July 02 - 03:25pm EDT   Sony's PlayStation product planning head Naoya Matsui today told Japanese publication GameBusiness that the company had always planned a version of the PSP without the UMD drive. He claims that the company had wanted downloadable games from the handheld's launch in 2004 but that it wasn't feasible until the PSP Go due to infrastructure. It was necessary to have not just simple download to the system itself but a means of getting games from a PS3 to the PSP as well as an easier sync process for loading games, movies and music. [full story]

July 01 - 07:25pm EDT   iBuypower has launched its latest line of gaming computers, the Paladin XLC series. The systems are each built with Asetek's 240mm radiator liquid-cooling components. The basic configurations are powered by Intel's Core i7 CPUs, with at least 6GB of DDR3 memory and 1TB of storage. [full story]

July 01 - 08:05am EDT   Foxconn today tried to deflect rumors that it was building the slim PS3. Following a newspaper's claim yesterday that the new Sony console was to be shipped by Foxconn for next month, the assembly firm has filed an official stance with the Taiwan Stock Exchange that turns down commentary on the rumor, citing "customer confidentiality." Pegatron, which has been rumored to share responsibilities for making the new system, hasn't formally responded to the apparent leak. [full story]

June 30 - 02:50pm EDT   Sony's slim PS3 may start shipping as early as next month if a claim from China's UDN. It points to the smaller, redesigned model being made by Foxconn (Hon Hai) with expectations that Sony would receive it in July. The publication doesn't say when Sony would start selling the system in earnest, but recent credible rumors have the updated model surfacing just weeks after this newest shipment takes place. [full story]

June 30 - 08:35am EDT   Sony today hoped to spur growth in add-ons for PlayStation systems by launching an expanded official licensing program. The new approach lets companies in most areas make controllers or other peripherals for PS2, PS3 and PSP systems with full technical help and an official logo. In return, these companies will have to meet certain standards; it's not mentioned if companies will also pay royalties for the right to use the logo. [full story]

June 29 - 07:50pm EDT   id Software has released Doom Resurrection, a first-person shooter for the iPhone and iPod touch. The game continues to develop the story from earlier versions based on computer platforms. Gamers take the role of a Marine that must defeat 'Hell's minions' created as a result of a research experiment at a facility on Mars. The app includes a variety of weapons such as assault rifles, chainsaws and shotguns, among others. [full story]

June 29 - 12:45pm EDT   Today 1.8 ($15) is a calendar information and organization tool for the Mac. The application retrieves events and tasks that have been entered into iCal and then displays them within a small window. Users can also use the software to create or filter events, and navigate from day to day. The new release has prepared the application for the move to Snow Leopard and also updated the French localization. Additionally, several bugs have been fixed, including one which could prevent new calendars from being read. [Download - 3MB] [full story]

June 29 - 12:25pm EDT   Gateway has quietly updated its P series FX gaming notebooks with a pair of updated and lower-cost models compared to what it's offered in the past. The 17-inch P-7809u is new and has a Montevina refresh-era 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo despite costing less than the earlier P-7805u. It also has a full 500GB of hard drive space (up from 320GB), 4GB of RAM and the previously-used 1GB GeForce 9800M key to its gaming credentials. [full story]

June 27 - 11:00am EDT   Macgamestore.com has announced Clue Accusations and Alibisfor the Mac is now available through its website and digital download service. Developed and published by Real Arcade, Clue Accusations and Alibis is a hidden object game that forces players to use detective skills and perception to solve a mystery. The game takes place in a stylish Hollywood mansion where the guests were enjoying an evening meal until one of them is murdered. Players must then solve the case before the other guests do by searching each room for clues, interrogating subjects and examining weapons. [full story]

June 27 - 10:55am EDT   Coladia has released Return to Mysterious Island through its online store. The microids developed game is inspired by the Jules Verne novel, Mysterious Island, and features locations from the book such as the Granite house, the volcano, and the Nautilus submarine. Players take on the role of Mina, an explorer on a solo around-the-world sailing expedition. Mina finds herself shipwrecked and must survive on the island using her discovery skills and inventory management. [full story]