Joystiq

Xperia Play battery life supports gaming for 5+ hours, and other specs

Andrew Yoon — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 14:07:00 EST

Here come the official specs! According to Sony Ericsson, the Xperia Play (aka "PlayStation Phone") includes a 1GHz Snapdragon processor with an embedded Adreno GPU graphics processor to enable "smooth 60fps" mobile gaming. And if the specs are to be believed, the Play will be able to game for "up to 5 hours and 35 minutes" -- making it a better performer than some of Sony's other handheld devices.

The device will be available in black and white, and will come with a 5.1 megapixel camera. If you plan on downloading a lot of games, remember this: the device will have 400MB of on-board phone memory and a 8GB microSD memory card. Finally, Xperia Play will be one of the first devices to support Android 2.3, aka Gingerbread, when it launches this Spring. For more specs, click past the break.

Continue reading Xperia Play battery life supports gaming for 5+ hours, and other specs

Xperia Play battery life supports gaming for 5+ hours, and other specs originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 Feb 2011 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xperia Play pre-loaded with 'legendary' PS1 game, will launch with 50 games from 20 publishers

Andrew Yoon — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 13:34:00 EST

Sony Ericsson has (finally!) officially announced details on the Xperia Play, aka PlayStation Phone. The device will come pre-loaded with a "legendary" PS1 game, according to Kazuo "Ridge Racer" Hirai and a number of PlayStation titles will be available through the Android Marketplace "exclusively to Xperia Play" for a limited time. PlayStation Suite will be available later in the year.

In addition, Ericsson has revealed that 20 publishers are working on content on the device, with up to 50 games available at launch. Some of the brands you can expect on the device include the not-so-dead Guitar Hero, Assassin's Creed, Battlefield, and Dead Space. Notably, EA's FIFA will be "the first multiplayer FIFA game on mobile."

Many of the games available on Xperia Play are ports, and a partnership with Unity -- a cross-platform engine -- will allow for easy and optimized ports to Sony's mobile device. But there are some exclusives beyond PSone games: Dungeon Defender Wave 2, for example, is exclusive to the platform. Today's announcements make it clear that Android's finally got game -- but are you interested?

Gallery: Xperia Play

Xperia Play pre-loaded with 'legendary' PS1 game, will launch with 50 games from 20 publishers originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 Feb 2011 13:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony's Hirai on the challenges of differentiating a PlayStation Phone and PSP 2

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 20:30:00 EST

Based on the rumors circulating on this here internet, Sony supposedly intends to release two handheld devices in 2011: the PlayStation Phone and the PSP2. Although both are multi-function gaming devices, the two seem to be taking very different approaches, which have many confused about the direction Sony intends on going. Even PlayStation's Kazuo Hirai admits this is a challenge, telling the New York Times that ''we don't want gamers to be asking, what's the difference between that and a PSP ... We have to come up with a message that users will understand." Of course, "that" being the rumored PlayStation Phone (Xperia Play?). While Hirai didn't offer an official confirmation of its existence, he did add that "it would have to be a product that keeps the PlayStation's strengths intact."

The chat also touched upon the successor to the PSP, and Hirai's candid comments seem to give light to what Sony has planned for its next-generation device. Most importantly, and unsurprisingly, it seems a touch mechanic will be implemented with Hirai admitting that "there are [games] where you can play perfectly well with a touch panel. But you can definitely play immersive games better with physical buttons and pads. I think there could be games where you're able to use both in combination.''

Earlier rumors suggested that PSP2 would feature some kind of touch-based "trackpad," and Hirai's comments seem to further cement that possibility. Could the next system really offer "early PS3 graphics"? And if so, what will the slogan be? "It Only Does Everything on the Go ... Except Make Calls, Which is What the PlayStation Phone Does Instead"?

Sony's Hirai on the challenges of differentiating a PlayStation Phone and PSP 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony to announce 'new PSP product' when 'the timing is right,' VP says

Andrew Yoon — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 15:40:00 EST

Is the PSP Phone real? Sony isn't directly commenting on it right now, but a recent earnings call reveals one of the strangest non-denials we've ever seen. "As for the new PSP product, as mentioned, I know that you are not asking me to tell you when we will be coming out with a new product, but there is a gaming market based on [the] cellphones," a Sony VP (presumably CFO Masaru Kato) stated during the call. "It's not that we are not looking into those markets as well. We will look into those markets in trying to develop strategy for the future." Essentially, Sony isn't not making a gaming phone.

Although the Sony representative repeats that he cannot talk about specific products in development, he does note that the planning and development of the "new product ... we are making right now" would come from under a single Sony "umbrella" that combines various branches of the company -- like Ericsson and SCE. But when will we find out more about this mysterious device? "When the timing is right we can probably announce [to] you about the new product that we have."

