Star Wars Galaxies GCW: Forces Under Siege Available And Free Month Of Gameplay To Former Players

Beginning today, the Star Wars Galaxies Galactic Civil War: Forces Under Siege game update is available for Rebels and Imperials alike. Sony Online Entertainment is also offering eligible former players the opportunity to come back to Star Wars Galaxies for free between February 1 and March 1. With the balance of power in the galaxy at stake, anyone who can tote a blaster or lend support is needed on the front lines! Eligible player accounts will be automatically reactivated – players can simply log in to rejoin the action! For those who choose to re-subscribe before the free period ends, a special in-game painting will be given as a reward.

FEATURES: Star Wars Galaxies Galactic Civil War: Forces Under Siege includes new, massive invasion warfare scenarios in three major cities featuring:

New Gameplay:

• Cities will display Imperial or Rebel banners and faction-specific NPCs, quests, terminals and pylons depending on which faction is in control
• Added support for Factional Mercenaries. Neutral players can align themselves with either faction to participate in city conflicts and earn rewards
• Mayors of player cities are able to set their city’s factional alignment from the management terminal
• Fight battles within newly implemented Planetary Regions to determine which faction controls a planet

New Interactive Structures:

• Defend cities by manning barricades and building defensive turrets
• Assault enemy cities and take out defense structures and key enemy personnel with the might of AT-AT or Hailfire missile attacks

All New Profession-Based Quests:

• Contribute to the battle with profession-specific quests that let players bolster defending or invading forces
• Improve and repair defensive structures, revive fallen soldiers, heal fatigue, entertain demoralized troops, slice terminals, scout and sabotage patrol points, and more

Epic New Rewards:

• Battle-specific quests such as manning barricades, building turrets and treating wounded soldiers, now grant tokens that can be cashed in for new rewards, including: faction-specific clothing including capes, cloaks and battle-scarred armor; Entertainer glow sticks; bombing-run binoculars; an upgraded personal shield generator and multiple new weapons

Sony Acquires Convergent Media Systems

Sony has acquired Convergent Media Systems, a leading provider of video integration solutions to the enterprise market. The Alpharetta, GA based company has established itself as an expert in digital signage and content distribution systems and will be integrated as a subsidiary into Sony Electronics’ broadcast and professional products business. According to John Scarcella, president of Sony’s Broadcast and Business Solutions Company, the acquisition of Convergent is a “key building block” of Sony’s worldwide business-to-business strategy to accelerate its transformation into a solutions-focused organization. Sony will leverage Convergent’s experience and resources to provide end-to-end systems solutions and managed services in both new and existing professional markets.

I’ve contacted Convergent as I happen to live very closely to their headquarters, so hopefully I can check out their place and learn more about what they do there.

“Convergent possesses skills that are necessary for success in the solutions business, adding another layer to our already strong field team,” Scarcella said. “Our customers expect a ‘one-stop’ source when making purchasing decisions for systems solutions. Now with Convergent, we can install and integrate the best technology available together with providing content creation, monitoring and distribution services. As a result, our sales people can go to a customer and more confidently offer a comprehensive proposal. It makes the difference between simply reacting to an opportunity vs. proactively selling an end-to-end solution.”

Bryan Allen, Convergent CEO, added, “We’ve had a professional relationship with Sony for many years, and extending that collaboration makes sense for both of our companies and our existing customers. We’re very familiar with the markets that are important to Sony and our expertise and resources perfectly complement their technologies. We are excited about being a part of Sony and leveraging its resources, technologies and capabilities to offer our customers a variety of digital media solutions.”

The addition of Convergent’s resources – including its approximately 150 full-time employees in North America, its extensive network of field service affiliates, and a state-of-the-art network operations center — will support Sony’s sales and marketing efforts for its key technologies. These include 4K digital cinema system installation and content distribution, professional displays and digital signage, remote monitoring and system diagnostics. The Convergent acquisition is also expected to strengthen Sony’s competitive position in new areas of business for Sony such as providing products and services to corporate, education and government markets, where Convergent already reaches more than one million people. Convergent has currently been working with Sony in support of its 4K rollout and will continue to be an integral part of that deployment.

