Sony confirmed rumors of a slimmer new model of the PlayStation 3 on August 18, 2009. The new model will retail for around $300 and be available in September 2009.http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/18/sony-debuts-slimmer-ps3/

Another feature of the PS3 is its connectivity with another Sony Console, the PlayStation Portable. Using the hand-held console, users can remotely control, view, or play any games or movies in the PS3 via wireless LAN or even from remote locations via the Internet.

The PS3 also boasts a gaming network similar to Xbox 360's Xbox Live, the aptly titled PlayStation Network. Unlike Xbox Live, however, players on the Playstation Network can play games online without paying a subscription fee.

A service, named Playstation Home, which is a part of the PSN (Playstation Network) was officially announced by Phil Harrison on March 7, 2007, during his keynote speech at the 2007 Game Developers Conference and was originally scheduled for a global public release in October 2007. Playstation Home allows users of the Playstation Network to create avatars, and participate in a similar world to Second Life. Third parties are always adding more locations to Home in which the player can interact with. The Open Beta was released on December 11, 2008. Trophies was introduced due to fan demand. It is an aspect of the Playstation Network that is similar to Achievements on Xbox Live. Many past games have been updated to support trophies but some remain with no trophy support. Nearly all PS3 new PS3 games contain trophy support. The trophy system consists of four trophy types: platinum, gold, silver and bronze. Platinum trophies are only available on non-PSN downloadable games and can only be acquired once all other trophies for that game are done.