For Sony's sake, we hope the "timing" is before Engadget gets another scoop on this not not in development phone.

Sony to announce 'new PSP product' when 'the timing is right,' VP says originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlayStation Phone leak reveals prototype device, platform details

Andrew Yoon — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 21:25:00 EST

Could this be it? The long-rumored PlayStation Phone appears to have taken a giant leap towards being real, thanks to these incredible pictures sent to Engadget. Although the slide-out D-Pad and PlayStation face buttons make it look very similar to a PSP Go, the Android-loaded device is considerably more powerful, sporting a 1GHz Qualcomm MSM8655 chip and 512MB of RAM. (The PSP, by comparison, has a 333MHz processor with 32MB of RAM.)

You can also see what looks to be the PS button underneath the D-Pad (with placeholder marking) and the big, rounded rectangle in the middle is reportedly a touch-sensitive strip capable of mimicking dual-analog input.

This prototype device certainly looks like the real deal, but the lack of a custom Android skin and any obvious PSP branding raises even more questions. When will this device be ready, let alone announced? How much will it be? Maybe most importantly, what kind of games will be compatible with it?

PlayStation Phone leak reveals prototype device, platform details originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 21:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: Sony's PlayStation division looking for engineers with Android dev experience

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 15:30:00 EST

Back in August, our sister site Engadget reported on a forthcoming Sony Ericsson phone with PlayStation branding -- a phone that would employ Android OS 3.0. Sony still hasn't made a peep officially but has, in the meantime, posted a job listing for a senior server engineer in London with "experience in mobile development." The company noted, "specifically Android is a plus."

Since Engadget first pointed out the job listing, the "specifically Android is a plus" part has been removed (the unaltered image can be seen above). Whether that makes the long-rumored Ericsson / PlayStation partnership any more realistic is hard to say. We'll believe it when we see it.

Rumor: Sony's PlayStation division looking for engineers with Android dev experience originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Sep 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WSJ: Sony planning PlayStation-compatible smartphone and tablet for this year

Randy Nelson — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:20:00 EST

In what it says is a reaction to Apple's growing footprint in portable gaming, the Wall Street Journal reports that Sony is prepping a 2010 launch of a smartphone and an iPad competitor -- said to be "a portable device that blurs distinctions among a netbook, an e-reader and a PlayStation Portable" -- both capable of running PS1 games. The paper cites "people familiar with the matter" as its sources, which have also told it that the devices will work with Sony's iTunes Store challenger, the Sony Online Service, that launches this month.

The WSJ also reports that the phone is being developed in conjunction with Sony Ericsson, with Sony proper being much more involved in the design of the device over past projects, due to the company's growing focus on smartphones and other mobile platforms. Development is said to be under the direction of Senior Vice President Kunimasa Suzuki, who acts as a deputy to PlayStation boss Kaz Hirai in Sony's gaming and Network Products & Services divisions.

Of course, this isn't the first time we've heard talk of a fabled "PlayStation Phone," and likely won't be the last -- hopefully the next time there's news, it will come in the form of an official product announcement by Sony.

[Via VG247]

WSJ: Sony planning PlayStation-compatible smartphone and tablet for this year originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Ericsson's 'Aino' is almost a PSP phone ... but not really

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 21:00:00 EST

The long rumored PSP phone may still be far away (or never coming, for that matter), but at least Sony Ericsson plans on bringing some of the PSP's functionality to its "Aino" phone. Though the Aino won't feature UMD support (where have we heard that before?), it will allow for Remote Play functionality, essentially granting the phone remote, limited access to a linked PlayStation 3.

Sony Ericsson's Lisa Canning told the Euro PS blog that the first Aino will be arriving "early October in the UK, with the rest of Europe to follow," though no release Stateside has been announced yet. Aside from the missing UMD playback ability, no indication is given whether or not it will support PSP Minis, but unfortunately no games can be played through the Aino's Remote Play functionality. We're still not sure if a PSP phone is ever going to come out -- we are sure, however, that we stopped holding our breath for one a long, long time ago.

Sony Ericsson's 'Aino' is almost a PSP phone ... but not really originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nikkei Biz Daily: Sony considering iPhone competitor

Xav de Matos — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EST

Sony is considering a gaming/phone hybrid device as a direct competitor to the iPhone, according to Nikkei Business Daily (Via Reuters). Unless you're new to the Sony Phone rumor mill, a gaming/phone hybrid has long since been rumored to be in development, but has been denied by the Japanese hardware manufacturer.

Sony currently develops mobile devices with Swedish partner Ericsson. In early 2009, MobileToday sources claimed Sony Ericsson had pitched the idea of a PlayStation-branded phone to Sony Corp, but was denied the rights to use the trademark. The rumor went on to further claim Sony only plans to license a PlayStation phone if the company plans to make handsets independently from Ericsson. In May 2009, Sony Ericsson president Hideki Komiyama stated that his company was destined to "lose" if they did not adapt to the "new technology and new market environment" -- presumably referring to Apple's iPhone.