“Dear John” From Author Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook) Coming February 5th

Dear John is an upcoming 2010 romantic drama/war film starring Channing Tatum, Amanda Seyfried and Scott Porter. Directed by Lasse Hallström, and distributed by Screen Gems (a Sony Pictures company), the film is an adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ novel of the same name. Some of you may remember Sparks’ last novel, The Notebook.

Dear John tells the story of John Tyree (Channing Tatum), a young soldier home on leave, and Savannah Curtis (Amanda Seyfried), the idealistic college student he falls in love with during her spring vacation. Over the next seven tumultuous years, the couple is separated by John’s increasingly dangerous deployments. While meeting only sporadically, they stay in touch by sending a continuous stream of love letters overseas – correspondence that eventually triggers fateful consequences.

The film will be released theatrically in North America on February 5, 2010 – other international release dates can be found on the official website. It was rated PG-13 by the MPAA for some sensuality and violence.

If anyone is wondering, the song in the trailer above is Set The Fire To The Third Bar by Snow Patrol. Check out some other Dear John clips at Sony Pictures YouTube.

Pictorial/Commentary: Sony Daily Reader PRS900 Unboxing

I have finally decided to dive into eReader world and see if this kind of reading is for me. I have been following Sony Reader evolution since Librie was introduced in Japan, however back then I did not feel like messing with Japanese menus and flashing the firmware for English language use. Sony tends to release some products way ahead of its time of public acceptance or market readiness and I believe Librie among other similar products (VAIO Pentablet PCV-LX900, etc) suffered and did not have much success because of that. However Sony decided to re-launch eReader development and as most of you know introduced a number of readers with each generation getting better and better. Becoming open to ePub and other widely acceptable formats make Sony eReader competitive among the sea of readers flooding consumers left and right. There are a number of readers out there from other manufacturers, each offering some unique features and it is important for Sony to stay on top of this business and continue to innovate.

Strategically latest Reader from Sony PRS900 model pretty much has it all:

• Awesome build
• Japanese quality in manufacturing
• Free 3G wireless access to the online library (introduced though a little bit late in the game)
• Nice 7″ eInk screen
• Touch screen
• Better levels (16) of gray scale
• The Library books initiative is in conjunction with OverDrive
• Landscape Mode

I can also see a few negative sides: it’s price is definitely challenging, missing WiFi option is something that can be dealt with, however people living in areas with no AT&T coverage would have benefited having 802.11 b/g option and being able to access the content at numerous hot spots. I would love to see a future Reader offer an OLED color screen (color to be used for textbooks), and be essentially a tablet with options to access not only Reader Library but other Sony Network Services, sort of a multi-functional computing device (here I said it).

Anyways, these are just my initial comments in regards to this product, as I just started messing with it. If Sony misses this opportunity in this market (and depending on tomorrow’s Apple’s announcement, there maybe a slight chance of it, as their iDevice is targeting eReader market big time and if so it maybe just another revolution), like they did in music with its Walkman, I’d be pretty disappointed… Hint for Sony: hit hard the edu sector with your Readers, work with publishers, and students as well as professors would be your biggest clientele and profitability will speak for itself (meanwhile students would be very thankful for lighter bag packs); make your devices to be easy note takers, and I could go on and on. It is all going to come down to GUI and content providers and if Sony’s future readers will have intuitively innovative user interface backed up by great content (including newspapers and magazines), volumes of sales will speak for themselves.

For those of you who like to view the process of unboxing, check out pics below and feel free to post your comments!

Blockbuster PS3 256-Player In A Server FPS MAG On Sale Tomorrow

MAG is an upcoming MMO shooter for the PlayStation 3 in development by Zipper Interactive. The game is scheduled for release tomorrow in North America on January 26, in Europe on January 27, in the United Kingdom on January 29 and in Australia and New Zealand on February 5 2010.

