It's finally, here. The firmware release audio and videophiles and gamers have been waiting for. With firmware 2.3 Sony finally delivers on the promise of its internal Blu-ray drive. This release brings DTS-HD Master Audio Decoding. Recent releases already delivered Blu-ray Profile 2.0, limited DivX compatibility, and the PS3 has always carried the Dolby-TrueHD logo.
With this upcoming update, the PS3 becomes one of the best and most feature-filled Blu-ray players, bar none. It also p0wns the home theater. Sony has effectively laid down the pimp-hand on Xbox 360. There is now no way that any sensible person can make the argument that the PS3 is too expensive or is not a significantly better "value" than the 360.
With every $399 PS3 you now get a next-gen game console, top-of-the-line Blu-ray player, built-in 40G hard drive, and built-in Wifi. So basically, you get a Blu-ray player with one of the best next-gen game consoles thrown in for free, or vice versa. With today's economic uncertainty, that value will loom very large this Holiday season.
So, is Microsoft out of the game? Has the pimp hand of Sony slapped them into submission? The answer lies in this question: If I have a PS3, and it's "all that and a bag of chips," why don't I ditch my Xbox 360?
It's the game's stupid.
No matter how much of a better value the PS3 is right now, Xbox 360's exclusive titles and XBLA library cannot be denied. Gears of War, Halo, too many high quality XBLA games to mention, downloadable television content including bowl games, movie rentals, Achievements and a thriving, accessible online community.
Granting all of Xbox's strengths, Sony is still clearly in a sound position to inflict its will on the gaming and home entertainment industries in 2008 and 2009. Both sides are pushing consoles as being media hubs, more than just game machines. If they succeed in their efforts to reinvent the console, (you could argue that Sony already has), Sony's visionary choices will give it a strong upper hand.
Sony's PSN game library will improve this year with Wipeout HD and Capcom content to name a few. With the new store upgrade the user experience should be on par with Live! Marketplace and TV content and movie rentals are sure to follow. While Sony hasn't knocked Microsoft off the top dawg's spot yet, the pimp hand is cocked and ready. Without a new SKU, the rumored Xbox Ultimate, I don't see how Microsoft can duck what is coming or compete with the PS3s overwhelming edge in value. Sony's game plan will be taught in college business courses for years to come if they pull this off; their chances are looking pretty good.
Yes, it's still about the games but make no mistake, there will be blood. The value both platforms present is too lopsided in favor of the PS3 now. Microsoft has no choice but to respond.
The beneficiary of this battle royale: all of us.
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I think Microsoft doesn't wanna lose, I predict that if there product goes into decline (which signs are showing now) that they will try to 1UP Nintendo and Sony by releasing a new console, while at the same time offering a type of trade in program for your old Xbox, it's a sound plan to get ahead but is it worth risking the install base? Who knows, but you are right the ps3 is a runaway train right now just on a killing spree.
and a strong ending. We really are the one's who benefit most 4m this war...
I love it when you say the pimp hand...kocked and ready. Too funny.
For some reason the word "kocked", spelled correctly is not allowed in comments, even though you wrote it like twelve times in your blog. Even more funny.