Joystiq

Select Sony stores selling PS Vita 3G for $200

David Hinkle — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 22:00:00 EST

A majority of the Sony stores across the US have dropped the price of the 3G-compatible PlayStation Vita, down to $199.97. The base 3G bundle includes the handheld, an 8GB memory card and a voucher for a free PlayStation Network game - if you sign up for data coverage, that is.

The image above comes from a Century City store in LA. Save for a couple of stores on the East Coast that had closed once we started hitting the phones, we called each and every Sony store location to confirm. An employee at the Denver location surmised this was a permanent price drop due to a discontinuation of the model and said there was no time frame on the sale in his system, which means Sony can end the sale whenever.

The New Jersey and Las Vegas locations also told me the 3G model was being discontinued, while an employee in Seattle said the sale would only last until Sunday. Other locations still had old pricing in their systems and had no idea what I was asking about - and Sony has yet to bring the price down online.

Last month, Sony Worldwide Studios head Shuhei Yoshida told Joystiq a price drop for the PS Vita in North America wasn't happening, even though Sony had just announced it would lower the price in Japan.

For the full list of eligible stores, head past the break.

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Select Sony stores selling PS Vita 3G for $200 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Mar 2013 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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3G Vita coming to Canada in October

JC Fletcher — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 12:30:00 EST

While US gamers have had seven months to choose between the wi-fi and wi-fi/3G models of the PlayStation Vita, there's been but a single option in Canada. Next month, PlayStation fans up north will finally get a chance to discover that the 3G isn't all that useful, when the 3G Vita launches on October 2.

The PlayStation Vita 3G/Wi-Fi Launch Bundle will be released for $299.99 in Canada, and will include vouchers for Gravity Rush and Unit 13. Rogers is providing the 3G service, in two plans: 250 MB for $15 a month, or 5 GB for $35.

The 3G service allows you to use the "near" location-based app, browse the web, and connect to social networking apps like Facebook and Flickr when away from a wi-fi signal. It does not allow you to play games online or download games from the PlayStation Store.

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3G Vita coming to Canada in October originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Sep 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Activating PlayStation Vita's free month of 3G service

Xav de Matos — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST

If you took advantage of the PlayStation Vita 3G/Wi-Fi bundle at launch you were given a handful of bonuses: a free month of AT&T service and a free download token for Super Stardust Delta and its Blast Pack DLC.

There are caveats, however. The month of service you get as part of the promotion is only available as your second term with AT&T's DataConnect Pass, meaning you must pay for the first to be eligible. Your free month automatically begins when your first is over. Oh, and that copy of Super Stardust Delta? Your redemption code will only arrive "30 days after your DataConnect Pass activation," according to an insert included in the PlayStation Vita's packaging. Hope you weren't planning on playing that for a while.

If that deal still whets your appetite, you'll need to set your new Vita up to access its 3G features (provided you grabbed that model of Sony's latest portable). To walk you through how it works we've created this short step-by-step instructional video.

Make sure to take advantage of the offer, though. The free month of DataConnect service will only be available until March 31, 2012.

Activating PlayStation Vita's free month of 3G service originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PS Vita 3G purchases include free data, 8GB memory card at Amazon

JC Fletcher — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:30:00 EST

If you have already pre-ordered, or were planning to pre-order, the $300 PS Vita with wi-fi and 3G support from Amazon, you're privy to some extra bonuses. The unit now ships with a crucial 8GB memory card, a free month of "DataConnect" 3G access (or 250MB, whichever comes first, a $15 value) and, as part of signing up for the DataConnect service, a free PSN game.

Right now, Amazon is the only place we've seen this specific offer. We're checking in with Sony to determine whether this offer applies to 3G/wi-fi Vitas sold elsewhere. However, it's a sticker on the box art shown on Amazon (above). That doesn't look retailer-specific.

PS Vita 3G purchases include free data, 8GB memory card at Amazon originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony: 3G PlayStation Vita not canceled in North America

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:45:00 EST

Despite Amazon's claims to the contrary, Sony reps tell Joystiq that, no, the 3G model of the PlayStation Vita is not canceled in the US. Try and feign surprise! An IGN report from earlier today noted that the Amazon product details for the 3G model of the Vita listed it as "discontinued by manufacturer," but when contacted, Sony's senior director of corporate communication and social media Patrick Seybold immediately refuted the claims.

