READ IT ALL :-)
When I try to guess why Sony made the Ps3 cheaper, it pops up faster than sniper bullet. Even though we all know that Sony made the ps3 cheaper to compete with the Xbox 360, there wasnt really an proof...TILL NOW.
The proof is this article I read off of a post a while back about sony loosing 700 million off of the Slim. What moron would continue to sell something that is DEDUCTING their money? Sony that is. Sony wants the sale charts to rise, to make them look good and be on top of the Xbox 360 and the wii later on.
Also, Sony made the Slim because the word of a "new console" will make people/collectors want to have it. Not only that, they advertise it, with over 6 different commercials and counting that I've already seen...in less than a month!
And, Sony's Ps3 wands? It's as simple as breathing to guess why they made them...to smack the wii off the charts and be on top. With the release of a new console, they "think" they will make it above the xbox 360, then from there, they will sell their wands later on and make them look "better than the wiis" so that people buy the ps3 because it has more of an "accurate" controller with better graphics.
Tell me what you think...do you agree/disagree? 
All your Natal info here: http://www.youtube.com/user/Natal360VsPS3Wands