August 8, 2008 Sony is expanding their PlayStation Home beta test at the end of the month, and they're looking for testers in the U.S. that meet "a variety of criteria" including their level of activity on the PlayStation Network.
PlayStation Home is a "3D social gaming community" for the PlayStation 3 (think Second Life) that allows users to create a 3D avatar and a virtual apartment for themselves, and interact with other users in a number of ways. You can invite your friends over to text/voice chat, play them video and music from your hard drive on your virtual BRAVIA HDTV, strategize about your next Warhark battle and then jump straight into the game.
Our readers in the U.S. can apply for the beta by downloading a PlayStation Home theme for their PS3 from the PlayStation Store later today. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has taken a different approach - hand picking their testers from the most active users on the PlayStation Network/Store. If you think you fit the bill, sit tight for an e-mail.
Source: PlayStation.Blog