From SCEA: "Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA), Inc. today announced a new 80GB model of its PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system. Beginning in August, the new PS3 model will be available in North America for a suggested retail price of $599/$659 CND and will be sold with the popular online-enabled racing game MotorStorm™. In conjunction with this news, the company also announced that effective immediately, the current 60GB PS3 model will be available in North America for $499/$549 CND, or $100 below the original launch price. "

Read the full press release below.

UPDATE: Added YouTube video below, with President & CEO Jack Tretton making the official announcement. Note the mention of a "new download service."

UPDATE 2: The 80 GB PS3 will be the first NTSC released PS3 without the PS2 Emotion Engine hardware. We received confirmation from SCEA that the PS3 80 GB model will not use the current PS3's 20GB/60GB PS2 Emotion Engine hardware, used in running Playstation 2 games on the PS3. "The current 60 GB model utilizes a hardware and solution for backwards compatibility, namely the Emotion Engine chip. The new 80 GB PS3 will use a software solution for backwards compatibility, similar to that currently found in the PAL model," said Kimberly Otzman, SCEA Corporate Communications Representative.

UPDATE 3: Rumors have been circulating the world wide web that the SIXAXIS controller shown on the new PS3 80 GB packaging may be the TouchSense/rumble SIXAXIS controller, however it is the same PS3 SIXAXIS currently available. "The controller that comes with the 80GB is the same the controller we shipped at launch, in the packaging the PS button is probably lit up," said an SCEA representative. Lit up or touched up. That effect has been seen on the SIXAXIS in previous PS3 marketing materials, during the original PS3 launch.

UPDATE 4: The $499 Playstation 3 is now available from Amazon.com. Don't forget, you can get 5 free Blu-ray movies too (good July 1-Sept 30, 2007)!

Full press release:

SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT AMERICA INTRODUCES NEW 80GB PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™); ANNOUNCES NEW PRICE ON CURRENT 60GB MODEL 80GB System Designed for Today’s Connected Gamer, 60GB Price Now $499

FOSTER CITY, Calif., July 9, 2007 – Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA), Inc. today announced a new 80GB model of its PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system. Beginning in August, the new PS3 model will be available in North America for a suggested retail price of $599/$659 CND and will be sold with the popular online-enabled racing game MotorStorm™. In conjunction with this news, the company also announced that effective immediately, the current 60GB PS3 model will be available in North America for $499/$549 CND, or $100 below the original launch price.

By featuring an expanded hard disk drive (HDD), the new 80GB PS3 is designed to appeal to the online gaming and entertainment enthusiast, providing ample storage space to download more games and other entertainment content from PLAYSTATION®Network. There are currently more than 60 playable games and game-related downloads available through PLAYSTATION®Store, with expanded entertainment content coming soon. The new model features the million-selling game MotorStorm in the box, allowing up to 12 players to play online at one time, hitting the dirt in this visually-arresting, fast-paced racing title.

Throughout the holidays and this fiscal year, more than 120 new first and third-party software titles will be available for North American PS3 users to enjoy, in addition to the more than 40 software titles currently available. Key upcoming first-party titles include Folklore™, Heavenly Sword™, LAIR, NBA ’08, Ratchet & Clank® Future: Tools of Destruction™, SingStar™, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation, THE EYE OF JUDGMENT™, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune and Warhawk™.

Numerous third-party titles, including several exclusives, will also be available such as Devil May Cry®IV, Dynasty Warriors®:GUNDAM®, Grand Theft Auto IV, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Hellboy, Metal Gear Solid 4 Guns of the Patriots, Ninja Gaiden Sigma®, SEGA Rally® Revo, Stranglehold™, The Darkness, TimeShift™, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas and Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter™ 2. Additional games and services will also be available for PS3 system owners through the PLAYSTATION Network including PlayStation Home, a state-of-the-art 3D online community that serves as a meeting place for PS3 users around the world, as well as numerous downloadable games including the highly-anticipated title PAIN.

