PS Vita TV

[Armand]

Interesting.... if remote play is successful I could see myself dropping a few quid on one of these. Also is this once again a sneaky way to get a Gaikai capable device under a tv?

 

Sony has just announced PlayStation Vita TV, a 6 x 10cm console that connects to a TV. It's based on PS Vita hardware, and besides playing Vita, PSP, and PS1 games, also offers access to a range of entertainment services and PlayStation 4 cross-functionality. It will cost 9,480 yen, or around $95 excluding sales tax, and is out in Japan on November 14th. A separate bundle, including a DualShock 3 controller and 8GB memory card, will sell for 14,280 yen ($143).

The PS Vita TV supports Japan-specific video services such as Hulu, Tsutaya TV, and Nico Nico Douga as well as Sony's own Video Unlimited, and also includes Vita-style apps such as the LiveTweet Twitter client and Reader ebook software. The tiny box can be used as an extender for PlayStation 4 games, letting you play them on another TV screen if the one connected to the PS4 is occupied, and will also act as a second Vita system to enable ad-hoc multiplayer gaming with the portable console. Not all PS Vita games will be supported, however, since the DualShock 3 controller lacks the Vita's touch and motion hardware required by certain software titles.

Although Sony announced earlier today that the PlayStation 4 would come to Japan months later than the rest of the world, the PS Vita TV looks like a good bet for the region. With the Japanese market dominated by handhelds such as the PSP and 3DS in recent years, Sony's best play for local living rooms may well be to go small. The company is yet to announce release plans for the rest of the world.

http://www.theverge.com/2013/9/9/4710080/sony-ps-vita-tv

[Alatar]

Also a new budget Vita:

Sony at TGS - Thinner Vita and PS4 Delays

News from the show floor

In Games by Daniel Anderson

9 September, 2013

@ClickOnline_

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Sony PlayStation got the jump on the TokyoGame Show yesterday with an early press conference that was a mix of new reveals and some fairly disappointing news for Asian customers.

Firstly, the PSVita is set for a revamp. Sony's dinky console loses some weight for a the Wi-fi only PCH-2000. It's 20 percent thinner and 15 percent lighter and promises 6 hours of battery life - trumping the original device by around an hour. You'll also find a new LCD screen and a handy micro USB charger, plus 1GB of onboard storage.

The PCG-2000 looks like its going to target a more budget friendly market, debuting at around 20,000 yen (that's €150) on October 10th in six colours - black, white, light blue, pink, khaki and lime green. That's arriving in Japan on the 10th of October, with no international release confirmed.

Then there's VitaTV - which is hoping to make gaming even more accessible. You can slot in a Vita game and play it on your big screen TV with a PS controller, and it also works with older PlayStation games and indies from PSN. And once the PS4 arrives, you'll be able to stream gameplay to another TV. Expect this fancy hub to cost around €100 and to launch November 14th in Japan.

And that release date is all the more odd given the strangest annoucement at TGS - the PlayStation 4 won't be hitting Japan, it's country of origin, until February 14th 2014. That's a full three months after the North American and European launch. At least every Japanese PS4 will come with a free copy of action title Knack, though that's not likely to make the late adopters feel much better.

There could be a number of possible reasons for the delay in Japan, maybe it's all down to the fact that Sony knows the system will sell there regardless of when it releases, or about presenting a console with more day one titles than the relatively spare choices during the Western release window.

Whatever their reasoning, Sony has its work cut out bringing their latest baby to most of the world in November, especailly with the looming threat of the Xbox One, which was finally confirmed for release on November 22nd. Though, again, that won't reach Japan til 2014...

- See more at: http://clickonline.com/games/sony-at-tgs--thinner-vita-and-ps4-delays/19896/#sthash.ywZCpSZ1.dpuf

Sony at TGS - Thinner Vita and PS4 Delays

News from the show floor

Sony PlayStation got the jump on the TokyoGame Show yesterday with an early press conference that was a mix of new reveals and some fairly disappointing news for Asian customers.

