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   TGS 2006 started early today (they don't call it Tokyo Game Show for nothing), and a plethora of news has already invaded us. The first one to catch my eye is Sony's announcement that the 20 GB PlayStation 3 model will come equipped with HDMI output as standard with the low-end system, not just the high-end model with a 60 GB hard drive. Moreover, Sony has issued a lower recommended retail price for the 20 GB PS3 in Japan, of only 49,980 yen (around $430). That's 10,000 yen (around $85) cheaper than its prior price!

   Unfortunately, the price drop only applies to Japan for the time being, so Americans will still need to have $499 at hand when the console launches this November.

   As for their decision to also include HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface, v1.3 supporting Deep Color) in the low-end PlayStation 3 model, Sony practically admitted that they made a mistake by not doing so in the first place. After the two PS3 models' specifications were announced at E3 this year, "demand for enjoying full HD quality image and realistic digital sound through HDMI has grown tremendously". That, coupled with a bit of desperation one might say, led Sony to make it a standard for their next-gen platform.

   Curiously, both these announcements were made only after Sony president Ken Kutaragi delivered his first keynote at the 2006 Tokyo Game Show. But uneventful as it may have been, you can still read all about Kutaragi's keynote in a special Gamasutra coverage.