Pretty sure that's the point of unveiling the new one at a trade show in the first place. 

I"m sure anybody that wants a ps3 has already gotten one at this point. I guess it's cool,it you don't like to get gaming system's 6 yrs after they come out.

is that why the PS3 is still selling 100,000 plus units a week world wide..

MS launch their slim model in the middle of E3 with no leaks, no rumors, no nothing... out of thin air...
Sony (sadly) has leaks, rumors, pics, prices... all, months before launch...

its everything but sudden...

It's hard not to have leaks in the industry. Look at the Iphone 5, the ipad mini, etc.

Leaks build hype so there is an upside to them.

perfect timing from sony here. the big games are about to release and sales start picking up in october anyway so this should give an extra boost. rumours are saying this will release september 28th alongside the biggest game in europe.. FIFA 13.

Your memory isn't so great. Either that or it's a bit selective.

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/99239-Rumor-Xbox-360-Slim-in-Production

http://ie.ign.com/articles/2010/03/17/rumor-xbox-360-slim-motherboard-photos-leaked

Just about every major gaming website had an article on the 360 slim prior to its official reveal at E3. There were leaked images and everything.

A new model will do wonders for PS3. A cheaper entry point will make way for sales in developing countries while attracting consumers in the US who didn't buy a PS3 yet. The PS3 is the lowest selling console in the US meaning they are far from saturation. The lower price point might convince others to buy one in order to play the numerous exclusives they otherwise are missing out on. Considering PS3 has been the most resilient to YoY drops or atleast able to maintain higher weekly sales during the off season shows it has a high enough demand to take full advantage of a new model at a cheaper price. I can't wait to find out.

the key for sony is to get that price down as low as possible in the US. sales are always quite low there even after a big release so just what the hell do they want? a $150 ps3 should do the trick.