Next-Gen Gets Scoop on PS3 Online Plan, Release Window

I think the article's strapline says it all:

Next Generation can reveal that Sony is planning to launch an online games service, largely modelled on Xbox Live, currently called PlayStation HUB. We also understand Sony is aiming for a September launch for PlayStation 3 in Japan and North America.

Click through for a few more details.

I personally doubt that Sony's gonna launch the hardware in the same month for both territories. In the US, it really doesn't make much of a difference whether you launch in September or November, just as long as it's in advance of the Thanksgiving shopping season. If Sony is really gonna blow their "spring" date and launch in September in Japan, I could see a US launch getting pushed back a month or two, just to give them as much breathing room as possible.

And if Europe isn't thinking they'll have to wait until 2007 at this point, well.