Firstly, the PSVita is set for a revamp. Sony's dinky console loses some weight for a the Wi-fi only PCH-2000. It's 20 percent thinner and 15 percent lighter and promises 6 hours of battery life - trumping the original device by around an hour. You'll also find a new LCD screen and a handy micro USB charger, plus 1GB of onboard storage.

The PCG-2000 looks like its going to target a more budget friendly market, debuting at around 20,000 yen (that's €150) on October 10th in six colours - black, white, light blue, pink, khaki and lime green. That's arriving in Japan on the 10th of October, with no international release confirmed.

Then there's VitaTV - which is hoping to make gaming even more accessible. You can slot in a Vita game and play it on your big screen TV with a PS controller, and it also works with older PlayStation games and indies from PSN. And once the PS4 arrives, you'll be able to stream gameplay to another TV. Expect this fancy hub to cost around €100 and to launch November 14th in Japan.

And that release date is all the more odd given the strangest annoucement at TGS - the PlayStation 4 won't be hitting Japan, it's country of origin, until February 14th 2014. That's a full three months after the North American and European launch. At least every Japanese PS4 will come with a free copy of action title Knack, though that's not likely to make the late adopters feel much better.

There could be a number of possible reasons for the delay in Japan, maybe it's all down to the fact that Sony knows the system will sell there regardless of when it releases, or about presenting a console with more day one titles than the relatively spare choices during the Western release window.

Whatever their reasoning, Sony has its work cut out bringing their latest baby to most of the world in November, especailly with the looming threat of the Xbox One, which was finally confirmed for release on November 22nd. Though, again, that won't reach Japan til 2014...

[Alatar]

Some good arguments here, and some good rebuttals in the comments

http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/09/why-the-vita-tv-and-other-microconsoles-are-destined-to-fail/

[Armand]

I think Sony are being very smart and the Vita TV at least shows they have a plan to be relevant in the gaming future. Gaikai is the long game and they are putting pieces in place to support it.

If you have a  good internet connection a Vita TV may well be enough for you. They can lock you into the eco system via their subscription model (whatever that might be for streamed games). If like me you have a less than stellar internet connection you can still stream games around the house (or even out of the house if some vids are to be believed) but you need a PS4. Also if your a hardcore game that wants that lag free experience the PS4 is for you as well.

They are giving the one thing consumers love...lots of choice.

On its own the Vita TV makes no sense but it’s one of the first micro systems that makes more sense when you look at the wider strategy. A PS4 + Vita + Vita TV (or 2) + Remote play would be a killer combo in my house.

 

All that said will Sony succeed? No idea. I feel they are on to something and they are at least trying to have a good go at it.

[Falin]

I really dont see any appeal unless you have specific circumstances or happen to already own a bunch of vita games. We have been talking about the possible death of dedicated game portables recently and this portable games on tv is far more niche.

I will be interested in a gakai device though that will stream ps3 and ps4 games.

[Alatar]

A nice Japanese ad showing the whole connected ecosystem

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=abRveeP_PzM

[Armand]

On Tuesday, 10 September 2013 16:21:55 UTC+1, Falin wrote:

I really dont see any appeal unless you have specific circumstances or happen to already own a bunch of vita games.

Like every PSN+ subscriber? Really cheap way to play some pretty good games you have stored up in your PSN+ account.

 

I will be interested in a gakai device though that will stream ps3 and ps4 games.

But thats the point...this is that device. check out the vid Martin posted It gives you the Sony vision. Gakai and streaming from your PS4 is key to all of this.

[Jono]

I think the PS4 streaming is the killer app - it basically allows you to have one PS4 but easily play its games on any TV in the house, without having to lug it around.

[Falin]

I meant cloud gaming PS4 games without a PS4. Like the onlive console.

[Neil O'Loughlin]

Money says the Vita TV will do that next year. 

--
Neil O'Loughlin
Tel # : 0044 (0)7894088352