TGS06: Phil Harrison Touts PS3 Web Browser, Shoves 1080p In Microsoft's Face

[wraggster]

During tonight's little corporate get-together, Phil H. gathered the press types around one of the 1080p displays to let us in on some secrets. He walked us through the Cross Media Bar to show off the user interface.

Phil demoed the photo viewing capabilities of the PS3, displaying high resolution photos, showing off the transitions, letting us have an intimate look at some anonymous Sony employee's cat. He walked us through nearly all of the menu picks—3D music visualization, texting friends, video and voice chat—he burned through them all with lightning speed.

One surprise was that Phil gave us a preview of the embedded PS3 Web browser, shipped default with every unit. Users will be able to quickly switch through multiple windows with ease and at 1080p those Web pages should be easy as pie to read. Rightly so, as this will be the interface for purchasing through the Sony network.

Oh, right. Speaking of 1080p, Phil confirmed that multiple games (Ridge Racer 7, Gran Turismo HD, Virtua Tennis 3, NBA, and Mobile Suit Gundam: Target In Sight) at the show were running at both "true" HD resolution and at 60 frames per second. He then rubbed that accomplishment in the face of Sony's distinguished competition, who apparently said this feat couldn't be done.

[dejkirkby]

That's all well and good. Props to Sony. One slight difference though. Xbox 360 is available now and is half the price of PS3, which isn't even available yet.

[irongiant]

Whats that got to do with what was shown?
If you want to go HD then the PS3 offers good value without having to buy any add-ons and you get a much bigger HDD.

[dejkirkby]

Whats that got to do with what was shown?
If you want to go HD then the PS3 offers good value without having to buy any add-ons and you get a much bigger HDD.

What it has to do with it is this.
Sony are showing off with their 1080p and that's fair enough. That's their right. But to have a dig at Microsoft is unwarranted. Xbox 360 has the capability of 1080p and is available now, at half the price. I'm not saying the PS3 isn't gonna be better. But the Xbox 360 is here and now. Fact.