According to the new rumor, Sony plans to set up a project team to develop the new device, which will combine functions of the PSP and Sony Ericsson's mobile phones. A PSP phone? Just imagine how much that mythical beast would cost.

[Image Credit: Engadget]

Nikkei Biz Daily: Sony considering iPhone competitor originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 27 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Sony refuses use of PlayStation brand for PSP phone

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 18:15:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PSP

Rumors of a PSP-infused phone (or is it a phone-infused PSP?) have been circulating since the dawn of time -- we figured if anyone would be working on this Frankenportable, it would be Sony Ericsson, the beleaguered mobile phone branch of Sony Corp. However, if a report from UK cellular phone industry news site Mobile Today proves accurate, we've been in the wrong this whole time -- according to them, Sony Ericsson was recently refused the use of the PlayStation brand by their parent company. A fairly sick burn, if true.

The story, which comes from several anonymous "sources close to the matter", claims that Sony will only license the PlayStation brand if and when Sony begins making handsets independently from Ericsson. A Sony Ericsson representative wouldn't comment on the report, but did say that "technical specs are not high enough to put such a prestigious brand on a phone."

[Via Pocket Gamer]

Report: Sony refuses use of PlayStation brand for PSP phone originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 17 Jan 2009 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Ericsson refused PlayStation-brand phone idea

Majed Athab — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Peripherals

The PSP Phone is an urban legend. It never existed, but it's way too good to let go of. So, that brings us back to this story wherein Sony Ericsson allegedly was refused the use of the PlayStation brand name for phones despite the idea being pitched this past December. This is according to MobileToday which has cited "several sources close to the matter."

According to the source article, Sony only plans to license a PlayStation phone if the company plans to make handsets independently from Ericsson. So when's that going to happen and what do we have to do to make it happen?

[Via Engadget]

Sony Ericsson refused PlayStation-brand phone idea originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Jan 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSP phone mod ain't pretty, but it rings

James Ransom-Wiley — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hacks, Sony PSP, Mobile

In a striking departure from the initial blueprint, the world's first "PSP Phone" has killed two birds with one stone:

Added a working phone feature (Check!)
Got rid of that blasted UMD drive (Check!)

We're not sure which is more preposterous: Quadrupling the size of your cell phone (and in turn, clutching a PSP to your ear), or cutting a hole in your PSP and gluing a cell phone in there? Sony, please take this as a sign that folks are getting mighty desperate for the real thing.

[Via Engadget]

PSP phone mod ain't pretty, but it rings originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Aug 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: PlayStation phone's future in flux

Ludwig Kietzmann — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:15:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PSP, Mobile

Despite being an obvious consideration for Sony Ericsson, the nigh mythical "PlayStation phone" has spectacularly failed to materialize -- outside of some dodgy patent drawings. If a recent report by Marketing News is to be believed, the project's current status is up in the air, flitting between sharply dressed men sitting in a board room.

According to the publication's sources, the relationship between Sony and Sony Ericsson has become "frosty," with alleged insider conversations asserting that the gaming giant will "never give its PlayStation branding" to a cellular project. There's been some hesitance on this subject before, with Sony Ericsson's Peter Ahnegard stating, "Up until today we haven't felt we could launch a PlayStation phone because it wouldn't be recognized as a true continuation of that brand of products." Marketing News also notes that sources in Japan and Korea point to the PSP being "converted" into a phone.

Is the PlayStation-branded phone's future in flux? Is such a thing even in development? Will we have it in our mitts during Christmas 2009? This one's too confusing to call.

Rumor: PlayStation phone's future in flux originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSP Phone rumors resurface

Jem Alexander — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:05:00 EST

Filed under: News

These PSP Phone rumors just won't go away, will they? Another one has surfaced today via UK marketing magazine, Marketing Week. Their sources say that a phone incorporating elements from the PSP will be out in time for Christmas 2009. Interestingly, the article also intimates that "the relationship between Sony and Sony Ericsson has become 'frosty'" and that "Sony would "never give its PlayStation branding" to the Sony Ericsson joint venture." Interesting.

If this phone is in the works, despite a breakdown between Sony and Sony Ericsson, could Sony be working on it alone? GameIndustry.biz state that Sony have previously confirmed that they are not working with Sony Ericsson on any such device. We'll be keeping our ear to the ground in case any new information becomes available.

[Via GI.biz]

PSP Phone rumors resurface originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Another PSP Phone patent appears, with touchscreen and feedback

Scott Jon Siegel — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Portable, Sony PSP, Mobile

Another patent has emerged for the elusive "PSP Phone," this time featuring an iPhone-esque touchscreen design, rather than the ugly swivel-screen look. The patent, filed by Sony Ericsson, uses a combination of the touch-screen, accelerometer and haptics to alter the display and buttons for different modes, as well as offer sensory feedback for button presses.

