PlayStation 3 Hacked By iPhone Jailbreaker George Hotz

By Dena Cassella January 25, 2010

Apple has wanted to give iPhone hacker George Hotz a stern talking-to for a while now, but it looks like Hotz may have a new tech nemesis brewing. George Hotz told BBC news that he has successfully hacked Sony’s PlayStation 3—and it only took him 5 weeks. Hotz claims he started the hack last summer, analyzing the console for about three weeks, and then finally cracked the PS3 in about two weeks not too long ago. The Sony PS3 was the only game console that had not been hacked—until now.

Hotz told the BBC that he is not ready to reveal the full details of the hack but did describe the PS3 as a “very secure system.” Hotz says the hack would allow people to play older PS2 games on their consoles and give gamers a new sense of freedom, since recent versions of the PS3 don’t allow people to play PS2 games on the console. “I can now do whatever I want with the system,” says Hotz. “It’s like I’ve got an awesome new power – I’m just not sure how to wield it.”

As we assumed, Sony is not taking this lightly and says it will be “investigating the supposed report”—but we have some advice for you Sony (you listen up too Apple), either lock the kid up or hire him. You have to admit, Hotz has some skills.

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PlayStation 5 is getting a slimmer (but not cheaper) redesign next month

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Sony announced that new, smaller versions of the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Digital Edition will hit store shelves in November. On top of that, an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive for Digital Edition consoles is also on its way.

Revealed in a PlayStation Blog post, these new versions aren't being branded the PS5 Slim or anything similar to that; they're just the new flagship versions of Sony's latest console. Their design is similar to the launch models, but is now made up of four individual cover panels. The top panels on each side feature the PlayStation logo and a glossy finish, while the bottom panels are made with the same matte material as current PS5 models. The design makes the PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition lighter and reduces the volume of both consoles by 30%, according to Sony.
In the U.S., the new PS5 will retail for $500, while the new PS5 Digital Edition will cost $450. PS5 Digital Edition owners can then swap out one of the bottom cover panels for the $80 Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive for PS5, which will allow them to play physical copies of games or watch movies on what is sold as a digital-only console. Both of these new PS5 models come with a horizontal stand, although a new Vertical Stand priced at $30 is also in the works.
Despite the slimmer design, the new PS5 models aren't coming with a price cut. The model including a disc drive is still the same price as a current PS5 model. The digital edition is actually getting a $50 price increase from the current digital version's $400 price tag. Those who want to upgrade and add an $80 disc drive after the fact will end up paying more than the non-digital version in the long run.
The PlayStation Blog post confirms that the launch versions of both PS5 consoles will be phased out as these new models hit store shelves in the U.S. sometime in November. If you were planning to get a PS5 console soon, it may be worth considering holding off until these new models launch.

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PlayStation boss Jim Ryan is stepping down, with successor yet to be named

Playstation CEO and president, Jim Ryan, stands in front of a blue wall with Playstation button symbols illuminated.

Sony Interactive Entertainment President and CEO Jim Ryan is retiring after 30 years. The PlayStation boss will formally leave his role in March 2024 with a successor yet to be named.

Jim Ryan has been working with PlayStation since 1994 when he joined Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe. Since then, he's become the key figurehead for the PlayStation brand, similar to Phil Spencer's role within Xbox. His most recent success has come from the launch of the PlayStation 5, which has already surpassed a 40 million unit milestone. Today, Sony announced that Ryan plans to retire from the role.

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Sony’s cloud handheld, the PlayStation Portal, will only stream certain games

Astro's Playroom booting up on the PlayStation Portal.

Sony has unveiled the price for its upcoming cloud gaming handheld, as well as an official name for the device: PlayStation Portal. However, one significant caveat to its functionality might sour people's interest in the handheld: It only supports PS4 and PS5 native games that the owner purchased.
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Although Microsoft is more closely associated with cloud gaming, Sony beat it to releasing a dedicated cloud gaming device. PlayStation Portal was first teased as Project Q during May's PlayStation showcase, but now, a PlayStation Blog post more clearly explains what we can actually expect from the handheld. Most importantly, we learned that PlayStation Portal will cost $200, which puts it underneath the cost of a Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series S, and other cloud gaming devices like the Logitech G Cloud Handheld.
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