Industry insider expects PS3/360 price cuts

PS3 Slim to launch in the autumn, Microsoft to phase out current 60GB model.

ars technica's Mole, an industry insider who has delivered reliable information in the past, has given an update on what to expect from Microsoft and Sony later this year.

The Mole says that the 80GB PS3 is going to see serious supply constraints in the weeks ahead, with retailers having about 60 days of inventory before they become hard to find. Consequently the 160GB model will be given higher visibility in stores. In the latter part of the year Sony will drop the price of the current hardware - the Mole has no info on how significant the price cut will be - and launch the PS3 Slim.

Microsoft is expected to phase out the 60GB Xbox 360, with the SKU to disappear in July or August. Look out for solid bundles to help move remaining units. The current 120GB Elite system will then become the Pro-level system, following an early September price cut. A holiday bundle is expected to hit in October.