Sony Answers All Your PS Vita Questions
One of the major announcements kicking off this past week's E3 2011 conference, was Sony's unveiling of the next-generation portable (NGP) now known as the PS Vita. The new portable gaming device boasts front and rear cameras as well as a unique integration of front and rear touch panels into its gameplay among several new features. Pricing and general timeframe for availability was also revealed. But if you still have more questions, Sony has posted up a long FAQs to answer everything or at least what it can say for now.
Some things to note from the FAQ are that the PS Vita will not support HDMI video output, and will not be region-specific. The phased roll out of the device is set to start by end of this year to all SCE regions. Specific improvements of the PS Vita over the PSP include improved hardware for enhanced graphics, new multi-touch front and rear panels, two cameras, Live Area for game titles, location-based services, 3G capability, and better integration with PlayStation Suite.
Some areas that Sony is still uncertain about include whether the PS Vita will be able to access existing services such as Remote Play, Skype, SenseMe, and Comic that was accessible to the PSP. They're also evaluating whether YouTube and Flash content will be supported. How many software titles will be available at launch and how much will they cost on average are other questions that Sony does not have an answer for yet.
The full FAQ is pasted below:
Question: When will PS Vita be available?
Answer: There will be a phased roll out from the end of the year 2011 throughout all the SCE regions.
Q: How much will PS Vita cost?
A: It will cost $249 USD for the Wi-Fi version and $299 USD for the 3G version available through AT&T stores.
Q: What is the official name?
A: The official name will be PlayStation Vita (PS Vita). "Vita," which means "Life" in Latin, was chosen as the name for our next-generation portable entertainment system because it enables a revolutionary combination of rich gaming and social connectivity within a real world context.
Q: PS Vita supports 3G network connectivity, does this mean PS Vita will be sold through cell-phone providers?
A: Partnering with AT&T, which powers the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, who will serve as the exclusive service provider for PS Vita in the United States. By having both Wi-Fi and 3G/Wi-Fi models available, PS Vita will enable infinite possibilities for you to "encounter," "connect," "discover," "share" and "play" with your friends wherever they are.
Q: Do all PS Vita users have to sign up with a cell phone provider?
A: No. Users can enjoy PS Vita using only Wi-Fi.
Q: How do you buy PS Vita games?
A: You can download PS Vita games and other content from PlayStation Store to a storage media via the Internet or buy the new game medium at retailers.
Q: What game format will the PS Vita use?
A: PS Vita will utilize the new game medium.
Q: Will users be able to access PlayStation Store from both 3G and Wi-Fi?
A: PlayStation Store will be able to be accessed from both 3G and Wi-Fi.
Q: Which carrier will users need to subscribe to use the 3G networks?
A: Partnering with AT&T, which powers the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, who will serve as the exclusive service provider for PS Vita in the United States.
Q: Can you use PS Vita as a phone?
A: No.
Q: What are the specs of the OLED screen?
A: 5 inches (16:9), 960x544 pixels, Approx. 16,770,000 colors displayed
Q: What colors will be available at launch?
A: This will be announced at a later time.
Q: Does the PS Vita support Bluetooth headsets / headphones?
A: Commercially available Bluetooth headsets will work, however, it may function differently depending on the device specifications.
Q: Can you use a commercially available Bluetooth keyboard / mouse? Can you connect the PS3 wireless controller to the PS Vita like the PSPgo?
A: No. Users cannot use commercially available Bluetooth keyboard / mouse or a PS3 wireless controller on the PS Vita.
Q: Can you access the Internet by connecting PS Vita to a Bluetooth supported cell phone?
A: No.
Q: Why didn't you introduce stereoscopic 3D (without glasses) to PS Vita?
A: In the development process, we studied the possibility of introducing stereoscopic 3D feature to PS Vita, but decided not to install it. After careful consideration of our goal of offering users the ultimate portable entertainment experience with revolutionary user interface, we have decided to focus on the features and spec announced first.
Q: Does PS Vita have internal memory?
A: PS Vita is equipped with the storage media slot so that users can choose what memory capacity they want to utilize depending on their use.
Q: What is "Near"?
A: Near is a core PS Vita feature composed of location-based services, that utilize PlayStation Network. 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.
Q: Do you need 3G network connection to enjoy Near?
A: Users can enjoy Near using Wi-Fi, but to enjoy further what Near offers, 3G connection is preferred. Users will be able to obtain more information and encounter new players in real time by using 3G connection.
Q: What is "LiveArea"?
