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How would you change Sony Ericsson's Xperia Play?

Darren Murph — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 23:56:00 EST

It came with a bang, but even Sony Ericsson's Xperia Play seems to have already become yesterday's treasure in a world swamped with dual-core superphones. Still, the Play remains the only Android phone on the market with a full-on slide-out gamepad, and while the library's still lacking, there's oodles of promise here. And that, friends, is where you come in. For those that forked over whatever it took to snag one, we're anxious to know how you'd do things differently. We're guessing that SE didn't sink an absurd amount of resources into this thing without a successor in mind, so what are you hoping to see in Revision B? A higher-res display? A few more buttons to mash? Ice Cream Sandwich? Get as crazy as you wanna be in comments below, won't you?

How would you change Sony Ericsson's Xperia Play? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Jun 2011 23:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Live from Sony Ericsson's MWC 2011 press event!

Ross Miller — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 12:54:00 EST

It's really no secret what Sony Ericsson plans to show off at its MWC 2011 press conference -- leaks notwithstanding, the Xperia Play (aka PlayStation Phone) was unveiled and made quite official in a Super Bowl commercial. We're about to see it presented all over again, but we'll also get a chance to see what else the company has up its sleeve... and under its thumbs, of course. The event kicks off 6PM local time (that's noon ET), so join us promptly, won't ya?

Continue reading Live from Sony Ericsson's MWC 2011 press event!

Live from Sony Ericsson's MWC 2011 press event! originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 13 Feb 2011 12:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xperia Play coming to Canada, exclusive to Rogers?

Joseph L. Flatley — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST

O2, Vodafone, Orange, and T-Mobile UK... who else is getting Xperia Play, you ask? Anyone in North America, perhaps? Looks like the once (and in our hearts always) PlayStation phone has popped up on Sony Ericsson Canada's site, and will be exclusive to Rogers -- that is, if a certain tip that Mobile Syrup has received is to be believed. Either way, it looks like it's less than a week until we get all the sordid details.

Xperia Play coming to Canada, exclusive to Rogers? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Ericsson makes Xperia Play official in Super Bowl commercial, full launch coming February 13th

Vlad Savov — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 20:06:00 EST

Sony Ericsson has finally stopped teasing, winking, and nodding knowingly and has just come clean -- the Xperia Play is most definitely real and it'll be one of the first devices announced at this year's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. We're treated to a date and time, February 13th at 6PM GMT, a pair of full frontal shots of the Gingerbread-running, gamepad-wearing smartphone, and the full version of that creepy ad we saw for it a couple of days back. Missed it on the Super Bowl? Scope it out after the break.

P.S. - Missed our coverage of Super Bowl Media Day? Catch up here!

Continue reading Sony Ericsson makes Xperia Play official in Super Bowl commercial, full launch coming February 13th

Sony Ericsson makes Xperia Play official in Super Bowl commercial, full launch coming February 13th originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Feb 2011 20:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Engadget Show - 017: Steve Wozniak, Sony NGP, PlayStation Phone prototype

Chad Mumm — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 16:18:00 EST

We've never had a guest on The Engadget Show that inspired quite as much excitement as Steve Wozniak -- the crowd was pumped and the Woz was in full effect. Josh and Woz talked for a full 40 minutes about everything from Woz's white iPhone to the future of server storage to anecdotes about Apple, and it's all topped off with a little creative currency manipulation, as Woz promises us his custom $2 bills can get us "arrested, but not convicted."

Then it's on to the roundtable, where Josh, Paul, and Nilay talk over Sony's new NGP, PlayStation Suite, and even play with a super-secret unannounced prototype of the PlayStation Phone. This is one you absolutely should not miss. What are you waiting for? Watch it now! Hit up the video stream after the break or download the show in HD below!

Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel, Paul Miller
Special guests: Steve Wozniak
Produced and Directed by: Chad Mumm
Executive Producer: Joshua Fruhlinger
Edited by: Danny Madden
Music by: Zen Albatross
Visuals by: invaderbacca
Woz Intro by: Nick Criscuolo
Opening titles by: Julien Nantiec

Taped live at Cooper Union's Rose Auditorium
Download the Show: The Engadget Show - 017 (HD) / The Engadget Show - 017 (iPod / iPhone / Zune formatted) / The Engadget Show - 017 (Small)

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Continue reading The Engadget Show - 017: Steve Wozniak, Sony NGP, PlayStation Phone prototype

The Engadget Show - 017: Steve Wozniak, Sony NGP, PlayStation Phone prototype originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 16:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Engadget Show returns this Sunday with Steve Wozniak!

