This past week Sony introduced the beta version of an innovative new socializing interface on its Playstation 3 system. It is called Playstation Home and it is sure to revolutionize the idea of online chatting and mingling.

The "game" is free to all who wish to download it. Once installed, you can design your character for the world to see and head out into the Central Plaza to see what's going on.

The graphics are phenomenal considering that the files you download both at installation and during play are really small. Despite thousands of users online at any one moment, even the beta version runs smooth as silk.

Each avatar has several actions that it can perform to interact with other people online. From waving to expressing frustration to dancing, almost anything can be conveyed by the animations available. Chatting with other users is as simple as pressing the triangle key and typing to your heart's content. A keyboard that snaps onto the controller is now available from Sony to make chatting quicker and easier. If you prefer real voice communication, any Bluetooth headset will allow you to converse with other headset possessing members in real time.

The Bowling Alley is my favorite spot on Playstation Home at this time. The bowling game is great fun and can be enjoyed with up to 3 other people. You can get up a game with friends or just wait for 3 strangers to come by and maybe you can make a new friend. In the back, there are several pool tables where you can enjoy the same benefits as bowling. Arcade rooms have several different games you can play. All of them are well done and fun to play; more importantly all of them are free.

While Playstation Home is still just beginning, you can already see the potential of this fine product. I am guessing in the future that Playstation Home may actually replace the old menu interfaces on the system altogether. It's just another one of the many reasons that you should own a Playstation 3.

Thanks for reading!!