoy full HD Blu-ray 3D playback with real-time GPU accelerated decoding and playback on GeForce GPUs(1)


• Watch streaming 3D movies,view 3D photographs directly on the 3D TV

PlayStation Move Only Uses 2 MB of RAM

Game developers can breathe a sigh of relief after Sony's David Coombes mentioned that the advanced image processing behind the PlayStation Move controller will only take 1-2 MB of RAM. This is important for game developers to know because the PS3 only has 256 MB of XDR memory to begin with, so knowing that the controller only consumes 2 MB at most will allow them to optimize their games for the most performance and in the end overall enjoyment. The game developers need to focus on fixing their end of the deal by making the games more responsive and avoid the lag which will certainly steer consumers away from buying the product.

For those of you who aren't quite sure what the PlayStation Move is or want to learn more about it, be sure to check out our feature article of its release at the GDC. Share your thoughts and comments below.

PlayStation Move Announced At The GDC

Sony officially announced the PlayStation Move motion controller at GDC 2010. The company refers to their new product as the "next generation of motion gaming" because of its precision. The latency is about the same as the DualShock 3. The device uses the PlayStation Eye camera to track the controller's location and movement. Sony refers to the controller as an "extension of your body." The goal sought out by Sony is to engage casual gamers with the new PlayStation Move but also to create "new experiences for core gamers." Many of the demos shown at the GDC involved a controller video in each hand with demos of action and RPG games. Much like the Wii controller, there is going to be a secondary "subcontroller" with an analog stick for shooters.

There are currently 3 ways Sony plans on selling the Move. The first being a PS3 bundle which will include the controller, the second being a standalone version of the controller, and the third being a starter kit which is aimed to be sold "under $100," which will include the PS Eye, a controller, and a bundle of games. Sony mentioned that they are treating the launch of the Move much like a major console launch, so we can all plan on seeing the Move everywhere when it launches around the holidays later this year.

Check out the videos below:

Personally, I think Sony is headed in the right way. Depending on how Sony manages to implement their PlayStation Move for their hardcore gamers, the Move could be a big hit. I think its safe to say that people play the Wii for the silly / casual games and/or the Nintendo franchise games (aka Mario, Zelda, etc) but for all the hardcore gamers, they turn to the PS3, The Xbox 360, or the PC. If Sony manages to implement precision and a twist for hardcore gamers to keep going at it on their console, the Move could be a huge success. What do you guys think?

Major Movie Studios Sign With Sony

Sony recently announced that the Playstation Network will now deliver HD movies from all six major studios including 20th Century Fox, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Universal Pictures, Walt Disney, and Warner Bros. Combined, the six studios chalk up an intial slate of 19 HD movies that are available to buy or rent. Currently, the movies are only available in the United State, but Sony sys that it has plans to release them in France, Germany, Spain , and the UK as well "soon." What do you guys think this news means for companies like Microsoft who managed to get none of the studios to sign with them? Sony came out on top with the Blu-ray disc format being more popular than the HD-DVD, does this step make Sony more dominant in the entertainment business?

Sony 3D TVs To Go On Sale In June!

3DTVs are beginning to flood the market, Panasonic will be flogging 3DTVs in the US by month's end and Sony will be following behind with a launch date in June. The LX900, HX900 and HX800 look great. The competition is on between Sony and Panasonic, Japan will start sales of the 3DTV set on June 10^th and world wide soon after. But Sony is claiming that they will be cheaper than Panasonic's 3DTV.

Akihabara News was in attendance at a press launch of the LX900, HX900 and HX800 3D sets in Japan, which are all of the "monolithic" design. Based on their reviews the LX900 series consists of four models all with Intelligent People Sensors which allows you to adjust the sound and brightness as to where the viewer is located. It was built on the VE5 TVs launched last year which can also detect when you leave the room and turns off automatically.

The LX900 will be available in 40, 46, 52 and 60-inch LED-backlit options, will have inbuilt wireless LAN, and include two sets of 3D active shutter glasses (which will be available in grey, blue and pink options). The 46-inch size will reportedly cost 350,000 Yen—about $3,900. Only 46 and 52-inch options will be available for the HX900 series, which will be LED-backlit, and feature Intelligent MPEG noise reduction. Less attractive, the HX800 lacks the Intelligent People Sensors and MPEG noise reduction, and come in just 40 and 46-inch sizes.

