The new limited edition Final Fantasy XIII PlayStation 3 is now finally available in Japan.

This limited edition PS3 boasts a stylish matte white finish and a slightly glossier rendition of the character Lightning in pink, plus there is a white controller too.

Looks cool!

The new version has a Matte Black finish, comes with 120GB storage and consumes less power that it’s predecessor. While it’s size has shrunk, the PS3 Slim won’t support OS install but that shouldn’t be a problem for most people. Apart from that, other features are the same found in the previous model.

Another major thing is that Sony has reduced the price on the console to a much more desirable $299. Starting today, the current 80GB PS3 will also retail for $299.

The new 3.0 firmware will also be released concurrently with the PS3 slim, providing a breath of fresh air for existing machines.

Spec sheet:

* Product name: PlayStation 3
* Product code: CECH-2000A (Charcoal Black)
* CPU: Cell Broadband Engine™
* GPU: RSX
* Audio output: LPCM 7.1ch, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, DTS-HD, AAC.
* Memory: 256MB XDR Main RAM, 256MB GDDR3 VRAM
* Hard disk: 120GB 2.5″ Serial ATA
* USB 2.0 ports: 2
* Networking: Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T), IEEE 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth 2.0 (+EDR)
* Controller: Wireless Controller (Bluetooth) x 1
* AV outputs: HDMI x 1, AV MULTI OUT x 1, Digital out (optical) x 1
* Resolutions: 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480i (for PAL 576p, 576i)
* BD / DVD / CD drive (read only): BD × 2 (BD-ROM), DVD × 8 (DVD-ROM), CD × 24 (CD-ROM)
* Power: AC 220 – 240, 50/60Hz
* Power consumption: Approx. 250W
* External dimensions (excluding maximum projecting part): Approx. 290 × 65 × 290 mm (width × height × length)
* Mass: Approx. 3.2kg
* Included in box: PlayStation 3 system × 1, Wireless Controller (DUALSHOCK 3) × 1, AC power cord × 1, AV cable × 1, USB cable × 1

The new PS3 Slim will be out in the first week of September (September 1 in North America and Europe, September 3 for Japan).

In recent years the gaming industry has had a huge growth. We’ve seen new gaming consoles, great looking games and an increase in the number of people playing them.

We are presently in the seventh generation of video games which focuses on consoles released since 2004. The current generation is having a console battle between Sony’s PlayStation 3, Microsoft’s XBox 360 and Nintendo’s Wii. A person buying a console will surely get baffled in deciding between these three. If you’ve only ever owned a PC and played online games like Party poker, then the world of gaming consoles can certainly seem confusing. One thing to keep in mind is that every machine will have it’s own plus and minus points and you need to take your desicion based on how you want to use the console.

Let’s first talk about Nintendo’s Wii. Well the Wii is no doubt a great console and is infact pretty much ahead of the other two in terms of sales. Call it the casual gaming factor or the price, Nintendo has had the Wii on top. When Wii was launched, it came out with something new and this was motion sensing. With Wii users are able to physically move their bodies while playing a game. In short, it’s great fun to move your controller in a game like tennis so as to hit the ball. Besides this, Wii consumes very less power as compared to the PS3 and 360. Plus, it’s WiFi enabled too.

The Wii is getting good support and games at the moment and you can consider it if you are a casual gamer but beware that Wii’s visuals or graphics will not be comparable with the 360 or PS3 as it doesn’t have powerful hardware backing it.

If you are a hardcore gamer (Well, atleast I’m one of those!), then there are two powerful machines waiting for you – the PS3 and XBox 360. These consoles offer superb visuals and gameplay and are getting great titles at the moment. Most die hard gamers make a choice between the two and deciding one of them is something difficult. Before getting a PS3 for myself, I had done a lot of research on the two. I considered various factors and then made my choice. So you will need to give it a thought.

You must have heard much about the PS3 and XBox 360′s hardware and capability. Let’s give their hardware specifications a look. (click on the image below to get a bigger view)

Both the machines are quite powerful and have strong hardware supporting them. To be true, the PS3 has a slight edge over the 360. The Cell Processor and RSX present in the PS3 are really powerful and provide it with great visuals. The PS3 also has a Blu-Ray drive as compared to the 360′s DVD drive. Besides, the PS3 also has WiFi built-in while you will have to shell out some bucks to get an adapter if you want wireless connectivity on the 360. The earlier’s storage bin is a 2.5″ laptop hdd and can be upgraded with any other 2.5″ drive easily but you will have to buy another HDD only from MS if you plan upgrade the 360. The PS3 controllers also have motion sensing technology (Six Axis).

That was about the 360′s low. The 360 is even better than the PS3 in some instances. The PS3′s cell architecture is something new. The XBox 360′s processor can thought of as a normal processor just like the PC one. So it’s easier to code for the 360 whereas it’s difficult to do the same for the PS3. The Cell is harder to code for but in recent time game coders have got hold of it and are utilising it better. Another thing to notice is that before playing games on the PS3, you need to install a part of the game on the hard drive. It takes about 5-10 minutes to get over with the installation process. It can be a bit frustrating as you do not need to do anything of this sort on the 360 while playing the same game.