Chad Mumm — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 15:49:00 EST

Clear your calendars everybody, because this Sunday, January 30th, the inimitable co-founder of Apple Steve Wozniak will be joining us for the first Engadget Show of 2011! It will be a night to remember as Woz joins us for an evening of frank, eye-opening, and all-around awesome conversation. We'll be streaming live at 6:00PM from Cooper Union's Rose Auditorium and we've got about 200 seats available on a first-come, first-served basis if you want to join us in person. We'll also have music from the talented Zen Albatross and the usual crazy giveaways. Trust us when we say that this episode is going to be epic.

REMINDER: The Show will be taking place in a lovely new venue, the Rose Auditorium in Cooper Union's New Academic Building (ie. not the TimesCenter), located in Manhattan at 41 Cooper Square. Seating is extremely limited, so get there early!

Tickets are -- as always -- free to anyone who would like to attend, but seating is limited, and tickets will be first come, first served... so get there early! Here's the updated info on our new ticketing policy that you need to know:

There is no admission fee -- tickets are completely free
The event is all ages
Ticketing will begin at the Cooper Union New Academic Building at 2:00PM on Sunday, January 30th, doors will open for seating at 5:15PM, and the show begins at 6:00PM
We now have assigned seating, so the first people to get their tickets will get priority seating. This also means that once you get a ticket, your seat is guaranteed -- you won't have to get back in line to get a good seat.
You cannot collect tickets for friends or family -- anyone who would like to come must be present to get a ticket
Seating capacity is limited (only about 200 seats in the theatre), and once we're full, we're full
The venue is located at 41 Cooper Square New York, NY 10003 (map after the break)
The show length is around an hour

Unfortunately, we won't be running the usual text-to-win sweepstakes for this episode (we know it sucks, but it's out of our hands), so if you want a seat you'll have to show up in person. If you're a member of the media who wishes to attend, please contact us at: engadgetshowmedia [at] engadget [dot] com, and we'll try to accommodate you. All other non-media questions can be sent to: engadgetshow [at] engadget [dot] com.

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Continue reading The Engadget Show returns this Sunday with Steve Wozniak!

The Engadget Show returns this Sunday with Steve Wozniak! originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 15:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlayStation Phone torn apart, found to not contain actual PlayStations

Tim Stevens — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 09:12:00 EST

What must surely be the industry's worst-kept secret just got even further out of the closet with a new suite of pictures showing not the outside but the inside. After all, we've already seen the outside at every possible angle, even in motion playing games. TGBus is the source here again, its disembodied hands apparently completely bored with actually playing games, so they broke out the Torx and spread it asunder. See for yourself on the other end of the source link, and feel free to contact your local Sony representative and tell them what a great job they're doing on keeping this thing quiet.

PlayStation Phone torn apart, found to not contain actual PlayStations originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 09:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlayStation Phone captured in the wild, on video

Joseph L. Flatley — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 09:38:00 EST

Well, the leaks have been flying fast and furious: the presumed PlayStation Phone has been in the hands of folks for a hot minute, and now a video has popped up showing one lucky hombre playing Resident Evil 2 and Rage Racer on the device. The hardware is apparently on the up and up, although the fact that the titles had to be loaded through ROM Buddy (a third-party Android app for running ROMs) suggests that the software is still being tinkered with. Or that this is all a terrible hoax. That said, it looks like this thing is pretty much a done deal. See for yourself after the break.

[Thanks, Dan]

Continue reading PlayStation Phone captured in the wild, on video

PlayStation Phone captured in the wild, on video originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 09:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlayStation Phone sized up with numerous devices in another in-depth Chinese preview

Ross Miller — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 23:02:00 EST

Okay, now this is getting ridiculous. It's been literally less than 48 hours since we saw the first in-depth Chinese-language preview of Sony's still yet-to-be-confirmed PlayStation Phone, and believe it or not, we've got another one. (Our resident translator Richard Lai suggests this might be the same PS Phone just being passed around the various websites.) It's just as long and arguably just as in-depth with an absolute ton of comparison pics with the PSP Go, the Xperia lineup, a DSi, a Droid... the list goes on. Much of what's written is the same, and the PlayStation Pocket app is still a mystery. The preview does say a third-party emulator was downloaded and tested, with 70 percent success, but that doesn't actually tell us anything. Anyway, even if you don't know Chinese, hit up the source and bask in the glory of a ton more pics.

[Thanks, Shaun]

PlayStation Phone sized up with numerous devices in another in-depth Chinese preview originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 23:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony's PlayStation Phone gets in-depth preview in China, PlayStation Pocket app in tow

Richard Lai — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 00:00:00 EST

Well, that was quick. It was just two days ago when the elusive PlayStation Phone popped up on a Hong Kong forum, and now it's back again in full exposure thanks to Chinese website IT168. It's now confirmed that said Xperia-branded device is powered by a Qualcomm Adreno 205 GPU, along with what's likely to be a 1GHz Snapdragon QSD8255 as featured on the HTC Desire HD. Interestingly, Neocore is reporting an impressive 59.1fps benchmark, which is a huge improvement from our exclusive look back in early December. Quadrant also reports a high score of 1,733, but hey, there's no saying that this is the final build, so the graphics performance may get even better.

