With promises of the PlayStation Home service to begin its open beta phase this Fall, SCEE boss David Reeves admitted that they were perhaps getting a bit too ambitious with some of the planned non-gamer applications for it. He admitted that many of these applications such as blatant sponsorships might turn off many gamers. Check out what else he said in our full article after the jump.

The Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) and some of its partners recently conducted a raid which yielded illegally copied Nintendo DS games stored on discs. Meanwhile, ELSPA's crime unit head, John Hillier, wants to remind gamers (whatever console you may own) the detestable effects of piracy on the whole industry. For more on this raid, head on over to the full article for more information.

Running out to your favorite sports store this spring is a good idea, because that's the time Nike's Nike+ SportBand will go on sale. Together with the Nike+ Coach system, you're sure to find it a lot more encouraging to run when something's tracking your hard work and comparing it to other athletes. Sprint to the full article for all the details!

As unlikely as barbarian kings going around wearing Nikes is, this was the latest rumor to go around Funcom's upcoming Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures (PC, Xbox 360) title. In a recent statement released by the developers, it was confirmed that the actual game will not support in-game advertising. Learn more about this story by clicking on the "read more" link below.

A lot of joggers already use Nike and Apple's Nike + iPod fitness scheme: run miles as the device embedded in the Nike shoes takes down the pace, time, and distance that you have covered during your workout. Now how about if you can upload all that data into a treadmill which will compute how much speed and distance you need to cover? Read all about it in the full article.

Tired of stripes on handheld cases? Looking for Nike's solid colors? If you're in Hong Kong, or have a friend in Hong Kong, then make haste and snag the latest issue of Milk Magazine, which includes a pair of Nike-branded DS and PSP pouches. (Read our full article to see the pouches.)

 

We spotted something in the Nike website which some of you non-couch potatoes out there might like. It's the Nike Amp Sport Remote Control and it's good to go with your iPod Nano anytime, anywhere. So if you thought that gadgets didn't go well with sports, think again.

The Amp is basically a water resistant watch that can connect to your iPod to control it when you're too tied up to tinker with it when in the sweat shop. The LED screen is specifically designed for the Apple iPod with all its icons and buttons to allow a minimal familiarization curve. Last but not the least, the Amp monitors your runs and progress if you ever decide to get Nike shoes and connect them to it.

The Nike Amp Sport Remote Control is listed in at the price of US$ 79.00 on the site. If you work out better with beats that make the activities a breeze, go for this one and sweat those inches away.

It was earlier announced by both Nike and Apple that the Nike+iPod exercise solution will be available in retail stores. Since then, the apparel had enjoyed tremendous commercial success. However, it seems that it isn't going to be smooth sailing from now on because the companies are facing a patent suit over the product.

Leaper Footwear, LLC owners Greg and Kenny Anderson filed the case this Monday in the United States District Court for The District of Utah Central Division. According to the two Andersons, they've created a similar product back in 1995 and was able to successfully had it patented in 1998.

The counsel for Leaper Footwear then sent a letter to Nike saying that the shoe maker take a license to the Anderson's patent. Nike, allegedly, wrote back two weeks after stating that it had "no interest in pursuing the idea." Part of the said suit reads:

Nike and Apple have generated hundreds of millions of dollars in infringing sales of iPod Nanos, Nike+ shoes, and Nike+iPod Sport Kits, easily exposing them to liability in the tens of millions of dollars for their infringement of Leapers patent.

It is further believed that Nike and Apples infringement has spawned additional revenues through sales of products related to the Nike+iPod system, such as the Nike Amp+ bracelet.

Nike and Apple have yet to make official statements and actions regarding the matter.

Reports are coming in that people have managed to buy an early copy of BioShock from Toys R Us. Whether it's an early release, a media promotions event or a shipment error is still unclear.

One report from Nike Talk forums comes from iceman3699 who said he just saw it behind the glass counter while he was out to buy Madden NFL 08 at Toys R Us and simply asked for it.

What's more is that he bought it during a promotion from Madden where the second game you buy is half off. Then he used a 20% off coupon. Result? Bioshock for US$ 29.99.

The receipt pictured is from North Bergen, New Jersey but if one has it chances are most of the others do. One account from Joystiq said that his local branch in Virginia will also have them stocked.

(Suddenly a massive stampede is heard around the world heading in the direction of the nearest Toys R Us branches.)

If you're going to the San Diego Comic Con this July 26 to 29, then you're in for a treat. Nike any comic con there will be lots of flashing lights, gaming, and comic books. The big news for gamers, though, is the fact that a playable demo of Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron for the PlayStation Portable will be available at the event.

The game has a new storyline and multiplayer options that should keep Star Wars fans very happy. Your team in the game will be composed of some of the toughest SOBs in the galaxy. After all, what would you expect from a team created by none other than Han Solo himself? The game will also have online leaderboards and stat pages for online gamers who need to see their progress as compared to the rest of the PSP community.

Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron is slated to be out this October, so that's definitely something to be on the lookout for. If you can't wait that long, why not head down to the San Diego Comic Con to try out the game? That should keep you sated till it comes out.