Router functions dropped from PS3

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=10033

"But Sony many have other plans for its bank of Gigabit Ethernet ports

The PlayStation 3 will no longer act as a home network router, according to Sony Computer Entertainment boss Ken Kutaragi, who has revealed that the functionality has been dropped because it would have been too expensive.

Speaking with Japanese publication Nikkei Electronics, Kutaragi said that the original specification for the PS3 would have allowed the system\'s three Gigabit Ethernet ports to be used as a home router.

However, this functionality has now been dropped since it would have made the console cost too much to manufacture, he admitted - and Sony now expects that users will continue to use their existing router hardware, which is becoming more commonplace in households with broadband internet connections.

Whether that means the bank of network ports on the back of the box has actually been reduced to a single port is not clear, however, as the company has previously hinted that it has other plans in mind for the multiple network ports.

The news that the system was intended for use as a router or hub was first revealed at E3, when Sony\'s Phil Harrison told GamesIndustry.biz that "it can be a hub, rather than just being a terminal at the end of a network."

"Also, we want to be able to have a Gigabit port for an IP camera," he revealed. "So one of the ports is an in, and two of them are through. It can be a server as well as a terminal."."

Well it looks like Sony is staring to get there priorities straight, hopefully they will further deduct in order to reduce the unit\'s price. I think another not so imprtant feature would be the dual HDMI, that\'s something that could easily go and not many would care.

I also dont\' see the need for all the various card readers on the front.  Just have your memory stick slot and be done with it.

I don\'t mind all the gadgets on PS3 just as long as the end user cost is "Minimal"  "Minimal" "Minimal" "Minimal" "Minimal"

Otherwise scrap it. Competition is creating alot of pressure on Kutaragi. He is losing focus...by implementing technological ideas in PS3 which are not in the best interest of the company.

I don\'t mind all the gadgets on PS3 just as long as the end user cost is "Minimal" "Minimal" "Minimal" "Minimal" "Minimal"

They loose so much $ to produce each unit.. even if they scrap 5-6 "useless" feature, price won\'t go down.

Unless they remove blu-ray and the other hot hardware, dont dream about a lower pricepoint.

They loose so much $ to produce each unit.. even if they scrap 5-6 "useless" feature, price won\'t go down.

True to an extent, but by scrapping those features it helps keeps the retail price locked at the current price point, otherwise they would not have bothered to scrap the router, which would of

#1 cause the price to increase, or
#2 create more of a finacial burden on Sony Corp.

Every little bit counts when you produce in the millions, so as long as SONY is willing to take the hit financially, and not pass it along to the consumer, then it\'s game with me. Obviuosly they did not feel the inclusion of a router was worth the  benifit in the long run.

They\'ll probably scale back the specs of the cell to get the price down to $299;)

Naw but I expect other things to get dropped.

Originally posted by QuDDus
They\'ll probably scale back the specs of the cell to get the price down to $299;)

Naw but I expect other things to get dropped.

If they scale back the specs of the cell then everything shown at the Sony Conference are nothing but total bs.

I mean...we all saw these tech demos with scepticism since they look way too complex and detailed to be real time.Downgrading the specs will make people doubt even more.

[Living-In-Clip]

Drop all the useless ports for memory sticks / etc on the front. Drop the router functions and redesign the damn controller.

especially the god damn controller

Oh, Bad news about the Controller guys

Sony is not changing it, they will only make slight modifications to it. The general shape will remain the same. I have the quote from SCE stating so.

Well, decisions change sometimes

They do, but if I am not mistaken SONY is not legally allowed to revert back to the old desgin, since it Infringes some other compaines patent, whom also sued M$, and Nintendo.

Atleast something similar to the original would be ok

[Living-In-Clip]

The new controller looks like the bastard child of a SideWinder and Xbox controller.

Didn\'t figure it would change much .

Wait! are 3rd parties prohibited from making PS2 like controllers now for ps3?

Has Sony Stopped Production of the PS2 controllers, meaning we better buy spares before they are all gone, or does it not matter since the PS2 contoller might lack features nesscerary to be used in conjunction witt the new controller?