One of the links, now corrected:

https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/oet/forms/blobs/retrieve.cgi?attachment_id=838586&native_or_pdf=pdf

Thanks a lot for the heads-up jhlennon1!

Maybe it's coming, maybe not. Regardless, I don't think having 4 SKUs in 1 year (2 of 'em cancelled) enhances the image of a troubled console.

The new model's block diagram has two less USB ports:

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=193246&page=4

(scroll down down down)

But is this official?? Is Sony going to announce it?

It looks like the new SKU is shaping up to be real. I think its stupid that Sony could possibly have 4 Distinct SKU's in less then a year, Xbox is stupid for having 3 (the Halo edition is meh).

I still don't think Sony will have a $399 PS3, I really think the lowest we'll see this holiday season is a $499 Bundle and a Game or two.

Technically "never" is an expression of time as well. So yeah, I would say it's a matter of time.

All joking aside, if it was going to happen anytime soon it would have happened at TGS.  It's possible we will see something next year at E3, but I doubt it.  It's certainly not comming this year. 

lol the lies people actually feed into..

40gb would sell well only with at least some good games coming along with it..

I'm sure Sony will be releasing a 40 GB sku very soon...it only makes sense...

20GB 360 = $349.00
40GB PS3 = $399.00

Seems much more reasonable than spending $600.00 like before...should make sales interesting--especially in 2008 when the battle truly begins (The 360's AAA exclusive games will be out & the ps3's will be starting to come out--FF, MGS, GT5, etc.)

When Sony made the 20GB & 60GB sku's labtops were using hd's in 20GB increments. Now 40GB increments are standard in labtops so Sony has phased out the 20 & 60GB sku's in favor of a 40GB & 80GB sku...

To put it simply--a 40GB & 80GB sku cost less to manufacture than a 20GB & 60GB sku.

It'd be an amazing feat for Sony to Ramp up production of the 40 Gig units in time for the Holidays and if they do plan on releasing it, its unlikely they will drop the price of any PS3 to $399 this holiday....(because the 40 Gig would then have nowhere to go)......which would mean cheapest PS3 will be $499 or $599 this holiday which would is going to mean another big punch in sales I think vs a $349 Xbox 360 and $249 Wii.