In principle, the introduction of digital distribution in the game industry is a good thing for everyone: It can save companies a lot of money, minimize risks and on the part of the consumers, it may eventually lower game prices.

The entire idea is quite iTunes-ish. To have the ability to grab games that you want in the comfort of your home would be one hassle less for a lot of gamers. For companies, it saves them the entire manufacturing expense of releasing CDs and DVDs as a medium for game distribution. It saves them the money they pay to have their games on store shelves by replacing the brick-and-mortar dealer with a virtual one. When you combine the two elements, it seems to make a lot of sense.

Apparently, the triumvirate of the console business all agree that this is a viable model to extend their spheres of influence in the gaming community. Through their own respective networks, Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo have allowed the distribution of firmware, updates and old classic games for everyone to enjoy.

       

The vision, however, that digital distribution will replace traditional retailers may still be a few years away. Hardware limitations is not as talked about as corporate policies, but in truth, it's the most basic element needed to make digital distribution happen in this generation. The fact that next-gen games come in large files will mean that reliable internet connections which can provide fast downloads will have to be accessed by end users. Storage space is also a consideration as the Wii and X360 don't have built-in hard drives.

According to Chris Kohler the PS3 is in the best position to capitalize on its high-end advantage "since every PS3 comes with an internal hard disk. Wii only features 512 MB of built-in flash memory for game storage. And although Xbox 360 supports a 20-GB hard drive, it's an optional accessory, meaning that Microsoft can't count on gamers having one."

Add to that the fact not everyone has reliable and speedy internet access to download games that come in huge files, and you have another hindrance in getting the games across. Follow the read URL to get the details on why we can't get games like songs just yet.

Does PNY Technologies ring a bell? If you happen to know their stock of graphics cards (GeForce) or flash memory cards, then it shouldn't be too surprising that they are announcing the release of a new SD card, dubbed the "Gaming Card."

What makes this particular set of SD cards interesting (at least according to their ad) is that it's fully compatible with the Wii and with the PS3 (the PS3 will be hitting Europe this March 23rd).

The card comes in either 1GB or 2GB capacity, priced at £ 19.90 (US $39) and £ 34.90 (US $68) respectively. Expect their product to hit this March 7 on their online store and your local retailers. Or, if you prefer something more in the way of uber-slim file carriers...

When it comes to flash memory cards, the SD card is one of the most commonly-used. In fact, to some extent, even the next-gen systems will need these guys. Manufacturer Transcend knows this perfectly well, and that is why they came up with a new card which is compatible with both the Wii and PlayStation 3.

Actually, they've also announced this same product at the last CES in Vegas but it somehow didn't quite make enough ruckus back then. Anyway, we are all familiar with an SD card but Transcend is saying that this one that they have was tailor-made for consoles. Well, let's see. According to their press release, here's some of its more remarkable features:

• Available in 1GB and 2GB capacities
• Compatible with Nintendo Wii and Sony PS3 game consoles for saving and managing game saves
• Download and backup Virtual Console games from the Wii Shop Channel
• Compatible with all other media devices equipped with an SD slot for storing photos, pictures, MP3 and video files
• Lower power consumption, which maximizes battery life in small portable devices
• Includes Error Correcting Code (ECC) to detect and correct errors
• Mechanical Write Protection Switch
• Life time warranty

Some of these are actually pretty common features, but the life time warranty sounds good to us. What do you guys think? In the meantime, we're also wondering how much these SD cards cost, as Transcend is yet to announce its price.

Here's even more from Bill Gates on the console war. Apparently, he thinks that in the end HD-DVD and Blu-ray may not even "count" since they represent the last generation of optical media.

In an interview over at The Daily Princetonian, he said: "For us it's not the physical format. Understand that this is the last physical format there will ever be. Everything's going to be streamed directly or on a hard disk. So, in this way, it's even unclear how much this one counts."

Writer Theo Valich, thinks that while many other people have overlooked that statement made by Bill Gates, he believes that Bill is pretty much on target.

He predicts that the technology that will win the optical standards war isn't even an optical standard. He believes that flash memory, with its falling prices and its ever increasing capacity will win in the end. He also adds that the trend today is that consumers are willing to sacrifice quality for mobility.

Of course Bill Gates doesn't miss the opportunity in the Princetonian to decry the Blu-ray format, but you can't really blame him for that. It's sorta his job.