Other tidbits found in the latest leak include the generous battery capacity of 1,500mAh, the 854 x 480 resolution on a 4-inch LCD, a 5 megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash sans 720p video recording (although it's probably just that the leaksters didn't look in all the submenu in the camera app), 512MB RAM, 512MB ROM, a microSD slot, SIM slot, micro-USB, and a second mic on the back for active noise cancellation à la Nexus One. Interestingly, the still-empty game launcher app is now called "PlayStation Pocket." We're still unclear just what the app will run; will it be PSOne games (the company has written an emulator before), PSP games, or an entirely new lineup? (In contrast, the PSP Go has a 333MHz processor, 64MB RAM, and a 3.8-inch 480 x 272 display -- albeit on different, not-quite-comparable architecture.) Hopefully we'll know soon enough, eh Kaz? Anyhow, you can peruse some pictures and videos below, and definitely check out IT168 for the full skinny on this (somewhat tick) device.

[Thanks, Dave]

Gallery: PlayStation Phone leak in China

Continue reading Sony's PlayStation Phone gets in-depth preview in China, PlayStation Pocket app in tow

Sony's PlayStation Phone gets in-depth preview in China, PlayStation Pocket app in tow originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kaz Hirai non-confirms the PlayStation Phone and tablet

Vlad Savov — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 21:00:00 EST

Kaz Hirai, President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment, just twirled a fine dance around the PlayStation Phone. In discussing Sony's future strategy for offering a coherent and extremely expansive consumer offering, he used the words "tablets," "smartphones" and "PlayStation" in the same sentence, whetting appetites but never taking the leap to confirm what we all pretty much know his company is working on:

Strategy encompasses driving the development of a variety of new strategic products and services including tablets currently in development as well as smartphones, all the while of course integrating the knowhow and the assets that we've accumulated from our PlaySation business.

Oh Kaz, just admit it.

Kaz Hirai non-confirms the PlayStation Phone and tablet originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Exclusive: PlayStation Phone 'Zeus Z1' prototype benchmarked on video

Ross Miller — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 14:43:00 EST

We can't get enough of Sony Ericsson's PlayStation Phone (also known as Zeus Z1), and we're guessing neither can you. We were just sent a new video of the device in action, only now it's running Qualcomm's Neocore benchmark app. As you can see, the device managed 24.4 frames per second on average. That doesn't seem like much -- our Nexus S, for example, just pulled off 55.6fps -- but bear in mind, this isn't the final software (or hardware probably), so there's no conclusions at all to draw from this benchmark right now. Just think of it as another nice view of the phone as we inch closer to a finish line we still can't make out over the horizon. Sorry, no slide-out gamepad, but you saw that last week -- don't be greedy. Video after the break.

Continue reading Exclusive: PlayStation Phone 'Zeus Z1' prototype benchmarked on video

Exclusive: PlayStation Phone 'Zeus Z1' prototype benchmarked on video originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 14:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlayStation Phone 'Zeus Z1' caught on video again, this time you can actually see it (update)

Paul Miller — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 18:56:00 EST

Wow guys, we just spotted a new video of the PlayStation Phone, codenamed Zeus Z1, and this time we get a long, loving look at the entire device -- a refreshing contrast to last time's blurry tease. In addition to appreciating just how fat this phone is, and just how real it is, you can clearly see a "PlayStation" icon, which should hopefully put to rest any doubts that this phone will actually play PlayStation games. Check out a close-up of the icon after the break. Oh, and by the way, there's no audio on the video, your computer is not broken.

[Thanks, Sha]

Update: There's another video! Check out a brief look at the PlayStation app after the break...

Continue reading PlayStation Phone 'Zeus Z1' caught on video again, this time you can actually see it (update)

PlayStation Phone 'Zeus Z1' caught on video again, this time you can actually see it (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Dec 2010 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlayStation Phone espied in Greece, said to have Gingerbread and 4-inch screen (video)

Vlad Savov — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 06:07:00 EST

It's quite fitting for a device that's purportedly codenamed Zeus to make its first video appearance somewhere in the wilds of Greece. What we have here is the apparent full motion debut of Sony Ericsson's big crossover device, the PlayStation Phone, one half portable gaming console, one half Android smartphone. Unfortunately, we never see it flexing out its slider to reveal that delicious control pad, but judging from its curves and little design details, it does indeed look to be the real deal. Techblog.gr reports that it's dubbed the Sony Ericsson Z1 and comes with Gingerbread on board -- something that meshes well with earlier indications that some Zeus devices in the wild are already running Android 2.3 (and above) -- while the screen is a 4-inch panel that apparently offers great touchscreen responsiveness. See the mythical creature for yourself after the break.

