SONY INCREASES PRESSURE ON GEORGE HOTZ, AKA GEOHOT, DRAGS YOUTUBE INTO THE FRAY

Now that Sony has started gathering the evidence it needs via discovery in the lawsuit over Hotz and friends' PS3 jailbreak, the company has dropped a hammer by moving to reduce the amount of time the hackers have to get Sony the information it wants. Sony filed the motion -- which will be heard by the court tomorrow -- to better arm itself with information to oppose Geohot's motion to dismiss, scheduled to be heard in early March. Casting its evidence-gathering net far and wide, SCEA has demanded that YouTube surrender not only information for Hotz's account where his jailbreak video was posted, but also how many users accessed the video, the usernames of those with access to the video, and all usernames and IP addresses of everyone who posted or published comments to the vid. In addition to hitting up YouTube for dirt, Wired reports that Sony has demanded Twitter hand over the personal info of fail0verflow's members -- we're waiting for Sony's lawyers to don TSA gear as the next step in their search. Geohot's attorney thinks the requests seem a bit much, but we think they make sense given Sony's strategy of going after the entire fail0verflow team. While these goings-on make for fairly standard legal tactics, they won't do much for Sony's public image.

VUDU HD MOVIE RENTAL COMING TO PLAYSTATION 3

VUDU has announced they will launch HD streaming on the Playstation3 starting November 23rd. VUDU will give instant access to over 4,000 HD movies at only $2 for a two day period. Read below for the press release.

PlayStation®Network Continues to Expand its Industry Leading Entertainment Offerings with VUDU™ HD Streaming Movie Service

VUDU Brings High Definition Movies On-Demand to the PlayStation®3 System

FOSTER CITY, Calif., November 16, 2010 – Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC (SCEA) today announced that on-demand movie service VUDU™ will launch on PlayStation®Network in the United States with an application that allows for High Definition (HD) and Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 surround sound streaming to the PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system. VUDU delivers a massive library of movies to the PS3 system in true 1080p HD format, providing another choice for PS3 users to experience cinema-quality entertainment in the comfort of their living rooms. When the VUDU application launches on November 23, 2010, the PS3 system will be the first and only system with dedicated gaming functionality to offer this service. This partnership further establishes PlayStation Network as the complete home entertainment hub, which includes the latest in gaming, movies, television shows, sports, original programming, internet browsing and social networking.
Using the VUDU streaming movie service, PS3 owners will be able to conveniently and instantly access more than 4,000 HD movies from all major Hollywood studios on-demand, including new releases available the same day they are released to DVD or Blu-ray Disc. The VUDU streaming movie service also offers great value to PS3 households, with an enormous collection of titles available for only $2 for a two night rental.
"PlayStation has long been the leader in providing living room entertainment. PlayStation Network has emerged as the industry leading entertainment hub for experiencing an unmatched amount of digital content," said Susan Panico, senior director, PlayStation Network. "With the addition of the VUDU application to our free PlayStation Network, users will have another way to access entertainment, with thousands of HD movies available instantly in the comfort of their own home."
"PS3 is tailor-made for the high-quality, high-speed VUDU streaming experience," said Edward Lichty, general manager, VUDU. "Now with VUDU on PS3, we are able to deliver a completely immersive experience to those loyal to their entertainment system when they want, where they want."
Customers that have a free PlayStation Network account can download the VUDU application in the "Media" category on PlayStation®Store and then access it under the "Video" icon on the XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) menu. New VUDU customers receive a $5.99 credit, enabling them to watch their first HD movie on the service for free.
About Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC.
Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one® game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system, the ground-breaking PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system and its online and network services the PlayStation®Network and PlayStation®Store. Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one, PlayStation 2, PSP and PS3 systems for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC serves as headquarters for all North American operations.
About VUDU
A leader in digital entertainment, VUDU offers the world's largest selection of streaming HD movies, including thousands of blockbusters, Hollywood classics, and indies available in stunning HDX 1080p with Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 surround sound. Movies are available the same day they are released on DVD or Blu-Ray, and can be rented or purchased without a subscription. VUDU comes built in on select internet connectable HDTVs and Blu-Ray Disk Players from, LG, Mitsubishi, Samsung, SANYO, Sharp, Toshiba and Vizio, and is also available on PC or Mac via the Boxee platform. VUDU is a wholly owned subsidiary of Walmart Stores, Inc., and is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA. For more information, visit http://www.vudu.com/

NINTENDO LOSES MONEY FOR FIRST TIME IN SEVEN YEARS

Due to poor sales of its flagship products, the DS and the Wii, Nintendo has post a loss for the first half of the year.  This is the first loss in over seven years for Nintendo.  The DS slid from 11.7 million units last year to 6.69 million this year.  This is to be expected since the DS has been around for almost six years and the 3DS will be launching soon.

What is unexpected is that Wii sales have fallen off as well.  Last year 5.75 million Wii's were sold compared to 4.97 million this year.  This could be explained by the increased interest of the Microsoft Kinect and Sony Move for the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 respectively.

Also contributing to the loss is the big slip in the value of the Yen.  Combining all these factors mean Nintendo's net income was down 33.7% over the same time last year and operating income was down 48% for the same period. [Gizmodo] [Kotaku]

PLAYSTATION3 GETTING 3D PLAYBACK SEPT. 21

After being delayed, Sony, announced at the Tokyo Game Show, will be releasing an update for the Playstation3 on September 21st.   This update will give the PS3 3D playback capabilities, provided you have a 3D capable television.  [Playstation Blog]

SONY MOVE ON SALE EARLY

The Sony Move for the Playstation3 is not suppose to be on sale until September 19th, but an Engadget reader has managed to snag one at a Benton Harbor, MI Best Buy.  If you are wanting to buy one, you might be able to find it available at your local Best Buy.

The Sony Move is a wireless remote that tracks your movements in game play much like the Wii remotes and the Microsoft Kinect. [Endgadget]