These are all LED-backlit LCD panels, refreshingly at no more than 3ms, whereas plasmas are better suited to showing 3D because of their smoother and faster images.

Here’s all you need to know in more details:

LX900 series

The flagship LX900 series consists of four models with screen sizes between 40 ($3,200), 42 ($3,900), 50 ($4,800) and 60 inches ($6,500). Buyers will get 2 pairs of active shutter glasses, wireless LAN, full HD, 4 HDMI ports, a USB port, video-on demand, and LED backlight. The 60-inch model, the KDL-60LX900, is pictured above.

There’s also an “intelligent people sensor system”, which adjusts images and sound depending on where viewers are located. And through face detection, the TVs can even be “personalized”. For example, the TVs can detect if a child is sitting too close to the screen and display a warning message. And if nobody is in the room for a certain period of time, the TVs shut down automatically (“On/Off Conscious” function).

The 40- and 42-inch models will go on sale in Japan on June 10, followed by the bigger LX900 models on July 16.

HX900

The HX900 series consists of a 46- ($4,350) and a 52-inch ($5,250) model. For some odd reason, 3D glasses are not included in the price. These models are full HD, too. The HX900 series shares main specs with the KX900 (outlined above) but lacks the fancy sensor systems and wireless LAN. The bigger of the two models, the KDL-52HX900, is pictured above.

Both HX900 models go on sale on July 16.

HX800

Priced at $2,450 for the 40-inch model and $3,100 for 46-incher, the two models of the HX800 are the cheapest of all 3D TVs Sony unveiled today. The TVs feature LED backlights, full HD and all basic specs of the HX900 but come without wireless LAN or sensors. They also lack the 3D glasses, which buyers need to get separately. The picture above shows the 40-inch model, the KDL-40HX800.

The two HX800 TVs are scheduled to hit Japanese stores on July 16.

Sony wireless LAN adapter

The HX800 and HX900 TVs do have (wired) LAN but buyers can also get the UWA-BR100, a wireless LAN adapter that’s to be inserted into the USB port of the TVs. It’s already available in the US for $79.99.

Sony Active Shutter 3D TV glasses and synchro transmitters


As the HX900 and HX800 TVs don’t come with glasses, Sony also announced the extra-large TDG-BR100 in black and the smaller TDG-BR50 in blue or pink (price: $140 each) today. Then there’s TMR-BR100, a 3D “synchro transmitter”, which makes sure the glasses can actually display the 3D images your TV produces (price: an extra $60).

Sony said they will roll out these TVs globally at around the same time, meaning Panasonic will have a head start of about 3 months in the USA and 2 months in Japan. Just like Panasonic, Sony is expecting the 3D business to evolve into an important revenue machine in the near future.

Sony's NV-U35 Navigation System - Claims To Be More Than A Nav

 In an announcement today in Japan Sony reveal that it's [JP] the “nav-u NV-U35″, is more than just  a portable navigation system. This device can be use as a music or video player. It is packed with a  8GB of internal flash memory, a 3.5-inch LCD screen with QVGA (320×240) resolution. It also  supports video in MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (Baseline Profile), MPEG-4 (Simple Profile) and WMV (VC-1 Main/Simple Profile) formats.

You also have  options to listen to music in numerous formats MP3, AAC, WMA, ATRAC, HE-AAC and linear PCM. While the NVU35  has an array of  pictures as JPEGs.Consumers  can also get a 1W mono speaker, a USB port and a Memory Stick Duo slot.

The device is water-resistant (IPX 5), comes equipped with  a powerful navigation software (that’s only useful within Japan though), features Sony Blu-ray recorder connectivity and after a full charge has a battery life of about 4 hours.

Sized at 112×17.8×79mm, the NV-U35 weighs just 176g. As for now this  device will only be on sale in Japan on March 13 for $410.Unfortunately  for the rest of us Sony hasn’t said anything yet about international sales, but does offer those navigation systems outside Japan, too (this one, for example), which means a release in the US is possible.