PS3 Home service to launch in autumn

Sony has confirmed its social networking service Home will launch this autumn as a 'fully-fledged' operation.

The service began its life in 2005, but quality problems meant its launch has been continually delayed.

PlayStation Network director Eric Lempel told Next-Gen: "The reason we’ve been delaying Home is so that we can deliver a high quality service that the users will enjoy. Even though it will be in beta, it will be a fair representation of what the service can be and its potential, so it won’t be a 0.5 release, it will be a fully robust service."

Home will allow PS3 users to create their own virtual apartment space, which can then be filled with their own virtual belongings.

The service will allow communication with others by typing on a virtual keyboard, talk using a headset or using e-motions such as waves.

Sony claims it will continually update the social and gameplay aspects of Home, with further downloads planned following its launch.