New PS3 Model Appears in Blu-ray Ad

This one seems to be shaping up like Worst Kept Sony Secret Part 2: Leak Harder. Remember that mysterious new PlayStation 3 model number that appeared in a recently discovered FCC filing Sony made? Like all secret hardware announcements that aren’t supposed to be public yet, it’s now appearing in an advertisement. An ad for five free Blu-ray movies (pictured) on BluraySavings.com (via Kotaku) lists the new model (CECHG01) along with the current models on market (the 60GB CECHA01 and 80GB CECHE01) as Blu-ray players that qualify for the promotion.

Of particular interest is the date of validation: the coupon stipulates the Blu-ray player must be purchased between October 1 (that’s today, if you’re not into the whole calendar thing) and January 31, 2008, lending further credence to the rumor that we’ll see a new $399 PS3 SKU before the end of the year. If this all sounds familiar, you may recall Sony eventually confirmed the 80GB PS3 model and price restructuring in July after Internet rumors were bolstered by a leaked Circuit City ad.