Gadget of the week

New Sony Playstation 3

Slimmer, Lighter, Cheaper


What is it?

Come September, UAE gamers will be able to get their hands on their favourite Sony PlayStation 3 in a brand new avatar: Presenting the slimmer, lighter and very goodlooking PS3 Slim.

Equipped with a 120GB drive, the weight loss will mean the new PS3 will take up roughly 32 per cent less space, consume 34 per cent less power and get a 36 per cent weight reduction, according to Sony.


What's special about it?

Besides the slimmer, lighter look, Sony has also decided to drop prices. From September 1, the new PS3 will be priced at Dh1,299. Prices of the current 80GB model has also been reduced to Dh1,299.

Still not convinced? More than 23.7 million PS3s have been sold worldwide with more than 27 million global registrants on the PlayStation Network who have already accounted for an excess of 560 million downloads.

What's more? For those not old enough to own credit cards, the September launch will also mark the availability of PlayStation Network Voucher Cards in $20 and $50 denominations at PS3 retail points.


The Verdict

We're loving the slim look and the price drop. Our sympathies to those who shelled out much more for the chunkier 80GB version.


The Number

$4bn

The estimated size of the Chinese online gaming market. Industry regulator General Administration of Press and Publication says China is one of the world's fastest growing markets with sales expected to rise 30 to 50 per cent this year. Some 50 million Chinese gamers crowd internet cafes across the country, with some worried parents sending their children to boot camps in an effort to curb their gaming habits.

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