iP3K

The word is not official yet but Sony's next generation console may be release September 21st in the US, September 16th in Japan. Next-Gen reported today that game developers are aiming for a September release. Hopefully this means Sony will have good games ready for the release (Unlike Xbox 360) and will have a way to compete against Xbox Live. As it has been rumored for a few weeks Sony plans to release a counter-offensive called HUB. HUB would be a subscriber service that would allow chat, music and movie download, independent games and demos. None of this has been confirmed by SCEA, as usual they do not comment rumors, but all this is very likely.

Let's get real, the developers got their hands of the PS3 last week, how can you expect them to port the games in a few weeks for a Spring release (it is still possible though, but unlikely). As for the price, with the specs of the console they estimate a $900 US to manufacture. Which would make the selling price of $499 US sound right, but hold on! They had estimated the Playstation 2 to sell for $500 and Sony crushed them with a $299 starting price. But it is much likely that Sony will match the Xbox 360 price of $399 (premium) in order to compete with it. Anyhow, from my point of view, even if the PS3 is release a year after the X360 it is still a superior machine that will be worth the price. We're talking HD gaming, dual screen capabilities, massive connectivity (USB, SD, Memory Stick, Ethernet, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g) and the best games out there .

When they say it's worth waiting for it is. You'll have the new blu-ray reader at your disposal for their new DVD format (Games will come on blu-ray discs, unlike X360 that uses regular DVDs that contain 5 times less data)... Did I mention you could have up to seven wireless controllers? Thinking of a multiplayer football game in your living room, good to know

Point made, you have an extra 6 months to save money and buy a PS3. (+ a home theater sound system + an HD LCD/Plasma screens that support 1080i/p [or two!])

*UPDATE - CNET.com and other websites report a rumord that the PS3 could be delayed up to 2007. Problem is that Sony will still not comment witch leaves rumor control out of hand.