Thanks nordlead

Updated with a new article.

Sony's PlayStation 3 Slim to debut August 18th at Cologne gamescom?

by Darren Murph posted Aug 4th 2009 at 6:10AMBreaking News

Whoa, Nelly! No sooner than we hear that Sony is informing Japanese retailers that the 80GB PS3 model won't be shipping any longer after August 8th, along comes this to stoke the raging rumor fires once more. In a one-two punch that just can't be coincidental, Sony has also hacked $50 off of its 160GB PlayStation 3 bundle from Amazon. But really, it's the report from RTLinfo that has us most excited. According to it, the Sony elite are informing European retailers of an impending €100 price slashing on the 80GB console, which will dovetail nicely into the sudden and not-at-all unexpected debut of the PS3 Slim at the gamescom expo in Cologne, Germany. Reportedly, the willowy unit -- which shouldn't differ much in terms of specifications and features -- will be properly introduced to the world during Sony's pre-event press conference on August 18th. Obviously we've no way to confirm or deny just yet, but given everything else that has transpired over the past few months, we'd say an official reveal is definitely due. What say you, rumormongers?

http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/04/sonys-playstation-3-slim-to-debut-august-18th-at-cologne-gamesc/


maybe it's actually happening!

So can we call it un-officially official yet?

Pricing the Fat less than the Slim would make sense only if they want to empty its stocks and stop production, otherwise it wouldn't make any sense, as since the beginning PS3 Slim will cost less to ship and to stock, and when production reaches full capacity, it will cost less, as planned, to produce too.
Maybe, if Sony feels it can't afford a $100 cut this year, it could instead sell bundles with big first party titles officially pricing them at $350, biggest chains could be able to price them even lower, if needed, and the perceived value could anyway justify a price cut not as big as expected.
A cut is anyway needed, either big or small, as by now too many people expect it and they won't buy until it happens.

Updated

Updated Thread 8/10/09

Who's Leaking PS3 Slim Info Now?

By Michael McWhertor (Edit, to draft, Slurp)

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Allegedly, the French, as a purported screen shot from retailer Micromania's product database shows the oft-rumored PlayStation 3 "Slim" redesign. If this listing is the real deal—it's not reflected on Micromania's web site—it would confirm a long-standing rumor.

That shot, hosted by Total Manga and via NeoGAF's marathon thread of PS3 Slim speculation, could be easily faked. But the details are inline with recent chatter about the mythical console redesign's leaks. Micromania supposedly listed a September 1 arrival date and a €299 price point. That's cheaper than the current €399 model, which has been the target of retailer price drops over the past few weeks.

Of course, previous leaks are just as much confirmation as this rumored listing. There was the Amazon.de product listing for the "PS3 Konsole Slim," a listing which didn't last long before it was pulled.

There's been plenty of circumstantial evidence surrounding a console relaunch and revamp, with talk of Sony ramping up PlayStation 3 production in Taiwan and a July delivery date of the rumored console variation.

Of course, one of the more obvious signs that Sony was prepping something beyond the norm of its original PlayStation 3 design were early leaked pictures of a shell, one alleged to be the PS3 Slim.

With previous rumors of a PlayStation 3 price cut coming in the fall starting to come true at select retailers, it's starting to feel like we're on the cusp of some sort of official announcement. With Gamescom kicking off next week and Sony holding a press conference next Tuesday, we're expecting to hear something there.

Of course, we expect that to be prefaced with leaks from Sony Computer Entertainment Europe PR, a hastily written story from Japan's Nikkei newspaper and maybe even a leak on the PlayStation Network.

La PS3 Slim à 299 € le 1er Septembre ! [Total Manga]

mmm, 1st September release makes sense if they are going to announce it at gamescom.

Just one week until PS3 will hold a news conference, then we will know whats up.

Updated the OP with todays news.

UK retailers report PS3 shipment cutoff

by JC Fletcher