Sure, that all sounds fancy in theory, but we'll hold off on further analysis until Sony's ready to show this puppy off (or at least admit that the darn thing is in development).

[Via PSP Fanboy]

Another PSP Phone patent appears, with touchscreen and feedback originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yet another PSP phone patent surfaces

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

The PSP Phone is quite the legend in this neck of the woods. It's no secret that Sony Ericsson wants to create a hybrid phone/gaming device. The number of murmurs heard throughout the web attest to that fact. However, it looks like the company has created failed attempt after another, as patents slowly become unearthed. Unwired View happend to stumble upon another. This design reminds us of what the PSP would look like if it had kids with the Game Boy Micro.

Will the PSP Phone ever become reality? Chances are, yes. The real question is: when?

[Via Pocket Gamer]

Yet another PSP phone patent surfaces originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Mar 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia isn't afraid of the non-existent PSP Phone

Jem Alexander — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

Whether the PSP Phone is in development or not, Nokia doesn't care. They're not afraid. When asked what he thought of the idea of the PSP Phone Jaakko Kaidesoja, head of Nokia Games, responded that he's "not scared about anybody." He goes on to say that "the real question is how do they [Sony Ericsson] do it? Can they create a link between the PSP games and a phone? Can they do the multiplayer and online stuff? We've been doing this for two years and it hasn't been easy."

Good questions! The N-Gage mobile gaming platform actually looks like it's shaping up and Sony hasn't even officially announced a PSP Phone. We'll be intrigued to see if anything comes of all these rumors but, in the end, we'll probably just stick to our PSPs. Nokia have nothing to be afraid about, and why should they with technology like Morph in the works?

[Via Gizmonews]

Nokia isn't afraid of the non-existent PSP Phone originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Skype support will be limited to PSP-2000

Chris Powell — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 19:15:00 EST

Filed under: News

The rumors of Skype support coming to the PSP have now been confirmed by Japan's Nikkei Net news organization. Unfortunately for most PSP users, however, the news service stated that Skype support will be limited to the PSP-2000, but that it may come as soon as this month.

Skype service will be free for PSP-to-PSP and PSP-to-PC calls and vice versa. Additionally, users can register for a dedicated number for around $20 every three months for what should provide support for landline and cellphone calls. The software will more than likely be part of a future firmware update, and users will use an external microphone for communication.

At this point, we're not entirely sure why service is limited to the PSP-2000. Could there be some other hardware addition to the updated handheld that we didn't previously know about, or could this be a diabolical scheme to get us to upgrade our PSPs? Whatever the case may be, we know we certainly want to use this new technology that more or less answers the question whether Sony is interested in a PSPhone.

[Via Gamespot, Thanks for the tip, Jay!]

Skype support will be limited to PSP-2000 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Jan 2008 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony denies PlayStation Phone ... again

Ross Miller — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PSP, Mobile

Just as quickly as Sony Computer Entertainment co-COO Jim Ryan reignited rumors of a PlayStation Phone has Sony come forward with a denial (via CVG). "Jim Ryan was in fact misquoted by the Economic Times of India about this issue," according to a company spokesperson. "We do have talks with other arms of the Sony family about various topics but I can confirm we are not currently working together on the creation of a PlayStation Phone."

The original (mis)quote had Ryan quoted as saying, "The PlayStation is a proven success and so is Sony Ericsson. Convergence with the two arms working together is definitely plausible." How Ryan was misquoted or mistranslated is unclear.

[Via Engadget]

Sony denies PlayStation Phone ... again originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Nov 2007 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony exec flirts with PlayStation phone ... again

Christopher Grant — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PSP, Mobile

Has it been a year already? The rumors that Sony Computer Entertainment - the PlayStation folks to you or I - and Sony Ericsson - those are the cellphone folks - are teaming up to make a PlayStation phone are just as "seductive" today as they were back then. This time, it's SCE co-chief operating officer Jim Ryan giving India's Economic Times the following rather noncomittal tease: "The PlayStation is a proven success and so is Sony Ericsson. Convergence with the two arms working together is definitely plausible."

We would say it's as plausible now as it was last year when they first teased it ... or in June when Sony Ericsson filed for that PSP-esque gaming phone patent ... or in August when Sony Ericsson said they were "obviously" looking at a PlayStation-branded phone (just not this one). Regardless of how "seductive" the premise is to Sony, Ryan told the Times "it could be a while before a commercial launch of such a device happens... ." So, we'll see you same time next year then, PSP phone rumors?

[Via Engadget]

Sony exec flirts with PlayStation phone ... again originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Nov 2007 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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