September 22, 2006
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In a recent interview, Sony CEO Ken Kutaragi (pictured holding a PS3) dropped some new PS3 “secrets.” First, Kutaragi quoted a price of ¥49,800 ($425) for the 20GB PS3 console (5% cnsumption tax included); the originally planned price for the PS3 in Japan was ¥59,800. The same version of the PS3 has been 
priced at $499 in the U.S. Might a price cut be on the horizon for the American market? Stay tuned. The second secret was in reference to HD capability. Kutaragi noted that in the days since the E3 press conference, “the importance of HDMI has come earlier than expected.” At the time of E3, no television included HDMI support, said Kutaragi. In the months since, however, HDMI has solidified and has been introduced to more products. Sony, therefore, has decided to include HDMI in the console. A press release from Sony states the following: Given the sharp increase in availability of flat displays supporting HDMI in the market, SCEI has decided to equip HDMI as standard on all PS3 systems. SCEI, with strong support from software developers and publishers, will offer a broad lineup of exciting and innovative titles and vigorously promote the PS3 platform.”
