PS3 slim plot thickens: Engadget gets cease-and-desist

by Justin McElroy { May 18th 2009 at 7:30PM }

OK, OK, we're still unconvinced that there's anything to these slim PS3 rumors, even after we laid eyes on these pics of what was purportedly a thinner version of Sony's console. But, for what it's worth, you should know that a Chinese law firm has sent a cease-and-desist order to our sister site Engadget, the text of which you can find after the break.

What we're betting on is that this "PS3" is actually a POPstation 3, and the Chinese firm in question has been retained by SoFunCo, which would really prefer it if Sony didn't see their new pet project. Or, maybe it's the brand new slim PS3 and we're going to look like dummies. We'll know for sure after E3, but, spoiler alert, it's the first one.

"Dear Sir,

We just find that the following web pages on your website contain some
confidential document and photos, which were highly possibly illegally
released and posted:

(redacted)

We are investigating this violation and will bring all necessary legal
actions regarding this matter. In order to protect the confidential
information and prevent you from further legal issues and
infringements, please immediately remove those pages and keep our
request confidential. If you have any question regarding this issue,
please feel free to contact us.

Your cooperation is deeply appreciated.

Best regards."

Tags: e3-2009, engadget, ps3-slim, sony

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Jack Spicer @ May 18th 2009 7:42PM

Second!

Jack Spicer @ May 18th 2009 7:43PM

I mean first... damn it!

j.howlett @ May 18th 2009 7:47PM

i thought it was omi who always mix up phrases

arrness @ May 19th 2009 12:09AM

FOURTH!

thurzo1 @ May 19th 2009 7:08AM

Why would be at popstation logo of SONY and also PSN? Didn't notice it on the older popstations, so imo this version isn't likely to be true.

godlovesugly @ May 18th 2009 7:49PM

Guys shhh it's a secret!

karlwulfekote @ May 18th 2009 7:53PM

Wow the POP looked like a POS. If this is indeed a knock off, I hope Sony sues them for everything they have and they get thrown in jail. It would be great if a PS3 slim was in the works though.

Reefer @ May 18th 2009 7:54PM

It's nice that they kept the C&D confidential. like they asked them too

Lars @ May 18th 2009 8:15PM

Yeah, kind of a dick move by Engadget. Ofc the Chinese company should know the C&D does nothing, once info hits the internet there's no stopping it.

Game_playa @ May 18th 2009 8:09PM

OR this whole could thing could be a conspiracy theory by the Martians to confuse us with (Highly Possible) rumors, then take over the world

joeybeast @ May 19th 2009 5:19PM

Considering that there's no smiley face on the letter, I say you are right on the money.

ChiTownRuler23 @ May 18th 2009 8:13PM

id rather have my huge PS3 then that ugly looking thing

Alphathon @ May 19th 2009 7:22AM

I second that!

joeybeast @ May 19th 2009 5:30PM

Why does everyone find this ugly?

Malascythe @ May 19th 2009 7:43PM

I like my PS3 because of its shininess and its VOLUPTUOUS curves! :D

Ashkental @ May 18th 2009 8:16PM

ROFL...

It's nice to do that to chinese GOVs... Are they trying to control press OUTSIDE China? Give them some huge lolz :D

Deadpool @ May 18th 2009 8:27PM

"We just find that the following web pages on your website contain some
confidential document and photos, which were highly possibly illegally
released and posted"

[creepy smile] Oh, no-o-o.

"In order to protect the confidential
information and prevent you from further legal issues and
infringements, please immediately remove those pages and keep our
request confidential."

[creepy smile] A-a-a-ah.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/sdZero/08rdateline1.jpg

cheese @ May 18th 2009 10:28PM

Hey man, I just wanted to let you know I'm a big fan and I'm looking forward to your movie coming out!!! You rock!

Deadpool @ May 19th 2009 12:08AM

Geez, what's with all the attention I'm getting lately? I'm in a movie for 3 minutes (not including Barakapool) and people go crazy. Who do I look like, Spider-Man? Don't answer that. o_o

JDHexen @ May 18th 2009 8:42PM

A POPstation 3 would bring lots of smiles to gamers every where excluding my self.A slim PS3 thought wouldn't make a difference if there's no price cut to back it up.

OLDMIKE @ May 18th 2009 9:00PM

you that into 5 to 10 year old knock offs?
why not get a PS2 and every movie game for the last 5 years

Rick Taylor @ May 18th 2009 9:20PM

ummmm if you click on the POPstation link to youtube, on the right there is a video link for the review of the POLYstation3.... which is what this is....

its a china law firm, so its fake knock off stuff. If it were a japan law firm, we'd be talking legit stuff

paul-ca @ May 18th 2009 10:42PM

I don't know if this is real or not. But I've seen all the pictures and this is definitely NOT a polystation.

