Sony Preparing 80GB PlayStation 3

Regulatory filings indicate that Sony is planning to release a model of the PlayStation 3 that would include and 80GB hard drive in the near future. Due to changes within the Bluetooth module, the company was required to file an application to request permission to release it within the US with the FCC, which controls products that transmit or receive radio frequencies.

Sony is not commenting on the existence of the updated PS3, or whether the new model would replace one of the currently available consoles that come in 20GB and 60GB versions. Speculation is rife that the decision may have something to do with the current market conditions for HDDs, where smaller drives are becoming more expensive and mid-sized capacity drives continue to get cheaper.