PSP = Pretty Special Powerhouse

To Bordeaux, where Sony is splurging a vault-ful of wonga on launching its new slogan - Sony: like no other - and sneak-previewing its next generation of products, in front of 450 cynical hacks from the four corners of Europe.

Possibly to Sony Electronics' chagrin, the no-expense-spared event - buckets of expensive wine, a stonking performance by Scouse scallies The Coral - will probably be remembered more for the brief hands-on we got with the frankly marvellous PlayStation Portable, which strictly speaking is part of another Sony division.

That one product outshone the dozens of others from Sony Electronics but the most galling revelation (at least from consumers' perspective) is that we won't see the PSP in Europe until September. The reason is because Sony wanted to supply the US market fully before turning its attention to us. But they got the maths wrong because hundreds of thousands of the million units Stateside remain unsold.

But in any case let the drooling begin: the gorgeous screen is terrific not just for gaming but for movies too. Controls, set in the classic PS arrangement and a nice analogue controller. The games themselves (including WipeOut and Ridge Racer) are nothing short of fabulous.

Start saving now. Check next Tuesday's paper for the rest of the rundown from Bordeaux.