The game will utilizes advanced server architecture to support online battles with up to 256 players, with users divided into 8-player squads, with 4 squads forming a platoon, and 4 platoons forming a company. Each squad will be led by a player who has advanced through the game’s ranking system, somewhat similar to talent points that you would find in World of Warcraft, except you play that into skills and gun enhancements, or access to entirely new weapons. Character statistics and development will also increase with frequent gameplay through earning experience (XP). The players most advanced in rank will be able to either direct the battle or participate directly in combat.

There are multiple major game modes in MAG, starting with Suppression, which users to practice their PMC skills, gain some experience, and maximize casualties for the opposition in a 32 vs. 32 war.

Acquisition, which is a 128 player complex game mode requires strategy to be victorious. In Acquisition, Platoon and Squad leaders are given added tactical command abilities to call in additional attack or defense support to help reach the objective.

Then there is Domination Mode, where in this 256 player full scale battle, 128 players to a side go head-to-head in all out combat. This game mode is the most complex where each side battles it out to secure three main objectives.

Don’t forget about the Sabotage game mode, split into teams of 32 players each side. The objective is to cripple your enemy by stealing valuable intelligence while your opponents do whatever it takes to protect their intelligence and ultimately keep their enemy from reaching the objective.

Players will be able to customize the face, voice, and armor of their characters, as well as what weapons and kit they carry into battle.

The game begins in 2025. As time passes in our modern world, maintaining a full scale military becomes a burden. In a fully globalized world, the only security threat is from small scale rogue organizations against whom large forces are useless, and the fuel needed to supply increasingly mechanized armies becomes more costly. As a result, most nations armies decrease to the size necessary to defend against a “national emergency”. Furthermore, under the “Millennium Accord”, no nation’s military is permitted to leave its own borders, officially creating world peace.

In their place rise PMCs (Private Military Corporations). They have two advantages: first, they compete, lowering their cost, and second, they are allowed to work for anyone, anywhere. In an unregulated global economy, the companies soon compete by less than honest means. After enough mergers, bargains and buy-outs, however, the remaining PMCs decided to put their weapons to full use. The original attacks followed a simple plan: shoot a competitor’s soldiers, lowering supply to cause them to charge more and, ultimately, go out of business. The shadow war, as it was called, grew in secret until the conflict moved into full swing, with the PMCs securing their own interests and violently fighting for contracts. It is unclear if the story will continue after release or remain static.

The game will contain three different private military company factions:

• Seryi Volk Executive Response/S.V.E.R. (pronounced “Sever”), a ragtag military force with personnel drawn from war-torn countries in the Middle East and Russia
• Raven Industries, a faction with high-tech weapons and armor, comprising of West European soldiers.
• Valor Company, whose soldiers are equipped with more standard-styled gear.They comprise of seasoned veterans from the United States, United Kingdom and Mexico.

Video by TOTdb911.

I played the last beta a little bit with my usual buddy online and it was powerful. The different factions are well defined and the gameplay is fierce. Matches took no time at all to get together and in my experience (of playing various Battlefield games throughout the years for hundreds of hours, Call of Duty 4 and Call of Duty MW2 for many hours) that MAG is a powerful contender to an already vast FPS landscape. This is going to be a surprise hit for Sony a lot sooner than they think. The whole MMO aspect of this is very well done and true war junkies will be absolutely thrilled with 256 players in huge maps. Someone I know pretty well who has a larger gaming background than me with FPS games played a lot of the beta; he seemed really obsessed. Whenever we talk, we’ll talk about how many days are left till its available – and that’s tomorrow of course.

Also, if you played the beta, here is a helpful topic on the Playstation Blog that talks about the differences between the most recent Beta and the Final version. Enhanced patch notes from beta to final can be found here at the MAG Blog.

