Processing power = Money for gamers? Sony explores new applications for PS3

[Da Ill One]

Processing power = Money for gamers? Sony explores new applications for PS3 | PS3 News | GamePro.com

For those of you who have asked, "What's in it for me?" when it comes to the prospect of distributed computing, Sony may have just come up with a way for gamers to earn incentives for their trouble.

Sony may have stumbled upon an idea that might just let gamers earn some of their money back from the PS3's hefty price tag. According to a report from The Financial Times, Sony is currently in talks with several business firms regarding the commercial application of the Cell processor, the engine behind the massive power of the PlayStation 3.

The news comes in the wake of the recent success of Folding@home, the non-profit research project currently run by Stanford University. After the PS3 joined the ranks of the CPU units dedicated to the project in late March, processing output for the project has grown significantly, with just 10,000 PS3s supplying the power of 200,000 Windows PCs.

The report states that, since word of the project's accomplishments spread, Sony has received several inquiries from business firms regarding their model for distributed computing.

"This kind of computing model could be used in a commercial application," said Masa Chatani, chief technology officer at Sony Computer Entertainment. "For example, a start-up or a pharmaceutical company that lacks a super-computer could utilize this kind of infrastructure."

To elucidate further, Chatani states that, should such a company seek to solve a particularly big problem through the aid of number-crunching, the project could be distributed to PS3 users across the globe. However, he admits that most users would find the idea of helping Sony make money for zero compensation to be particularly disdainful.

To address this issue, the company is currently examining options of repaying participants. One example he provided is the possible offering of incentives to those who volunteer the services of their PS3s, such as free products and money towards purchases made on the PlayStation Network.

[Todd]

i wouldnt mind some free stuff.