It’s no secret that Sony needs to pep up sales of the PlayStation 3. Nintendo’s Wii and Microsoft’s Xbox 360 continue to outsell the PS3 and as the holiday season starts to approach Sony needs to do something to get its console on the Christmas wish lists of kids. But what could they do? For starters how about introducing a cheaper PS3?

A recent FCC filing has lent weight to rumors that Sony is to release a more affordable PS3 model. Currently the only available PS3 model that you can buy is the 80Gb version but at $599 it isn’t very appealing. However a 40GB PS3 might cost as little as $400, putting it in direct competition against the Xbox 360’s cost of $450. The FCC filing indicates that Sony’s new PS3 will have two USB ports instead of four and include Bluetooth compatibility and wireless 802.11b/g connectability. The deal struck in early September between Sony and Chinese electronics manufacturer Hon Hai Precision Industry to make cheaper PS3s may be already bearing fruit. It sounds good to us but could Sony push its manufacturers to get the new PS3 out and on store shelves before the start of the Christmas shopping season?

via Electronista and DailyTech