PlayStation 3 will not have router functionality

Speaking to Japanese publication Nikkei Electronics, Sony Computer Entertainment chief Ken Kutaragi has revealed that the proposed router functionality for the console has been dropped to lower manufacturing costs. Kutaragi also feels that people will continue to use their existing hardware routers which are becoming more common thanks to the uptake of broadband internet.

The PlayStation 3 will still feature a bank of three Gigabit Ethernet ports which will be able to act as a fast network switch, allowing several other devices to be connected to the console. Sony has hinted that the ports could be used for many different functions. Kutaragi has previously put forward his dream for the console to upscale standard definition video from a digital video recorder and then send the processed video back to the device. This kind of functionality is still just speculation as there has yet to be an official announcement. It is also unclear if the PlayStation 3 will be shipped with extra functionality or if it will have to be bought at a later date. In order to achieve Kutaragi’s up scaling dream, I would guess that a hard drive will be needed, which we already know will not ship as standard with the console.