The Playstation 3 details have been announced at Sony’s press conference at the E3 expo. You can see the details for yourself over at Eurogamer. However, two items in the specs caught my attention. First, this:
Communication: Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T) x 3 (input x 1 + output x 2)
Why would the PS3 need 2 Ethernet output ports? Does this mean it is effectively a 2-port hub? Along with its Wi-Fi capabilities, this is an interesting feature, though I can’t quite think of an exact use for it right now – except maybe daisy-chaining your Xbox and Xbox 360 through your PS3 🙂
Secondly, this:
Controller: Network (over IP)
This would appear to mean that you can control the PS3 over your LAN – somehow. Does this mean that it will be suitable for placing somewhere in a comms room in your digital multi-room multi-media home, and use the controllers over IP, well beyond the range of Bluetooth? Who knows – but it’s intriguing.
The XBox 360 is going to have a real fight on its hands.