The PlayTV is the product that will turn the PlayStation 3 into a fully-fledged digital or personal video recorder. The PlayTV, due out in September, gadget will boast dual TV tuners, so all current Freeview channels will be available, and offer a 7-day EPG.
Programmes will be recorded to on the hard drive of the PS3 to be watched back when it suits you. The PlayTV will cost 7 GBP and be a one-off purchase cost, with no monthly subscription fees.
Bolt-on controller keypad for PS3
Following the bolt-on keyboard offering from Microsoft, Sony has launched a keyboard offering for the PlayStation 3 controller allowing gamers to more easily type in information.
Coming the US in America in late November and the rest of the world before the end of the year the wireless keypad fits the standard PS3 controller and allows gamers to type far quicker than using the rather pathetic on-screen keyboard as they have been forced to do since the dawn of time.
Equipped with Bluetooth functionality, the Wireless Keypad can be paired to PS3 by simply connecting the keypad to the USB cable that comes bundled with the PS3 system.
Rather than just offer a bunch of qwerty keys, Sony has added a Communication Button and a Message Box Button in for good measure allowing, you guessed it, users to jump to pre-set features on the XrossMediaBar menu system such as Friends and Message Box during game play.
Additionally, a Touch Pad Button allows PS3 users to use the entire surface of the keypad as a touch pad, allowing them to easily manoeuvre the pointer while web browsing, simply by sliding their finger on the keypad surface.
Logitech launches diNovo Mini
The diNovo Mini is the first palm-sized cordless mini-keyboard from Logitech that allows you to control your television and PS3 from the sofa.
Devices are controlled using Bluetooth wireless technology that will operate from up to 30 feet away. It uses an integrated, dual-purpose ClickPad, which serves as a touch pad, to point, scroll and click, and as a directional pad to navigate menus and make selections to control the PS3.
The diNovo Mini is powered by a rechargeable Li-ion batteries, which provides up to a month of battery life. It costs around 99 GBP.
