Rumblings of the next-gen Blu-ray players continue to bounce around - better pricing, a 2.0 profile, and a slew of UI updates are supposedly on the ticket. However, given the history of the HD format, I wouldn’t bet the farm on these players appearing anytime before the next holiday season.

If you’re not the waiting type and want to join the Blu-ray party now, or perhaps you’ve finally discovered your inner gamer, the PS3 has acquired the people’s choice award for best all around box and then some. Movies, games, pictures, music, streaming, surfing, there’s not much this platform can’t do.

Today’s Walmart deal on the 40GB PS3 is a repeat from a few days ago, though that lasted but a few hours before the shelves were cleaned. The details are the same - you get the starter bundle, which includes the SIXAXIS wireless controller, and an online gift card for $100 that can be used on any of Walmart’s 5 billion other products, presumably movies and games.

Sale price: $399.99 (s/h $9.97)

Deal ends: n/a

Buy now: www.walmart.com