Sony: PlayStation 4 Sales Top 10 Million Units

Roughly nine months after the PlayStation 4 went on sale, Sony’s new console has sold more than 10 million units. That makes it the fastest-selling PlayStation yet and puts the system among the fastest-selling game machines in the industry’s history.

For context, Nintendo’s original Wii managed 13 million units worldwide by the end of September of its first year. Since April — the last time Sony gave a sales update — the company has sold 3 million additional units.

Microsoft last gave updated sales numbers for the Xbox One in April as well, with some 5 million units in homes worldwide.

The announcement came as part of Sony’s games-packed press conference preceding the massive 2014 Gamescom show in Germany this week. 

Sony unveiled a forthcoming update to the PS4’s operating system that brings one notable feature to the console. The system update, due this fall, will introduce “Share Play,” which allows you to play games in your library with friends in other parts of the country, essentially mimicking playing together in the same house.

“Like handing over the controller to a friend on your couch, your screen will be shared as your friend gets through the part of the game that has been giving you trouble,” the company said in a blog post. “Can’t get past that part in The Last of Us: Remastered when you’re hanging upside down? Get a little help.”

The update will also bring direct-to-YouTube video posting and instant access to friends’ broadcasts.

Most exciting to PS4 owners, though, was the panoply of new game announcements.

Q-Games debuted The Tomorrow Children, a whimsical game in which dwarf-like characters use picks to chip away at walls and shoot at large, glossy creatures. Open-world third-person game Rime, which made its debut at last year’s Gamescom, was also confirmed as exclusive to the PS4.

Thomas Was Alone creator Mike Bithell showed off Volume, his studio’s new game, which blends stealth with a futuristic Robin Hood theme. And Ninja Theory, best known for games like Devil May Cry andHeavenly Sword, debuted a dark action game called Hellblade.

The flood just kept coming. Until Dawn, which seemed to draw inspiration from The Cabin in the Woods, looks like an interactive horror movie. Another mysterious horror game called P.T. promoted what it called an “interactive teaser,” now available for download via the PlayStation Store. PSVita favorite Tearaway is headed to the PS4, as is the PC zombie hit DayZ.

Developer Bungie was on hand to announce that Destiny, its heavily anticipated online shooter, will ship to PS4 owners with a timed exclusive on certain multiplayer maps and that the first expansion for the game, called “The Dark Below,” will ship in December.

Sony certainly hasn’t had a problem selling games, noting in a press release that more than 30 million had been sold at retail or digitally through Aug. 10.

Sony India releases new headphones and earphones

Sony India has launched two pairs of headphonesgoing by the model numbers MDR-XB450 and MDR-XB250 as well as a set of earphones called the MDR-AS200. The last one is aimed at those who like to take their music with them when they exercise or are engaged in other physical activities, while the first two are meant for users who love bass.

The Sony MDR-XB450 and MDR-XB250 are priced at Rs 1490 and Rs 2190, correspondingly, and will hit retail availability within this month itself. The former device’s predecessor dubbed MDR-XB400 was offered in three color options of green, blue and purple. The newer headphones are set to reach the Indian market in five hues of red, black, white, yellow and blue.

The MDR-XB450 is fitted with 30mm drivers and delivers a frequency response rate of 5Hz – 22000Hz. The accessory is finished in metal and drags along a flattish cord with a serrated exterior, the last mentioned of which reduces the chances of it getting all tangled up. You will be able to stow it away neatly owing to its swivel-style folding mechanism.

The Sony MDR-XB250 would have been very much like the MDR-XB45, with its 30mm drivers, serrated cord and swivel folding design if it wasn’t for its metal-shunning body. Coming to theearphones announced by the Japanese company, remember when we said that the MDR-AS200 is for active people? Well, it’s got a water-resistant build as also, 13.5mm drivers and adjustable ear loops.

And just like the other two which were unveiled today, the earphones tow along a flat cord. The pair costs Rs 790 and is expected to be made available later in September. As we’ve already mentioned above, the Sony MDR-XB250 and MDR-XB450 will be visible on shelves by August.