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Daily Roundup: PlayStation Vita hands-on, HP SlateBook x2 review, iOS 7 lockscreen bug, and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Hands-on with the new PlayStation Vita (update: video!)
Just like the PlayStation Portable before it, the PlayStation Vita comes in iterations. There's the standard, original Vita, and then there's the new, even nicer version. Sony unveiled that new iteration recently at a Japanese event, and we got our first hands-on with it today at Tokyo Game Show 2013. So, what's different? Not too much. As it turns out, it's still a Vita. The good news is that it's a far lighter, more comfy version of the Vita you already know and (maybe) love. Rounded edges make holding the Vita distinctly less abrasive -- the sharper angles on the original Vita were pretty from a design perspective, but not so much from an ergonomic standpoint. The buttons have been rejiggered as well, with a solid click for each (the start / select / PS Home buttons are also all now circles instead of ovals). And hey, the micro-USB port for charging is an unbelievably welcome addition. Gone are the days of your proprietary Vita charging cable (though there's still a port for it as well, should you refuse to change). And that's not the only ergonomic improvement: the new Vita is dramatically lighter than its predecessor, making it all the easier to take on-the-go. We're told that its battery life is also much improved, but we've yet to see that play out in real life, so we'll reserve judgment for now. Update: We've added video just below walking through the new Vita -- please excuse us, as we called the new Vita's LCD screen an LED in the video. Chock it up to jet lag! Check out all our Tokyo Game Show 2013 coverage right here at our hub!
Live from Sony's Tokyo Game Show 2013 keynote!
We've got a good idea on what Sony's got planned for at least part of its keynote. Some western release dates and prices for the likes of the Vita TV and new Vita are pretty likely, as are more details and games for the incoming PlayStation 4 -- c'mon, it's barely two months away from launch. We'll be offering rolling commentary at the company's Tokyo Game Show keynote, as soon as it starts.
Sony's TGS 2013 keynote is later today, get your liveblog here!
While Sony spilled the beans on the existence of a new Vita handheld and mini-console already, we're still waiting to hear when it'll arrive in countries beyond Asia. The annual Tokyo Game Show is surely the perfect time and place to fill us in on more specifics -- and if there's more to say about the PlayStation 4, we'll be all-ears too. Microsoft might have returned to the show this year, but there's no press event, so the stage is all Sony's. Join us as we follow the announcements in classic Engadget style, because we'll be blogging everything that happens at 10:30am (9:30pm EDT), live from Japan. Check the magic clock below for your timezone of choice, bookmark here for the liveblog and offer up your hopes and dreams for this year's TGS in the comments below. September 18, 2013 9:30:00 PM EDT Check out all our Tokyo Game Show 2013 coverage right here at our hub!
Sony's PS Vita TV launching in Asia in January, regional pricing TBA
Earlier this month, SCEJA president Hiroshi Kawano announced that the PlayStation 4 would hit Japan on February 22nd, a full three months after the console's mid-November launch in the US. To help ease that pain, however, Sony introduced a new product at the same event: the $100 PS Vita TV. The compact device, which offers Vita-like functionality but with a DualShock 3 controller and TV output, is scheduled to launch in Japan on November 14th. Now, at a pre-Tokyo Game Show event in Japan, we've received word that the same box will hit stores in other Asian countries, such as China and Korea, come January 2014, with pricing for those countries yet to be announced. Sadly, it's still unlikely that the Vita TV will debut in Europe or North America.
Daily Roundup: LG G2 review, Lumia 625 review, Sony's new PS Vita, and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Breaking down the PS Vita TV: Why Sony's $100 set-top box is more than a consolation prize
Late last night / very early this morning, Sony's PlayStation team finally unveiled a release date for the PlayStation 4 in Japan: February 22, 2014. That's just short of 100 days after the company's new game console launches in the US, and nearly as far away from the console's arrival on European shores -- a far cry from the PlayStation 3's launch strategy, which put the console in Japanese gamers' hands first. Instead, Sony's got another idea for Japanese gamers this holiday in the PlayStation Vita TV. The $100 set-top Vita hooks up to televisions and functions as a Vita does, albeit with a DualShock 3 paired for control. It'll even act as a Remote Play device for the PlayStation 4 when that console eventually launches in Japan. Unlike some Japan-only PlayStation hardware from Sony's past (PS3's Torne DVR device, for instance), Vita TV seems bound for an international release. In Sony's official PR, the company says, "PS Vita TV will be available first in Japan prior to any other regions, on November 14, 2013." Prior to any other regions, eh? PlayStation's US counterparts are keeping coy. We asked if the console was being considered for release in North America and were told, "We are considering every opportunity, but have nothing to announce at this time," by an SCEA rep.