It's not the physical format that we have the issue with, it's that the protection scheme on Blu is very anti-consumer. If [the Blu-ray group] would fix that one thing, you know, that'd be fine.

Well guys, what do you think? Blu-ray, HD-DVD, some hybrid format, or flash storage?

At the beginning of this month, we all heard the conflicting reports surrounding the PS3-PSP connection. GameWatch claimed that the PlayStation Portable can be used to control and view the related next-gen game. Famitsu's take is a bit different, saying the remote play function is all about game data trading between the two platform. However, judging from the latest information coming straight from Izumi Kawanishi himself, both appear somewhat correct and lacking in detail.

First off, to use the PSP as a remote viewer for the PS3 media content, the two would have to be within ad-hoc connection range. Sony plans to kick thing up a notch in the future, leaving the wireless range and ultimately aiming at the internet. Kawanishi also mentioned that they are not content with simple media viewing. Sony is also thinking of allowing owners play PS3 games remotely on the PSP.

Being in charge for the development of both PS3 and PSP hardware, Kawanishi confirmed the region free software. "PlayStation 3 game software does not have this region code. In other words, if you can get your hands on overseas software, you can play as is," he quipped. Furthermore, aside from the traditional online updates, Sony is intending to let users do the updates via flash memory.

Lastly, the Famitsu article mentioned that users would be needing the 60GB PS3 model to activate the PSP connectivity. However, there was no confirmation given regarding this matter. We're wondering if connecting a USB Wi-Fi socket to the 20GB model would to the trick for us.

November 17 is coming. The wait is almost over. But after the PS3 arrives, then what? Do we run around like headless chickens without something else to look forward to? According to American Technology Research analyst P.J. McNealy, there's still more to come from Sony when springtime hits next year.

GameDaily Biz got a tip off from McNealy that Sony is working up on their PS2. He says that they're going to be releasing a limited edition PS2 this fourth quarter to spark up some sales. What with Sony's expected lifespan for the PS2, they're still pushing for the the now-ancient(?) console to its maximum, especially with a PS3 shortage. If some of the fans won't be able to get their hands on a PS3, then a "limited edition PS2" would be good enough (for now).

Next up: the PSP. Based on McNealy's observations (and we do stress that this is just an analysis), Sony will introduce a "refresh of the PSP hardware line, including a hard-disk drive PSP and a second PSP with no hard drive but with a significant amount of flash memory on board." Ah, it's another forecast of the fabled PSP2. In any case, what McNealy suggests is that we could expect two kinds of PSPs next year. What those are - new firmware, perhaps; 2.81 or 3.0 - who knows?

And of course, the PS3. They're milking their next-gen console for what it's worth, and with all the frenzy that they're investing in for the long term overhaul, why not chuck in a couple of Sony Bravias in the package? Hence, all those demo kiosks with the PS3 + Bravia tandems. He says, "Sony is bulking up its marketing at retail for the PS3, helping to explain the value proposition of the PS3 and putting 15,000 PS3 units for hands-on game play at retail in North America between the end of October and likely Black Friday, the retail day after Thanksgiving."

So yes. All we can really tell is how Sony would try to make the most money from their investment. Wouldn't any other company do that as well?

Ever wondered what the PlayStation 3 console looks like, up close and personal? You may observe that most images of the PS3 found in the web are angled in such a way that you only see the console as a whole, but how about the little details on its casing such as its sockets and ports? Well look no further as these images will relay more details about the upcoming Sony console in a closer perspective.

As previously announced, the PS3 will be supporting HDMI connections, which means that users will be able to enjoy sharper colors and higher frame rates, hence the HDMI port featured in one of the photos. The console will also be able to support various audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD and 7.1 digital audio.

Another thing to note is the fact that the 60GB version of the console will be able to use Memory Sticks, Compact Flash or SD and MMC cards, slots for which are also seen in the photos that we have. This would enable you to save data from your favorite games. For connectivity and communication, the PS3 also sports four USB ports and an Ethernet port, not to mention a Bluetooth EDR.

As for the power supply, it will be built into the console and for that purpose, a 3-pin IEC connector can be located at the base.

Please be reminded that the console shown herein is not yet the final version, but these images should give you an idea of what the retail units would look like once they are released to the public.