Update: the PS3 will hit shops 'early' November. Sony's folks say the new high-def console will definitely support the 50GB dual layer version of Blu-Ray as well as the standard 25GB single layer versions. Which is good news if HD movies on Blu-Ray take off on a big way.
Excitingly, Sony also revealed the final missing info on the next Playstation:
The hard drive will be a monster 60GB job - the same as the top iPod and more than three times the capacity of Microsoft's Xbox 360
It'll definitely play all old PSOne and PS2 games. Phew!
There'll be what Sony's calling a 'home server' feature. There are no further details, but I take that to mean streaming music, videos and photos from PCs, PSPs and other PS3s. It's also a given that you'll be able to connect up Sony Walkmans, Cybershots and - probably, considering the console has Bluetooth - Sony Eric phones such as the P990i.
The OS running things is Linux.
Can't wait!