“As we move into the next phase of PS3, it’s important that we continue to evaluate our product line, offering consumers the technology and features that meet their growing needs for new forms of media and the way in which it is delivered,” said Jack Tretton, president and CEO of SCEA. “The introduction of the 80GB PS3, the new pricing for the current 60GB model, the availability of more than 100 new software titles this fiscal year and, finally, the expansion of services for PLAYSTATION Network, will provide even more options for users and will help bring new consumers into the PS3 fold.”

Both the 80GB and 60GB PS3 models come standard with Cell Broadband Engine™ (Cell/B.E.), Blu-ray Disc™ (BD) player, built-in HDD, 1080p high-definition output, Wi-Fi connectivity and SIXAXIS™ wireless controller.

Specs from SCEA:
PS3 system (80 GB HDD):
Dimensions: Approximately 325mm (W) x 98mm (H) x 274mm (D)
CPU: Cell Broadband Engine™
GPU: RSX
Main Memory: 256MB XDR Main RAM
Embedded VRAM: 256MB GDDR3 VRAM
Hard Drive Disk: 2.5” Serial ATA (80 GB HDD)
Main Input/Output: USB 2.0 (x4), MemoryStick/SD/CompactFlash
Ethernet: 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T
Bluetooth: 2.0 (EDR), Wireless Controller (up to 7)
Wireless Communication: IEEE 802.11 b/g
Screen Size: 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
HDMI: HDMI out – (x1/HDMI)
Analog: AV MUTLI OUT x1
Digital Audio: DIGITAL OUT (OPTICAL x1)
Disc Drive: Blu-ray/DVD/CD (read-only)

PS3 system (60 GB HDD):
Dimensions: Approximately 325mm (W) x 98mm (H) x 274mm (D)
CPU: Cell Broadband Engine™
GPU: RSX
Main Memory: 256MB XDR Main RAM
Embedded VRAM: 256MB GDDR3 VRAM
Hard Drive Disk: 2.5” Serial ATA (60 GB HDD)
Main Input/Output: USB 2.0 (x4), MemoryStick/SD/CompactFlash
Ethernet: 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T
Bluetooth: 2.0 (EDR), Wireless Controller (up to 7)
Wireless Communication: IEEE 802.11 b/g
Screen Size: 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
HDMI: HDMI out – (x1/HDMI)
Analog: AV MUTLI OUT x1
Digital Audio: DIGITAL OUT (OPTICAL x1)
Disc Drive: Blu-ray/DVD/CD (read-only)

Comments

ps3 sucks Written by Guest on 2007-07-15 00:00:00 I bought 6 games for my PS3, and they all are horrible. The graphics are boring and the games are more boring. I spent so much money, and it's boring!!!! I guess I can sell it on ebay

get VF5! Written by Guest on 2007-07-09 00:00:00 I recommend Virtua FIghter 5 and Resistance Fall of Man!!

WOO Written by Guest on 2007-07-08 00:00:00 Ok I'm gonna get one tomorrow I think I'm going to buy Ninja Gaiden Sigma, any other game ppl would recommend?

RE:RE: no one(copier) Written by Guest on 2007-07-18 00:00:00 thats actually a reply to "copier" not "no one" sorry

Darksight Written by Guest on 2007-09-28 00:00:00 One of the great things about PS3 that no one seems to talk about is the animations while playing music. Photo mode is great as well and photo being used as a back drop to music makes great videos as well.    P S 3 ~

Written by Guest on 2007-07-20 00:00:00 Since The 100 Doller Price Drop The Playstation Sells Doubled Almost Over Night...

oh boy fan boy!!!!! Written by Guest on 2007-07-10 00:00:00 good deal but what do we get who all ready have it?

its the bomb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Written by Guest on 2007-07-13 00:00:00 ps3 is the best jus wait till christmas alot of gmes are cuming,ppl its the bomb!!!!!!!!1 cant wait gta,wheelman!!!!!!!!!!!!