Continue reading PlayStation Phone espied in Greece, said to have Gingerbread and 4-inch screen (video)

PlayStation Phone espied in Greece, said to have Gingerbread and 4-inch screen (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Dec 2010 06:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Keepin' it real fake: PSP Phone features NES emulator, cognitive dissonance

Joseph L. Flatley — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 16:24:00 EST

This is not the first KIRF PSP Phone we've seen, but recent news of the actual, long-awaited device (you heard it here first, folks!) makes the Unmei Q5's appearance in the stalls of Shenzhen all the more timely. What will your hard earned yuan will get you? How about a 3.5-inch touchscreen, front and rear cameras, dual SIM card slots, an NES emulator, 3.5mm audio jack, and a mini-USB port -- all crammed into the shell of a PSP Go? Available in black or white, this bad boy has been spotted for 399 CNY, or about $60. We just hope the real handset looks this good!

[Thanks, Chris]

Keepin' it real fake: PSP Phone features NES emulator, cognitive dissonance originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Nov 2010 16:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The PlayStation Phone: new photos, more details!

Joshua Topolsky — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 16:56:00 EST

We've gotten our hands on some more images of the PlayStation Phone, and gleaned a few more juicy details about the handset. Firstly, as you can see in the photos, the model in question does indeed seem to be codenamed "Zeus" (as we reported on the 27th). Furthermore, the handset pictured is running Android 2.2, though apparently there are multiple devices out there with different versions on board (including at least one packed with Android 3.0). Based on what we know, there's little chance the phone will launch with Froyo -- but it's clear these have been worked on for some time with various versions of the OS.

The device appears to have an 8GB microSD card slotted, and at least 512MB of internal storage (though we're hoping it's the 1GB we've heard would be present). As you can see from the pictures in the gallery below, the device isn't exactly thin -- we surmise that the handset is around 17mm thick, or slightly thicker than HTC's Touch Pro 2 (and funnily enough, about the same as the PSPgo). From a design standpoint, the device seems to have more in common with BlackBerry handsets than previous Sony Ericsson phones; that smoky chrome bezel which surrounds the device is definitely giving us Torch flashbacks. As always, we're hard at work digging up more info on the phone (and potentially more images), but for now, just sit tight and enjoy the exclusive photos in the gallery below.

Gallery: Even more PlayStation Phone

Gallery: The PlayStation Phone

Gallery: PlayStation Phone details

The PlayStation Phone: new photos, more details! originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony earnings call entertains PlayStation Phone, reveals tablets are on the radar

Ross Miller — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 14:10:00 EST

Earnings calls aren't usually that interesting, and that's doubly true when trying to listen via official translators. Still, we couldn't help but give an ear to Sony's fiscals, and sure enough, someone asked about our (still real) PlayStation Phone leak. We're not sure who answered since it's through interpreter, either Executive VP / CFO Masaru Kato or Senior General Manager of Investor Relations Division Gen Tsuchikawa (we're assuming the former).

Citing the aforementioned device, the curious party asked if such a product would come out of Sony or of Sony Ericsson, and no, it wasn't a complete denial. Instead, we're told just how such a device would happen, that a gaming phone would be planned and prototyped under the (recently restructured) Network Services umbrella. We're also told how SCE's move to Sony City headquarters now puts them closer to the planning and engineering group, meaning the company "can better incorporate all these capabilities better... so when the timing is right we can probably announce to you the new product we have." Ericsson is later cited as a resource "on smartphone and for the games devices," although this might be something peculiar with translation. Again, that's far from a confirmation, but they're certainly entertaining the notion in a very, very detailed response.

But that's not all; there's also apparently a tablet brewing in the background, one that would obviously fall somewhere in between PC and Sony Ericsson's efforts. There isn't much else said, but if you're up for psychoanalyzing executive commentary, we've transcribed and placed the full quote after the break.

Continue reading Sony earnings call entertains PlayStation Phone, reveals tablets are on the radar

Sony earnings call entertains PlayStation Phone, reveals tablets are on the radar originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony's Peter Dille thinks the PSP could use a cellular data connection, iPhone gamers 'aren't satisfied'

Joshua Topolsky — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 09:21:00 EST

Peter Dille -- Sony's Senior Vice President of marketing at SCEA -- sat down for a "fireside chat" with CNN, and made some interesting comments regarding the PlayStation Phone. Despite kinda / sorta sticking to the company's policy of refusing to discuss rumors, Dille allegedly said that the lack of a cellular data component in current PSP devices could be holding the line back. "The PSP is a Wi-Fi device," he said. "People are used to having always-connected devices." Dille also noted that current smartphone platforms don't give users a hardcore experience, instead providing "Time-killers," which "gamers aren't satisfied with."

While the CNN article certainly includes some healthy speculation, Dille (and a company spokeswoman who told the publication that Sony "has relationships with Google") was pretty talkative when it came to the PSP and more specifically the PlayStation Network. Apparently, Dille alluded to the fact that the current PSP doesn't fulfill Sony's goal for creating a content delivery hub that's always accessible, saying "I don't think we fully realize that vision with a Wi-Fi device... If it's not connected [to a cell network] then it does sort of limit people." Of course, we're not taking this as any kind of confirmation from the company, but Sony seems awfully talkative about a device that they won't comment on.

Sony's Peter Dille thinks the PSP could use a cellular data connection, iPhone gamers 'aren't satisfied' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 09:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Ericsson Z-System: the PlayStation Phone's gaming platform?

Chris Ziegler — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 18:26:00 EST

A bumper crop of circumstantial evidence surrounding the Android-based PlayStation Phone is starting to come together today -- when it rains, it pours, as they say -- and one particularly interesting thread suggests that the ecosystem surrounding the device might be called "Z-System." An astute tipster notes that the term appears in the upper left of one of our shots, which maps to a domain -- z-system.com, naturally -- that's owned by Sony Ericsson. Turns out the company also holds trademarks for Z-System in the US and Benelux trademark offices (among others, presumably) that were filed (and approved) this year, and the filing category includes "software for interacting or playing with electronic or video games," not hardware, so that strongly suggests we're looking at a platform here. We suppose it's possible that this specific device will be called Z-System, but we're going to float the theory that its actually underlying gaming platform that'll bear that name -- possibly a premium game store and set of software libraries that together will earn a device the Z-System badge. As we already saw with the BlackPad / SurfBook / PlayBook fiasco, trademarks don't mean much until a device is actually announced -- but it's something to keep an eye on.

[Thanks, Andrew]

Gallery: Sony Ericsson Z-System: the PlayStation Phone's gaming platform?

Sony Ericsson Z-System: the PlayStation Phone's gaming platform? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The PlayStation Phone is still real

Joshua Topolsky — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 11:58:00 EST

By now you've seen our photos of the PlayStation Phone, and likely you've also heard the scattered reports of debunkings and cries of "fake!" -- it wouldn't be a scoop without it. Only here's the thing: the PlayStation Phone in the photos we ran last night, and the device reported on back in August is most definitely real. We're not saying that because we want to believe or because we're gingerly trying to nab pageviews: we're saying it because we know it to be true. This is a device which has been confirmed through multiple, trusted sources. And we're not just talking good tipsters -- some of our information comes from people much more closely connected to the project. Even since last night we've received more info about the phone -- learning that its codename is "Zeus," and it was last seen running Android 2.X (not 3.0, which we suspect will be the shipping version). It should be obvious by comparison of our original mockup to the real photos we've just uncovered that the handset we described in August is the same handset now fully revealed. Prior to last night, we had never seen an actual image of the phone. It should also be obvious that the device pictured in those photos is a prototype running early software (which would explain the A / B button mention in the photo above) with hardware that was likely hand-built, or at the very least created in a very small batch.

Based on what we've heard about the secrecy of this plan, it makes sense that even Sony's own employees wouldn't be privy to information on the phone, the marketplace, and the collaboration with Google. The alleged Sony response to the device makes that somewhat clear -- reports state that an employee originally told a publication that the images were fake, only to backtrack and deliver the standard corporate line that the company "doesn't respond to rumor and speculation." It's possible that whomever was originally questioned either didn't know of the device's existence, was lying about its existence, or simply had their response taken out of context. And that brings us to our point -- while there will be plenty of speculation on whether or not what we've shown you is real, we would never run the images or the information without a healthy sense that we were bringing you fact, and not fiction. We don't like to boast, but as the guys and girls who brought you the first pictures and review of the Nexus One, the first details and images of the Dell Venue Pro (aka Lightning), the first pictures of the new MacBook Air, the first photos of the iPad, and the first photos of the iPhone 4, we feel pretty confident in our abilities to deliver the goods. Of course, this story is just beginning -- so hold on tight.

Gallery: The PlayStation Phone

Gallery: PlayStation Phone details

The PlayStation Phone is still real originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The PlayStation Phone

Joshua Topolsky — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 21:09:00 EST

It's hard to believe that what we're looking at is real -- but we assure you, the picture above is in fact the PlayStation Phone you've long been waiting for. As we reported back in August, the device you see is headed into the market soon, likely boasting Android 3.0 (aka Gingerbread), along with a custom Sony Marketplace which will allow you to purchase and download games designed for the new platform. The device snapped up top (and in our gallery below) is sporting a 1GHz Qualcomm MSM8655 (a chip similar to the one found in the G2, but 200MHz faster), 512MB of RAM, 1GB of ROM, and the screen is in the range of 3.7 to 4.1 inches. Looking almost identical to the mockup we hit you with this summer, the handset does indeed have a long touchpad in the center which is apparently multitouch, and you can see in the photos that it's still bearing those familiar PlayStation shoulder buttons. For Sony buffs, you'll be interested to know that there's no Memory Stick slot here, but there is support for microSD cards.

The particular model in these shots is still in prototyping mode. As such, the unit doesn't have a custom skin (not even SE's Timescape design seen on the Xperia devices), and is said to be rather buggy. We're digging into more facts as we speak, but it's likely that much of what we reported earlier is still accurate, and though the device could still be headed for a 2010 release, 2011 is looking much more realistic. Still, there's a lot of time between now and the holidays... so keep your fingers crossed!

Gallery: The PlayStation Phone

Gallery: PlayStation Phone details

The PlayStation Phone originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 21:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Ericsson's CEO promises 'big surprises in the next few months' (video)

Vlad Savov — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 15:49:00 EST

The grand opening of Sony Ericsson's new Americas HQ in Atlanta isn't the sort of thing we spend sleepless nights thinking about, but a PSP Phone is. It's mighty encouraging, therefore, to hear the company's CEO Bert Nordberg tease "big surprises" coming from his team over the next few months. That revelation was accompanied by plentiful references to SE as an entertainment phone maker, a sly grin, and the usual disclaimer that "we never announce them in advance" -- though considering the gap between the Xperia X10 announcement and arrival to market, maybe Bert should reconsider that part. Either way, unless SE's big surprise is the delivery of a smartphone with an up-to-date OS and cutting-edge components on time (which would, admittedly, be a surprise), we're happy to take this as a sign that the Android 3.0-powered gaming platform-cum-smartphone is brewing nicely behind the scenes.

Continue reading Sony Ericsson's CEO promises 'big surprises in the next few months' (video)

Sony Ericsson's CEO promises 'big surprises in the next few months' (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 15:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Exclusive: Sony Ericsson to introduce Android 3.0 gaming platform and PSP Go-like smartphone

Joshua Topolsky — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:50:00 EST

There's no question that gaming on the Android platform has heretofore been relatively underwhelming, but that looks like it's all about to change. It seems that Sony Ericsson -- a company that has yet to even introduce an Android 2.0 device -- is at work on a project to redefine gaming on Google's mobile platform. We now know (via a trusted source) that the company is actively and heavily developing a brand new gaming platform, ecosystem, and device (possibly alongside Google) which are already in the late stages of planning. And we've got the goods on it.

Continue reading Exclusive: Sony Ericsson to introduce Android 3.0 gaming platform and PSP Go-like smartphone

Exclusive: Sony Ericsson to introduce Android 3.0 gaming platform and PSP Go-like smartphone originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony prepping new line of handhelds, including PSP phone?

Chris Ziegler — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:16:00 EST

You know who knows everything? People familiar with the matter. In particular, they know everything when "the matter" happens to be Sony's handheld strategy for 2010, which is said to finally include an honest-to-goodness PSP with phone capabilities -- something the world's been demanding for as long as they've wanted a Zunephone. According to the WSJ, the device is apparently part of a larger push by Sony to create an iTunes-like Utopian ecosystem of products this year that connect to Sony Online Service, an ecosystem that would also include a hybrid portable of some sort that "blurs distinctions among a netbook, an e-reader and a PlayStation Portable." Details aren't offered on this particular monster -- but turning our attention back to the phone for a second, it's claimed that Sony's working with it in conjunction with the folks at Sony Ericsson under the direction of Kunimasa Suzuki, an exec largely responsible for the VAIO line who's also involved with the PlayStation team. Of course, SE's already taken some baby steps toward corporate harmony by bundling Remote Play support with the Aino, but everyone knows that PSP compatibility is the panacea; Microsoft finally buckled on the Zunephone thing with the introduction of Windows Phone 7 Series, and there's no reason why Sony shouldn't follow suit.

Sony prepping new line of handhelds, including PSP phone? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Keepin' it real fake, part CCLVIII: shanzhai PSP Phone dampens our excitement for an actual PSP Phone

Joseph L. Flatley — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:41:00 EST

When one thinks of a PSP Phone, they usually imagine a handset with a number of cool, gamer-centric features, such as some sort of integration with the PlayStation network or -- imagine! -- the ability to actually play PSP games. What they don't imagine -- correct us if we're wrong -- is some sort of KIRFy cellphone shoved inside what is essentially the shell of a PSP. That said, we do have to give our friends in Shenzhen some props: not only have they beat Sony with this knock-off, but with the way things are going, they might have the PSP Phone market all to themselves in perpetuity. No specifics on this one yet -- price, stats, or street date -- but you probably weren't going to buy one anyways. Get a closer look after the break.

Continue reading Keepin' it real fake, part CCLVIII: shanzhai PSP Phone dampens our excitement for an actual PSP Phone

Keepin' it real fake, part CCLVIII: shanzhai PSP Phone dampens our excitement for an actual PSP Phone originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Ericsson Aino's PS3 Remote Play capabilities get detailed -- no games, just media playback

Nilay Patel — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 07:46:00 EST

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]

Filed under: Handsets, Sony Ericsson

Sony Ericsson Aino's PS3 Remote Play capabilities get detailed -- no games, just media playback originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Sep 2009 07:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Ericsson Aino's PS3 Remote Play capabilities get detailed -- no games, just media playback

Nilay Patel — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 07:46:00 EST

Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming

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Sony investigating PSP phone?

Paul Miller — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 04:03:00 EST

As recently as May Sony has itself stated that a PSP phone "could happen," and now a report from Nikkei business daily states that Sony is planning on putting together a team as early as next month to build product that would act as a combination of a PSP and a Sony Ericsson handset. It makes plenty of sense, both as a differentiation from Nintendo and as a confrontation of the looming iPhone threat -- and hey, it might also act as a decent salve over the lukewarm reception of the pricey PSPgo. Unfortunately, if Sony is just about to get started on this, we likely wouldn't be looking at any resulting product for a while to come. Sony declined comment according to Reuters, which doesn't mean a whole lot, but it's worth keeping in mind that we've been hearing this sort of rumoring since back when the N-Gage (as a product) was still almost relevant.

[Via Mac Rumors]

Filed under: Games, Handsets, Sony Ericsson

Sony investigating PSP phone? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 28 Jun 2009 04:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony investigating PSP phone?

Paul Miller — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 04:03:00 EST

Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Handhelds

Sony investigating PSP phone? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 28 Jun 2009 04:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Ericsson president: PlayStation phone "could happen"

Joseph L. Flatley — Fri, 08 May 2009 16:32:00 EST

Well, this is certainly one rumor that just won't die -- nor is it likely to, not as long as the company has its hands in both manufacturing handsets and game consoles. According to an article in the Financial Times, Sony Ericsson president Hideki "Handsome Dick" Komiyama discusses his struggle to reposition the company as one the world's top three phone makers. Among bright ideas and desperate measures mulled over, the man in charge lets slip that no plan is too crazy or far-fetched to consider. Even a PlayStation-branded phone? "Could happen," he is quoted as saying. And there you have it! Begin warrantless speculation: now.

[Via Unwired View]

Filed under: Games, Handsets, Sony Ericsson

Sony Ericsson president: PlayStation phone "could happen" originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 May 2009 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Ericsson president: PlayStation phone "could happen"

Joseph L. Flatley — Fri, 08 May 2009 16:32:00 EST

Filed under: Cellphones

Sony Ericsson president: PlayStation phone "could happen" originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 May 2009 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony refuses PlayStation brand for PSP Phone?

Thomas Ricker — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 05:48:00 EST

We've been following PSP Phone rumors since 2006, forever on a tech timeline. A device we figure to be in-line with the natural evolution of mobile gaming and by the fact that Sony already licenses its Bravia and Cyber-shot brands for use on other Sony Ericsson phones. Not so fast buster. Mobile Today (citing "several sources close to the matter") is reporting that Sony Ericsson has been refused the use of the PlayStation brand by Sony Corp. after pitching the business case in December. A spokesperson for Sony Ericsson wouldn't comment directly on the matter but did say, "In the past, we have been keen that our product proposition lives up to brand promise, and we feel at the moment the technical specs are not high enough to put such a prestigious brand on a phone." With Sony Ericsson posting a massive $346 million dollar loss today compared to the $95 million expected, well, maybe Sony's wisdom shouldn't be questioned. Then again, Sony's not doing much better.

[Thanks, Matthew A.]

Read -- Sony refuses to license PlayStation brand
Read -- Sony Ericsson slips into the red

Filed under: Handsets, Sony Ericsson

Sony refuses PlayStation brand for PSP Phone? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Jan 2009 05:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony refuses PlayStation brand for PSP Phone?

Thomas Ricker — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 05:48:00 EST

We've been following PSP Phone rumors since 2006, forever on a tech timeline. A plausible device given the natural evolution of mobile gaming and Sony's proven desire to cross-license its Bravia and Cyber-shot brands for use on other Sony Ericsson phones. Not so fast buster. Mobile Today (citing "several sources close to the matter") is reporting that Sony Ericsson has been refused the use of the PlayStation brand by Sony Corp. after pitching the business case in December. A spokesperson for Sony Ericsson wouldn't comment directly on the matter but did say, "In the past, we have been keen that our product proposition lives up to brand promise, and we feel at the moment the technical specs are not high enough to put such a prestigious brand on a phone." With Sony Ericsson posting a massive $346 million dollar loss today compared to the $95 million expected, well, maybe Sony's wisdom shouldn't be questioned. Then again, Sony's not doing much better.

[Thanks, Matthew A.]

Read -- Sony refuses to license PlayStation brand
Read -- Sony Ericsson slips into the red

Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming

Sony refuses PlayStation brand for PSP Phone? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Jan 2009 05:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSP phone mod is really exactly what we were waiting for

Paul Miller — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:24:00 EST

Call it off Sony, no need to throw any precious man hours into making your perennially #2 handheld into some sort of amazing featurephone hybrid, some hacker has already done it for you. Through the amazing wonders of modern thinphone technology, soldering irons and probably a bit of glue, some hacker has managed the slap a Haier touchscreen phone onto the back of his PSP -- killing the UMD drive in the process, but we'd say it was well worth it.

PSP phone mod is really exactly what we were waiting for originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSP phone mod is really exactly what we were waiting for

Paul Miller — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:24:00 EST

Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming

PSP phone mod is really exactly what we were waiting for originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Ericsson working on a PSP phone, minus the Ericsson?

Paul Miller — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:11:00 EST

Look, we've heard our fair share of PSP phone rumors, and there's really no reason to trust this one any further than your average baseless musings, but if Marketing Week's "sources in Japan and Korea" can be trusted, Sony's PSP phone could be hitting shelves as soon as Christmas 2009. What does seem clear to these shady sources is that Sony won't be forking over the PlayStation branding to its Sony Ericsson partnership, and instead will build its PSP phone all by its lonesome. Other "details" from "analysts" are slightly less legit-sounding, with some stating it would be "relatively easy" to work phone features into the PSP since it already includes WiFi. Um, ok. Still, reasonable or not, this is clearly a rumor that will never die -- until Sony builds the dang thing, in which case we can start talking up a sequel.

[Thanks, Alex]

Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming

Sony Ericsson working on a PSP phone, minus the Ericsson? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Ericsson working on a PSP phone, minus the Ericsson?

Paul Miller — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 09:50:00 EST

Filed under: Handsets, Sony Ericsson

Sony Ericsson working on a PSP phone, minus the Ericsson? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Jun 2008 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Ericsson files patent on haptic gaming device, doesn't call it PSPhone

Joshua Topolsky — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 09:57:00 EST

It's nice to know that Sony Ericsson is plugging away on making our crazy, dare-to-dream fantasies a reality. The latest proof that someone up there (and by up there, we mean Japan) likes us comes in the form of a new patent for a touchscreen handheld that forgoes physical buttons for a haptic-feedback scheme. The design mandates that the phone / game device would be free of the pesky clutter of regular buttons, and would instead by configurable to any number of forms (PSP, phone, MP3 player, digital camera) by arrangement of on-screen controls. The device would vibrate in accordance with button-presses, though it's unclear whether this will just be a standard vibration, or a more advanced, location-specific feedback system. Even with a little buzz, we're not quite sure you can replicate the feeling real gaming controls provide -- and that could seriously interfere with our typical success in games.

[Via Unwired View]

Filed under: Handsets, Sony Ericsson

Sony Ericsson files patent on haptic gaming device, doesn't call it PSPhone originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Mar 2008 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Ericsson files patent on haptic gaming device, doesn't call it PSPhone

Joshua Topolsky — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming

Sony Ericsson files patent on haptic gaming device, doesn't call it PSPhone originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Mar 2008 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSP Phone reference spotted in Sony Magazine

Joshua Topolsky — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 09:58:00 EST

Now obviously, before proceeding here you're going to want to find the largest grain of salt you can locate and keep it nearby. According to SEfanatics, a page in an issue of Sony Magazine (an office favorite over here) makes passing mention of a "PSP-Style phone" which is supposedly in development, then casually suggests the device could be "in shops as early as February." Of course, we've been hearing hushed conversations about this topic for some time now, though it does strike us as slightly odd that it's referenced in what is essentially a multi-page Sony advertisement. Sure, it's possible that something like that patent we recently saw could be headed our way -- obviously the company is still capable of throwing a few curve-balls in our direction, though we're going to need to little more evidence than this to start cracking open our piggy banks.

[Thanks, Teemu]

Filed under: Sony Ericsson, Misc

PSP Phone reference spotted in Sony Magazine originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Feb 2008 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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