Sony recently made the decision to no longer sell the 20GB and 60GB model Playstation 3’s in Japan due to unsuccessful sales. Instead, they will be focusing on the 40GB model and try to boost sales with new marketing strategies.

Sony also said that the 40GB will not ultimately be the only model available, but instead they’re releasing newer models that will better suit the end user demands and needs in the console. Currently, the 40GB model (launched in November) sells for  ~$364 USD (39,980 Yen), which is less than the 20GB model.

The 2008 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) was pretty fun this year, although most of the hype was around different displays from short throw projectors to the 150-Inch Plasma T.V., and even Alienware’s huge Curved Monitor. There was a lot of other stuff that we enjoyed quite a bit that sometimes got buried by the hype, so here’s our list of the top 5 favorite things and their pictures from C.E.S. 2008.

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We all knew when the console/format wars began that only one format would make it to the top. Paramount is poised to jump on the wagon and ditch HD-DVD, closely following Warner Brothers’ decision to do the same. All this crazy love and war brought about single-console and format topics, such as the “Adam vs. Adam” spot on G4 that basically rants to the public about having all developers and console makers to band together and create one ultimate console, eliminating the need for exclusive games and exclusive format rights. Of course, that leaves us vulnerable to a costly monopolistic situation, not so good.

More and more companies are backing Blu-ray which will ultimately end in a bias on the two head to head console, the Xbox 360 and the Sony PS3. Examining the moment now, with the X360’s red ring problem, and the death of HD-DVD, the PS3 seems to be looking more and more attractive to a lot of consumers.

1200FPS is high enough quality to watch something drop in a pool of water and watch every single droplet’s path, and effect on other objects not normally visible to the naked eye. This enables the average user to record super slow-mo clips (Like Myth Buster’s High-Speed camera, just not quite that fast) and play them back at 30-60FPS which can slow it down quite a lot (by a factor of 40 (1200/30=40)).

It can shoot in full resolution at 60FPS for stills, and 300, 600, or 1200 FPS for video. This is an amazing accomplishment for this price range, especially when you factor in the lens quality needed to support the exposure time, and the processing capabilities needed to handle 1,200 images every second.

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The LCD screen, which measures 52.9-inches high by 93.9-inches wide, is being manufactured at the new Kameyama plant in Japan. What’s interesting is this is the first plant to begin using eighth generation glass-substrates. The new substance allows manufacturers to make larger televisions at reduced prices, especially in comparison to the current sixth generation standard. (Sony and Samsung both use the Seventh generation, however, and plan to start using the new substrate soon). No pricing was announced during the CES conference. It’s the first prototype of this size to be shown.

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Everyone knows by now about the execution of analog, over-the-air television. The analog channels will go dark on February 19th, 2009. And as promised, the fed is issuing coupons worth $40 each to lessen the cost of the converter boxes (or digital tuners) that will convert your old TVs into new digital tuning TVs. Every household in the US qualifies to recieve up to two of them.

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Taking a long car trip or flight in economy-class? The latest from Apple will link your iTunes… not to your computer, but on your very own wireless TV.

Here’s what Apple has to say about their latest product line: “Say you’ve just downloaded Cars from iTunes. Instead of huddling around your computer to watch, you pop some popcorn while your computer wirelessly syncs your new flick to Apple TV. Then you pull up a seat, put up your feet, and pick up the included Apple Remote to play your movie on TV. Give yourself a hand: You’ve just changed the way you watch digital media.”

This wireless 1.09 kg and  197×197x28 mm iTV is new, shipping currently to stores near you.

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So what do you think is better than hearing crisp clear bass notes pound their way through the air? Why, feeling it of course! A site called SmartHome features a product that claims it will shake your local area or seat with rhythms of the music or movie you’re listening to/watching. Provides crisp and clear sounds without any sort of distortion whatsoever!

You simply mount the device under a car seat or under a couch and plug it into your home theater system along with your regular bass module. In the case of it being in your car, you simply connect it to a separately sold amplifier and to your car audio system, and you’ve got yourself a bumpin’ ride. What’s better then one of these things? 18 of them! (Actually, that may be a bit overkill there, not to mention painful.. or deadly.. at least ilegal )

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