The latest issue of PSM has an interview with Kaz Hiral and Jack Tretton, two bigwigs at Sony Computer Entertainment America. Some interesting stuff came up.

For example, they quickly squashed the idea of a possible 2007 launch, saying the only way that would happen is if they didn’t have any software, which was unlikely.

And as to the quality of PS3 visuals, as “demod” at E3 this year:

PSM: Are you confident that the final PS3 will deliver the quality of visuals seen in the E3 demos?

Kaz Hirai: Yes, and I think the proof will have to be in the pudding. Because no matter what I say here, people are going to try dispel that and be skeptical until they see what we bring in terms of the final product. I’m going to say it’s going to be just as exciting or even better than what people have seen, we will deliver, just as we have on the original Playstation. The Playstation 2, and most recently, the Playstation Portable.

Jack Tretton: We wouldn’t be making claims of what our platforms could do if we didn’t feel we could deliver on them. We’ve actually got three internal [PS3] titles that we’re working on at Sony Computer Entertainment America. On of them, WarHawk, is playable, and you can compare the graphics and see them live, and also with another one of our launch titles, a game from factor 5 called Lair, again live footage, that footage compares very favorablely to what was shown at E3 press conference. I think that, in the very near future, you’ll see some comparable gameplay footage that will really put those rumors[PS3 can’t be as powerful as we’re claiming it is] to bed.

They also squashed the rumour of things being taken out of the PS3 to make the PS3 less expensive.

Unfortunately, they didn’t give any new information about release dates, pricing, or whether it would be launched in Japan first or what.

PS3 Forums – Sony Speaks