Here’s a funny video promoting the game courtesy of Sony Playstation USA, which revolves around the slogan “It only does 256 players.”:

Sony’s New CycleEnergy USB Portable Power Supply

Earlier this month, Sony announced a new portable USB power supply adapter in the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions destined for the market in February. It’s officially under the CycleEnergy family of products and is simply perfect – I love the white minimalist design. It is equipped with USB Authentication software which allows instant charging with any USB device. Effectively, the adapter is readily compatible with a wide variety of USB-based products, such as mobile phones, Walkman players, iPod/iPhone players, and portable game consoles such as the PSP. This enables consumers to detach and carry just the USB output module when they need extra power on-the-go for their mobile devices.

It also thoughtfully comes with an add-on that is a conventional AC input and provides fast charging. So not only do you have a portable Mini-USB to go, you also have a way to get power from a socket with any USB cord. Sweet.

“Sony is committed to providing the latest, innovative and best quality products and supporting the optimum energy solution for consumers,” says Mr. Takashi Kurata, General Manager, Media Solutions and Energy Center, Sony Electronics Asia Pacific. “With the new USB Portable Power Supply Adaptor, users will be able to get an extra power charge for their portable devices wherever they go, at their convenience.”

Keeping the environment in mind, Sony’s USB Portable Power Supply Adapter is energy saving as it reduces the consumption of rechargeable or disposable batteries. Additionally, the Adapter comes in environmentally-friendly packaging primarily made of corrugate paper which is easy for recycling.

The last device I saw Sony release similar to this was the “Sony’s Energy LINK USB power supply / recharger,” which is impressive for its time but this is a much greater style and design – plus you don’t need the AA batteries for this 2010 version.

We’re not sure about price (it will probably be within reason, sub-$50 range), or if it will come to USA or Europe..

New VAIO M Series Spotted

Usually Sony does not show off everything that the company has in store for 2010 at CES and a few gems are always saved to be revealed later on. So don’t get discouraged if you have not found anything compelling from dozens of new goodies Sony showed off at CES this year.

Meanwhile, one of them is the unannounced VAIO M Series notebook, yup I don’t think we have seen that letter designation being used yet in VAIO notebook line (VAIO desktops did have M series though, funky looking all in one PC pictured here). The model numbers to look for are:

VPC-M111AX/B and VPC-M111AX/W as you can imagine it will be offered in two color-ware options. No specs or any other info has been released yet, however if you are patient enough, you will learn more soon.

*Pictured is a VAIO M introduced back on 2004 in Japan and Europe only.

Sony To Launch New Retail Strategy With Sony Store Nagoya

Sony is preparing to debut a brand new type of store in Japan, and more importantly a new retail direction for the company altogether. The “Sony Store Nagoya” (press release, official sonystorenagoya twitter) will open in the Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture on March 13th, and is reminiscent of what Apple and Microsoft are doing these days with their brand specific stores. This is a rather interesting move that Sony had hinted at in their Investor/Analyst Meeting back in late November of last year.

The architect Sony used for this store is one of the most prolific in Japan – Tadao Ando (wikipedia) – who is behind such projects such as the Tokyo Sky Tree, the revamped Piccadilly Gardens, Hyōgo Prefectural Museum of Art amongst hundreds of other creations around the world.

In these exclusive, high resolution pictures, we can see Sony’s goal with this new store is to introduce its latest technology through innovative product displays for enhanced sales. The company also hopes to improve the public’s perception of its networked products and services. Just like an Apple Store, there will also be “stylists” on hand with immense expertise to help with product suggestions. However, these representatives will go a step above by directly communicating with Sony on their experiences and valuable feedback from the consumer.

The new Sony Store will also offer service and repair services, similar to what SonyStyle stores already offer.

Another interesting element of this store is that Sony will also work closely with local Sony dealers in the area. They are planning to hold a “Sony’s Fair in Nagoya,” where 50 dealers from around the area will come together and collaborate on strategy, marketing activities, and so forth.

The first floor will have VAIO, Walkman, Cyber-shot, Handycam, PSP and Sony Ericsson products – consumers will be able to look at, use, touch and enjoy all devices in those categories. On the second floor, the more advanced Blu-ray, BRAVIA, and other home theater/living room devices will be found. Sony also will have product consultants on the second floor who can help ensure you use optimal settings, personal lessons (how-to classes), etc.

