According to rumblings out of Tokyo this morning, Sony is said to be evaluating the possibility of releasing a PlayStation 2 "networking bundle" sometime next year. Thereby, the system would be sold with the hard-drive and Ethernet peripherals built-in for 39,800 yen ($321), approximately 10,000 yen ($81) higher than its current retail price. Insiders suggest the move would allow Sony to adequately fight Microsoft"s Xbox and bolster the broadband ready PlayStation 2 userbase in Japan. Unfortunately, Sony representatives refused to comment on the news this morning.