He told Joystiq flat out, "This is not true," and said that Sony will be connecting with its Amazon contacts to figure out what's up. Both the 3G and non-3G versions of the PlayStation Vita launch in North America on February 22, with a 3G "First Edition" bundle preceding them both by a week.

Sony: 3G PlayStation Vita not canceled in North America originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony signs Vodafone as main Vita 3G carrier in majority of EU, Australia, and New Zealand

Ben Gilbert — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST

We don't really have a working knowledge of cell phone carriers in Europe. Whenever a company announces it's working with AT&T, we can say "oh man, AT&T, right?" and groan together. But with this morning's announcement of Vodafone acting as the PlayStation Vita's primary 3G carrier in Europe, the best we can offer is, "Wait, isn't that a soccer team?" (Apparently those logos on the jerseys are just sponsors -- who knew?)

But yes, joining the ranks of NTT Docomo in Japan and AT&T in the US, Vodafone will provide folks in "the UK, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand and The Netherlands, and with Vodafone's Partner in France (SFR)" with 3G on the Vita. To help incentivize the 3G model, Vodafone's even throwing in a voucher for Wipeout 2048 - hot dog!

Apparently 3G models of the Vita in said territories will come packed with a Vodafone SIM card. No pricing has been announced just yet, but we expect to hear more soon, as the Vita launches just four months from now in February 2012.

Sony signs Vodafone as main Vita 3G carrier in majority of EU, Australia, and New Zealand originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vita downloads limited to 20MB over 3G at launch

JC Fletcher — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:04:00 EST

ASCII magazine spoke to an unnamed Sony Computer Entertainment representative about some concerns about the PlayStation Vita. One of those concerns involved downloads over the Vita's optional 3G connection. The good news: you can still download things from the PlayStation Store when using the 3G connection in Vitas that support it.

The bad news is that, at launch at least, 3G file downloading is limited to 20MB or under. You'll therefore be downloading Minis or (real talk) system updates, but not full retail games while you're away from wi-fi. The representative specified that this was the case at launch, and the limits could change in the future.

The rep also addressed the odd proprietary memory card. As of now, there are currently no plans to use the format in any other devices. It sounds like Sony's not trying to push a new media format like it did the Blu-Ray -- this is really about making you buy one more memory card.

Vita downloads limited to 20MB over 3G at launch originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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All NGP models include Wi-Fi, 3G available in certain SKU

JC Fletcher — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 11:30:00 EST

Either there's a bit of confusion between regions, or Sony will offer NGP system variants with different communications capabilities in certain regions.

Europe will have the choice of 3G-equipped or Wi-Fi only models, SCEE president Andrew House told Eurogamer. "The first thing to clarify, which I'm not sure the presentation did a perfect job of doing today, is that all of the devices will have Wi-Fi capability; a separate SKU will have 3G," House said. The Kindle offers a similar choice, as does the iPad and even the iPhone/iPod Touch.

However, ITMedia reports through Twitter that all Japanese NGP systems will offer 3G. Whether there's a requirement to sign up for service with purchase, and what the available plans are, is currently "undetermined." No announcements have been made as of yet for North America.

All NGP models include Wi-Fi, 3G available in certain SKU originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: PSP2 features OLED screen, will offer 3G data

Andrew Yoon — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 17:15:00 EST

We're expecting Sony to officially announce and detail the successor to the PSP later this week. In the meantime, Japanese newspaper Nikkei is alleging a few early details. Firstly, the portable will supposedly feature an OLED screen. Secondly (and more importantly!), the system will support 3G data, enabling over-the-air multiplayer and video and game downloads. In Japan, the service will be offered by NTT DoCoMo. And although the PSP2 will connect to cellular service, it won't make phone calls -- that's left for the PSP Phone to handle.

The report doesn't detail possible charges for the 3G service and doesn't state whether there will be an option for a Wi-Fi only version. We'll be grilling Sony for all the details later this week.

