Sony has from the beginning pushed the PlayStation 3 as a computer instead of just a gaming console. They will be staying true to their word if this Japanese PC Watch article is correct: the company is planning on releasing an “AV-centric” version of the PS3 that will see the console being upgraded, breaking the chain of fixed-configuration systems in the gaming industry.

As per the record, the third version of the PS3 will feature anti-vibration mechanism on the Blu-ray drive, 512 MB of XDR memory, two HDMI connectors and an advanced power supply unit. The system will also have a new design, matching other electronic products; it is very unlikely to be similar to other PlayStation products. Although the configuration may be different, the system will still be able to play PS3 games flawlessly.

Comments made by Sony Computer Entertainment’s executives indicate that the machine will very likely be sold under a different Sony brand than them. It will be sold at a premium price, with statements from an executive saying that the price range could be from 200,000 to 300,000 yen – that’s around $1700 to $2500 US.

No release date or other details were revealed.

If you can get past the horrible, neon-colored wheels, the Suzuku SXBox concept vehicle is an interesting car. Based on the 2007 SX4 compact sport X-over, the car is designed specifically for Xbox 360 fans, featuring a dashboard-integrated Xbox 360 console, close proximity digital projector on the vehicles retractable hood as well as an Xbox-inspired color scheme inside the vehicle. Wait, that’s not all: there is also a second Xbox 360 console which can be played via two separate LCD screens in the seat backs for rear passengers, and if that’s not enough, there is always the 30-inch retractable rear projection screen in the cargo area.

Taking in-car gaming to the next level, the SXBox also includes high-relief, force-feedback front seats with game-station highlights and four wireless controllers, including a steering-wheel mounted one for the driver; the sound system is powered by a multi-speaker surround audio setup.

The car has been built by ASC of Huntington Beach, California, and features mild performance upgrades over the original SX4. No pricing or release date has been divulged due to the fact that it is still a concept car. However, you can view high-resolution photos and drool all you want over on Team Xbox.

If there’s one thing to be learned from game movies, it’s that they are horribly done - Street Fighter comes to mind. But that’s not stopping Capcom from letting others butcher their games: the company is reported to aggressively push its franchises to be made into movies. The publisher has already signed up with Sony Pictures to create another Street Fighter movie focusing on Chun-Li (the movie is due in 2008).

Capcom, according to this Hollywood Reporter article, has hired Germaine Gioai to serve as Senior VP Licensing in its Los Angeles Office. Her job is to link with Hollywood studios to create games based on the company’s franchises, including Devil May Cry, Lost Planet and Dead Rising.

Gioai previously worked at THQ, where she formed partnerships with Nickelodeon that resulted in the publisher taking up so many children’s licenses, helping it become a heavyweight in the industry. She plans on taking a new approach to licensing, one that will see the game’s creators themselves involved in the Hollywood licensing process.

“For the near-term, I’m going to look at the game engines that Capcom has and the capabilities internally at the studios and presumably see if there are things we can take advantage of with properties that might do well with recognizable characters or story lines associated with existing game engines,” Gioia said. “But that always doesn’t work, so it might be a while before certain licensed properties that have been developed from the ground up are out in the marketplace.”

It’s basic gaming knowledge that the PS2 is the most successful console in history, but just how popular is it? Well, for one, its competitors - Microsoft’s Xbox and Nintendo’s Gamecube - are no longer in production, and it still has kickass titles like God of War 2 going for it. It’s also the cheapest console in the market right now.

All that, and the fact that it still has major publisher support, is leading analysts to believe that the PS2 will outsell and outplay the PS3, its bigger brother, in the coming year. This BusinessWeek article states that Sony plans on shipping 11 million PS2s in 2007, whereas the PS3 will ship only 7 million. Add this to the fact that developing games for the console is dirt cheap when compared to next-gen consoles, especially the PS3, and the PS2 suddenly becomes a beacon of hope for the ailing games division of Sony.

Well, 2007 is yet to come, and while we cannot predict how things will play out, it can be easily said that Sony will do very well with their three individual consoles aimed at different markets.

Through an iffy Google translation and a slideshow image, Gizmodo is speculating that a redesigned PSP with a 60GB hard drive may be in the works. In Samsung’s recent showcase of its N-series 1.8-inch disk drives, the company (mistakenly?) depicted the PSP as having a built-in hard drive, though it is yet to be confirmed by either company.

Rumors of a PSP upgrade have been in the pipeline for quite some time now, and CES 2007 might be the end of the wait. Sony is expected to make an announcement regarding their portable console at the event, which takes place in a couple of weeks.

My Gaming Den reports that Japanese gamers can now download Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection for the PS3 through the console’s online network. A remake of the PSP game, Tekken 5 retails for 2,000 yen, which, according to the site, amounts to $17 US. It is not available to North American users; no release information has been provided for other regions.

Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection for the PS3 retains all the characteristics of its portable version, but also adds 1080p support, new characters, new gameplay modes and bonus features.