Sony to take on Apple with next-gen PlayStation Portable, Android game store

Posted:
in General Discussion edited January 2014
Sony will challenge Apple's iOS later this year with the just-announced next-generation PlayStation Portable, codenamed NGP, and a PlayStation Suite game store that will also be available on Google's Android mobile operating system.



Sony NGP



After hinting that the next generation of the PSP handheld gaming device would take cues from Apple by incorporating touch and motion controls, Sony unveiled the device, dubbed the Next Generation Portable, at a media event in Tokyo Thursday Engadget reports.



The device is built around five key concepts: Revolutionary User Interface, Social Connectivity, Location-based Entertainment, Converging Real and Virtual (augmented) Reality. It will also be compatible with the just-announced PlayStation Suite, a cross-platform software framework for mobile gaming.



According to the report, the NGP will sport a 5-inch touchscreen OLED display with a resolution of 960 pixels by 544 pixels, "dual analog sticks, 3G, WiFi GPS, front and rear touchpads, motion sensors, an electronic compass, and cameras on both the front and the rear."



According to the report, the handheld will utilize a quad-core ARM Cortex A9 CPU. Sony is touting the device's CPU as "the most advanced" in its class, claiming the NGP will be as powerful as the current-generation PlayStation 3.



As reported by AppleInsider earlier this month, the Sony NGP will use Imagination Technologies' SGX543MP4+, also with quad-core capabilities.







Sony announced an aggressive release target for the NGP of the 2011 holiday season. The next-gen handheld will use a user interface dubbed LiveArea with built-in social networking.



At the event, Sony demoed titles from popular game franchises such as Killzone, Resistance, Little Big Planet and Uncharted, as well as several tech demos on the new device, including how the rear touchpad will be used for gameplay.



Epic Games founder Tim Sweeney was on hand to show off the Unreal Engine 3 on the NGP, starting with the same Citadel demo from Apple's Sept. 1 media event last year, but adding a "full living environment and realtime-rendered characters."







PlayStation Suite



Sony's PlayStation Suite appears to be the content platform that the rumored Android-based Sony Ericsson 'PlayStation Phone' will use. The framework will initially include an emulator for PlayStation Portable and PlayStation 1 titles, eventually broadening to a "hardware-neutral" development framework for multiple devices.



Sony announced Thursday that an Android-compatible version of the PlayStation Suite is already in the works and should arrive later this year, though Android 2.3 or higher will be required.



In order to qualify for the PS Suite, hardware manufacturers will need to join the newly minted PlayStation Certified license program, which will ensure consistent quality across different devices.



Sony's partnership with Google Android is a first for the gaming giant, which has tended to prefer proprietary formats. According to the company's press release for the PlayStation Suite, "users will be able to enjoy PlayStation content on an open operating system for the first time in PlayStation history."



Apple vs. Sony



Sony's inclusion of a variety of input methods on the NGP: gamepad, capacitive touchpad, touchscreen, analog sticks, gyroscope, accelerometer and dual cameras seems to reflect a growing desperation from the company, resulting in 'control creep.' It appears that Sony, after watching the iPhone and iPod touch chip away at its market share for years, decided on an awkward marriage of the intuitive touch and motion controls of iOS with the legacy gamepad and analog stick controls from its previous PlaySation products. As with the PlayStation Portable and the PlayStation 3, Sony has once again turned to raw hardware specs and processing power to drive sales.



That Sony is willing to partner with Google Android, as much a rival as Apple's iOS, only adds to the evidence that both Sony and Google see Apple as a threat so dangerous that it would turn rivals into partners.



A recent report by Interpret revealed that the proportion of mobile games played on the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP had declined by 13 percent. Even more worrisome for standalone gaming manufacturers was the fact that more than 27 percent of consumers who play games only on their phones actually own a DS or PSP, but do not actively use them.



Last fall, Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter went so far as to predict that "the PSP2 is going to be dead on arrival," though he, of course, made the prediction without knowing the specific details of the NGP.



In October of last year, rumors emerged that Apple was considering buying Sony. Apple CEO Steve Jobs had told analyst that the company was planning big moves with its more than $50 billion warchest.



Though the rumors were quickly dismissed, their rapid dissemination may evince the public's view that Apple is in a dominant position and that Sony is struggling. According to Reuters, Sony is expected to post a fall in profits next week when it reports its quarterly earnings. By comparison, Apple reported its best quarter in history last week with revenue of over $26.74 billion.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 137
    adonissmuadonissmu Posts: 1,776member
    Instead of chasing Apple they need to simply innovate.
  • Reply 2 of 137
    daharderdaharder Posts: 1,580member
    What? Sony's PSP was a premier portable gaming system long before Apple even thought about portable gaming, given that the system was released in Japan on December 12, 2004, and in North America on March 24, 2005.



    Get Real!
  • Reply 3 of 137
    sflocalsflocal Posts: 6,092member
    Sony was always known for making great hardware, and finished it off with horrible, sloppy, DRM-infested software that ruined the entire experience.