PS Vita TV is a mini console that brings games and services to your TV, arrives November for around $100 (video)
This tiny 60mm x 100mm wonder is the PlayStation Vita TV. Not only is it a miniature console that plays Vita games and connects to PlayStation controllers, it also offers access to Sony's Music Unlimited, Video Unlimited service, karaoke and more -- all for 9,954 yen (around $100). It's a knowing nod to the likes of Ouya, NVIDIA's Shield, and even Google's Chromecast although it's a little bit different again, attempting to broach both gaming and online media consumption. Other services ready for the PS Vita TV include Twitter (through Sony's own client), Hulu and NicoNico Douga, with even more media providers signing up to offer their services on the new device, at least in Japan. Up close, you can see it includes HDMI output, space for a (proprietary Vita) memory card, a slot for Vita games (on the side), plus USB, power and ethernet ports. You will also be able to buy a set with a controller and storage card for 14,995 yen ($150) and it's set to go on sale (in Japan at least) on the 14th of November. And there's another key feature: the PS Vita TV will also allow you to connect to PlayStation 4 (when it arrives) for remote play, acting as a secondary terminal for gaming when you're not in the same room as your next-gen console. You'll find a promo video showing off the new device right after the break.
New PlayStation Vita coming October 10th: lighter, thinner, more battery life
If the news is big enough for a Sony livestream (and with an English translation, no less), then it's going to be good, right? Sony has announced a new version of its PS Vita, just weeks after announcing a price-drop across both the US and Europe. (Japan was treated to the discount back in February.) The Vita PCH-2000 is 15 percent lighter and 20 percent thinner than the original model and will add an additional hour of life to the battery. The new (WiFi-only) Vita will land in Japan first, on October 10th priced at 18,980 yen (about $190), and Sony isn't yet ready to reveal (or even confirm) availability in other parts of the world. But remember, that price tag is still cheaper than when the original Vita launched, priced at 24,980 yen. Further hardware improvements (alongside pink, black, blue, grey, lime green, and yellow color options) include a micro-USB charger -- like your smartphone -- and 1GB of onboard storage. Interestingly, the screen tech has been changed to LCD from OLED, but we'll have to see it in the flesh before we jump to any conclusions on performance -- that's what is likely responsible for the drop in price. Alongside those colors, Sony's already planned for three special edition models: Gundam Breaker, God Eater (camouflage!) and Otomate. Check out the gallery below and read on past the break for more.
Weekly Roundup: Gamescom 2013, Ballmer stepping down, Connecting Cape Town, and more!
You might say the week is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workweek, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Weekly Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past seven days -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
PlayStation 4's Shuhei Yoshida on indies: 'It's personal to me and many of us working at PlayStation' (video)
Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios head Shuhei Yoshida is a passionate man. He cares about games, he plays games, and it shows. When we ran into him at Sony's Gamescom 2013 press briefing, he was sitting next to and casually chatting with indie game dev Rami Ismail -- one of the dozens of indie devs bringing a game to the PlayStation 4. He kicked off PlayStation's Gamescom show with a confident and persuasive argument for his employer's new console: a casual walkthrough of the dashboard, followed up by a demonstration of watching a friend's livestreaming game which he seamlessly jumped into. He then grabbed a screenshot of the game in-action and posted it to Twitter directly from the console he was using on-stage. It was muted and powerful in terms of delivery; in so many words, Yoshida and Sony "showed," while Microsoft merely "told" (Redmond's equivalent demonstration was shown to press but not allowed to be filmed). We sat down for a lengthy interview with Yoshida -- commonly known as "Shu" in the game world -- to talk about not just his presentation at Gamescom, but also his affinity for the world of indies and gaming in general. "It's personal to me and many of us working at PlayStation," he said of his work with indies. "For many years, we've been big fans of working with small teams. They take chances. They come up with something unique, and sometimes it's very personal." Given our love for Oculus Rift's virtual reality tech, we couldn't help but ask Shu once more how he felt about the system and what his love for it might mean for the PlayStation 4. Head below for the full interview, full of wide smiles and thoughtful commentary from one of gaming's most passionate individuals.
Ubisoft isn't afraid of mobile gaming, sees a bright future in Wii U and Oculus Rift
Ubisoft's Alain Corre isn't worried about the rise in mobile gaming. On the contrary, Corre, who heads up the company's overseas operations, seems to welcome the uptick in iOS and Android gamers and not resignedly, either. "What we like in mobile gaming is that it's bringing a lot of new people to games," he told us. "Which for us is very good because it's a teaching thing and... at one point, some of them will feel a bit limited with the scope of mobile games and they'll want to experience something different in gaming." Whether it's the limitations of the casual genre or outright boredom, Corre's confident a chunk of these new gaming converts will seek out home console or PC experiences. Something that's more along the lines of a Watch Dogs or Assassin's Creed, perhaps. And with the advent of the next-gen, the timing for this gaming initiation couldn't be better for Ubisoft.
Daily Roundup: Gaming buyer's guide, PS4 launch games, Xbox One dashboard, and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
State of the PS Vita: Sony's portable gets a second lease on life
Consoles don't ever really come back from the dead, they just usually become niche. But the PlayStation Vita, Sony's redheaded portable stepchild, is currently having its Lazarus moment more than a year after release; a solid second chance at relevance. It's a resurrection owed entirely to the indie community, a fact Sony's more than happy to acknowledge -- just look at the company's recent marketing and Gamescom presser for proof. But before we talk Vita 2.0 and the promising future ahead, let's rewind a bit to examine the missteps that almost pushed Sony's powerhouse portable off a cliff.
Sony at Gamescom 2013: the story so far
Miss our liveblog of Sony's Gamescom press conference yesterday, or the wealth of news we've covered on all things PlayStation? Well, we forgive you. After all, there's a whole lot to digest. Now, chances are they'll be more Sony tidbits appearing as the German gaming event runs its course, but for now we've collected, compiled and condensed everything we've learned in one handy place: right after the break.
Minecraft coming to PS4 (update: PS3 and PS Vita, too)
Talk about cryptic teasers: Sony has just announced that Minecraft is coming to the PS4 at launch. And... that's about it. There's no other details. Still, those who want to build blocky worlds on next-gen consoles won't be limited to the Xbox One. Update: Notch has chimed in after Sony's event with word that Minecraft will also reach the PS3 and PS Vita.
Sony lands key deals for PS4 and PS Vita indie games: Rogue Legacy, Hotline Miami 2 and more
Sony has long argued that the PS4 and PS Vita are indie-friendly consoles, and it's backing up words with deeds at Gamescom. The company has landed a PS4 exclusive for the console version of Rogue Legacy. Both the PS4 and Vita are also getting a new version of The Binding of Isaac (called Rebirth), while a new N+ (N++) game is coming to PlayStation hardware. In a few cases, Sony will get first crack at some anticipated games -- a Hotline Miami sequel and Guns of Icarus Online will make their console debuts on the PS4 and PS Vita. If your tastes in games venture beyond the mainstream, Sony may have you covered for the foreseeable future.
Sony drops PlayStation Vita price to $199, confirms Fez and other indie games are on the way
It's not just PS4 news from Sony at its Gamescom keynote today, the company has also just confirmed a big bit of PlayStation Vita news: it's dropping the MSRP to $199. That price goes into effect tomorrow. Sony also says that it's dropping the cost of the memory cards for the device, although it's not offering specific prices for those just yet. What's more, the company has also confirmed that a slate of indie games are heading to the handheld console this year, including Fez, which will also be making its way to the PlayStation 4 -- again, further specifics will have to wait, but we'll bring you those as soon as we know them. Update: We've just received specifics about those memory card price drops. The 4GB unit is falling from $19.99 to $14.99; the 8GB from $29.99 to $19.99; the 16GB from $59.99 to $39.99; and the 32GB from $99.99 to $79.99.
Sony PlayStation Gamescom 2013 liveblog!
While Microsoft continues to trip over itself in the lead up to Xbox One, Sony's PlayStation 4 message is staying on target and sailing straight into gamers' good graces. And, after an undisputed win at E3 this year, there's little doubt Gamescom 2013 will slow Sony's roll, instead giving the company yet another opportunity to increase its already positive mindshare and deliver on next-gen promises (PS Vita Remote Play, anyone?). So, what can we expect from Sony's center stage spectacle today? The company will probably dive a bit deeper into the particulars of its indie strategy and, hopefully, announce a hard date on that PS4 holiday release -- which is what most of us care about, anyway. Beyond that, it's anyone's guess. So, hang tight, we'll be back with the blow-by-blow (and every gloriously awkward corporate potshot) right here at 9AM PST / 12PM EST.
PS Vita firmware 2.6 adds enhanced save management, spruced up UI
We're weary of the PlayStation Vita's constant firmware updates, but what version 2.6 brings to the table makes the patches almost bearable. Not only does it make managing game saves via PlayStation Plus easier, but the bubbles representing menu functions, games and apps are noticeably crisper, too. Sony has also added the ability to toggle wireless connectivity -- WiFi, Bluetooth, 3G and airplane mode -- by holding down the system's blue PS button. The features don't stop rolling there either, as you can now play media stored on a PC or PS3 remotely, without using the kludgy Remote Play app or copying the files to your handheld. While we've listed a quartet of tweaks here, there are a slew of other changes detailed in a video after the break and Sony has the full release notes on its official site.
