Sony’s NWZ-A810 and NWZ-S610

So long ATRAC, hello NWZ-A810 and NWZ-S610 Sony Walkmans. The A810 we’ve seen before, twice in fact, but this is the first time the S610 (pictured) has wiggled free from the rumor mill all dolled-up in full specs and pricing. The S610 series packs the same QVGA resolution in a slightly smaller 1.8-inch display and still one-ups the A810 with an FM tuner bunged inside. Both support USB Mass Storage file transfer, AVC (H.264/AVC) and MPEG-4 encoded video, and AAC, MP3 and DRM’d WMA audio formats without bothering us with any of that icky ATRAC stuff or their much maligned SonicStage software. Sony’s also making nice by bringing their B100 series of Walkman DAPs to town in 1GB ($60) and 2GB ($80) models. The S610 series starts at $120 for 2GB on up to $210 for the 8GB compared to a $140 to $230 range for the same capacity A810 models. All available in September, pre-sales now.

The VAIO music streamer

When you use our coupon code before August 31st at Sony.com, you’ll save $50 off the Sony VAIO Digital Music Streamer.

The VAIO music streamer a very convenient audio device that can be used for more than playing back music.

In addition to being able to take this device from room to room, you can also use it as an alarm clock and integrate it into your home audio system. Control the stand alone device either by remote or through the LCD touchscreen.

Sony has set up Playstation 3 kiosks at Shinhan Banks in Korea

Looks like people have a reason to go to the bank, even if you don’t have any money to dump into it.

Sony has set up Playstation 3 kiosks at Shinhan Banks in Korea. Besides the conventional print ads and commercials, it looks like Sony is pulling out all their ideas trying to get consumers to play their games. Forget BestBuy, they’re pioneering into banks.

And banks aren’t the only place their trying to tap into. In Mokdong, Seoul, a public demonstration of the Playstation 3 was setup in a multiplex theater.

What’s next?PS3 booths in McDonalds!?

Sony Walkman E010

Sony has teamed up with the Abiste Corporation to come up with this limited edition Walkman E010 lineup. These players are going to come in pink, violet, black, blue and gold colors in addition to the removable caps being lined with Swarovski glass crystals.

Don’t get too excited though. If you’re wanting this ASAP, you’ll still have 2 months just like everyone else after you’ve placed your order.

How much are these you ask? The 1 GB is going for $134, the 2GB $160 and 4GB is $210.

PSP wireless heartbeat sensor hack

It’s amazing what homebrew coders for the PSP are able to come up with, especially when you consider that the “solutions” don’t really solve anything. If you’ve ever hankered for a heartbeat recognition ability for your portable gaming machine, then here it is. One guy called Art simply soldered a coiled copper wire across the microphone input, which allows it to pick up the signal from a wireless heartbeat sensor. The result isn’t visually impressive — he hasn’t coded a graphical readout yet — but it should definitely inspire confidence in the homebrew community’s ingenuity. PSP pull-ups anyone?