PlayStation Vue pumps cloud-based TV onto consoles in 2015
Sony crystallized its foray into the world of live TV on consoles by unveiling PlayStation Vue this morning. The cloud-based service launches commercially in the US sometime in the first quarter of 2015, and it's set to deliver broadcast and on-demand TV to PS4, PS3, and even non-Sony devices like the iPad.
PlayStation Vue doesn't require additional devices like a set-top box, according to today's announcement, and subscription is on a month-to-month basis, a la Netflix. There's no word on a specific price, but Sony promises a "competitive" fee with no hidden fees or charges. In terms of features. Sony said users can tag their favorite shows and save them to the cloud without storage restrictions; tagging a show grants access to its episodes for 28 days. Also, Vue users can track back and watch shows from the three previous days of "popular programming" without having to record them.
Sony's signed up several network partners for the service, including CBS, Fox, Viacom, Discovery Communications, NBCUniversal and Scripps Network Interactive. As the New York Times notes, two notable exceptions from that line-up are Disney and Time Warner, though according to the publication Sony executives said they're in "active discussions" with other partners.
On the subject of New York, residents of the city will be the first to try out PlayStation Vue when a closed beta preview begins later this month. USA Today reports invitations to the New York trial will be sent to a subset of PlayStation Plus subscribers.
The beta is due to expand to Chicago, Philadelphia and Los Angeles, delivering around 75 channels to PS4 and PS3 testers. Sony said the service "will also become available on iPad shortly thereafter, and later on more Sony and non-Sony devices."
Sony first announced its plans for a cloud-based TV service in January 2014, when SCE President Andrew House said the company wanted to "make TV a more personalized and dynamic service." In terms of personalization, Vue features options like favorites, searches, recommendations, as well as category filters like genre, ratings, popularity and length.
"It looks very similar to your cable and satellite subscription, but they are innovating on the user experience," Rebecca Glashow of Vue partner Discovery Communications told the New York Times. "It's more Internet-like in the way that you navigate, search and discover content."
[Images: Engadget, Sony]
