Sony has developed a prototype computer board based on the Cell processor, the same high-power chip used in the PlayStation 3 (PS3), and will be revealed at a conference in the US next week. The ‘Cell Computing Board’ prototype, which is small enough to be mounted into a 1U-size server for a 19in rack mount, combines the Cell Broadband Engine microprocessor and RSX graphics processor. This pairing results in a high-power computing platform that goes beyond the power of the Cell chip alone, said Sony. The company did not disclose precise performance data for the board.

It will be unveiled at the SIGGRAPH show that will take place from August 7 to 9 at the San Diego Convention Center. The event is focused on the computer graphics industry and Sony will make a number of related demonstrations, it said. These will include real-time processing of ‘4K images’, which are digital cinema pictures with a resolution of four times that of HDTV, computer graphics rendering and a multi-threaded physics simulation.

[Via: PC Advisor]

Several new bits of information about the rumble enabled SIXAXIS controller have emerged, according to Inner Bits. Inner Bits states that prototypes of the new SIXAXIS controller with rumble have made their way into the hands of various Sony developers, however, there is still no official announcement from Sony. An official announcement is expected within the next two to three months.

“We can confirm that prototypes of the new rumble-enabled controllers have made their way to various Sony developers. Information on these controllers is still closely held by Sony and their partners, but an official announcement and unveiling is expected in the next two to three months.”

Also, new SIXAXIS controllers are quitely replacing the original controllers launched with the console. Hardware changes occur regularly, and so far, Sony has improved the fidelity of motion sensing in the controller.

UPDATE (4th August 2007 at 16:50):

Sony denied recent reports in speaking to GamePro that rumble-enabled PS3 controllers are on the way. Sony did, however, acknowledge motion-sensing enhancements for the SIXAXIS controller.

“We have not added rumble [to PS3], and have no announcements regarding this feature,” said Dave Karraker, Sony’s Cirector of Corporate Communications.

Karraker did confirm that developers are receiving better motion-sensing controllers, though he downplayed the news.

Sony is planning to release a digital tuner for the PlayStation 3 in 2008 turning it into a programmable TV recorder, according to Sony Computer Entertainment New Zealand boss Warwick Light. The device is scheduled for release in March 2008. The information was revealed at a interview with The Press. It is currently unclear exactly how the functionality will work and whether it will be available outside of New Zealand.

“We’re also hoping next year – about the same time that Freeview launches its terrestrial broadcasting service (expected to be in March) – to release a digital tuner for the PS3, turning it into a programmable TV recorder.”

Our guess is a USB device similar to the PSP TV Tuner will be use along with a firmware update. The hard drive will be used to allow digital recording. Freeview is already available in the UK, so it is likely to reach there.