With the PlayStation 4, unlike the PlayStation 3 before it, Remote Play functionality on Vita is handled on a system level. Though Sony's asking developers to take into account the Vita's different button setup and additional input mechanisms that the portable console has, the actual act of enabling Remote Play is handled by the PlayStation 4 itself. "On PlayStation4 , it just happens. You just make a PS4 game, it supports Remote Play," Sony Worldwide Studios head Shuhei Yoshida told us in an interview at E3.

We'd asked whether Sony's "mandating" Remote Play functionality from developers, and Yoshida first explained how it worked on the PlayStation 3 to offer some context. "The single biggest issue, why there are not many PlayStation 3 games that support Remote Play, was that it was optional -- the system didn't do much. The game has to set aside some memory or CPU to be able to do that, and usually, memory is the most precious resource that [development] teams fight amongst each other for. So when it comes down to the priorities, these are features that are very easy to drop," he told us. The idea with PS4 is that, by offloading responsibility for Remote Play support to the console itself, developers are freed up to make the control tweaks necessary for a comfy experience playing a PS4 game remotely on Vita.

"Please make sure that when you play your games on Vita, the control is good. That's the minimum thing we're asking them to do," he added. All that said, not every single PlayStation 4 game will work with Remote Play -- "Maybe not Just Dance," Yoshida offered with a laugh when we asked. That's a pretty reasonable exception if you ask us, and it sounds like only games that require the PS4 Eye or Move (or some other such input method that's impossible to emulate on Vita) are on that excepted list.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Peripherals, Software, HD, Sony

Comments

Sony announced that it will provide streamed PS3 games, powered by Gaikai, to Vita, PS3 and PS4 owners next year. While it won't make the launch of the PlayStation 4, Sony says it will be "fast and responsive," and hopefully worth the wait.

Follow all of our E3 2013 coverage at our event hub.

Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD, Sony

Comments

Since Sony's big PlayStation 4 announcement event in rainy New York City February, the Japanese electronics giant has been relatively quiet on the gaming front. With a teaser video in late May and an even teasier email sent to PlayStation Network users this past week, Sony's begun emerging from the dark. Tonight, the proverbial curtain will be whisked away for the largest unveiling of PlayStation 4 to date. And knowing Sony, we'll get an earful about the PlayStation 3 and Vita in the process. Follow belong after the break as we report live from the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena -- fingers crossed for massive damage jokes!

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals, Software, HD, Sony

Comments

E3 2013 is nearly upon us, and this year's press briefing lineup is an eensy bit different from past years -- most notably, there are four stage presentations on Monday alone, and Nintendo's sitting this year out. Rather than spreading out the gaming news cavalcade across one and a half days, 2013's press briefings are all Monday (excepting Nintendo's live video broadcast on Tuesday morning, of course, which we'll have available ahead of its 10AM EDT kickoff on Wednesday morning).

The full list for tomorrow's proceedings follows, including timestamps and links for you to set your alarm clocks and clicking fingers by (respectively):

• 12:30PM to 2:00PM EDT: Microsoft Xbox briefing liveblog
• 4:00PM to 5:00PM EDT: Electronic Arts briefing liveblog
• 6:00PM to 7:00PM EDT: Ubisoft briefing liveblog
• 9:00PM to 12:00AM EDT: Sony PlayStation briefing liveblog

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals, Software, HD, Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo

Comments

You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.

Comments

Sony's PlayStation Vita is getting a major content boost when the PlayStation 4 launches later this year, as all PlayStation 4 games will run on the Vita via Remote Play. The only exceptions offered by Sony Worldwide Studios head Shuhei Yoshida were, "unless the game requires specific hardware like the camera [PS4 Eye]." It also stands to reason that PlayStation Move-specific titles won't run via Remote Play, nor anything else that requires peripheral hardware (the Buzz! series, for example).

The PlayStation 4's Remote Play functionality with the Vita is said to be far more robust than its previous PlayStation 3 / PlayStation Portable iteration. Developers can even put Vita-specific controls in their PS4 games, enabling Wii U-esque second screen functionality, Yoshida told us earlier this year. We'll have our Vitas on-hand at E3 in a few weeks when we expect Sony will offer first hands-on with its next gaming console.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Peripherals, HD, Sony

Comments

Via: Joystiq

Source: Twitter

Sony's already got a low barrier to entry for developers on its PlayStation Mobile platform, which encompasses the PlayStation Vita handheld game console and a variety of smartphones -- just $99 for a license enables publishing across all PlayStation Mobile devices. Apparently that fee is too much for some folks, so Sony's waiving it altogether. Starting right now (as of yesterday, actually), Sony's "removing any existing barriers" between developers and the PS Mobile platform by dropping the publishing fee, thusly making it all the easier for devs to push their games to the Vita and various smartphones. There are already some great indie games featured on Sony's PS Mobile store, including Vlambeer's Super Crate Box and Super Icon Ltd.'s Life of Pixel, and this paves the way for even more.

