PlayStation Phone
Despite Engadget’s backing of the supposed PlayStation Phone, Sony Company Entertainment Europe dismissed the claim as “definitely fake,” as reported by Destructoid. Originally the phone was reported to be running Android 3.0 (Gingerbread) with 512MB of RAM and 1GB of ROM with a screen size ranging from 3.7 – 4.1 inches.
Source: Engadget
Though the screenshots provided by Engadget seem quite real (and for all we know they very much could be), it does seem to lack a certain “PlayStation/Sony” style that we’ve come to expect. Would Sony really ditch the XMB in favor of a stock Android UI? Then again, this could be an early prototype in which case the specs and design are easily subject to change.
With increasingly pressure from the (gaming) success of Apple and the iPhone, it’s no surprise that Sony would look to integrate the PSP and their mobile devices. Even Nintendo has been feeling the heat of Apple with Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime stating that Apple is a bigger threat than Microsoft.
So what can we expect from a possible PlayStation phone? Here’s some top guesses:
1. No (official) physical media: between the failure of Sony’s UMD format and Apple’s success in the digital App Store, the PSPhone should no longer feel the same threat retailers had posed that the PSP faced. In fact, Sony has already begun to sell PSP games and minis via digital download. While there may be a microSD slot for the phone, PSPhone games most likely will be sold digitally.
2. PS3/PSP/PSP2 integration: The last thing Sony needs is further fragmentation of their products, especially in their PlayStation line. Though small, there is a fair amount of integration between the PSP and PS3, whether it’s using the handheld system as a controller or syncing game saves between the two platforms. Even Microsoft is looking to integrate XBOX Live into Windows Phone 7. If Sony wants to stay competitive, they’ll be sure to keep the PlayStation Phone connected to the PlayStation ecosystem.
3. 2011, earliest: It’s doubtful we’ll see this phone out within the year. While Sony may have the resources to slap something together, they’re more likely to take their time (perhaps to their detriment) in releasing an official product. However, with rumours of a possible PSP2 releasing in the coming year, will Sony really release two separate PlayStation portable devices?
4. Sony Marketplace – PSN Store – Android Store: If Sony truly is adopting the Android platform, we could very much expect a Sony-branded store that would sell not only games, but apps and add-ons to the phone. Amazon is already planning one; it won’t be that surprising if Sony follows suit.
5. Ridiculous Price: Time and time again, Sony manages to shock and amaze fans with their high prices. Don’t forget the PS3 released at $499 and the PSP-Go, despite being based on the dated PSP, still launched at $249. While we might see some subsidized price if tied to a carrier, this device will is likely to take a chunk out of the wallet.
