The latest peripheral for the PS3, the PlayStation Eye will be out this summer, Sony has announced, in time for the autumn release of the camera-based PS3 title Eye of Judgement which will include the PlayStation Eye camera, a camera stand, game mat and starter deck.

The PlayStation Eye is a camera and essentially the next-Gen version of the EyeToy for previous PlayStations.

Sony says that the new camera will have a range of improvements including two lens positions, a background noise reduction microphone and a faster frame rate(640 x 480 at 60 frames/second or 320 x 240 at 120 frames/second).

It will also allowing users to take photos and videos, and edit them using the included EyeCreate software which includes visual effects to add to them.

"PlayStation Eye is a great example of how we have moved forward so significantly with our technology", commented David Reeves, president of SCEE.

"PlayStation Eye has four times the resolution, twice the frame rate and double the sensitivity of its predecessor EyeToy."

"With the technology that we now have at our disposal we will be able to dramatically improve the communications experience enjoyed on the PS3", he added.