During a keynote address at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco today, Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios head Phil Harrison outlined Sony's plans to extend the online and social capabilities of PlayStation 3. PlayStation Home, set to launch later in 2007, will offer PS3 users an interactive living space in which they can place furniture and decorations purchased or downloaded freely through the PlayStation Network via a virtual PSP device within the environment.

With an avatar uniquely customized according to each user's preference, users can explore the 3D community that is Home - a sleek, modern environment featuring spacious common areas; custom spaces dedicated to specific games; and personal apartments. Each user is assigned an apartment in Home where they can invite others to join them as they show off their own style in an area they can personalize themselves with furniture, art and other items - even a different view from their windows. They can also show their personal video, pictures and other digital media content found on their PS3 hard drives in their apartments. Very rich interactive communication with others is achieved through built in text, audio and video chat, along with sophisticated emotional animations for each character.

Sony is currently running a closed beta test for Home, but a larger-scale beta program is set to begin in April or May. The final product will launch in the fall.