Sony NGP to Release on November 11th in Europe?

The NGP is a hot tech topic. Announced a little over two months ago, the PSP successor, previously dubbed as the PSP2 and currently codenamed the NGP which is an internal codename and not the products actual name was met with great reactions from all over. The latest handheld from Sony packs some of the most state of the art technology in any device with many components of it not yet released into the market, like a quad core CPU and graphics card. Originally Sony’s Kaz Hirai had indicated that the NGP would launch during the 2011 Holiday season. We now know, thanks to clarification from SCEA Jack Tetton that Sony is looking to launch the NGP in at least one territory in 2011 with others to follow through. Part of this is the limitation in resources which make building large quantities of a unit like this extremely hard.

it’s very difficult to have the quantities to be able to launch on a worldwide basis on the same date” and that “our goal is get at least one territory out by the end of holiday 2011”.

When it comes to product launches, Sony users are no doubt accustomed to Japan, Sony’s home territory to receive a product with Europe and US to follow a few months after. This is especially true in the PlayStation division where all unites, including the PSone, PS2, PS3 and PSP launched in Japan and were eventually followed with a US release date. With such a track record, many assumed that the NGP would fall in line and Japan would receive the product sometime during the 2011 Holiday with Europe and US receiving shipments in the Spring. Now an online leak is pointing towards Europe receiving the honors and being the first territory to receive the NGP. This should partially come to as no surprise as Europe is one of Sony’s strong holds where the company sold over 9 million Sony Ericsson Android devices and the PlayStation 3 has continued to stay ahead of the Xbox 360. Still, this early on, it’s hard to take any leaks seriously as I’m sure final configuration and logistics of the NGP are still being sorted out.

[Via MCVUK]

LG Loses Against Sony. PS3 Shipment Begin to Flow to Europe

Remember the earlier scare that Sony went through where all PS3 shipments were ordered to be halted into Europe, thanks to a Sony vs. LG patent war? Well after the initial judge ruled on LG’s favor, the over all ruling has now come in favor of Sony Electronics. The more then 300,00 PlayStation 3 units that are currently sitting at customs are set to start flowing to inventory channels. Considering how fast this was resolved, we doubt retailers saw much of a dip in their inventory as most companies have 2-3 weeks worth of supplies for any given product. The judge has also ordered LG to pay 130k ($181k) Euros to Sony for costs incurred during the hearing and an additional 200k ($278k) Euros for everyday that shipments of the PS3 are not returned to Sony.

[Via GamersMint]

Sony Ericsson Xperia Play to Be Released on March 31st in the UK

Well UK fans, wonder no more. Sony Ericsson has announced that on  March 31st, the Xperia Play, previously dubbed as the PlayStation will be released to the legion of smartphone fans who want some gaming love on the go. Sony had originally aimed for a late March release and I guess they were spot on. For those unfamiliar, previously we covered the specs and games that make the Xperia Play.  One thing that will be different during this Android based smartphones launch then the previous offerings from Sony Ericsson is a large media campaign; in fact the biggest for Sony Ericsson.

“We are currently still in commercial conversation, but I’d be surprised if we didn’t see Xperia Play appear in other channels,” Sony Ericsson marketing director for UK and Ireland David Hilton

The Xperia Play is set to be available from every single mobile retailers and operators in the UK. With games like Bruce Lee Dragon Warriors, Tetris, Star Battalion, Crash Bandicoot, FIFA 10 and The Sims 3, plus thousands of other Android games, Sony is hoping to gain the attention of gamers and none gamers a like with the first smartphone centered around gaming.

[Via MCV]

We’ve Set Up a Japan Tsunami Relief Site (updated)

My heart really goes out to all of our friends and the people of Japan and though I might not be able to physically help the great people of that country, I thought to myself that I might be able to help them virtually. I’ve set up the following site:

2011 Japan Tsunami Relief

I encourage you and ask others to use this website and spread word about this site. The singular goal of this website is to create a destination where people can find information (i.e. Red Cross, People Finder, etc.) and post any information they want through us and report missing persons with contact information which we will post again on your behalf. If you would like to help out with this initiative, I’m extremely open to suggestions and any help and welcome them.

Updated:

We’ve just updated that post with a proper email and soon a news feed!

Sony Closes Japanese Factories Due to Tsunami and Earthquakes

First and foremost, before we get into any news, I want to extend deep and heartfelt love and support to the people of Japan and any others who might be affected by this recent and devastating tsunami and earthquake. Our very own editor, Allegra Wilson, resides in Honolulu, HI where they had a scare throughout the night, though luckily not much happened there. Sony of Japan has announced that due to the recent natural disasters and potential damages done, six of their Northern Japan plants that are in charge of the company’s Blu-ray discs, magnetic heads, and battery productions have closed down for the time being. Yasuhiro Okada, a spokesman at the Tokyo-based company said that,

the company was assessing the impact of power outages and damage to its facilities in the region

[Via Bloomberg]