sony

Xbox 360 again the most popular console among U.S. gamers

Microsoft has extended its streak of console sales leadership into its third year.

Research firm NPD yesterday released its game-market sales for January. Microsoft led U.S. console sales for the 25th consecutive month, tallying 281,000 units sold. At that sales level, Microsoft was able to grab 44 percent console market share. All told, consumers spent $338 million on Xbox 360 hardware, software, and accessories during the period.

Despite the Xbox 360's specific success, overall hardware sales for all devices were down 17 percent compared with January 2012, reaching $205 million during the period. Software sales hit $373.… Read more

PlayStation 4: What we expect, what it needs, and why

CNET's live coverage of Sony's event on Wednesday

Sony's February 20 event in New York City will likely mark the announcement of the PlayStation 4 and simultaneously usher in the next generation of console gaming. (Sorry, Wii U, but you're more last-gen than next-gen.)

Rumors mills are also churning out details confidently declaring that the Xbox 360 successor will also see the light of day before June's big E3 gaming show in Los Angeles.

Perhaps the biggest news? Both consoles could make their debuts -- gasp -- this year. That's a hyperspeed acceleration in … Read more

The 404 1,205: Where we paint by numbers (podcast)

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- Hacker exposes George Bush's family photos, portraits.

Wait, so PS4 won't have better graphics?

- J.J. Abrams may direct a Portal and/or Half-Life movie!

- Snow panic has driven Weather.com completely insane.

- Patent troll says he owns "podcasting," sues Adam Corolla, HowStuffWorks.… Read more

Sony sprinkles Android 4.1 onto Xperia smartphones

Owners of Sony's Xperia T and Xperia V can expect a dose of Android 4.1 sometime soon.

Sony said yesterday that it's begun deploying Jelly Bean to its initial batch of Xperia smartphones. The Xperia T and Xperia V are first on the list, while the Xperia TX is due sometime in March. The rollout will continue to ramp up over this month and next, Sony added.

Xperia owners will receive a notification when the update is available for the model of phone they have. Most users will be able to download the software over the air. … Read more

In PS4, 'new playing options' to top better graphics -- report

Despite the talk of the PlayStation 4 becoming something of a graphics powerhouse, a new report suggests the importance of internal upgrades will be tossed aside in favor of "new playing options."

Sony plans to make a host of "new playing options" in its next console the focus of the device when it's unveiled on February 20, Japan-based news outlet Nikkei is reporting today, citing an unidentified Sony Computer Entertainment official. Engadget was first to report on the Nikkei's findings.

Rumors have suggested that Sony will unveil a major upgrade to its PlayStation 3. … Read more

The Last of Us: Watch your back for zombies

In just a few months, many of you with a PlayStation 3 may be eyeing The Last of Us as your next acquisition. In the meantime, eye some scary concept art from the artists responsible for creating the look and feel of the game, in which players must survive a post-pandemic world of fungus-ridden zombies.

Created by acclaimed developer Naughty Dog (responsible for the epic Uncharted series), The Last of Us earned some serious hype at the last E3 gaming expo due to its incredible graphics, compelling gameplay, and post-apocalyptic storyline. The experience seems like the perfect setting for those who can't get enough of the television show "Walking Dead" or the video game DayZ. … Read more

Sony sees revenue rise, losses decline as turnaround hopes gain

Although Sony has watched its troubles mount over the last few years, the company had a strong fourth quarter, leading some to wonder if the worst is behind it.

During the fourth quarter of 2012 (Sony's fiscal third quarter), the company generated $22.4 billion in revenue, representing a 6.9 percent gain over the same period in 2011 (PDF). And although the company still lost $124 million during the period, that was far better than the $1.7 billion it lost in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Sony's improved performance came by way of its mobile products … Read more

Rumor Has It: Facebook wants you to be a stalker IRL

This week's show is all about those rumors that just refuse to die -- and for once we're not talking about the next iteration of the iPhone.

Some sneaky sneaks found hidden "radio" buttons in the iTunes code of a freshly jailbroken iPad. Does that mean that radio streaming is coming soon? Or is it just leftover code that someone didn't bother to take out? Rumors of Dell going private finally came true after weeks of speculation and much to nobody's surprise. The PlayStation 4 might be announced in a couple weeks, which could mean it'll be released this year, but maybe next year, but maybe who knows?

But the most upsetting of all the rumors is maybe a new one, but definitely a gross one: Facebook is said to be prepping a standalone app that will let your friends know where you are, without you having to check in to anything.… Read more

Gamers take a stab at possible PlayStation 4 controller design

Although Sony is expected to unveil the PlayStation 4 later this month, some gamers have taken it upon themselves to guess at what the company might show off.

Members of gaming forum NeoGAF lately have been posting Photoshopped mockups of what they believe the PlayStation 4's controller might look like. The controllers were developed based on a few rumors that have been floating around the Web related to Sony's technology.

Kotaku, which first reported on the controller designs, last week said that it had obtained documents that provided information on Sony's plans with its next console. Those … Read more