Of course, Apple's iOS publishing fee is $99 per year and the App Store is certainly more flush with content than Sony's Mobile store, which tells us it isn't the license fee that's stopping people from pushing their games to PS Mobile.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Software, HD, Sony

Comments

Source: US PlayStation Blog, EU PlayStation Blog

Tired of all those messy icons cluttering up your PlayStation Vita's home screen? Sony's providing a solution in its next update, firmware version 2.10, which enables folders of up to 10 items to be organized on the screen. That means you could potentially take those 100 max applications allowed and stuff them all into folders on the home screen, effectively condensing your various home screens from 10 to one. The rest of the update isn't so thrilling -- namely, being able to identify which memory card you've got in the device, some email app enhancements, and video support which "allows you to play video within the browser." There're a few more minor tweaks, which we've included in the list past the jump -- a complete list of updates in gritty detail will show up here when the update goes live at some point "later this evening."

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Software, Sony

Comments

Source: Sony (1), Sony (2)

Took a couple of months, but EPIX is finally ready to fulfill its promise of PlayStation 3 movie streaming today. The network's launching its app for the console, giving users access to some 3,000-plus titles including the likes of The Avengers, Skyfall and The Hunger Games, plus a slew of documentaries, concerts and such. The app itself is free, but requires a premium subscription to really do its job. In fact, if you're already a paid-up member of PlayStation Plus, you'll get a free movie or special every week. A more handheld version of the service is set to hit the Vita in "the coming weeks," according to the company.

Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD, Sony

Comments

Two PlayStation Vita apps from international waters are making their way to North American Vitas this Spring, Sony announced today. Both Friend Network and Imaginstruments are headed to the PlayStation Network on Vita, and neither was given a price -- each is free in its given country of origin (Japan and Europe, respectively). The former is a social networking app that encourages new relationships (with strangers! gross!) through a variety of minigames, and it stars little known PlayStation mascot Toro. You can also integrate Twitter and Facebook to find real life friends, with the ultimate goal for reaching 100. The latter is a music app that enables some light music composition; think of Imaginstruments as a pared down Korg synth. Take a look at each app in action, just beyond the jump.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Software, Sony

Comments

Source: US PlayStation Blog

Despite the PlayStation Vita getting a recent price cut in its home country of Japan, Sony says it isn't getting a similar price adjustment in North America. The Vita recently dropped from 30,000 yen (3G) and 25,000 yen (WiFi-only) to 19,980 yen, but Sony Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida tells Joystiq that that same price drop won't happen in the US. He cited exchange rates as the primary reason -- Japanese Yen has dropped in value to (currently) 0.93 cents to every US dollar, meaning Sony actually loses money in exchange on products sold outside of its home territory.

The Vita launched in February 2012 and has suffered from poor sales throughout the past year -- Sony's hoping to revitalize that a bit with PlayStation 4 connectivity. Via Remote Play, Sony hopes to ensure that nearly all PlayStation 4 games are streamable on Vita. Whether that'll be a feature that consumers use is another question altogether; Remote Play exists on PlayStation 3 already, and it's not what we'd call a great experience.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, HD, Sony

Comments

Source: Joystiq

SCEJ President Hiroshi Kawano introduced a PS Vita info session earlier today. Detailing "everyone's PlayStation Vita," he announced a price drop for Japanese models right from the outset. Starting from February 28th, the price will drop down to 19,980 yen for both the 3G (previously 30,000 yen) and WiFi (once 25,000 yen) models. Yep, both will receive a substantial price-cut alongside a a 7-day free trial of PS Plus (including Uncharted, Ridge Racer and four more titles free during February), plus a free download campaign for its Torne TV service until the end of March. No word on whether the rest of the world will benefit from the same price reduction, but we've got in touch with Sony Computer Entertainment to check. Maybe we'll hear more on Wednesday.

Update: And SCE aren't saying anything more about those price drops elsewhere -- you can wait two days, right?

Filed under: Gaming, Sony

Comments

Source: PS Vita (UStream)

Good news: Sony has revealed a new PlayStation console! But it's not what you think. Instead, there's an Ice Silver edition PlayStation Vita reaching Asian countries from February 28th onwards. The new hue is attached to a WiFi model and marks the fourth special color we've seen in just over a year since the Vita hit shops, joining the more ostentatious blue, red and white shades from 2012. Hong Kong residents will pay HK$2,280 (US$294) to stand out from the crowd on the 28th, with launches also known to be coming later to Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. There's no word on if or when silver might reach other parts of the world, although Sony might not want to wait too long for any further expansion -- it's likely that a color addition will be the last thing on gamers' minds in a few weeks' time.