    At least Sony seemed to wise-up and let someone else (Google/Android) do the OS.



    Looks like it has a chance... back in pre-iPhone 2007. \
  • Reply 4 of 137
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by DaHarder View Post


    What? Sony's PSP was a premier portable gaming system long before Apple even thought about portable gaming, given that the system was released in Japan on December 12, 2004, and in North America on March 24, 2005.



    Get Real!



    What? Sega's GameGear was a premiere portable gaming system long before Sony even thought about portable gaming, given that the system was released in Japan on October 6, 1990, and in North America on April 26, 1991.



    Get Realer!
  • Reply 5 of 137
    emacs72emacs72 Posts: 356member
    some technical specifications



    CPU: ARM Cortex-A9 core (quad core)

    GPU: SGX543MP4+ (quad core)

    external dimensions: approximately 182.0 x 18.6 x 83.5mm (width x height x depth)

    touch screen: OLED (16:9), 960 x 544 pixels

    wireless communcations: 3G, IEEE 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth

    other: rear touchpad, front and rear cameras, gyroscope and accelerometer



    SOURCE: official news release http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...114703879.html
  • Reply 6 of 137
    solipsismsolipsism Posts: 25,726member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Suddenly Newton View Post


    What? Sega's GameGear was a premiere portable gaming system long before Sony even thought about portable gaming, given that the system was released in Japan on October 6, 1990, and in North America on April 26, 1991.



    Get Realer!



    What? Nintendo’s Gameboy was a premiere portable gaming system before Sega released a portable gaming system, given that the system was released in April 21, 1989, in North America on July 31, 1989.



    Get Realerer!



    Seriously, what problem could he have with the article. Is he really arguing that Sony’s old PSP that lost out to the GameBoy is some how a superior device simply because it was around before the iPhone? He made his typical complaint without actually stating a valid argument.
  • Reply 7 of 137
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by emacs72 View Post


    some technical specifications



    CPU: ARM Cortex-A9 core (quad core)

    GPU: SGX543MP4+ (quad core)


    external dimensions: approximately 182.0 x 18.6 x 83.5mm (width x height x depth)

    touch screen: OLED (16:9), 960 x 544 pixels

    wireless communcations: 3G, IEEE 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth

    other: read touchpad, front and rear cameras, gyroscope and accelerometer



    SOURCE: official news release http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...114703879.html



  • Reply 8 of 137
    I would like to see what the distribution of games sold in apps stores is in terms of "real" games Vs. "time wasters".





    Anyways, Apple needs to buy EA to stay competitive.
  • Reply 9 of 137
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by emacs72 View Post


    some technical specifications



    CPU: ARM Cortex-A9 core (quad core)

    GPU: SGX543MP4+ (quad core)

    external dimensions: approximately 182.0 x 18.6 x 83.5mm (width x height x depth)

    touch screen: OLED (16:9), 960 x 544 pixels

    wireless communcations: 3G, IEEE 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth

    other: rear touchpad, front and rear cameras, gyroscope and accelerometer



    SOURCE: official news release http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...114703879.html



    What is the point of multiple core CPUs when the target OS doesn't support parallel task execution?



    While the LInux kernel used in Android supports SMP, Dalvik and the JNI interpreter do not and execute tasks sequentially
  • Reply 10 of 137
    ifailifail Posts: 463member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Patranus View Post


    What is the point of multiple core CPUs when the target OS doesn't support parallel task execution?



    While the LInux kernel used in Android supports SMP, Dalvik and the JNI interpreter do not and execute tasks sequentially



    So are you saying that the new NGP (such a stupid name) is running Android? I HIGHLY doubt it
  • Reply 11 of 137
    emacs72emacs72 Posts: 356member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Patranus View Post


    What is the point of multiple core CPUs when the target OS doesn't support parallel task execution?



    an answer will be given once you can back up your claim (i.e., "the target OS doesn't support parallel task execution") with compelling evidence.
  • Reply 12 of 137
    palegolaspalegolas Posts: 1,361member
    Haha, and a few months ago we were led to believe that Apple was buying Sony.
  • Reply 13 of 137
    ifailifail Posts: 463member
    I for one am disappointed at no price release, but the specs are just mouth watering.



    That and the high tier support that will surely follow from industry leaders will make this thing amazing



    Im totally sold. Also, PSP on my Vibrant? Yes please!



    Im sure now that the Playstation Suite will be a serious pain in Apples side. The benchmark im assuming is similar to the phone they DIDN'T announce, which is pretty average for todays smartphones being sold.



    With the way Android is blowing up, and Sony partnering up with Android to push their content what will soon be the dominant OS in a couple of years, it could spell trouble not only for Apple, but Nintendo as well
  • Reply 14 of 137
    OK. Dual core this, Quad core that... etc... etc...



    ...and if it's not DOA, the 2011 iPod Touch and iPad-2 will have it for breakfast.



