"By linking your PlayStation Network account to your Facebook account, you will have the option for the PS3 to automatically update your Facebook News Feed with Trophy and PlayStation Store activity," says Eric Lempel, operations director for the PlayStation network. Although PS3 hasn't announced the same native Twitter support that Xbox Live gets, Lempel notes that PS3's built-in web browser lets users see their friends' Facebook and Twitter updates.

Both Sony and Microsoft have been looking to turn their consoles into entertainment hubs beyond gaming. Sony recently added Netflix streaming to the PS3, something that had already been possible on the Xbox 360.

By contrast, Nintendo Co. has kept its Wii first and foremost as a gaming system. Even so, the Wii has been outselling both the PS3 and the Xbox 360.

Xbox 360 consoles are equipped with Digital Rights Management technologies designed to detect pirated software, but some players have successfully modified their machines to circumvent DRM protections. The suspension prevents users playing pirated discs from using any of the Xbox 360's online features. However, they are still able to play all types of games offline.

While Microsoft did not disclose how they detect any manipulation on Xbox consoles, ZDNet reports that a non-standard hard drive is enough to get the console banned from Xbox Live.

The Xbox Live gaming service currently counts more than 20 million members, according to Microsoft. This means that Microsoft has banned up to 5 percent of Xbox Live subscribers permanently from using the service.