PSP super-hack hits the internet

PSP hack we told you about a few weeks ago has hit the interblogs, and we predict all hell will be breaking loose any moment. Un-retired homebrew mastermind Dark_AleX has come up with a little number called Timemachine, which is capable of spinning your PSP back to all sorts of crazy firmwares at the touch of a button.

Play Station 3 Gets Satin Silver Makeover in Japan

Sony Japan just announced a brand new satin silver version of the PS3. The standard 40GB machine will hit shelves in Japan on March 6th, but don't expect the color refresh love to be extended to the States anytime soon. Press release after the jump.

Sony Computer Entertainment Japan (SCEJ), a division of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) responsible for business operations in Japan, today announced that it would release PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3®) 40GB model in a new "Satin Silver" color in Japan on March 6th, 2008, at a recommended retail price of 39,980 yen (including tax). "Satin Silver" will also become available for DUALSHOCK®3 Wireless Controller at a recommended retail price of 5,500 yen (including tax). A new fine metallic "Satin Silver" is offered as an additional color to the existing PS3® (CECHH00 Series) line-up of "Clear Black" and "Ceramic White". Choosing from a broader selection of colors to match their lifestyle and preferences, users will be able to enjoy next generation interactive entertainment contents on Blu-ray Disc as well as via the broadband network at home.

Sony PlayStation 3 is cheap now

Sony has apparently been able to slash the production cost of its PlayStation 3 in half. More specifically, it was noted that the firm has been able to "shrink the PS3's chips and tweak its design," which aided in getting the cost per machine "to around $400 now, from above $800 just before it went on sale in November 2006." According to Nikko Citigroup's Kota Ezawa, the biggest culprit for such an improvement is the "reduction in the parts count."

Nokia's N-Gage hits the N81

N81 or N81 8GB user, since Nokia's got some pre-release versions of full N-Gage titles just for you as of next week. Nokia's hoping for some feedback with this "N-Gage First Access" setup, since the full service isn't quite ready to go yet. Of course, the N81 has game demos on it out of the box, but this time it'll have "exclusive access to the pre-release version of the N-Gage application and one or more N-Gage games!" They're certainly taking their own sweet time getting the relaunch of N-Gage ready, but given the failure of its first two iterations, perhaps we should be grateful Nokia's waiting to get it right this time.

Astro's slick A40 gaming audio headset

A40 gaming headphone system from Astro is no exception. Sold as a complete kit with a headset and matching mixer, the $249 package lets you mix 5.1 game audio and communications audio independently to your liking, all without waking up your roommates. The daisy-chainable Dolby Digital processor / mixer also enables some other interesting features, like private comm channels for in-person Xbox 360 teams, and outboard surround processing from a PC. The headset itself features an adjustable boom mic and interchangable faceplates. Each is also available separately: the A40 headset is $199, while the mixer is $129, and it's all available on the 17th.

The "999,999,999 in 1 Super Video Game"

If this thing is real, but if it is you can probably expect to pick one up from nondescript street markets across China. With a claim to fame of one less than a billion games included, the "999999999 in 1 Super Game" should give the "big three" consoles a run for their money.

Limited Edition Halo 3 wireless controller

This time we're got a Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo 3 wireless controller (Brute edition with Todd McFarlane collectible figure). Ready? Here's the deal.

We'll put up a gadget on the site, and you can only enter it until the next gadget lands (usually within a couple of hours). If you miss your shot, sorry, we're moving on to the next gadget.

Wolfking's latest gets a suitable name Warrior Xxtreme

Merely days after we caught Wolfking's astonishingly bizarre gaming keyboard lurking in the FCC's database, it seems that the firm is giving the pup a proper (and we mean proper) name. Just as Elmo would attest, things just seem a little more hardcore with any variant of "extreme" in the title, and the Warrior Xxtreme goes the xxtra mile by doubling up on the x's and kicking the e to the curb. The self-proclaimed "hybrid two-in-one PC gamepad / keyboard" supposedly combines the utility of a full-fledged keyboard with the "ergonomics and space saving design of a gamepad." No matter how you slice it, this thing certainly won't please everyone, but hopefully we'll have a price to pass along in the not-too-distant future for those already gearing up for battle.