Grishrak @ May 18th 2009 9:40PM

Once that gets released it will sell a lot in Japan in an interview they said a lot of people said it was too big. the slim PS2 sould huge there and so is the wii, I hope this is just what PS3 needs to explode where its not selling like it should.....and about $100 dollars cheaper in price and cheaper then the normal PS3s to make.

wamerocity @ May 18th 2009 11:26PM

Here's why I think this is real.
#1 - Google "PS3 40gb vs 60gb motherboard" and look at the size difference between them. They shrunk the motherboard quite a bit by consolidating parts.
#2 - The decrease in width and thickness (and possibly depth) could only be done by removing the power supply from the box and making it external like the PS2 Slim or the Xbox 360. Whether you like this idea or not, its smart because it makes it MUCH cheaper to send out a replacement power supply than to send the whole system in for someone to take apart and replace the power supply (which happened to me and cost me $150). This would eliminate a lot of the heat generated in the system, making a smaller form-factor more feasible.
#3 - Smaller is in. Every time there is a hardware change, sales go through the roof. Look at the DSlite and the PSP slim. If they can market a smaller PS3 for $50 more than the Wii (assuming a price cut) with the new rumored motion-sensitive controller, it may convince many out there that the PS3 can be a family console too.
#4 - Sony has a kickass lineup for E3, and nothing to top it all off than announce a smaller, sleeker console.
#5 - Look carefully at the picture that shows the rear ports, it has ALL of them that you find on the current PS3. First the power, then the PS proprietary AV cable slot, then optical, ethernet, and HDMI. The sizing is perfect. I doubt a Popstation would go through all that effort to make a perfect ps3 design clone only to have non-functional imitating ports in the back. I'm willing to put $100 down that says this is real.

Ben @ May 19th 2009 1:34AM

Ah, doesn't anybody remember? Sony doesn't comment on rumours and such... Apparently.

I think it could easily be that the firm is trying to sell the counterfeits and doesn't want to get sued. That or, to reduce costs, Sony has started producing all their stock in China - everything hand built by child-slaves. I guess that the $40-less per PS3 is really getting to Sony?

eddy @ May 19th 2009 12:17PM

i dont like it
it looks ugly as

Feba @ May 19th 2009 3:45AM

Ah, C&Ds on journalistic entities. The mark of an idiot.

Alphathon @ May 19th 2009 7:25AM

I really hope you're right joystiq, that thing fugly.

@ thurzo1: perhaps it's some kind of emulator or something similar...I don't know, I'm just grasping at straws here

Alphathon @ May 19th 2009 7:26AM

*that thing IS fugly*...damn joystiq for your lack of an edit button

Hyams @ May 19th 2009 9:04AM

I don't get why everyone says it looks fugly. It's just like the current PS3's, but smoother, with an extra curve, and with matte plastic instead of shiny.

Someone on NeoGAF took all the seperate components that are picture, and photoshopped them together. Looky: http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/Wollan/PS3_Slim_Concept.jpg

Hyams @ May 19th 2009 9:05AM

Hmm ... 'smoother' should be 'smaller'.

Y'all think that was a Freudian slip?

Alphathon @ May 19th 2009 9:14AM

The design isn't all that bad (although I don't really like the curve) it's the colouring and the fact that the plasic used in those shots make it look very cheap. Really the design of the current model isn't great either, but it works because of the materials used. the curves just go togethter with the piano black to make it look sleek. In matte textured grey (it may be supposed to be black but it doesn't look it) though it just looks cheap and plasticy. Of course the pictures are aweful, so we can't really tell at this point, but still. The logo also looks a bit naff (another reason I believe it's fake - the current logo is also on the software, so it would be disjointed. Of course the PSOne had a different logo as well, but it wasn't THAT different.)

Nineteen88 @ May 19th 2009 7:59AM

Sooner or later, PS3 Slim will happen. It's just a matter of time, this thing could be real.

JoeTheBlow @ May 19th 2009 9:09AM

Anyone who doesn't beleive this is real already looks like a "dummy", i would have said lazy fucking idiot.
Try reading the NeoGAF thread, its CONFIRMED real, FFS.

Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ May 19th 2009 9:59AM

Something fishy is going on....however I have never known Sony to bring out the guns like that....they just say "We don't comment on Rumors or Speculation" and keep it moving. Something ain't right.

karlwulfekote @ May 19th 2009 10:16AM

That POP portable that was linked looks like a POS lol.

If this is a knock off, it looks awfully convincing. Unlike the knock off, you can actually see the logos for PlayStation, Blu-Ray, PSN, & Sony. I'm not buying the this is a knock off thing. I think these are probably real.

splint @ May 19th 2009 10:20AM

Why is SONY spending money on re-designing the PS3? I don't care if my console is as big as a 1960's era console television, give me more accessories, more functionality, save the redesign for PS4.

PLD_Exander_FFXI:Online @ May 19th 2009 4:54PM

looks nice to me. I could go with something that looks like that if i didn't already own a 60GB PS3. I just feel sorry for all the new people who pick up the new PS3's. I mean really, 2 USB ports and no Backword capabilites? Nah. If my PS3 every dies, i'mma cry like a school girl.