Also I read somewhere that 65nm chips where being used so that the user user will get the same performance from the console but with out using up as much electricity as say the 60GB version.

Nope… the UK won’t be getting the super-slim PS2

[ eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=226601 ]
—
News by Ellie Gibson
Today 12:05

Sony has confirmed to Eurogamer there are no plans to release the new super-slim PS2 console in the UK.

The new model is slightly smaller and thinner than the traditional slimline and doesn’t come with an AC adapter. As reported by Kotaku [ kotaku.com/5041923/new-ps2-models-hitting-us-stores ], it’s just started appearing in American shops.

But according to SCE UK, that doesn’t mean we’ll be seeing it over here any time soon. “We won’t be releasing the new model PS2 in the UK,” a spokesperson stated.

Other parts of Europe are in luck, however. “It has launched in a few SCEE territories already,” confirmed Mr Sony.
—

That’s because “Backward compatibility” is coming forwards again?

[ heise.de/newsticker/Erster-Blick-auf-die-PSP-3000--/meldung/114603 ]
(via Google Translate)
—
Reeves said the new backward compatibility with PS2 SingStar titles accurate. It would be using a software emulation realized in a future firmware update. This could all PS2 SingStar impacts directly on the PS3 to play. One need not PS3 SingStar.”We observe, in which titles are still worthwhile, and are likely to be more PS2 games on the PS3 up and running by emulation.” This was, however, a technically very complex process because the necessary PS2 chips PS3 the current models are missing.
—

Hope this is not poor translation from English to German & back again.

BFN,

fp.

In an article translated by google on heise online, David Reeves hinted that backwards compatibility will be on all PlayStation 3’s through future firmware updates. He describes it as a long complex process, but it can be done. An example of this is with the compatibility to play SingStar PS2 songs straight on the PS3 version of Singstar.

Reeves said the new backward compatibility with PS2 SingStar titles accurate. It would be using a software emulation realized in a future firmware update. This could all PS2 SingStar impacts directly on the PS3 to play. One need not PS3 SingStar. “We observe, in which titles are still worthwhile, and are likely to be more PS2 games on the PS3 up and running by emulation.” This was, however, a technically very complex process because the necessary PS2 chips PS3 the current models are missing.

If what Reeves says is true, than it would be nice for all users that don’t have backwards compatibility on their PS3s.
—

BFN,

fp.

Australia is not going to get the 160Gb PS3 model.

BFN,

fp.

The EU version has €70/£55 of PSN content preinstalled on the HDD, we don’t know which games yet as they will vary by Country. Last time I checked PAIN didn’t cost £55, so I very much doubt that’s all you will get!!!

Personally I prefer the EU bundle, there’s something accessible and appealing about a console that comes with preinstalled games, that you just plug in and turn on and you are presented with a list of games to click and play. I think over Christmas this will resonate with a lot of parents (again assuming they market it properly), because you can just plug it in on Christmas Day and start having fun, with no immediate need to fork out for a load of games to go with it, much in the same way parents bought a Wii on it’s own because it already had Wii Sports.

By contrast, in the US they are paying the extra for the HDD and Unchartered, PAIN is just a promotion to convince users to sign up for a PSN account. It’s a technique that’s employed a lot in the US, lot’s of things give you extras or cash back rebates for registering your product.