Filed under: Gaming, Sony

Comments

Via: Joystiq

Source: PlayStation Asia (1), (2), (3)

Though we're not sure why anyone would want to watch anything else, we're told that YouTube features much more than just animals being adorable and this video of DMX singing Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Perhaps you could use your just updated PlayStation Vita YouTube app to tell us -- you can even do so while watching the aforementioned rendition of Rudolph's Christmas classic, as the new update includes the ability to explore YouTube while watching a video. Other additions include the ability to both use and manage channel subscriptions, control video playback using the Vita's buttons rather than its 5-inch touchscreen, enable closed captions (when available), and more. Head past the break for the full list of updates.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Software, Sony

Comments

Source: US PlayStation Blog

Version 2.0 of the PlayStation Vita's firmware has just gone live, bringing with it PS Plus and a handful of new features. Thanks to the fresh update, the handheld's browser can be used without quitting games and has been sped up and overhauled with a revamped rendering engine and optimized GPU performance. In addition, the video application on Sony's portable has been bolstered to play 1080p video, and a brand-new email app has arrived with notifications and support for up to five accounts in tow. If gamers have the itch to transfer content from their PC to their Vita, the "two-dot-oh" release allows the mobile rig to connect wirelessly to computers and pull down content. For additional details, hit the more coverage links below.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Sony

Comments

Source: Shuhei Yoshida (Twitter)

Wrapped up in the Sony handheld's version 2.0 update, the PlayStation Vita is finally getting PS Plus. Detailing the offering for European users, the subscription-based service will add four free games per month, with the launch line-up including Uncharted: Golden Abyss, Gravity Rush and Chronovolt. Like its big console brother, you can expect to see discounted titles, free demos and other content arrive alongside full titles. Your Vita will also be able to tap into cloud storage for game saves, with an additional 1GB of space added for the portable console. If you're already paying for PlayStation Plus on your PS3 ( three months at $18 or a one-year plan for $50), you'll pick up the service for free on your Vita starting November 19th (and the 20th in Europe), provided they're linked to the same PSN account. There's a quick video outline (and the European press release) right after the break.

Filed under: Gaming, Sony

Comments

If you feel the current design of the PlayStation Store leaves a lot to be desired, then you'll probably be glad to hear it's being totally revamped. A new UI should do a better job of pushing fresh content at you, and its appearance will be consistent regardless of whether you're outputting in standard or high def. Searching has been improved to handle abbreviations and misspellings, and a dynamic list of suggestions will try to work out what you're looking for as you type. Also, Vita and PSP content will be separated, new filters will be available and content hubs will offer everything linked to a certain title, à la the Xbox 360 Marketplace. Sound good? Well, there's not long to wait - it'll be launching in PAL regions (Europe, Asia, Australia and others) on October 17th, while North Americans will receive it almost a week later, on October 23rd.

Filed under: Gaming, Software, Sony

Comments

Via: Joystiq

Source: VG247, Sony PlayStation Blog

PSP Comic Store, we hardly knew ye. No really, we hardly knew ye -- which is probably why Sony is warning PSP owners that its comic book portal is shutting down after October 30th. Come Hallowe'en, we'll lose the option to download the necessary app or buy additional titles. Any currently owned comics will be available to download again until mid-January, but readers will be on their own to preserve existing libraries after that. Outside of Japan, that creates significant problems for literary PlayStation fans: while PS Vita owners in Sony's home country will get a Manga store and reader in October, there's no equivalent crutch for other countries (or any PSP owners) at this stage. The console maker is non-committal and says there's nothing it can discuss "at the moment," which to us is a hint that we shouldn't plan our reading hours around a PSP or PS Vita in the near future.

[Thanks, Sooraj]

Filed under: Gaming

Comments

Source: Sony (1), (2)

Sony isn't sharing exact numbers, but Sony Computer Entertainment America VP of marketing, handhelds and home consoles John Koller teased that "almost all" PlayStation Vita owners are also PlayStation 3 owners. We were discussing the potential crossover between Vita and PS3 -- the obvious comparison to Nintendo's latest offering, the Wii U, and its tablet controller. The Vita and the PS3 are capable of producing similar functionality, and, if anything, with higher fidelity, as the Vita is a standalone console.

Koller says Sony invites the comparison. "We tell our PlayStation fans all the time that what the Wii U is offering is something that Vita and PS3 can do quite easily," he says. It's not just about the functionality, however, it's about whether implementing that functionality makes any sense. "It's dependent on the content. So we need to make sure the content isn't force fed. And, to us, making sure that the gamer receives the right type of experience is what's most important. So we're gonna pick our spots, but that technology does certainly exist here."