A: Every game title for PS Vita will be provided with a space called "LiveArea™" where users can share the fun and excitement with other players. Users will have access to the latest information of games provided from SCE and 3rd party developers and publishers through PlayStation Network. Additionally, PS Vita users will be able to view "Activity" log that is constantly updated with accomplishments from users who are playing the same game, which in turn can trigger active real-time communication among users.
Q: Will existing services like Remote Play, Skype, SenseMe, and Comic content for PSP be available for PS Vita as well?
A: We are evaluating the opportunity to offer non-gaming applications/content and will announce details at a later time.
Q: Will Youtube, Flash content and files like PDF be viewable on PS Vita?
A: We are evaluating the opportunity to offer non-gaming applications/content and will announce details at a later time.
Q: What is the difference between the PSP system and the PS Vita in terms of hardware specs?
A:
Advanced portable entertainment system
A high performance CPU / GPU combined with OLED enables rich, visually striking graphics never seen before on a portable entertainment system. PS Vita also adopts the Super Oval Design form factor, which fits comfortably in users' hands.
Revolutionary User Interface
A unique multi-touch pad on the rear, with the front touch display. Two cameras on it's front and rear, as well as three motion sensors, gyroscope, accelerometer, and electronic compass.
LiveArea™
Every game title for PS Vita will be provided with a space called "LiveArea™" where users can share the fun and excitement with other players.
Location-based services
SCE will provide location-based services on PS Vita 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.
Wi-Fi and 3G network connectivity
PS Vita is equipped with 3G in addition to Wi-Fi.
Closely coordinated with PlayStation Suite
The newly developed and released game content for Android based portable devices can also be enjoyed on PS Vita.
Q: There are two slots on the PS Vita, what are they for?
A: One is for the new game medium, the other is for storage media to be utilized for personal content and download content.
Q: What kind of game medium will PS Vita support? What is the official name? Why did you decide to introduce it?
A: It is a small flash memory based card, dedicated for PS Vita. Taking advantage of the flash memory feature, this innovative card can store add-on game content or the game save directly on the card. By adopting flash memory based card, SCE will be able to provide game cards with higher capacity in the future, allowing developers to store more game data to deliver rich, immersive games. We will announce the official name at a later date.
Q: What type of storage media will PS Vita support?
A: This will be announced at a later date.
Q: What are the features of the new game medium / storage media?
A:
New game medium
It can not only store the full software titles but also save data as well as additional game content data. Therefore, the game title can be concluded with one piece of card.
Users can play games by just inserting the game medium into PS Vita. (a separate storage media is not required.)
As for storage media, we will announce details at a later date.
Q: How many software titles will be available at launch (in the new game medium/download for each region)?
A: We will announce details at a later date.
Q: What will software pricing look like?
A: We will announce details at a later date.
Q: If you buy download content for PS Vita, up to how many systems can you copy it to?
A: We will announce details at a later date.
Q: Is PS Vita compatible with other PlayStation platform games like PS3, PS2, or PSP? Do you have any plan to support other PlayStation platforms in the future?
A: Users can play PSP titles, minis and PSone classics titles which are offered on PS Store. We do no have any plans to make PS Vita compatible with PS3 or PS2 titles at this point.
Q: Is PS Vita compatible with PSP content other than games such as video and comics available on PlayStation Store?
A: SCE plans to make those content available on PS Vita.
Q: Can PS Vita users continue using their save data for PSP games that they have also downloaded from PlayStation Store to PS Vita?
A: We are looking into the opportunity to do so.
Q: PS Vita doesn't support UMD but do you have any plan to introduce peripherals like "UMD readers" for PS Vita?
A: We do not have plans to introduce such peripherals at this point in time.
Q: I have UMD games but do I need to buy them again from PlayStation Store to play the same game on PS Vita?
A: We will consider every possibility for support on bought UMD games but we have nothing to comment at this point in time.
Q: Will you bring all UMD games to the new game medium or on the PlayStation Store for PS Vita?
A: SCE with the support of third party developers and publishers have been offering select UMD titles on PlayStation Store and will continue our effort to deliver these content in the form of game medium for PS Vita going forward. However, we will need to clear all copyright / legal related issues and due to this not all software titles will become available on PS Vita. We will announce details for each title when ready.
Q: Will PS Vita support all content that will become available on PlayStation Suite?
A: PS Suite content developed in the new game development environment provided for PS Suite can be enjoyed on PS Vita.
Q: Are PSP/PS3 user's PSN accounts also available on PS Vita?
A: The same PSN accounts will be available on PS Vita.
Q: Do you have any plans to introduce a video output cable? Will PS Vita have HDMI output?
A: No, PS Vita does not have a video output feature.
Q: Can you take out the battery from the system?
A: No. We have adopted embedded battery since PS Vita is equipped with a rear touch pad.