Sony PSP goes Deep Red

Sony: the "Deep Red" PSP. The PSP-2000 DR is the official moniker in case your big box rep fails to see the obvious when these hit Japan on December 13.

Nokia's N81 8GB now shipping with N-Gage

Nokia's N81 is now, at this very moment, "available globally" according to Nokia. Pre-tax, pre-subsidy €360 / $515 for the 2GB microSD model or €430 / $615 for that full 8GB of on-board flash experience. Since the revamped N-Gage platform isn't online yet, the N81 comes pre-loaded with three playable demos of FIFA 07, Asphalt 3: Street Rules, and Space Impact Light. Those same games will be available for free download-and-preview over HSDPA when the service goes live sometime "later in 2007." Still, while Nokia touts a global launch, the fact that this quad-band GSM phone only sports 2100MHz WCDMA will limit its effective use in North America -- even if it is FCC approved.

Pelican intros Controller Charging Station for PlayStation 3

Nyko's SIXAXIS charging dock may serve the same purpose as Pelican's forthcoming device, but we'll give the sexy award to the latter. The Controller Charging Station for PlayStation 3 boasts a very unique, if not admirable design that holds two SIXAXIS controllers above ground and juices 'em up through the exposed mini USB plugs. Additionally, the base of the unit is home to two full sized USB ports (shown after the jump), so there's always the option of charging up four PS3 controllers at once should you choose. The price? $29.99 when it lands in just a few weeks.

dreamGEAR's Lava Glow wireless PS3 controller

PlayStation 3 controller is functional... but is it super ugly? Enter the dreamGEAR Lava Glow wireless controller -- a peripheral so heinous looking it can likely be used to visually stun your opponents. The liquid-filled, glowing controller transmits on the lovable 2.4GHz RF band, and is said to be the "most comfortable controller ever created," according to the company's modest PR. The Lava Glow is also jam-packed with "motion sensing gyroscopes," which somehow provide you with "complete latency free game play," though we're not sure how. The controller comes in red or blue, and is available now for $34.99 -- just be sure you don't spike it against a wall and get lava juice on your carpet.

Sony Japan's ceramic white PS3 and DualShock 3

Sony's ceramic white 40GB PS3 and DualShock 3 controller just loosed in Japan. Like its European 40GB cuz, the CECHH00 Series PS3 aces the backward compatibility, memory card slot, and 2x of the 4x USB slots in favor of a low, low ¥39,980 (about $341/€242) price tag when it ships on 11 November. The DualShock 3 wireless rumbler (sold separately) first revealed at Tokyo Game Show hits shelves the same day for ¥5,500 or about $47/€33. Yes, both the PS3 and DualShock 3 are available in black if you're feeling the ebony over new-school ivory.

T-Wireless NW Wii classic controller

We're not certain how many people are clamoring for Virtual Console controller that apes the look-and-feel of the 360 controller, but Thrustmaster's got you covered with its new T-Wireless NW controller. Eschewing the need to plug into the Wiimote, the NW comes with a receiver dongle that plugs into the Wii's GameCube ports -- a design decision that doesn't seem quite right to us. On the other hand, it's just $19.99, the same price as a Classic Controller, so we'll see how gamers respond when these things ship in October.

Nokia's N-Gage gaming service now official !

Just as we expected, Nokia announced their totally revamped N-Gage gaming platform. An eco-sytstem now, covering software-enabled S60-based handsets, games, and a full-featured community-based service to link it all together. A new mobile gaming platform, if you will, which Nokia plans to extend beyond just Nokia devices. The service will offer tournaments, global rankings, and other events within the gaming community. Cost of games will cost up to €10, are free to try, and can be rented over varying periods. All available starting November. More as the information becomes available.

Win an Xbox 360 and a copy of Bioshock

So perhaps your PC isn't quite up to snuff for playing Bioshock, or maybe you just don't want to get any nasty Sony rootkits in the process. That's OK, the 360 version runs just peachy, and we're giving away a copy of Bioshock and an Xbox 360 Premium to play it on. The contest ends tomorrow, so check out the read link for instructions on how to enter, and while you're at it you might as well start pondering that Little Sister moral conundrum while you've got some time for introspection.