CVG has some of the first details on the new PS3 2.5 firmware. It will apparently include an option for screengrabs, which is great for websites like us. No word on exactly how this will work, but we assume it will be saved to the PS3 HDD and accessable via the network or XMB menu. Rumor mill for now since Sony has not even announced this update yet, but it sounds legit.

SCEE President David Reeves has stated to GI that he believes that deals to make certain games exclusive to one platform with publishers is probably a 'thing of the past." He does state that working directly with a developer "works," though, so it may not be the end of Sony exclusives just yet.

"It does, and I put it this way: we believe that investment in our own intellectual properties - as particularly Phil Harrison and I tried to do in the last five years with SingStar, or with The Getaway, or with Buzz! - these are ours, we can put them in our cupboard," he said. "It's like a patent. We can take them forward.

Sony Japan has announced a partnership with the FON WiFi community to bring a new service, PSPxFON, to the Sony handheld, free! The two companies plan to roll out FON access points all over Japan for free browsing services on the PSP. No word on a USA equivalent, but let's hope Sony cooks up something for us North Americans!

Famitsu has posted images of the new PSP 3000, and the changes from the PSP Slim are clearly visible. While the only real benefit for most of us is the LCD screen, which is brighter for outdoor use, there are images of the included mic as well.

Those of you who were looking forward to grabbing the 160gb PS3 down under can stop saving your money. Sony stated at Leipzig it has no plans to release the new 160gb PS3 SKU in Australia. The other announced items, PlayTV and the wireless keypad, will be available. If you want a bigger PS3 HDD, you will just have to do what we did -- buy one and stick it in. We have had a 120gb PS3 since launch day, backwards compatible and all.

Sony has announced a new downloadable music and vid service for the PSN which is set to go live in 2009. Called Vidzone, the free service is designed to give gamers access to music on demand, as well as remote access via the PSP. Click read more for the full info.

PRESS RELEASE

Leipzig Games Convention, 20th August 2008: Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) announced today that VidZone™, the online destination for music videos, will deliver their free streaming music video service to PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™). The trial service is scheduled for launch in early 2009 for Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and is sure to be a hit with music lovers everywhere. VidZone’s service allows PS3 owners to watch the best new music videos for free on their PS3 or streamed to their PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) via Remote Play.

While the price hasn't been exposed yet, we can bet that it's not going to be inexpensive. The newest member of the Playstation 3 accessory family, the Wireless Keypad, will use Bluetooth to communicate with the PS3 (and any other B.T. devices you need Keyboards for). The unit mounts on top of the controller in similar fashion to the Mad Catz Thumbpad. The keypad debuts this November; have your thumbs and wallets ready.

Sony continues to drop news of new hardware from GC08 in Leipzig. Coming this Fall, a massive 160GB Playstation 3 bundle which will include a PS3 best-seller - Uncharted, PSN best-seller - PAIN, and of course the new Dualshock 3 controller. This can all be yours for the low, low price of $499.99.

David Reeves officially announced the PSP 3000 at the Games convention today. The unit will feature minor internal changes, a better LCD screen for outdoor viewing, and a built-in microphone. The unit will be available on October 15. The price will be $199 Euros, US price info when we get it.

The expensive music peripherals that go and in hand with games like Rock Band have been drawing complaints from consumers who don't have over $100 USD to drop. Now, with the fact that some of these accessories do not even work on the other music games, gamers are angry. Well, Sony is working with Konami and Harmonix in order to make the microphone and other peripherals universal, at least on the PS3. Games like Konami's Rock Revolution and Sony's Singstar will hopefully work with Rock Band 2's microphone. Good news for us!