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Xperia Play and Xperia Arc confirmed for Rogers in Canada (update)
In case you missed the announcement, a recent press release has confirmed what we already knew: Xperia Play is coming to Canada, exclusively to Rogers. Set to hit shelves sometime this spring in late March alongside the Xperia Arc, both of these bad boys will run on Android 2.3 Gingerbread, with prices to be disclosed at launch. Remember when we used to call Xperia Play the "PlayStation Phone?" That was fun. PR after the break.
Ten Gameloft games available at Xperia Play launch
We've heard plenty of numbers regarding Sony's Xperia Play launch games, but few details about what each of its 20 supporting publishers have planned. Gameloft has cleared the air and filled 10 of the potential 50 launch game spots. Beyond Asphalt 6: Adrenaline and Star Battalion, you'll see Assassin's Creed, UNO, Let's Golf! 2, Spider-Man: Total Mayhem, Modern Combat: Black Pegasus, Real Football 2011, Brothers in Arms 2 and Splinter Cell: Conviction at launch on March 29. Trailers for the two packed-in games, Asphalt and Star Battalion can be found after the break, both of which were briefly shown during Sony's (leaked) Superbowl commercial. None of the games have been priced yet.
PSA: PlayStation Network content must be re-purchased on Xperia Play
The Xperia Play will be pre-loaded with an unknown "legendary" PS1 title (psst! -- it's Crash Bandicoot), along with a smattering of launch content -- but it won't be loaded with all that PlayStation Network content you've purchased. Speaking with GameSpot UK, Sony Ericsson UK managing director Nathan Vautier confirmed, "[Xperia Play owners] will have to repurchase the games, so it's not totally integrated." Beyond the Android Marketplace, Xperia Play owners will purchase content through the PlayStation Store; access to said store will come via Sony's PlayStation Suite, launching "later this year." Unfortunately, it seems that content you've already purchased -- say, PS1 titles that will also be available for purchase on Xperia Play -- must be repurchased for use on the handheld. We can't say we're super surprised. Or mad, even, really. Just disappointed.
Video: Watch the Xperia Play press conference, relive the surprise!
A few hours ago at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Sony Ericsson finally shared details of the Xperia Play, the long-since-leaked PlayStation Phone that made its "official" debut during last week's Super Bowl. While we've already picked over the presentation's carcass to bring you all the fresh meat we could find – like the hardware specs, release window and first US carrier, the PlayStation functionality, and some of the launch games – we figured some of you may want to relive all the surprises through the magic of video. Find the full Xperia Play presentation after the break, and then fly into the comments to let us know exactly how awkward those presenters were. We're going with: The most awkward. Boom!%Gallery-116437%
Sony Ericsson Xperia Play MWC 2011 hands-on! (updated with video)
We've spent extensive time with our prototype of the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, but how's it feel to use the real, near-finished model? Quite a bit better, actually. The phone looks identical, to be sure, but the hinge is much sturdier. The speaker quality has gone up, too, although in the crowded room it was much too noisy to really make a solid judgment call there. The screen attracts fingerprints like no other, but it's basically on par with other Xperia models. Its skinned Android Gingerbread UI was snappier, to be sure, and the customizations obviously a lot more complete, but really our biggest concern here was the games. (Check out our Pro, Neo, and Arc previews for more thoughts on the interface.) We were able to play three titles: Star Battalion, FIFA, and Asphalt. All were found via the applications pane amongst all the other software, but they were also highlighted by the eponymous Xperia Play app. (There was additionally the infamous PlayStation Pocket app, but more on that later.) The former title, very much a StarFox ripoff, had tight controlling via both the gamepad and optional accelerometer option. The trackpads wasn't supported, however, but when we swapped over to FIFA, we found the left "pad" could be used for moving the player. Though definitely usable, it felt rough under our thumbs and we couldn't smoothly slide about as we would with an analog nub. It is large enough to do varying degrees of a direction like an analog stick, but you won't really be fine-tuning your shot so much. The indents work really well to help gauge your thumbs' position without having to look down. Both titles took quite a while to load, crashing a few times in the process; we were told multiple times this was largely due to early software. Multiplayer was not an option at the show, but we did make it through Asphalt far enough to notice it was being run still by Gameloft and not via Sony servers. As for Xperia Play (the app), we couldn't help but notice the Get More Games section, no matter how simple, does a much better job at highlighting individual games than the Android Market currently does. The PlayStation Pocket app on most demo units was as barren as our own model, but we found at least one running Crash Bandicoot for PS One (the "legendary pre-installed title," as referenced in the press conference) at a smooth 60 frames per second. To compensate for only two L and R triggers, the settings menu offers six different button layouts where you can use the trackpads as secondary shoulder buttons (which prevents their use as analog nub replacements) or have L2 / R2 on screen virtually. Thankfully, jumping out of the app saves the game's state, and you can return by clicking on the app. An additional confirmation screen confirms you're really ready to play, which though we can see being a nuisance to some, will be welcome to others who often mis-click. The rep told us no multiplayer, but still you can toggle between the game pad being seen as controller one or two. We also heard that the PS One library will likely be rolled out on a weekly basis and not be available all at once. What we needed to convince us of the Xperia Play's viability as a game platform was the games itself, and we will say that Sony and SE are doing well to assuage our concerns there. The form factor is still sleek despite the slide-out gamepad, which feels great to use. The initial PlayStation Suite launch line up is... promising, but we hesitate to give it higher marks without more flagship original titles. What it'll take to attract more developers is a larger reach for the platform, which ironically will take more PlayStation Certified devices -- and as for when that'll happen, no one's saying yet. We'll have hands-on video of the Xperia Play later tonight; meanwhile, find hands-on pictures of the phone (and dock!) in the gallery below! Update: Fleshed out impressions, and video after the break! %Gallery-116439%%Gallery-116462%
Xperia Play battery life supports gaming for 5+ hours, and other specs
Here come the official specs! According to Sony Ericsson, the Xperia Play (aka "PlayStation Phone") includes a 1GHz Snapdragon processor with an embedded Adreno GPU graphics processor to enable "smooth 60fps" mobile gaming. And if the specs are to be believed, the Play will be able to game for "up to 5 hours and 35 minutes" -- making it a better performer than some of Sony's other handheld devices. The device will be available in black and white, and will come with a 5.1 megapixel camera. If you plan on downloading a lot of games, remember this: the device will have 400MB of on-board phone memory and a 8GB microSD memory card. Finally, Xperia Play will be one of the first devices to support Android 2.3, aka Gingerbread, when it launches this Spring. For more specs, click past the break.
