To start December off with the count down to Christmas, Sony are offering their customers 12 different details, each lasting 48 hours with the last one ending on Christmas day.
The deals will only be known once the deal has started. Each deal starts at 12pm GMT and finishes at 12pm GMT 48 hours. The deals will take place on the following dates:
Christmas Deal 1 – 1st to 3rd December
Christmas Deal 2 – 3rd to 5th December
Christmas Deal 3 – 5th to 7th December
Christmas Deal 4 – 7th to 9th December
Christmas Deal 5 – 9th to 11th December
Christmas Deal 6 – 11th to 13th December
Christmas Deal 7 – 13th to 15th December
Christmas Deal 8 – 15th to 17th December
Christmas Deal 9 – 17th to 19th December
Christmas Deal 10 – 19th to 21st December
Christmas Deal 11 – 21st to 23rd December
Christmas Deal 12 – 23rd to 25th December
Christmas Deal 1 included Little Big Planet 2 and 10 DLC costume packs for £24.99/€34.99 with a 10% discount for PlayStation Plus members. Deal number 2 will be unveiled today.
Sony has recently released its own entry into the growing tablet wars, yet its netbooks are also excellent products. Indeed, these devices were a great step for laptop computers, and there are a few models which are worth investigating for people who want something highly portable and affordable.
The Sony M Series netbook is an excellent option for business users. It has a 10.1 inch screen, which is small yet more than adequate for most tasks, combined with a 250GB hard drive that is certainly beefy enough. The processer runs at 1.66 GHZ alongside 1GB of RAM – this comes with a perfectly adequate built in webcam. This product is by no means new, yet it executes a variety of tasks with speed and efficiency – business people will find it much easier to work on than a tablet.
The Y Series (Ultraportable) is aimed more at regular consumers with a slightly larger screen (11.6 inches) and a weight of just 3.2 pounds. There is more space on the hard disk and it generally has the increased performance that you would expect from a newer model. 2GB of RAM is certainly a welcome addition and the battery appears to last for at least three and a half hours.
These two Sony products are cost-effective solutions for people on the move – they perform quite well and are much cheaper than getting a tablet. Indeed, these Sony laptops might give you cause to think twice before buying something flashier.
If you’re after the Xperia X10 Mini, it could be worth taking a look at the offer Argos has on in the UK. The handset usually retails for £179.99 and the pricing is no different at Argos, although you do need to also top up £10. You will however get some extras free with the handset if reserved and collected in store. Unfortunately the offer isn’t available online, so you will need to collect from your nearest store with stock.
When adding the Xperia X10 Mini to your basket, you can add three accessories as well which would normally cost £49.97 but, when adding all three you get them absolutely free. The first accessory is a 4GB card. The handset comes with a 2GB micro SD card as standard, so you can double the amount of memory straight away. You also get a universal screen protector. While not the best, as you’ll need to cut the screen protector to size, it will do the job of protecting the screen. A mobile phone drive pack is also included in the offer. The pack contains a bluetooth ear piece, in car charger and a universal vent holder which is dash mountable.
For those who have been extremely interested in the Pink Vivaz we recently saw from Sony Ericsson, we now have a time scale for release. Sony Ericsson have shown of the phone on their blog today, along with a video from Maiko Ishida, who is the product planner for Vivaz. She shares her story behind the design of the handset while showing off the Vivaz in light pink. The Vivaz will be coming out in pink by the end of this quarter, so we should see it by September in stores. Unfortunately Sony Ericsson haven’t released any specifics on what regions will be receiving the handsets. All we know is that it will be “selected markets”. As always though, we’ll keep our ears to the ground to find out where exactly the pink model will be released. You can view the video of the pink Vivaz and the story behind the design below.
Sony have revealed that the 3D Blu-ray update, allowing playback of 3D Blu-ray movies, for the PlayStation 3 console should be available at some point in September. The release was originally dated as available “in the fall” of this year. There will also be a further update to come after that to add compatibility for 3D photographs on the PS3.
SCEE are keen to add 3D gaming to the PlayStation format as soon as they can because they see the gaming side of 3D as the front runner in the 3D revolution. As SCEE director Mick Hocking announced “We think games are going to be the killer content for 3D. In general, we find that 3D enhances all types of games. There are no types that it doesn’t bring a benefit to. We think the games this year are going to do the same [as Avatar did for movies] for the gaming community”.
Four gaming titles have been released already on the PSN that support the upcoming 3D technology – Wipeout, Motorstorm (demo), Super Stardust and PAIN and there are more to come including top titles such as Killzone 3 and Gran Turismo 5.
The full interview with CVG shows that Sony are taking 3D technology very seriously and the future of 3D in their hands is very exciting indeed!
The first batch of Downloadable Content for Rockstar’s Western, Red Dead Redemption has been released on the PS3 and the Xbox 360. The DLC, named Outlaws to the End Co-Op Mission Pack, as the name suggests adds more levels for co-operative play and competitive multi player. The pack brings in six new missions;
“Walton’s Gold”
Walton’s Gang have taken control of a mining camp rich with gold. Fight through the camp and load your mine cart with as much gold as you can carry and get out as fast as you can – Walton’s boys have rigged the place to blow!
“The River”
Ride a raft down river, taking out rebel encampments along the way until you reach the rebel stronghold of Nosalida and a final epic battle for the town’s massive weapons caches. Watch out for Gatling gun-equipped enemy rafts.
“Ammunition”
The Mexican Army has the town of Tesoro Azul under siege. Storm the gates under heavy cannon, Gatling gun and sniper fire to destroy the Mexican artillery placements.
“The Kidnapped Girl”
Another gang has taken over Fort Mercer, and they’re holding a farmer’s daughter hostage. You and your crew will need to charge the fort and eliminate the gang with all firepower necessary – then fend off enemy reinforcements as you transport the girl by stagecoach safely to her home at Ridgewood Farm.
“The Escape”
You and your teammates must attack and steal a gold coach along with a wagon and a Gatling gun. Once acquired, you will be sent to turn them in to the American Army and then must clear out remaining resistance in the town of Tumbleweed. After clearing the town, prepare for an explosive standoff that will take you all the way to Mexico.
“The Herd”
Cattle rustlers have taken control of Box Canyon. Fight your way in and wipe out the rustlers, then use teamwork to protect the herd as you lead them home to Armadillo while drawing heavy fire from snipers and reinforcements on horseback.
The downloadable content is completely free to download and more DLC content is promised for the future. The Outlaws to the End DLC also brings in 10 new trophies for the game:
2 GUYS, 1 COOP
Complete a co-op with just 2 people.
BULLETPROOF
Complete a co-op without dying.
DODGE THIS
Advanced co-op killstreak – 10 kills.
FRIENDS INDEED
Complete a co-op without anyone dying.
For those who have been extremely interested in the 
