PCs are about to have their peripherals packed up in suitcases, hastily handed crumpled fivers, a packet of cola cubes and unceremoniously booted out of the front door as they're usurped by Sony's PlayStation 3 in the home.
Well, that's the image Sony's Phil Harrison has conjured up anyway, opining that, due to the gubbins in the next-gen console, the home PC is history.
Harrison dropped this bombshell in an interview with German publication Der Spiegel, claiming that it's the non-videogaming functions and the available processing power afforded by the operating system - Linux-based - resident on the PS3's hard drive that'll make PCs redundant.
"We believe that the PS3 will be the place where our users play games, watch films, browse the Web, and use other [home] computer functions," Harrison explained. "The PlayStation 3 is a computer. We do not need the PC."
Obviously this is no bearing at all on Microsoft's plans for Windows Vista...
Interesting, and we may be splitting hairs here, but I don't think we've really misinterpreted it. Even though the question is about online, Phil Harrison seems to suggest the PS3 will replace the PC's wider functions:
"Harrison: We think that Playstation 3 is the place where our users will be doing their gaming, their movie watching, their Web browsing and a lot of other computer entertainment functions. That will satisfy them. Playstation 3 is a computer. We don't need the PC."
Those last two sentences really nail it: "Playstation 3 is a computer. We don't need the PC."
Interesting, and we may be splitting hairs here, but I don't think we've really misinterpreted it. Even though the question is about online, Phil Harrison seems to suggest the PS3 will replace the PC's wider functions:
I think he's saying that it will satisfy people's computer entertainment needs in one box. Not replace PCs generally, for everything. If you compare that to MS's strategy, they encourage you to hook up your 360 to your PC for streaming media between them etc. I think that's what he's getting at. Sony's strategy and vested interest is computer entertainment, not PC functionality generally, and PS3 embodies all of their interests in one box..they don't need a foothold in the other box in your home.
I think in the context of the question, it seems pretty clear he's referring to their online strategy, and generally connecting devices together. The question pretty much outright asks if they're at a disadvantage in terms of access to PCs, and I think that's what he was responding to with that comment. Sony has little interest in the PC space - Playstation is their box in the home - whereas Microsoft's bread and butter is Windows.
Sony generally has pushed Playstations, at least starting with PS2, as a different kind of "home computer", not a PC as such.
edit - oh and you seem to have completely edited out my original comment This is what I'm saying though, if people are wondering what's being responded to - the bolded answer I think is in response to the bolded question:
SPIEGEL ONLINE: Speaking of online, Microsoft has just announced "Live Anywhere", an integrated Windows-Xbox-Mobile environment. Is that something you're worried about because you don't have the same access to the PC market as Microsoft does?
Harrison: No, it doesn't concern me and I don't think it concerns the consumer either. Once you adopt a game system as your primary entertainment device, that's what you want. We think that Playstation 3 is the place where our users will be doing their gaming, their movie watching, their Web browsing and a lot of other computer entertainment functions. That will satisfy them. Playstation 3 is a computer. We don't need the PC.
I don't know, that's my interpretation anyway. I'm sure if someone followed up with him on that comment he would clarify it further.
Oh yeah? no more pc's? Hmm what does nVidia has to say about that. And ofcourse Intel, AMD, ATi Creative, BLIZZARD..................... oh yeah and Bill.
------------------------ I will keep posting stupid comments on stupid announcements!!!
Oh yeah? no more pc's? Hmm what does nVidia has to say about that. And ofcourse Intel, AMD, ATi Creative, BLIZZARD..................... oh yeah and Bill.
------------------------ I will keep posting stupid comments on stupid announcements!!!
Dont forget about Linus and all the other Linux developers, I dont reckon them guys would be keen on developing Linux using a PS3...
Didn't Sony test the water with PSX, as that was a basic PC/PS2 in a box. How well that did!!! The PS3 might be an almighty powerhouse, but I'd rather have a PC for PC things and a games console for games. If they choose to link up to stream media, then all the better. One device is never as good as multiple
This guy's a class act. I mean yesterday he claims that Sony invented 3D gaming and today, Sony are going to kill off the home PC market.
Show me an FPS in development for ANY console that can match a top PC shooter. Or MMO. Or RTS for that matter.
What console could match the power available to PC users? We will have to wait another entire generation (at least) before consoles implament physics cards, whereas us PC gamers will have affordable physics cards next year (or even right now if you're willing to pay).
All this is very obviously a very transparrent ( and badly thought out) attempt to take th ewind out of Microsoft's sails with their attempt to connect XBox 360 and PC. Something Sony couldn't possibly do.
Im fed up with reading this rubbish Sony keep blerting out.It annoys me that all the casual gamers (most ps2 owners) will lap it up. As Pete would say W*NK3RS
Well Sony is at least trying to do a real next gen console with real new hardware. But hardly anyone will write their docs with PS3..
M$ just put up an updated PC with ordinary DVD drive in order to be first and make more $$$ from your pockets. In practise it means the xbox360 will be obsoleted sooner and M$ will get another "winner" console out in a few years.
I'd rather buy a new PC than invest in a PC married with my TV set (=xbox).
Just when you thought sony had let go of the double gage shotgun they have been using to blow their legs off they go and say somthing like this, are they just trying to kill themselves with stupid bottom comments like this.
The pc has been been about in one shape or form for the past 30 years, and it will be around long after the playstation brand has went the way of the dodo, which at this current rate should be the next generation of consoles.
Anyone see the lastest market thing from that well knowen japenease magazine? about 80% of people asked wont be buying a PS3 since it way too expensive, they will be getting a Wii, whats even more embrassing is the xbox 360 got a higher % of people willing to buy it. Off course this should be taken with a pinch of salt, the japs love the PS brand and will always take this over a western company efforts in the market place, but Wii to win in japan dosnt look soo stupid now.
LOL The Sony downhill, runaway hype ball is a rollin'. I recall the PS2s ability to have Toy Story type graphics and that all appliances could communicate with it via it's emotion chip...Sony the internet has made your lies PAINFULLY easy to track.
reading through these comments again it's clear 99% of us all thing this guys a t**t and he is the voice of sony!!! let him carry on and make a fool of himself, it gives us all a laugh. i've said it before, people don't want web browsers and the like on a games consol. maybe the odd dvd would be played on it but nothing else. you just would'nt link up a keyboard and mouse in your front room on a tv (imagine the keyboard & mouse on your lap / carpet) to browse the web!!! games consols just are'nt in the right place most of the time. the pc will never, ever be replaced by a games consol. period.
"The PS3 is a Computer" is not actually meant for us customers.
The point is that in numerous countries (including England if i'm not mistaken), a computer is not taxed for the import (taxed to enter the country). A gaming accessory is.
Therefore in many countries, Sony would save a percentage of the total value of the PS3 if the PS3 is considered a computer.
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This is what I'm saying though, if people are wondering what's being responded to - the bolded answer I think is in response to the bolded question:
