RemotePlay
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Exclusive: Sony 'S1' PlayStation tablet (updated)
Think for a second, what major consumer electronics company doesn't have a tablet to show? Right, Sony. In fact, the rumor womb has been conspicuously barren of salacious Sony tablet tattle ever since Apple's iPad was announced back in 2010. Oh sure, Sony's owned-up to the development of prototypes that fill a "very important position" somewhere in between its own Vaio PC lineup and the Xperia Play byproduct of its Ericsson commingling. But beyond that: zilch, nada... until today. We have a couple of tablets we'd like to tell you about, starting with a 9.4-inch honeypot of an Android 3.0 tablet. Details of which have been confirmed by two highly trusted and independent sources. Known by its "S1" codename internally, Sony is busy customizing Matias Duarte's Honeycomb interface to its own specification. Although, we're skeptical of Sony's software capabilities, we've been assured that Sony's work is cutting edge stuff created by a talented engineering team spanning Sony's VAIO, Reader, PlayStation, and Sony Ericsson product groups. The team is lead by the VAIO organization but will probably launch as a Sony product without VAIO branding, according to one source. Sony's custom-built transitions and UI elements have created a user experience that rivals and at times improves upon the iPad's renowned experience. The tablet itself, we're told, is 100 percent focused on Qriocity, Sony's music, games, ebooks, and videos on demand service that's just been launched in Europe. It comes preloaded with Sony PS One games, a Bravia Media Remote, and yes, PlayStation integration -- though it's unclear if that'll be limited to Remote Play or if the Android tablet will be PlayStation Suite certified. One source speculates that it could very well get the PlayStation gaming seal of approval by the time it ships -- but that's just an educated guess. Update: We now have confirmation that the S1 is indeed PlayStation Certified making this a full-blown media and gaming tablet. We've also revised the illustration above to make the top less pronounced. So what about that curvaceous mockup above? A design described to us as "beautiful, the best thing" one source has ever seen from Sony. Click through the break and we'll explain.
Sony VAIO laptops start getting PS3 Remote Play update in the US
It's been available for some VAIOs in Japan, and some intrepid individuals have even gotten it working on non-VAIO computers, but it looks like VAIO users in the US can now finally get some official PS3 Remote Play support. We're still trying to track down a complete list of the computers supported, but it looks like the update at least covers the VAIO EA series, and includes all the functionality you'd expect -- streaming, Bluetooth keyboard support, etc. Be sure to let us know in comments if the update has hit your VAIO. [Thanks, Adam]
Developer gets Sony's Remote Play working on non-VAIO machines
Sony has been teasing its Remote Play functionality to a few devices, including the Aino and its VAIO laptops, but if your possession of Sony gadgets doesn't extend beyond your home entertainment center you've been out of luck. Not any more, courtesy of a developer who goes by the handle NTAuthority, who has managed to get Remote Play to work on any machine -- any machine that can run Windows 7, at least. NTAuthority's patch allows Sony's VAIO Remote Play app to run on non-VAIOs, and from the reports we're seeing in forums it even works on a Windows VMware instance hosted on a Mac. That 400kb patch is on the other end of that source link below, so if you feel like giving it a shot it at least it won't take long to download.
Sony turns VAIO P into world's most expensive PS3 keyboard
Yesterday we told you what we thought about the new VAIO P, an $800 conversation piece of a netbook, and now Sony is giving potential owners something else to talk about. The little laptop has been granted "Remote Keyboard" functionality, turning it into a sort of giant economy sized version of the PlayStation 3 Wireless Keypad, a device we weren't particularly fond of when we first played with it way back in 2008. Like that device, the VAIO P has a battery life that's too short and a keyboard that's uncomfortable to use, but this new ability adds one more piece of function this very form-centric laptop desperately needs. The software isn't officially available in the US yet, but we're told the Japanese version at the source link will do you just fine if you're one of the few, the proud, and the financially irresponsible rocking a VAIO P today.
PS3 firmware 3.30 sneaks in remote play from PC, bitstream audio options
Additional trophy sorting and 3D gaming readiness should have been enough to satisfy and PS3 owner after the latest v3.30 system update (hey, at least it didn't take anything away this time) but there's a couple other surprises in store. If you're the kind of person who loves (or hates) their beeps and bloops, there's a toggle for Bitstream Direct (output audio with the original digital signal prioritized) or Mix (mixed with sound effects such as button sounds and then converted to bitstream format) on Blu-ray movies, while future VAIO PC owners can get a taste of remote play without any PSP intermediary. Other, unconfirmed, reports include updated Flash compatibility, enhanced region free Blu-ray movie playback, the usual complaints of bricked or otherwise busted consoles as well as erroneous claims of an updated EULA that maintains Sony can update your PS3 whenever it wants (newsflash - it's always said that.) Sure, you can always wait for a custom build from Geohot instead, but we've got a Fat Princess to rescue.
Sony Ericsson Aino now Remote Playing with European PS3s
We know Sony Ericsson's PS3-lovin' Aino would be hitting European shelves at some point during the month, and now Sony itself has stepped forward to confirm that the handset is on sale. We're hearing that it's selling for £399.99 ($639) sans a contract, and just in case you're wondering why you and your PlayStation 3 should care, the Aino is capable of turning your console on and off, browsing the XMB user interface, accessing DRM-free content on the HDD, shopping for items in the PS3 Store and watching live TV via PlayTV. Hit up the read link for all the nitty-gritty, and be sure to hit your British friend up if you're stuck yearning here in the States.[Via Joystiq]
Sony Ericsson Aino's PS3 Remote Play capabilities get detailed -- no games, just media playback
Sony's got a lot of housekeeping to do before it can quell the infighting long enough to produce a proper PlayStation phone, but the upcoming Aino's PS3 Remote Play features sound like a tentative first step. According to a Q&A posted on the Euro PlayStation blog, the upcoming slider handset will be able to use Remote Play to connect and control a PS3's XMB through the internet, but you won't be able to play PS1 games like you can on the PSP -- you'll be limited to media playback, browsing the PlayStation Store, and chatting on PSN. Yeah, it's kind of a missed opportunity, but at least we can hope future handsets will expand on the capability a little, just like the PSP had remote PS1 game playback added in after the fact. We'll find out when the first Ainos ship in the UK in October. [Via Joystiq]
ORP beta released, brings PS3 Remote Play experience to your PC or Mac
Sure, the catalog of compatible games hasn't been as hefty as we'd like, but Sony has done quite a bit right with its PlayStation 3 / PSP Remote Play feature. Modder Dashhacker (with special thanks to noted PSP hacker Dark_AleX, among others) has released Open Remote Play v1.1 beta, which lets you take that same Remote Play experience onto your Windows PC or Intel-based Mac. The caveat here is that you'll still need a PSP handy to set up the application, so don't go thinking you can bypass the portable altogether. The OS X version apparently works well, but Windows users may ample bugs -- it is beta, after all. We haven't had a chance to try it ourselves yet, but don't let that stop you from beating us to the punch -- just let us know what you think. Alternatively, you can peruse video of it in action after the break. Read - ORP v1.1 Beta Read - Google Code project page
PlayTV's NZ debut purportedly delayed to add Freeview HD support
Bret? Present. Jemaine? Present. Murray? Present. PlayTV? ... Sony's PlayTV DVR add-on for the PlayStation 3 suffered through more than one delay before going on sale in Europe, and it appears thing will be no different in New Zealand, but at least with good reason - they're getting HD working this time. As it stands, the original version's dual HD DVB-T tuners are pretty useless since there aren't any Freeview stations broadcasting in that format in the UK and FreeSat HD support is still up in the air. David Hine from Sony revealed on the ButtonMasher podcast that a push back 'til the end of the year is related to the spread of high definition on the island, so that they can "work in" HD support before it launches, unleashing Remote Play and XMB powered HDTV watching upon the populace so they can catch season two of Flight of the Conchords as it was meant to be seen.
PS3 firmware 2.10 allows Remote Play of PS1 games
That new PS3 firmware that just dropped has a little more going for it than just DivX and WMV support -- Sony's enabled PSP Remote Play of PS1 games from a PS3, no matter whether they're downloaded from the PSN Store or the actual physical games inserted in the PS3's drive. Our peeps at PSP Fanboy tested it out and found it worked great with both a downloaded copy of Wild Arms and the disc of Metal Gear Solid. This means you could theoretically leave all those pesky UMDs at home and play games from anywhere in the world with a net connection -- as soon as Sony gets some more PS1 games online.[Via Joystiq]
Sony CEO expects expansion in PS3 connectivity, PSN
Last month, an update to the PS3 firmware allowed the PSP Remote Play function to reach across the boundless expanse that we call "the internet" -- but the PS3's connective capabilities aren't going to stop there, according to a recent statement from Sir Howard Stringer, Sony's CEO and resident knight. During a speech in Tokyo, Sir Stringer announced the company's plans to enable connections from the system to a number of electronic devices, including certain mobile phones, as part of their up-and-coming three year plan.Stringer then announced his company's intention to expand the PlayStation Network service over the next fiscal year, putting them "in the direct line of fire with Apple and Microsoft," perhaps heralding a restructuring of their online gaming service, or the addition of some form of an online music market through the PSN service (ala iTunes). Or maybe, he literally meant "in the direct line of fire," meaning the three mega-corporations will establish dominance in a three-way, Old West style gunfight. We heard Steve Jobs puts an ace in his deck every time he kills a man.
TGS07: PlayStation Store coming to PC
In addition to becoming the PlayStation 3's power button of choice, the PSP has made relations with the PC. At the Tokyo Game Show press conference, Kaz Hirai announced that the PS Store will soon be accessible via the computer. According to Hirai, you will be able to purchase and download PSP content without using the PS3 as a middle-man. The service is reportedly available now in Japan; no word on when it will be coming elsewhere.[Via Engadget]
TGS07: Remote Play functionality expands significantly
At Kaz Hirai's keynote in Tokyo Game Show, the PlayStation Portable's Remote Play feature was demonstrated. Mainichi Demo was on display with "new PSP functionality" that allows you to turn on and off your PlayStation 3 system via Remote Play, something that wasn't possible with previous versions of the feature. In the future multiple PSP systems will be able to connect as a hub, as seen in this slide. Remote Play is a strong focus for Sony+ gamers will play games, use the PSP as a second screen and more.
Confirmed: Lair can be played on PSP
No, this is not a joke. Lair can be played on PSP through PS3's Remote Play functionality. As discovered by Dubbedinenglish on the PlayStation forums, this is quite possibly the first Blu-ray PS3 game to run successfully on the PSP. By reducing the visual quality and increasing the response time, the game is actually quite playable. In fact, because the game uses the PSP's analog stick instead of tilt controls, it actually controls better than the PS3 counterpart.Stay tuned for a video.[Thanks, Nightz!]
PlayStation Underground survey hints at PSP-PS3 possibilities
This one's coming from user sqrtlsqd7 over at the PS3Forums. We've all gotten those e-mails from PlayStation Underground about new releases on the PS Store, or little announcements about games coming out, just released, or off in the distance. What sqrtlsqd7 brings to our attention is something we had nearly forgotten about -- surveys. When we first signed up for the PlayStation Network, we took a survey. But these questions were not found there.If you can't read the screenshot above, Sony is asking about what you'd like to see with PSP/PS3 connectivity. The ideas highlighted are: Side missions or unlockables for PS3 games on the PSP, Transferring media wirelessly to the PSP (not just what we've got now, we mean broadcast television and new levels for games), Using your PSP while playing the PS3 as additional weapon or utility (radar, 2nd controller, etc), Recording your gameplay for boasting abilities later on in life. These ideas are interesting. It sort of reminds us of the connectivity between the GameCube and GameBoy Advance, specifically in regards to Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance and the Game Boy Fire Emblem games. Except, you know, with a lot more options available. What do you guys think? Would more advanced connectivity options with the PSP get your juices flowing? Would you snag a slim PSP if these proposed ideas came to fruition?