    It's all in the software/UI + the ecosystem.



    It's announced so early that by the time of release, the specs will be old news.



    Time will tell.
  • Reply 15 of 137
    They have no chance. This is a sign maybe? Sega went software only. Sony is now entertaining the idea of having games not just on Sony brands but on Android now? More piracy and less sales. Sony will be the new sega long before nintendo. I still remember when apple stock was $6 a share and the rumors were that Sony was gonna buy apple to save it. Good thing they didn't because the new PSP would have nothing to copy after losing miserably to the DS. They can cram a cell processor in their new PSP and it still wouldn't sell out more than a 3DS or iPhone.



    Atleast MS tries to do more effort into things like the kinect. Sony is a sad sad company any more. But I still love their stereo receivers and the TVs.
  • Reply 15 of 137
    palegolaspalegolas Posts: 1,361member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by emacs72 View Post


    some technical specifications



    CPU: ARM Cortex-A9 core (quad core)

    GPU: SGX543MP4+ (quad core)

    external dimensions: approximately 182.0 x 18.6 x 83.5mm (width x height x depth)

    touch screen: OLED (16:9), 960 x 544 pixels

    wireless communcations: 3G, IEEE 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth

    other: rear touchpad, front and rear cameras, gyroscope and accelerometer



    SOURCE: official news release http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...114703879.html



    And the battery lasts exactly for how long?
  • Reply 17 of 137
    addaboxaddabox Posts: 12,665member
    You know how people bitch about Apple Keynotes and Jobs' Reality Distortion Field and how it's all stupid and shit because he says nice things about Apple products even though people like totally know that they never innovate and it's completely over the top and whatnot?



    Having seen the Samsung CES presentation and now the Sony dog and pony show, wherein the proceedings appear to have been crafted by people tripping their asses off, I have to say they make the average Apple product rollout look a meeting of midwestern Republican bankers discussing wheat futures.



    Apple just puts its shit up there and Jobs says "Boom! Awesome! Look what it does! Look at how pretty! Ain't it swell?" Sony and Samsung drone on about bizarro "strategies" that involve a philosophical melding of hardware and some kind of human ascension to the next level of consciousness, or evolutionary transcendence, or cybernetic nightmare, or I'm actually not sure.



    I don't think you'll ever hear anyone from Apple go "Our new products. They're part of our Hypnodigital Overload vision. Merging the now and never. Soon. Across the Universe. Gabba gabba hey."
  • Reply 18 of 137
    oc4theooc4theo Posts: 294member
    This won't even be available for purchase until the 2011 holiday season. That's 10 months away. Who is to say that other competitors can't develop a better console by then?



    Quad-core is not only available to Sony to utilize. You don't show your enemy your fight weapons ahead of time, because he will know what to fight you with. But when you do that, it shows you are scared.



    Sony is definitely scared. And desperate!
  • Reply 19 of 137
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by addabox View Post


    You know how people bitch about Apple Keynotes and Jobs' Reality Distortion Field and how it's all stupid and shit because he says nice things about Apple products even though people like totally know that they never innovate and it's completely over the top and whatnot?



    Having seen the Samsung CES presentation and now the Sony dog and pony show, wherein the proceedings appear to have been crafted by people tripping their asses off, I have to say they make the average Apple product rollout look a meeting of midwestern Republican bankers discussing wheat futures.



    Apple just puts its shit up there and Jobs says "Boom! Awesome! Look what it does! Look at how pretty! Ain't it swell?" Sony and Samsung drone on about bizarro "strategies" that involve a philosophical melding of hardware and some kind of human ascension to the next level of consciousness, or evolutionary transcendence, or cybernetic nightmare, or I'm actually not sure.



    I don't think you'll ever hear anyone from Apple go "Our new products. They're part of our Hypnodigital Overload vision. Merging the now and never. Soon. Across the Universe. Gabba gabba hey."



    Another awesome example is when Sony spouted on and on about their marketing combination with Coke. That was an impressive E3 showing.
  • Reply 20 of 137
    palegolaspalegolas Posts: 1,361member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by OC4Theo View Post


    This won't even be available for purchase until the 2011 holiday season. That's 10 months away. Who is to say that other competitors can't develop a better console by then?



    Quad-core is not only available to Sony to utilize. You don't show your enemy your fight weapons ahead of time, because he will know what to fight you with. But when you do that, it shows you are scared.



    Sony is definitely scared. And desperate!



    I see what you're saying, but gaming systems has been presented well in advance for years. It's a traditional way to build up anticipation over time. Really just about everyone in any industry is presenting things well in advance. Apple is among the few who're presenting things when they're ready to ship, building hype with the element of surprise and polish. I'm sure Nintendo will be pushing their 3DS a lot over the summer and hoping to overshine the NGP release with a great first year. And just before the release of the NGP I'm sure the enemies will try to hurt them with some press release of what's coming in 2012.



    But I'm sure Sony is feeling a little desperate nonetheless
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