SCEE announces PS3 TV tuner, PSP video download service, new colors for PSP Slim, more

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) announced quite a few new things it has in the works for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable video game systems during its press conference at the Leipzig Games Convention.

For the PS3, SCEE unveiled a TV tuner and PVR accessory for the PS3 called PlayTV. This new accessory will let PS3 owners turn their consoles into TV recorders. PlayTV also supports PS3-PSP connectivity, so users can use the PSP to set recordings and watch live and recorded TV programs. PlayTV also allows for quick transcoding of recorder TV shows for viewing on the PSP.

SCEE also reconfirmed the PSP Slim’s September 5 Euro launch date along with the announcement of two new colors – Simpsons Yellow and Spiderman Red – for the redesigned PlayStation Portable. The company also introduced their Go! entertainment brand for the PSP. Here’s the skinny:

• Go! Video Download Service – Launching in early 2008, this will let PSP owners in UK and Ireland to choose from “a vast selection of high quality entertainment” and watch them on their PSPs. The service will also feature content from Sky and support from third party content owners. PSP owners can also subscribe to dedicated Sports, Entertainment and Animation packages and watch premier content on a pay per view basis.

• Go!Messenger – A new voice chat, video chat and instant messaging service scheduled for the New Year in SCEE territories. Go! Messenger places a small application on the PSPÂ’s XMB which, when downloaded separately from the web and installed to the Memory Stick, lets users use voice chat, video chat and instant message through VOIP from any WiFi hot spot.

• Go!Explore – Used in conjunction with the PSP’s GPS attachment, Go!Explore is a fully functional satellite navigation tool for PSP. Go!Explore incorporates both vehicle and pedestrian functionality and will also be launching in the new year.

On the gaming side of things, SCEE President David Reeves announced that SCEE, along with its third party publishing partners, plans to release a total of 62 titles for the PS3 by the end of the year. A total of 74 PSP titles are also scheduled for release before the year ends. For the PlayStation Network, 22 titles are currently on-track for a pre-Christmas release.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) announced quite a few new things it has in the works for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable video game systems during its press conference at the Leipzig Games Convention.

For the PS3, SCEE unveiled a TV tuner and PVR accessory for the PS3 called PlayTV. This new accessory will let PS3 owners turn their consoles into TV recorders. PlayTV also supports PS3-PSP connectivity, so users can use the PSP to set recordings and watch live and recorded TV programs. PlayTV also allows for quick transcoding of recorder TV shows for viewing on the PSP.

SCEE also reconfirmed the PSP Slim’s September 5 Euro launch date along with the announcement of two new colors – Simpsons Yellow and Spiderman Red – for the redesigned PlayStation Portable. The company also introduced their Go! entertainment brand for the PSP. Here’s the skinny:

• Go! Video Download Service – Launching in early 2008, this will let PSP owners in UK and Ireland to choose from “a vast selection of high quality entertainment” and watch them on their PSPs. The service will also feature content from Sky and support from third party content owners. PSP owners can also subscribe to dedicated Sports, Entertainment and Animation packages and watch premier content on a pay per view basis.

• Go!Messenger – A new voice chat, video chat and instant messaging service scheduled for the New Year in SCEE territories. Go! Messenger places a small application on the PSPÂ’s XMB which, when downloaded separately from the web and installed to the Memory Stick, lets users use voice chat, video chat and instant message through VOIP from any WiFi hot spot.

• Go!Explore – Used in conjunction with the PSP’s GPS attachment, Go!Explore is a fully functional satellite navigation tool for PSP. Go!Explore incorporates both vehicle and pedestrian functionality and will also be launching in the new year.

On the gaming side of things, SCEE President David Reeves announced that SCEE, along with its third party publishing partners, plans to release a total of 62 titles for the PS3 by the end of the year. A total of 74 PSP titles are also scheduled for release before the year ends. For the PlayStation Network, 22 titles are currently on-track for a pre-Christmas release.