Nintendo will arguably be kicking off the New Year in the biggest way with a live-streamed show from Japan for its Switch console. While details are still fairly sparse on the console’s capabilities, it seems like a removable battery won’t be one of them.

As per a recent Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) report that tested features of a “production prototype”, Bluetooth and 802.11ac Wi-Fi will be included. However, the report also noted that, “Battery is built into the EUT [equipment under test], and the user can’t remove the battery.”

This wouldn’t normally be too bad but the Switch is being advertised as highly mobile. Then there are rumours of its only have three hours running time for its battery. Obviously we’ll know more as Nintendo’s presentation near but what are your thoughts on Switch possibly lacking a removable battery? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more information

Following the news that Sony was developing new models for the PS3 and PS4, it has suddenly emerged that the new PS4 model has passed FCC certification. The model in question was “CUH-1115”, the last two digits signifying the region, with the new model including a maximum clock frequency of 2.75 GHz and an ambient operating temperature of 5-35°C.

The size measures 275x53x305 mm and weighs 2.8 kg, which isn’t very different from the current PS4 model. There are some variations with the WLAN and Bluetooth in the new model.

There’s a lot more that can be learned over at the official documentation. It will still be another 6 months before internal photos can be revealed to show off the actual PS4. Does this mean a reveal at, say, Gamescom? That remains to be seen but it’s certainly interesting that Sony would choose to revamp its PS4 when it isn’t even a year old. What are your thoughts? Let us know below.

Microsoft’s public perception with the gaming public, which was at an all time high after the initial success of the Xbox 360, began to take a nosedive in that console’s later years, as Microsoft repositioned the machine as a casual media center, and began to focus too much on peripheral apps and experiences instead of core games. Then after last year’s initial Xbox One reveal, it took a beating.

It follows then, that Microsoft wants to reverse its image, but the way it has apparently gone about it is underhanded, sneaky, and even illegal. If true, Microsoft may find itself in a lot of trouble.

Ars Technica reports that a leaked document reveals that Microsoft and Machinima are paying popular Youtube personalities to speak about the Xbox One, preferably positively, at worst neutrally; while endorsement deals like this are far from outrageous, they are usually accompanied by a message or notification that the content is in fact paid for, sponsored, or just flat out an advertisement.

But, the document Ars Technica has specifically says that “video creators may not say anything negative or disparaging about Machinima, Xbox One, or any of its Games, and that must keep the details of the promotional agreement confidential in order to qualify for payment.”

This is a clear violation of FCC rules that mandate that every advertisement or sponsored message is clearly labeled as such, and Microsoft and Machinima may find themselves in a world of hurt if this is true.

Responding to the increasing controversy around the incident, Microsoft and Machinima released a joint statement earlier today:

“This partnership between Machinima and Microsoft was a typical marketing partnership to promote Xbox One in December. The Xbox team does not review any specific content or provide feedback on content. Any confidentiality provisions, terms, or other guidelines are standard documents provided by Machinima. For clarity, confidentiality relates to the agreements themselves, not the existence of the promotion.”

We’ll keep you updated on the story as it develops.

The documents also reveal the number of ports adorning the next generation console as well as the plentiful vents that will it to operate between 5-35 degrees Celsius. The PS4 is also revealed to be weighing in at 6 kg – compare that to the PlayStation 3 Super Slim’s 2 to 2.1 kg weight. Of course, once manufacturing prices drop, we could see a significant reduction in the weight of the PS4 in years to come as well.

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According to some new documents uncovered recently, Sony is currently producing a slimmer PS3, and we have images of that as well. The new model representing the CECH 4000 series could be revealed at GamesCom.

The documents were filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and this usually means once it is cleared the model will go in production.

This has happened before as well, and it will be interesting to see whether this will be accompanied by a price drop, because such a change in the chassis usually denotes internal restructuring to increase efficiency and reduced size of components.

You can check out all the three images below; the second and third images are the PS3 slim and PS3 fat respectively. The new model looks much smaller and thinner compared to the current PS3.

Via Japanese site Pocketnews