Sony has announced that the anticipated online functionality that is supposed to set the PSN apart from Xbox Live, Home, has been delayed. They are expanding the closed beta testing to Summer 2008. They will be inviting further people to take part of the closed beta, but there are no details yet of how you can apply.

“We understand that we are asking PS3 and prospective PS3 users to wait a bit longer, but we have come to the conclusion that we need more time to refine the service to ensure a more focused gaming entertainment experience than what it is today,” said Kazuo Hirai, President and Group CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. “Our overarching objective is to provide users with new gaming experiences that are available only on PLAYSTATION Home. Spending more time on the development and on the Closed Beta testing reaffirms our commitment to bringing a quality service, maintaining the PlayStation® tradition.

The PLAYSTATION Home Open Beta service that will become available in Fall 2008 will be built around providing new and fun community gaming experiences, such as connecting PlayStation games with Home and providing places and items from the games.”

This will come as a blow to Sony and their Playstation Network hopes, as Home was meant to set it apart from Microsoft’s Xbox Live. After countless top Sony Execs stating that Home open beta would be available during Spring, it must be known that Home is not shaping up to be what Sony wanted. Sony fans are again left waiting.

What do our readers think? What will be the result of this? Will you still care for Home or after the countless delays Home is starting to slip off your radar? Let you voice be heard in thegamereviews.com forums.