Sony Computer Entertainment today announced the PlayStation Vita (PS Vita) as the official platform name for the next generation portable entertainment system. The company also announced a new PlayStation branded 3D Display.
The PlayStation Vita (PS Vita) (PCH-1000 series) is the official platform name for Sony’s next generation portable entertainment system or NGP. A Wi-Fi model will be available for 24,980 yen (including tax) in Japan, $249 in US and €249 in Europe, a 3G/Wi-Fi model will be available for 29,980 yen (including tax) in Japan, $299 in US and €299 in Europe and successively launch in global market starting the end of 2011.
AT&T will be the exclusive service provider in the United States for PlayStation Vita.
Sony said that “Vita”, which means “Life” in Latin, was chosen as the most appropriate name for the next generation portable entertainment system as it enables a combination of gaming and social connectivity within a real world context.
PS Vita incorporates a 5-inch multi-touch organic light emitting diode (OLED) as the front display and a multi-touch pad on the rear. Together with the front touch screen are allowing users to interact directly with games in three dimension-like motion, through “touch, grab, trace, push and pull” finger motions. Also PS Vita features two analog sticks. New titles are scheduled to be released from SCE Worldwide Studios, including “GRAVITY DAZE”, “Uncharted Golden Abyss”, “Little Deviants”, “Hot Shots Golf”, “Reality Fighter”, “Hustle Kings”, “ModNation Racers”, “Wipeout 2048″ and “Super Stardust Delta,” as well as from third party game developers and publishers.
Also, by having both Wi-Fi and 3G network connectivity, together with various applications, PS Vita will enable infinite possibilities for users to “encounter,” “connect,” “discover,” “share” and “play” with friends wherever they are. On January 27, 2011, SCE announced the first PS Vita application, “near”, which will come pre-installed. It will let users discover what games PS Vita users in the vicinity are or were recently playing, as well as let users share their game information. “near” also enables location-based gaming features such as “gifting,” in which a user can access virtual game-related items that other users are sharing, through checking in at geographic locations that others have also visited. The virtual items can include content unlocked from games, such as character costumes, weapons, and treasures. Sharing these items between users adds a unique dimension to the portable gaming experience on PS Vita while enhancing the social connectivity among the PS Vita community.
Additionally, PS Vita will come pre-installed with a newly developed application called “Party.” “Party” is an application for a portable entertainment system which enables users to enjoy voice chat or text chat not only during online gaming, but also when users are playing different games or using different applications such as internet browser.
Also a tutorial application called “Welcome Park,” developed specifically to guide every user about PS Vita’s brand new user interface such as the front touch display and the multi-touch pad on the rear, will come pre-installed. By playing “Welcome Park”, users can easily become accustomed to the three dimension-like finger motions used on PS Vita.
SCE will also provide location-based services on NGP as part of the basic features utilizing PlayStation Network. The new application called “Near,” developed specifically for this service and the network, will be pre-installed in the system to let users find out what their friends in the vicinity are playing now or what they were playing recently. Users can meet their friends and new players virtually, regardless of what games they are playing, simply by sharing their game information across different dimensions of time and distance.
New Stereoscopic 3D Display
Sony also announced that it will release a 24-inch 3D Display available this fall in Japan, North America, Europe/PAL territories, and Asian countries/regions. For North America, the 3D Display comes bundled with 3D Glasses, an HDMI cable and the ‘Resistance 3′ title from Insomniac Games for PlayStation 3 at a recommended retail price (RRP) of US$499.99. 3D Glasses included in the 3D Display bundle will also be sold separately, concurrently with the 3D Display , at RRP of US$69.99 in USA.
With the new 3D display, PS3 users will have easy access to all of their 3D entertainment by simply connecting PS3 to the 3D Display.
The 3D Display features a 24-inch full HD LCD display and adopts quad-speed frame sequential display technology in order to minimize crosstalk distortion. The 3D Display supports several 3D formats, including “frame packing,” “top and bottom” and “side by side,” which will offer users various options for enjoying 3D.
The display features high contrast (5000:1), wide viewing angle (176 degree) high response time (4ms GTG average).
The 3D Display also adopts stereo 2ch+subwoofer speakers. The stereo 2ch are placed on the sides of the screen and the subwoofer on the back.
The edge-LED backlight Display is 35 mm thin and features a curved line form factor.
The 3D Glasses come with a rechargeable lithium ion battery to enable quick charging time. A three minute charge results in three hours of use, while a 45 minute charge provides 30 hours of use, according to Sony.
Along with 3D Glasses, the 3D Display comes bundled with an HDMI cable to provide high-definition 3D entertainment out of the box. The display adopts two HDMI input connectors, allowing users to connect the display to the PS3 system as well as to other HDMI-supported device. Some devices including PlayStation 2 and PSP (PlayStation Portable) can be connected to the 3D Display by using a component input connector.
With quick start-up mode, users will only have to wait for one second after pushing the power button to boot the display. The 3D Display also offers a power saving mode which shifts to auto standby if it does not receive a video signal for more than five seconds. Additionally users can utilize the separately sold BD remote control (CECH- ZRC1), incorporating infrared transmission to operate the 3D Display remotely.
3D Glass
They also announced official 3D Glasses, which are optimized for gaming with comfortable stylish design and built-in rechargeable battery – a perfect match for the 3D Display. You’ll get a pair of these with the 3D Display, but you can also purchase them separately for $69.99 (MSRP) – and you’ll probably want to, given the new exclusive feature on the 3D Display. In addition, the 3D Glasses will work with a variety of active shutter type of 3D TVs and displays.
Each 3D Display will include one pair of 3D Glasses as well as an HDMI cable and a copy of Resistance 3 on Blu-ray disc—all of $499.99 (MSRP)
