PCR Tech and IT retail, distribution and vendor news
In the wake of widespread Sony PlayStation Network hacks, the week started with reports that one of Nintendo’s US servers had also been breached. Lulz Security, which claimed responsibility for the attack, is already notorious for hacking into Sony on several occasions – but this time apparently didn’t take any consumer data or company information.
While we’re on the subject of the PSN crisis, one of Sony’s top brass – SCEA boss Jack Tretton – apologised for the entire affair on stage at an E3 keynote. He said: "My friends who are reporters tell me that there’s absolutely nothing in the world that makes their editors day like controversy and bad news. So to all our esteemed members of the press I say ‘You’re welcome’." Fair point, we thought.
But the PSN outage has been so devastatingly widespread that according to a PCR special report by Helen French, along with similar problems at Amazon, retailers are subsequently having a hard time selling the idea of the cloud to the masses. You can also read Andrew Wooden’s blog on the subject here.
However history tells us all things can change once Apple enters the ring. This week CEO Steve Jobs took a break from his medical leave to launch the iCloud service. But soon after it became apparent the UK won’t be getting it anytime soon.
Not to be out done, Microsoft had its own cloud announcement this week at E3, with the news the Xbox 360 will now have cloud storage.
In other E3 news, AMD re-launched the iconic FX brand, Nintendo unveiled its new Wii U touchscreen console, and we heard cloud gaming service Onlive is apparently due to hit tablets and smartphones.
Finally, in celebration of the return of one of PC gaming’s most iconic characters today – Duke Nukem – read our feature in the online edition of PCR June, available online here, or through an iPad app here.
Have a good weekend.
