PS3 online service goes live

Sony has launched the PS3 online service, with access to the PlayStation Store where consumers can download the first batch of playable demos.

The service, Sony's equivalent to Microsoft's Xbox Live and Marketplace, can be accessed for free, and lets new PS3 owners set friends lists and send messages, as well as create an avatar.

A number of playable demos are available, including Resistance: Fall of Man, Motorstorm, NBA 07 and Formula One Championship Edition. Two full games are also available for US$ 7.99 (EUR 6.25), Cash Guns Chaos and Blast Factor.

There is also a selection of game trailers for Genji: Days of the Blade and Lair amongst others, as well as movie trailers for the much-touted Blu-ray format.