It wouldn't be hard to imagine Sony bundling the Vita and its new PS3 model together for holiday sales, pushing up against this holiday's Wii U launch. Koller says not just yet, though. "As we look at the lineup, there are gonna be some opportunities to do that. Whether we want to bundle the hardware together remains to be seen," he explains. It sounds like we'll be hearing more on that front in the future, as "retails asks for it all the time," Koller says. For now, however, he's happy knowing that the vast majority of Vita owners are already prepared for cross-functionality between the two consoles. "In the meantime, you look at the Vita consumer and a very high percentage -- almost all of them -- own a PS3. So you see that crossover works."

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds

Comments

Sony's PS3 / Vita cross-buy program might not be as simple as "buy one, get one" after all. Taking the stage at its pre-TGS press event, Sony announced a new Hot Shots Golf game as one of the program's first adopters -- citing a price reduction, rather then a free game, for users who pick up either the PS3 / Vita version of the title. In contrast, Sony stated at Gamescom that buyers of PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale and Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault would receive a second copy of the game for free upon purchase, indicating that cross-buy discounts may vary from title to title. Remember kids: just because you bought it once, doesn't mean you won't have to buy it again.

Filed under: Gaming

Comments

If Sony's handheld wonder lacks the visual pop your discerning sense of style craves, you're in luck: the Vita's getting a new look. Sony teased a rainbow of colorful handhelds at TGS last year, but opted to launch the handheld in a classic black facade and added a white version back at E3 that is slated for October. Now, the outfit has revealed two new options: "cosmic red" and "sapphire blue." The details on pricing and availability are still coming in, but the pair will hit shelves in Japan on November 15th. In the meantime we'll offer details for US and Europe as soon as they become available.

Gallery: Cosmic Red and Sapphire Blue PlayStation Vitas and Accessories

Comments

Despite having launched elsewhere in the world already, Sony's 3G PlayStation Vita is heading north to Canada with help from Rogers Communications this October. Beyond the usual features of the Vita, the 3G model offers access to various social networks while on-the-go, as well as a handful of games that support asynchronous multiplayer via 3G. Mostly, though, it just offers a $50 bump to the usual Vita price of $250 (at least in the US). In Canada, however, the 3G version is getting bundled with Gravity Rush and Unit 13, and the whole shebang is launching on October 2 for $299.99. It's unclear how much the unit will cost as a standalone (or if it's even being offered that way), but we've asked Sony Canada for more info. 3G plans with Rogers run $15 and $30 for 30-day packages bundling 250MB or 5GB data streams, respectively.

Update: PlayStation's Canadian reps tell us the standalone unit will also cost $299, and the bundle is only being offered for an unspecified limited time. So get it while you can!

Filed under: Gaming, Mobile

Comments

Source: Newswire

Of all the new features in firmware version 1.80 we're pretty sure that the ability to play PSOne classics was fairly high on people's want-list. Well, the update is live, and with it a list of the titles available. There are nine on offer today for US Vita owners, which are: Arc the Lad, Cool Boarders 2, Final Fantasy VII, Hot Shots Golf 2, Jet Moto, Syphon Filter, Tomb Raider, Twisted Metal 2 and Wild Arms, with hopefully more to follow. This is in stark contrast to what's available over the pond, as Kotaku points out, with over 100 titles hitting European shores from tomorrow -- somewhat of an imbalance. But, with Sony said to be targeting a younger crowd, maybe it's banking on some of them not remembering the PlayStation's golden age. Feature tour video after the break.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds

Comments

Via: Joystiq (1), (2)

Source: PlayStation Blog (EU), PlayStation Blog (US)

Gaming accessories come in all shapes and sizes --- replacement controllers, portable console suitcases, specialized mice, control augmenting nubs, you name it. Whatever your niche, you can bet there's a product out there to fill it. Nyko, in particular, has made a bit of a habit of fulfilling a particular need: manufacturing third-party battery accessories for all those short-lived handhelds. The outfit has such a solid track record in the category, in fact, that we had little doubt its PlayStation Vita Power Grip ($25) would live up to its life-giving hype -- but we decided to put it to the test all the same.

Gallery: Nyko Power Grip for PlayStation Vita review

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

Comments

Europe's premier gaming event starts today. In fact, Sony got the party started a little early, with its own press preview last night. The PlayStation maker is the only one of the Big Three to offer up a show here, but that shouldn't mean there's nothing else to see -- this is the place for game devs and manufacturers to make an impression on Europe's tastemakers and games journalists. If you're in the area, the show even opens up to Joe Public later this week. But if the Rhine seems a little too far away, there's nothing to worry about, we'll be bringing all the notable hardware additions -- just point your browser to our Gamescom 2012 tag. Our sister site, Joystiq, is also out in force in Deutschland, so check the More Coverage link for their take on what Gamescom's got to offer.

Filed under: Gaming

Comments