A new, smaller Cell processor is likely to be introduced into PlayStation 3 production in the middle of 2009 if David Reeves, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has been informed correctly by HQ in Japan.
Reeves said as much in an interview. "We're always looking at ways to reduce costs, replacing the current 65 nanometre Cell chip with a 45 nanometre one probably in middle of year", he said.
Reduction in manufacturing costs for the PS3 is often followed by widespread speculation that a price cut will come shortly after. The context of the statement suggests, however, that the introduction to the smaller chip will be an exercise in maximising profits for Sony.
Indeed, just prior to saying that he noted, in reference to growing job cuts in the technology industries, "We took our cuts in 07 and 08, we restructured and streamlined and we're as lean, as mean as we can be. I have seen no plans to cut jobs and it wouldn't be productive to do so."
There is, of course, more than a dab of plausible deniability in there. Because Reeves has not seen any such plans doesn't necessarily mean that they don't exist.
Reeves also went for a classic straw-man move - setting up a dummy proposition so that he could knock it down, therefore appearing to be the honest broker: of the drive toward cost reduction in the PS3 Reeves said, "But will it be anything as off-strategy as releasing a PS3 with a DVD rather than a Blu-ray drive? I doubt it."
When has anyone ever suggested that Sony will introduce a PS3 minus Blu-ray? It has been one of the system's most pushed selling points since day one. For more beating on straw men, get yourself off to see Frost/Nixon.
Source: The Guardian
Reeves said as much in an interview. "We're always looking at ways to reduce costs, replacing the current 65 nanometre Cell chip with a 45 nanometre one probably in middle of year", he said.
Reduction in manufacturing costs for the PS3 is often followed by widespread speculation that a price cut will come shortly after. The context of the statement suggests, however, that the introduction to the smaller chip will be an exercise in maximising profits for Sony.
Indeed, just prior to saying that he noted, in reference to growing job cuts in the technology industries, "We took our cuts in 07 and 08, we restructured and streamlined and we're as lean, as mean as we can be. I have seen no plans to cut jobs and it wouldn't be productive to do so."
There is, of course, more than a dab of plausible deniability in there. Because Reeves has not seen any such plans doesn't necessarily mean that they don't exist.
Reeves also went for a classic straw-man move - setting up a dummy proposition so that he could knock it down, therefore appearing to be the honest broker: of the drive toward cost reduction in the PS3 Reeves said, "But will it be anything as off-strategy as releasing a PS3 with a DVD rather than a Blu-ray drive? I doubt it."
When has anyone ever suggested that Sony will introduce a PS3 minus Blu-ray? It has been one of the system's most pushed selling points since day one. For more beating on straw men, get yourself off to see Frost/Nixon.
Source: The Guardian
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Comments
soyaknow 5 Feb 2009 12:11
1/4
There was a recent article on another site that claimed that one of the best ways for sony to get back into the game was to release a ps3 without a blu-ray player. Personally it sounded like a dumb idea to me, but just so you know, the suggestion is out there.
TimSpong 5 Feb 2009 12:29
2/4
soyaknow wrote:
There was a recent article on another site that claimed that one of the best ways for sony to get back into the game was to release a ps3 without a blu-ray player. Personally it sounded like a dumb idea to me, but just so you know, the suggestion is out there.
Ta. Sony's never suggested it which was more the point. The straw-man tactic is a tried and (de)tested one in interviewing people. It works like this:
Q: So, Mr X, how do you defend the fact that you lied to your own staff and shareholders?
A: Well, first of all let me clear one thing up straight away. Despite what many people may have said, I have never, ever slaughtered my staff with a knife and fork during a breakfast meeting. I am entirely innocent - and frankly my family was deeply hurt by these rumours.
Q: Erm. Yes, you are.
Cheers for the comment though and welcome to SPOnG
Tim
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SuperSaiyan4 5 Feb 2009 12:35
3/4
We all know the real reason for blu-ray in the PS3 was meerly to enter the market with a strong brand and with sales like with the PS2 to ensure blu-ray won and it did but I believe more so because of the space of the disc and other factors not solely due to the PS3 sales but that did help somewhat.
Where Microsoft keeps quiet on new revisions to their console Sony like to announce it I guess it gives hope to those waiting for a reduction in price.
Where Microsoft keeps quiet on new revisions to their console Sony like to announce it I guess it gives hope to those waiting for a reduction in price.
Daz 5 Feb 2009 15:22
4/4
well since a PS3 without a blu-ray drive would render it incompatible with PS3 games I don't see it happening