Wimos [Internet News and Bussines]

Sony today set out an official launch date for the PS3 Wireless Keypad as well as a relatively newer, multi-device AC Adaptor. The former is now due in the first week of December for $50 and supplies a full QWERTY keyboard for chat and messaging in supporting games. It also has a unique surface that doubles a touchpad for the PS3’s web browser and is based on Bluetooth, allowing it to pair with both the console and devices like cellphones. (more…)

A study of October console sales in the US by the NPD Group released today suggests Sony has improved its long-term sales of of the PS3. While Nintendo continues to enjoy a clear lead, the PlayStation 3 saw one of its greatest year-over-year results and saw sales grow 57 percent versus October of last year to 232,400 consoles. The difference wasn’t enough to eclipse the Xbox 360’s 371,000 systems but represents a tangible improvement for Sony, which has regularly struggled to sell the PS3 due to its high price and a lack of system-selling exclusives. (more…)

Western Digital on Monday took its own turn at media hubs by introducing the HD TV Media Player. In place of using a network connection, the company is taking advantage of its skill with external storage to let users locally transfer content: users can attach up to two USB hard drives, certain portable media players or other devices (including the company’s MyBook drives) and browse the contents of the drive with an on-screen menu and a bundled remote. (more…)

Nintendo today set expectations for the launch of the DSi in the US that suggest a summer or earlier release for the new take on the game console. Company president Satoru Iwata notes that individual regions have their own discretion as to when they release the dual-screen system but that a launch in fall would “probably be too late,” steering any potential release outside of Japan towards the middle of the year. (more…)

Microsoft is facing a class action lawsuit for the Xbox 360’s chronic breakdown problems, a summary notes. Although the company has already extended warranties to account for the “red ring of death” — a failure where regular overheating loosens chip connections and usually ruins the system — a Sacramento County complaint accuses Microsoft of not only manufacturing a known defective product but of deliberately hiding the failure rate, encouraging customers to buy without warning them that their system will likely fail. (more…)

Nintendo is determined to make a true next-generation console but ride the existing success of the Wii, according to a new claim made by What They Play. Citing what are only referred to as multiple sources, the publication says the system will still be directly related to the Wii and its motion-based gameplay but at last have the processing and graphics performance necessary to drive HD rather than the Wii’s maximum DVD resolution. It would also reflect acknowledgments from Nintendo about the problems with limited storage on the Wii and should include some form of more permanent space to hold downloadable content. (more…)