As for the fate of the other SonyStyle stores around the world, don’t fret – this seems like an experiment; Sony isn’t going to get rid of those anytime soon. However, it wouldn’t surprise me if you start seeing more stores styled in this fashion pop up in other places aside from Japan.

PS3 Hacked

Malcom Reynolds once said: “”We have done the impossible, and that makes us mighty.” And while it may not be as a dramatic as the Independents’ achievement, someone else may have done the same thing: George Hotz aka geohot. That name could very well become legend if the claims his makes on his site are true: “In other words, I have hacked the PS3″ Having solidified himself as accomplished by his work on the iPhone, there is no reason to doubt what he says is accurate.

According to statements made on his site, he has read and write access to the entire system, and what is of note is that he has hypervisor level access to the processor. That level of access could allow for complete usage of the CBE in a native environment with the only restriction being the limitation of the processor itself. The diagram below gives you an idea of exactly what he has access to now:

No specific mention is made to the RSX, but given the statement “the entire system” it could very well mean that as well. At any rate, more details will be forthcoming as well. Stay tuned…

Update: Sony Japan Details Torne, An Incredible DTV/DVR Adapter For PS3

Sony Computer Entertainment Japan announced that it would introduce “torne” for PlayStation 3 (PS3) computer entertainment system, a set of digital terrestrial tuner and application in Blu-ray Disc (BD) for viewing and recording digital terrestrial broadcasting on the PS3 system. “torne” will become available in Japan in March, 2010, at a recommended retail price (RRP) of 9,980 yen (including tax). Users can enjoy watching digital terrestrial broadcasting and record them on the hard disk drive (HDD) of the PS3 system by simply connecting the digital terrestrial tuner to the PS3 system using the attached USB cable and installing the application from the BD.

This product is the Japanese version of the European PlayTV, but with enhanced functionality – of course, we will probably never see something like this in the USA.

UPDATE: Here is a great video of Torne I found:

To accommodate those users who wish to record TV programs in high-definition on PS3 and store many high quality entertainment content already available on PlayStation Store including games, anime, movies, TV dramas, music videos and many other various content and services, SCEJ will also introduce a “PlayStation 3 Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting Recorder Pack,” that comprises the PS3 system with 250GB HDD, the largest HDD capacity of the existing model, and “torne.” The special bundle pack will become available in March, 2010, concurrently with the release of “torne,” and will be a limited offer at a RRP of 42,800 yen (including tax).

Features of “torne”:

Easy to use interface
Applying the expertise acquired from game development, “torne” offers user friendly interface, allowing users to swiftly and intuitively operate the application using DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controller. Users will be able to search through the electronic TV program guides or play back recorded content comfortably as if they were playing games.

The colorfully designed 24 hour TV program guide can be zoomed in or out by pressing L1/R1 buttons, allowing users to easily find and select their favorite TV programs by a simple touch of a button.

Recording and playing back
TV program search function on “torne” application can sort the TV programs by genre or by keywords and will instantly list up the corresponding TV programs for users to simply select and record out of the list. Additionally, “torne” will automatically start recording pre-programmed content even when the PS3 system is in Stand-by mode or when users are playing games or using the application on the XMB (XrossMediaBar) such as the Blu-ray/DVD player. Users can also connect external HDD via USB cable to record TV programs directly on to the external storage instead of on the HDD of the PS3 system.

Additional useful features include quick playback and scene search for viewing recorded TV programs.

Connectivity with PSP
Seamless connectivity with PSP (PlayStation Portable) allows users to transfer recorded TV programs to its Memory Stick PRO Duo (Mark2)/Memory Stick Micro for high quality viewing on the go.

By using the Remote Play feature of the PS3 system, users at home can connect on to their PS3 system using their PSP and remotely access the application to view or record TV programs.

Various Online features
“torne” also offers online functionalities, such as the Internet browser which can be used simultaneously with the application, and unique “Toru-Miru feature” which can display the number of users who have pre-programmed the TV programs through “torne” as well as the user trend of which program is being most watched.