Report: PSP2 features OLED screen, will offer 3G data originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 23 Jan 2011 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple iPad unveiled, like, for real f'real

James Ransom-Wiley — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:10:00 EST

It's finally over ... and it's just beginning! Apple has introduced the iPad to the world, ending a long-drawn-out development phase fraught with rumor and speculation. Today -- like, just now -- the iPad made its stage debut at Apple's "Latest Creation" event in San Francisco.

Quite the production, er, introduction, eh? Here's what we know right off the bat, courtesy of Steve Jobs:

"It's very thin -- you can change the homescreen to whatever you want"
"You can browse the web with it"
"Phenomenal for mail"
"Album, photos ... you can look at all of them, flick through them, it's a wonderful way to share. Calendar ... months ..."
"We have the iTunes store built right in. YouTube and YouTube in HD"
"And it's awesome to watch movies and TV"
"Even bigger than the DSi XL" (okay, so Steve didn't say that -- we did!)

Cool, but does it play games? Update: Yep, it does -- your old iPhone games! We even played a few in our hands-on preview.

Some additional specs: 0.5-inches thin; 1.5 pounds; 9.7-inch IPS display; multi-touch; powered by 1GHz Apple A4 chip; available in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models; Bluetooth 2.1 plus EDR and 802.11n WiFi; speakers, mic and 30-pin connector; syncs over USB; and up to 10-hour battery life. First-party accessories include a standard dock (think: picture-frame mode), a keyboard dock and a case.

As for pricing, the 16GB model is $499 (or $629 with 3G compatibility); or 32GB for $599 ($729 with 3G); or 64GB for $699 ($829 with 3G). 3G-compatible models have an option between two data plans through AT&T: 250MB of data per month for $14.99 or unlimted data per month for $29.99. The data plans are prepaid and activated directly on the iPad -- there's no contract (so you can cancel anytime). WiFi models ship in 60 days (late March); 3G units in 90 (late April).

Gallery: Apple iPad

Apple iPad unveiled, like, for real f'real originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Iwata voices interest in Kindle-like free 3G service for DS

Randy Nelson — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has gone on the record with the Financial Times as being "interested" in the strategy Amazon has adopted for free internet access on its Kindle eBook reader. "I'm interested because it's a new business model in which the user doesn't bear the communications cost," he told the publication.

There's no fee for accessing Amazon's "WhisperNet" 3G network on Kindle, as the cost is built into the price of the device up-front. Taking a similar route with DS would mean the handheld would have a free, "always on" connection, something PSP doesn't and mobile platforms such as the iPhone do, but at the cost of a cellular data plan. "Only people who can pay thousands of yen a month [in mobile phone subscriptions] can be iPhone customers. That doesn't fit Nintendo customers because we make amusement products," Iwata said.

Such a move would definitely expose more DSi (and DSi XL) buyers -- especially those without access to home WiFi networks -- to Nintendo's DSi Store, but Iwata admits there would be mixed reactions among consumers, saying, "In reality, if we did this it would increase the cost of the hardware, and customers would complain about Nintendo putting prices up, but it is one option for the future."

[Via Pocket Gamer]

Iwata voices interest in Kindle-like free 3G service for DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Desperate for Xbox Live? Hook it up with a 3G phone

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 22 May 2009 15:30:00 EST

Let's say, hypothetically, that you really want to play something on Xbox Live. For illustration's sake, we'll say that something is Halo 3. Alas, the "high-speed interweb access" you bought from that guy behind the 7-11 turns out to be nothing more than a tin can with a string attached. You try to use your neighbor's wireless internet connection, only to find that it's been encrypted. Ungrateful jerks, that's the last time you give them a fruitcake at Christmas.

So what's a desperate gamer to do? Easy, just hook your Xbox up to your PC and tether it to your 3G phone. Killthrash over at 2old2play has posted a handy guide to connecting to Xbox Live using a laptop and a Blackberry Bold on AT&T's 3G network. It takes some work and it's not as smooth as a dedicated connection -- and will probably destroy your data plan -- but gamers do what they have to do, right?

Now, if someone can make this happen with a Mac too, then everyone wins.

Desperate for Xbox Live? Hook it up with a 3G phone originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 May 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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