In-game XMB access tops everyone’s list when it comes to new firmware features, since it will allow messaging and possibly music playback. Sony has finally answered everyone’s prayers and will added it to the PS3 sometime this year. Sony’s Paul Purdy confirmed the long-requested feature but didn’t give away any information on what it would allow users to do.

As most of you know the PS3 Operating System, known as the XMB or Cross Media Bar, is not available when playing games, which means you cannot read or send messages when playing games. In-game XMB access will mean you will be able to access the XMB from in-game to access some of its features while in-game, so you can read and send messages and even edit settings, play music and add new buddies. The release date for in-game XMB access has not been revealed but it will be released this year.

Paramount is poised to drop its support of HD DVD after Warner Brothers’ recent backing of Sony’s Blu-ray technology, in a move that could kill HD DVD and bring the home entertainment format war to a definitive end. Paramount and DreamWorks Animation came out in support of HD DVD last sum­mer, joining Universal Studios as the main backers of the Toshiba format. However, Paramount is understood to have a clause in its contract with the HD DVD camp that would allow it to switch sides in the event of Warner Bros backing Blu-ray, according to people familiar with the situation.

Paramount is set to have a bumper 2008 with several likely blockbusters, including the latest instalment in the Indiana Jones franchise. Paramount joining the Blu-ray camp would leave HD DVD likely to suffer the same fate as Sony’s now obsolete Betamax video technology, which lost out to VHS in a similar format war in the 1980s.
Warners decision last week to throw its weight behind Blu-ray saw it join Walt Disney, 20th Century Fox and MGM as backers of the Sony format. The Warners move gives Blu-ray about 70 per cent of Hollywood’s output, although the format’s grip on film content will increase further when Paramount comes aboard.

[Via: FT.com]

The announcement for Skype on the PSP is now official, and we have details about the service. As long as you have Internet access and a second generation PSP (PSP-2000), you will be able to enjoy all the features of Skype currently being used by around 248 million registered users. The service will let provide free calls between registered users, whether on a PC or PSP, as well as the other services provided by Skype. See the details below.

The Skype PSP service will provide:

• Free voice calls between Skype users
• Skype contact list management (view existing contacts, add new ones)
• Skype presence (see which friends are online and available to talk)
• SkypeOut calls to make calls to landlines and mobile phones anywhere in the world (requires the purchase of Skype credit)
• Optional SkypeIn number that lets users receive calls on Skype from landlines and mobiles anywhere in the world (requires the purchase of Skype credit)
• View and modify Skype settings and account details (including username creation, SkypeOut settings, voicemail settings and call forwarding)

A firmware update will provide the PSP with Skype functionality and is expected in late January. A new Skype icon will appear under the Network menu on the PSP XMB once the service has been installed. The unfortunate thing about this service is that it will only work on the second generation PSP (PSP-2000). Look out for more information later this month.

UPDATE:

The first generation PSPs (PSP-1000) cannot support Skype due to its memory limitations. Sony’s Nick Sharples stated:

­
Although PSP-1000 and PSP-2000 are identical in basic functions, there are
differences in hardware specifications to some extent and, for that
reason, PSP-2000 may differ in features from PSP-1000. We had studied
the possibility of supporting Skype with PSP-1000 but had to give it up
because of the smaller size of main memory on PSP-1000 series.­­

HD DVD loses out yet again in the high-definition DVD format war as Warner Bros. goes Blu-Ray exclusive. The company will continue to release titles in both HD DVD format and Blu-ray until the end of May 2008m after which it is believed that all high-d­ef titles will be released in Blu-ray format exclusively. HD DVD still has the backing of Paramount, DreamWorks and Universal, but this announcement does give Blu-Ray a better advantage in the high-def format war.

Barry Meyer, Chairman & CEO of Warner Bros, says:

"The window of opportunity for high-definition DVD could be missed if format confusion continues to linger. We believe that exclusively distributing in Blu-ray will further the potential for mass market success and ultimately benefit retailers, producers, and most importantly, consumers."

Jeff Bewkes, President and Chief Executive Officer, Time Warner Inc., the parent company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, says:

"Warner Bros. has produced in both high-definition formats in an effort to provide consumer choice, foster mainstream adoption and drive down hardware prices. Warner Bros decision. to distribute in a single format comes at the right time and is the best decision both for consumers and Time Warner."

Sony could introduce a subscription fee that allows users unlimited download access to PSP and PSOne games for a monthly charge. Sony has launched a questionnaire in Asia quizzing customers on their use of the new PlayStation Store on PC, in which one of the questions suggests a “Monthly subscription plan (1 price for unlimited download)”. It also asks users to choose from a selection of UMD titles they would “Very agree” to see as downloadable titles, including LocoRoco and Tekken.

Subscriptions are a brilliant idea, so long as Sony gets add more PSOne titles to the US and European PlayStation Stores. Currently, the Japanese PSN Store has the biggest selection of PSOne titles, and it’s updated weekly.