What about the backwards compatibility? Written by Guest on 2007-07-17 00:00:00 Yo, so which backwards compatibility will work better the one in the old 60gigs PS3 or the software emulation in the 80gig version? And what about PS1 games, will these work on the new version of the PS3?

finally and right before E3 Written by Guest on 2007-07-09 00:00:00 so people can use the PS Store for demo content and see other offerings .. the 80GB version is an OK deal but its better than nothing.    oh and if this is this weeks press release folks .. look out for the E3 announcements from sony

RE: WOO Written by Guest on 2007-07-09 00:00:00 I'm gettting it tomorrow too and I;m getting Ninja Gaiden and the ever popular Resistance: Fall of Man

no one Written by Guest on 2007-07-09 00:00:00 is going to buy this. And I'm not referring to consumers. I mean the stores. They can't sell the 600 machines they have now, why amass a new set of 600 machines?

yo Written by Guest on 2007-07-12 00:00:00 ok ive had a ps3 since november 17 i got a 60 gig right and i waited in the cold for 5 days and now theyre pulling an 80 gig out its time to sell the 60 and bring out the 80

Written by Guest on 2007-07-09 00:00:00 I recomend RFOM , Its great for a multiplayer experience

this will move a lot of ps3s Written by Guest on 2007-07-09 00:00:00 shut up BOTS    the 60 gig model is basically 499    the 80 gig comes with MOTORSTORM...so definitely a good deal

Silent Civilian Written by Guest on 2007-07-09 00:00:00 Ninja Gaiden if you like old games with graphic updates.

RE: no one Written by Guest on 2007-07-09 00:00:00 You get more for your money. People bought $600 PS3s, so even if they didn't fly off shelves before people will continue to buy it.    Since you get more for the same price, more people might start buying it.

upgrader Written by Guest on 2007-07-10 00:00:00 why not just buy a new 100gb hdd from amazon for 47 pounds. how many is that in dollars.

dont know what to get anyone got any suj Written by Guest on 2007-07-29 00:00:00 my bday is agust 3rd should i get the 60 or 80 gig ps3?

some good games Written by Guest on 2007-07-23 00:00:00 i would recomend getting def jam icon (its almost just like fightnight) resistance & ofcoarse madden

Copier Written by Guest on 2007-07-09 00:00:00 WOW can you say COPIER the 360 did the 120G now the 80G come on :D

Enjoy Game 4 Christ-sake Written by jakesplace on 2007-07-10 00:00:00 will these stupid pple get the hell outta here wit d stupid xbox360 comparisons for crying out loud, if u hav an xbox good, if u hav a PS3 better but its still all good anyways, pick d softwares u like and lets play and be happy, damn! Xbox360 has great

RE:RE: no one Written by Guest on 2007-07-18 00:00:00 its not copied it was origanaly planned to be 80g and its also cheaper to make the 80g so the price will drop sooner RFOM!!! and stardust are bad@$$!!!

hmm 80 gig ps3???what a waste Written by Guest on 2007-07-16 00:00:00 ok wjhats the point in getting the 80 gig ps3 right now i have a 360 gig ps3 , i hooked up 2 external 150 gig hard drives formatted them in a fat32 , and now i have all that space on my ps3 , and also u can remove your ps3 hard drive and replace it with

hey Written by texasmade on 2007-07-16 00:00:00 hey i have a 60 gig ps3 and would like to buy the 80gig ps3 so im thinking of selling the 60gig but what is this about not being backward compatible anybody kno let me know before i sell my ps3

dont sell 70 gb ps3 Written by Guest on 2007-07-16 00:00:00 it has a ps2 in it. with the hardware emotion engine out, you'll have to download updates to play ps1/ps2 games. with the 80gb, you will get updates slowly like on xbox 360

Big Texican Written by Guest on 2007-07-15 00:00:00 to make the 360 begin to campare with the ps3 add the $225 hd plaver, then good luck findin a movie @$$holz !!!!!

this is mr lacra Written by Guest on 2007-12-02 00:00:00 will the 80 gb ps3 read all of the ps2 games?

no secrets Written by Guest on 2007-12-26 00:00:00 80GB PS3 IS AWESOME!!!

Written by Guest on 2009-07-30 11:54:39 ok but can some one tell me how can i put pic's from my digital camera into the new 80 gb ps3 sicne it doesn't have the flash card reader. and when i connect it through the use the ps3 say's an unknown usb has been plugged.

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