Sony Computer Entertainment said that the number of registered accounts on the PlayStation Network (PSN) has crossed the 50 million mark around the globe. These are latest figures as of 14^th June 2010.

The PSN has expanded globally since its launch in November 2006 and offers services in more than 58 countries worldwide. The first year saw less than 6 million users. It took a year and eight months to touch the 10 million mark. The third year saw rapid growth and the PSN had clocked 20 million users in two years and three months from its launch and this grew to 50 million in just three years and eight months.

The introduction of the new PS3 and the smart cost cut has further boosted the member count. Now it only remains to be seen how long it will take for the PSN to have 100 million users.

source

Whilst talking about the PlayStation Plus (PSN+) service, Sony added to the end of their press release that:

“PlayStation users can purchase PlayStation Plus membership through PlayStation Store on PS3 only. Users need to install PS3 system software version 3.40, which will be released on June 22nd, to enjoy PlayStation Plus,” revealed the press release.”

So there is the confirmation that firmware version 3.40 will be available to download to PS3’s in the next few days to be ready to join the PSN+ revolution which itself launches on the 29th of June.

Following on from the revelation of the US prices for the new premium PlayStation Plus (or PSN+) service, Sony have now confirmed the UK prices for the online service which is set to seriously rival the Microsoft Live service.

UK gamers will need to pay £39.99 (which is the same as Microsoft Live Gold subscription) for a 12 month subscription to PSN+ and with that package Sony indicate that subscribers will recieve content, in the form of full games, demo’s and other goodies, to the value of £200 in with the package. A 90 day subscription is also available at a cost of £11.99 and content to the value of £50 is included, according to Sony. Sony are also offering users a 3 month free trial of PSN+ and for subscribers that sign up before the 3^rd of August there is a free download of LittleBigPlanet awaiting them too.

More packages are expected to be announced by Sony prior to the PSN+ service going live.

Sony Ericsson is having a real tough time with their security. Details about upcoming handsets have been leaked recently and this time it’s the Sony Ericsson “Julie”.

The Julie is reportedly a Windows Phone 7 device. It is rumored to look somewhat like the Xperia X10. The phone will sport a QWERTY keypad and is likely to support multi touch gestures. It will mostly be powered by a 1GHz processor and rumor is that it will feature a 4″ multi touch capable display too, something the Xperia X10 range is sadly lacking.

Because the handset could be running the Windows 7 OS platform, this also means it should feature built in support for Xbox Live integration which, if true, would be in direct competition with Sony’s own PlayStation network, so perhaps there are plans for a PSN integration at some point too.

No other details or images of the “Julie” are available currently. The phone which is still under development will most probably hit stores late this year or early next year.

Source

The first Map Pack for Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 has finally been released on the PS3. The Map Pack was previously released on Xbox 360 and was a 360 exclusive for a couple of weeks but, now PS3 owners will get to experience the extended multiplayer as well.

The Stimulus Map pack brings you two maps from Call of Duty 4; Crash and Overgrown. There’s also three new maps to play on; Storm, Salvage and Bailout. To celebrate the release of the map pack, all players on all playlists will receive double XP. The map pack costs $14.99.