US$499 is the latest Playstation 3 price point being banded around the internet. Apparently several Californian based publisher-owned developers that have also been receiving their dev kits have been told that the pricetag is confirmed.
But (yes there is always a but), this “confirmation” should only be treated as speculation due to supposed inconsistencies regarding exactly [...]
"Cali Devs Say PS3 to Cost $499" - 05.04.06