Looks like Sony is going online sometime in August. The article mentions "network adapter for $39.99" but fails to mention the cost of the hard drive. Of other interest they are teaming up with Earthlink and SBC broadband and provide you with setup disks. Funny how they don't include MSN Broadband!


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UPDATE 1-Sony to launch PlayStation 2 online game service
March 07, 2002 08:52:00 AM ET


(Adds details, background, previous FOSTER CITY, Calif.)

LOS ANGELES, March 7 (Reuters) - Sony Corp. on Thursday took its next strategic step in the U.S. video game market, saying it will launch online services for its market-leading PlayStation 2 in August.

Analysts had expected Sony to launch the online service, a long-time goal for the company since the $299 PS2 launched in Nov. 2000. Sony said it will begin testing the games this month.

The PlayStation 2 does not have built-in network capabilities but does have other high-speed expansion ports. The company said it will begin selling a network adapter for $39.99. in August.

That adapter will have ports for both a dial-up modem and a broadband connection, allowing both low- and high-speed access. Sony did not say if the adapter will plug into one of the PS2's two USB ports, or if it will slide into a larger port on the back that can also accommodate a hard drive.

Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) launched its new Xbox console in November with a built-in Ethernet port and the software giant has said it would begin to roll out online services this year.

The adapter bundle will come with a start-up disk pre-configured for a number of major ISPs, including EarthLink Inc. (ELNK) and SBC Communications Inc. (SBC), though Sony said any ISP can be used with the service.

The only console online gaming service currently offered in the U.S. is one for Sega Corp.'s now-discontinued Dreamcast console. The Dreamcast had a dial-up modem built in; a broadband adapter released later was largely unsuccessful.

With Sony's announcement, the only major console in the U.S. market without any online options is Nintendo Co. Ltd's GameCube. The $199 GameCube, released in November, has no built-in access ports, and Nintendo has said little about its online plans. REUTERS