3D PS3 Blu-ray going online in October

In June, Sony rolled out the first batch of stereoscopic 3D-enabled titles for the PlayStation 3, starting with Wipeout HD, Super Stardust HD, and PAIN. However, the Japanese electronics giant has been slower to introduce its 3D tech to movies played through the PS3's Blu-ray player, but that will soon change.

Engadget reports that Sony announced as part of its 2010 IFA press conference in Berlin, Germany, today that the PS3's Blu-ray player will be updated with stereoscopic 3D functionality in October. The update will reportedly be released as part of a firmware update for the console.

The publisher went on to note that a handful of past and future movies will feature 3D support, including James Cameron's Avatar, The Green Hornet, and the next Spider-Man. Notably, Sony's senior director of 3D development, Mick Hocking, told GameSpot at Gamescom last month that some 20 3D titles would be available within the next 12 months.

As with 3D games, Blu-ray movies using the stereoscopic technology that are played through the PS3 require a special TV set. Sony's Bravia line of 3D-capable HDTVs went on sale this spring, priced from $1,700 to $4,230.

Beyond 3D movies, Sony offered European PS3 owners some goods at the 2010 IFA conference, announcing a new cloud-based music-distribution service that will be available later this year. Called Music Unlimited, the service can be accessed through the PS3, along with Sony's 2010 models of network-enabled devices like Bravia TVs, and it will offer "millions of songs stored and synchronized through the cloud."

Sony did not offer pricing information for Music Unlimited. The company also did not indicate whether the service will be available in North America, telling GameSpot only that it is "pursuing a phased roll-out approach in order to provide the best possible service experience to consumers. Further information will be announced in time."