Los Angeles - Sony Computer Entertainment America (NYSE: SNE) on Wednesday announced the launch of its long-awaited movie and TV download service for the PlayStation 3 and PSP handheld in the U.S., which will initially offer around 300 films and 1,200 TV episodes in both standard and high-definition from partners including Sony Pictures, 20th Century Fox (NYSE: NWS), Lionsgate, MGM, Paramount (NYSE: VIA), Warner Bros. (NYSE: TWX) and Disney (NYSE: DIS). Rentals on the PlayStation Network will cost between $2.99 and $5.99 for movies and $1.99 for TV episodes; purchased movies will cost from $9.99 to $14.99.

Foster City, Calif. - Sony Computer Entertainment America said on Thursday that the next system software update for its PlayStation 3 will add BD-LIVE, a set of interactive features for the game console's Blu-ray player. BD-LIVE will enable features such as downloadable video content, ringtones and games. Sony said the update, due for release in late March, will also enable photo and music playlists on the PS3 to be copied to a PSP handheld.

Tokyo - Facing mounting losses related to the PlayStation 3, Sony Computer Entertainment will lay off up to 100 employees at its U.S. unit in Foster City, Calif., Kotaku.com reported on Wednesday.