New PlayStation 3 Model Has PS2 Support [UPDATE]

[UPDATE] Fuck you Google Translate. Unfortunately, this isn't true and was a poor translation. One of our Japanese speaking friends was able to provide this clarification:

Proper Translation reads: 

"本製品は、「プレイステーション ２」専用ソフトウェアとの互換性を有しておりません。 " 

Note the "互換性" says compatibility and "有しておりません。" means it doesn't have.

[ORIGINAL] Remember that "rumor" we posted last week about a new PS3 model? Where there's smoke, there's fire, and a new CECH3000 PS3 model has been revealed.

The added layer of copy-protection built into the BD-ROM drive isn't mentioned in the new model's spec sheet, but something very interesting and appealing is.

The official CECH3000 spec page on the Japanese PlayStation website lists the console as being compatible PS2 software, or so the translation seems to suggest. The exact translation reads:

*This product, "PlayStation 2" are having a compatibility with proprietary software.

Granted, the translation isn't entirely clear, but PS2 support has been done before on older PS3 models, such as the 20GB and 60GB launch consoles, and the reduced price 80GB consoles that released shortly afterward.

After that, PS2 support was dropped from PS3 consoles to reduce costs. At this point, though, the cost of the PS3's components may have been reduced enough to include it.

We'll find out soon enough, as this new PS3 model should begin replacing current stock as soon as it's sold through.