Japanese PS3 game available via Remote Play
If you haven't gotten the newest update for your PSP's firmware to get Remote Play cranking out worldwide awesomeness, you aren't alone. Media streaming and Remote Play seem to be creating frustration with a lot of people. We've got ours working and we can assure you that if you get everything connected ... wow. To add icing to the already sickeningly sweet cake, Sony is making a Japanese PS3 title available for everyone via the Remote Play function.The game is Mainichi Issyo, some crazy title about a cat doing whatever you tell it to. The game, available as a free download exclusively on the Japanese PS Store, can be played via remote play on your PSP and even access microtransactions in-game for added content. That means there is in-game PlayStation Store support via Remote Play. Even though we've got no idea what's happening in the game, that's an impressive feat and indicative of the potential of this feature. Perhaps someday we'll get Super Stardust HD or other titles available for play wherever we are in the world (assuming there's a wireless access point nearby). Perhaps.
Remote Play reveals unique features for Mainichi Issyo [Update]
For PSP owners itching to test out the game-playing capabilities of Remote Play (made possible from the last firmware upgrade), you'll want to go here for a walkthrough on setting up a Japan PlayStation Network account for your PS3. Mainichi Issyo has been (and still is) only available through the Japanese PlayStation Store. As reported during the firmware 3.50 release, the Remote Play functionality will allow Mainichi Issyo gamers to "interact with Toro the cat" through any available internet access point. New details unveil the game's unique ability to complete microtransactions through the PlayStation Store in-game, instead of dumping you out to the PSP built-in browser. Feel free to have yourself a look-see. We'll be sure to update you with our in-depth impressions on Remote Play, as promised.[Update: Changed the wording of the post to reflect the newly unveiled features within Mainichi Issyo, using Remote Play. The post title changed to reflect the description of these new in-game features.]
New PSP 3.50 firmware now available, Remote Play internet enabled
Pornography addicts, rejoice! No longer is your extensive collection of graphic pornography shackled to your 1.80 PS3, as the new 3.50 firmware for the PSP has upgraded the Remote Play feature to work over the internet. Now, anytime you're near a WiFi connection and the need for pornography (or, we guess, any other sort of movie) strikes, you can browse your PS3's hard drive and, you know, embrace your carnal urges.Oh, and RSS Channel Guide has been added as a feature under RSS Channel. So, there's that too.
Firmware 3.50 now available on Network Update
We told you it was coming, and here it is. Firmware 3.50 has a woefully short feature list. Along with the much-anticipated Remote Play improvement comes a single other addition. The 'full' feature list, then, is as follows. Support has been added to allow remote play over the internet in [Remote Play] [RSS Channel Guide] has been added as a feature under [RSS Channel] While the expansion of Remote Play and its new ability to be used to connect to your PS3 from anywhere in the world is excellent, the lack of any real accompanying features leaves us a bit cold. Perhaps it's the idea of a list consisting of just two items. Is a list really a list if it has less than three? That's something for you to ponder on while the update downloads and installs.No doubt we'll be posting our thoughts on the new firmware later today, after we've had a chance to test it out. In the meantime, why don't you try it yourselves and get back to us with what you think? It's a two way thing, you know.[Thanks, Lucas]Download the update from PSP Fanboy. Include file in directory PSP/GAME/UPDATE.
PSP 3.50 firmware available: "Remote Play" over the Internet
Just released in Japan, Sony's 3.50 firmware for the PSP should making the global rounds soon enough. That, coupled with the latest PS3 firmware update, means you've just scored "Remote Play" functionality -- access to videos, music, and pictures on your home PS3 running 1.80 -- over the Internet. In other words, you can stream media but can't actually play games remotely. The update also includes an RSS Channel Guide but we know it's the remote play you want. The new firmware should already be available via your PSP's Network Update option even though many of Sony's download sites are still pegged at version 3.40.[Via Impress and CVG]Read -- Japan releaseRead -- US release
