While Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) has yet to confirm the 40GB PS3 for North America, the folks at SCEE as expected have officially announced a new 40GB model that is set to go on sale for 399 euros (299 GBP in U.K.) across Europe on October 10.

"The introduction of the new PS3 has been determined following user feedback from thousands of existing PS3 owners as well as research into future potential PS3 owners. The new model features two USB 2.0 ports rather than four and no longer includes the multi memory card port," SCEE explained.

More interesting, however, is the complete abandonment of any backwards compatibility. This new model does not contain the PS2 chip and will not feature backwards compatibility through software emulation either. SCEE said this reflects "both the reduced emphasis placed on this feature amongst later purchasers of PS3, as well as the availability of a more extensive line-up of PS3 specific titles (a total of 65 titles across all genres by Christmas)."

GameDaily BIZ also contacted SCEE spokesman Nick Sharples who told us, "We have made clear on many occasions that our priority is on developing innovative new features and services for PS3 and not on backwards compatibility. The 40GB model no longer contains any elements of the PS2 chip set which powered backwards compatibility in previous models, and is therefore only compatible with PS one titles."

He added, "For those who consider backwards compatibility important, the 60GB Starter Pack with extra SIXAXIS controller, two first party titles and extensive backwards compatibility remains available until stocks run out. With a 100 Euro price reduction from 10th October, this model is a real bargain."

As Sharples mentioned, SCEE also officially dropped the price on the 60GB Starter Pack to 499 euros, although in the U.K. and Ireland, the Starter Pack will be replaced by a separate in-store promotion on the 60GB PS3 the company noted. In the U.K. it will be replaced by a 60GB value pack at a price of �349.

"The introduction of the new PS3 has been the result of extensive research into the entertainment needs and preferences of the next generation of PS3 owners," said David Reeves, President of SCEE. "It has allowed us to deliver an extremely advanced, yet highly affordable High Definition entertainment system, configured to the needs of the next generation of European PS3 owners. PS3 has always been the device of choice for the discerning gamer and entertainment seeker, and the new PS3 is more than ever the perfect High Definition entertainment system.

With the 40GB SKU now official across the pond, GameDaily BIZ has once again contacted SCEA to see if they will confirm anything for North America, but we've yet to hear back.