One more important thing is the Online Play. Microsoft’s XBox Live service has been there since a long time and is well developed while on the other hand, Sony’s PlayStation Network is relatively new and lacks some features but is getting better with time. The XBox Live is a premium service and you will have to pay a regular fee to access the online features on the 360 but with the PS3, the PlayStation Network is a free service.

O.K. Enough!! Tell me what should I buy!!

Well this is what you must be thinking. After reading the above paragraphs, you must have got an idea about both the consoles. Below are some factors which will influence your choice:

1. Utility: If you want to use your console for both gaming and media purposes, then go for the PS3. It has a Blu-Ray drive and the built-in WiFi makes streaming media easy. By buying the PS3 you are also entering the world of high definition Blu-Ray movies, which can otherwise be a bit costly. It’s not just media, the PS3 also has great games with beatiful visuals.

2. Price: The XBox 360′s lowest model is pretty cheap at around $200. If you are looking forward to buying a console just for gaming, you can consider the Core but beware – the Core does not have any wireless controllers or hard drive.

If you want a PS3, you will need to shell out around $400. But with the features the PS3 has in store for you, the price is justified.

UPDATE: After a price drop, both the consoles are at par. The new PS3 Slim and XBox 360 Elite both go for $299. While the lower end 360 sells for $200, it’s better to get the Elite.

3. Exclusive Games : Most of the games are multi-platform games, that is they are released on both the consoles but there are certain titles that are exclusive to each console. That means you cannot get an exclusive for the PS3 to play on the 360 and vice-versa. Most of the exclusives are among the best games made.

> PS3 Exclusives: Metal Gear Solid 4, LittleBigPlanet, Resistance 2, MotorStorm 2, Killzone 2, inFamous ..
> XBox 360 Exclusives: Halo 3, Ninja Gaiden II, Fable 2, Gears of War 2, Splinter Cell: Conviction ..

So if you are an FPS lover, the 360 can be good as it has a lot of shooter games. The PS3 has a wide variety of games from different genres. A pretty good example of this can be the upcoming LittleBigPlanet. This game is really cute and creative and requires you to make full use of your imagination. I think people will love it.

4. Online Play: If you are looking forward to playing your games online, then the 360 will be better as it’s online play is better than the one on the PS3. For the XBox Live service, you’ll need to pay some amount whereas the PSN will be free.

5. Support: Both Sony and Microsoft are providing good support to their respective consoles and the 360 and PS3 are getting great titles at the moment.

But I don’t know what will happen to the 360 once it’s successor arrives. I had the original XBox earlier and when the 360 was launched, MS restricted support to the first one and as a result it faded out. While contrary to this, Sony still provides support to the PS2 and it’s still getting new titles. So I’m pretty sure now that my PS3 will last long but I can’t say anything regarding the 360.

Thus, you can make a choice based on these factors. Decide what suits you the best and make a relevant decision.

Another thing I want to say is that love your console and respect other people’s consoles. Whenever I visit any gaming forum, there’s always a comment fight going on between fans where they proclaim their system to be better than the other one and often abuse the other system. Every console has it’s attractions and drawbacks. Remember nothing is perfect! Each person has his/her own choice and you should respect it.

If you have extra money and have bought both the consoles, then it’s great for you. You can play the games available on both the consoles.

Otherwise you’ve to make a choice – The PS3 or 360 - It’s upto you. Let us know what you think.

UPDATE: My PS3 used to make some noise while I played Fifa 09, so I handed it over to the Sony guys and luckily they exchanged my 40GB PS3 with a new 80GB Motor Storm 2 Bundle!

Sony has now made the Firmware 2.50 available for the PS3. The latest update brings in some cool and new features.

The new features include:

* A scene search feature has been added to the [Video] category that shows you the scenes from a video and lets you select one and watch it. You can access it from [Scene Search] in the control panel that is displayed during video playback.

* Support for Flash 9, so you can actually watch videos while surfing the net on your PS3.

* The [BD/DVD Settings] option under [Settings] is now known as [Video Settings] * Multiple video content items can be now played in order. This option is available under [Video Settings] -> [Sequential Playback]

* Improvements made to the [Sign Up for PlayStation Network] and [Account Management] options now let you create and manage an account more easily.

* Another feature has been added that allows the PS3 system or wireless controller to turn off automatically when not used for a certain period of time. This feature is available under [Settings] -> [Power Save Settings]

This firmware update brings in some good features. You can get it via the System Update option or optionally download it and use a USB to update your PS3.

Instructions to install a theme:
1. Download the theme you want to install.
2. Copy it to a USB device.
3. Make a folder in the device named as ‘PS3 ‘. (All CAPS required)
4. In the ‘PS3′ folder, make another folder named as ‘THEME ‘. (All CAPS required)
5. Move the theme file into this folder.
6. Plug the USB device into your PS3.
7. Go to the themes option.
8. Click on install and select the USB device.
9. Enjoy your new theme!

There are a whole lot of themes available on the internet. Here are a few cool ones:

> This Is Living

> PlayB3yond

> GT5 Theme

> Sfere

> Apple Mac OS X Leopard v2.0

Which of these did you like the most? Or is there any other theme which you like and is not included in the list? Tell us in your comments.