Xperia Play's launch games captured on video
The announcement of the Xperia Play was accompanied by a bevy of trailers -- two of which actually show what gaming on the device is going to look like. Check out the two trailers after the jump; we can, at the very least, promise they're not as upsetting as that Super Bowl commercial.
Sony Ericsson touts Xperia Play multiplayer gaming, promises 50 titles at launch
A gaming phone's not very special without some games to back it up, and Sony Ericsson has thankfully filled in at least a few new details about that part of the equation at its MWC press conference today. That includes a hint of some mobile hotspot-based multiplayer gaming, and a promise of "over 50 titles" that will be available at launch, including Guitar Hero, Assassin's Creed, Dead Space and Reckless Racing. Unfortunately, it's not clear how many of those will actually be exclusive to the Xperia Play as opposed to Android phones in general, although it seems that Dungeon Defenders Wave 2 will be one non-PlayStation exclusive to the platform (along with some extra levels for Reckless Racing). Stay tuned for more details as we get them. Update: Head on past the break for a video that gives a glimpse of a few more games.
Xperia Play in U.S. in 'early spring,' on Verizon first
After months of speculation, leaks and a freaking Super Bowl commercial (seriously?), Sony has finally formally announced the Xperia Play smartphone -- the long fabled, long buzzed-about "PlayStation Phone." The device was shown off during the Sony Ericsson MWC 2011 press conference, where it was christened with a launch window -- the device will launch across the globe starting in March, with the U.S. being one of its first destinations. Sony also announced that Verizon will be the Xperia Play's first carrier starting in early spring. Check out Engadget's livestream for the highlights and additional details from the Xperia Play announcement! %Gallery-116437%
Sony Ericsson Xperia Play available in March, on Verizon in 'early spring'
The phone itself was hardly a surprise, but one of the details we didn't know about the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play was release date. We still don't have a specific day, but we do at least have a month: March. The phone is said to be coming to the US first, and Verizon will be the exclusive carrier domestically. Things are even more vague about when it'll be coming to VZW, nothing beyond "early spring," but March certainly falls in that window. Lots more details in our Sony Ericsson MWC liveblog.
Xperia Play pre-loaded with 'legendary' PS1 game, will launch with 50 games from 20 publishers
Sony Ericsson has (finally!) officially announced details on the Xperia Play, aka PlayStation Phone. The device will come pre-loaded with a "legendary" PS1 game, according to Kazuo "Ridge Racer" Hirai and a number of PlayStation titles will be available through the Android Marketplace "exclusively to Xperia Play" for a limited time. PlayStation Suite will be available later in the year. In addition, Ericsson has revealed that 20 publishers are working on content on the device, with up to 50 games available at launch. Some of the brands you can expect on the device include the not-so-dead Guitar Hero, Assassin's Creed, Battlefield, and Dead Space. Notably, EA's FIFA will be "the first multiplayer FIFA game on mobile." Many of the games available on Xperia Play are ports, and a partnership with Unity -- a cross-platform engine -- will allow for easy and optimized ports to Sony's mobile device. But there are some exclusives beyond PSone games: Dungeon Defender Wave 2, for example, is exclusive to the platform. Today's announcements make it clear that Android's finally got game -- but are you interested?%Gallery-116437%
The Sony Ericsson Xperia Play (update: video and full spec sheet!)
We'll forgive you if you thought the Xperia Play was eons before. Let's quickly run through its short-yet-illustrious history: we published first details in August last year, followed by the very first pictures in late October. More and more details emerged throughout the remainder of the year. By the time 2011 hit, a prototype was making the Chinese media rounds (teardown included), and then we managed to get our own Xperia Play prototype for preview. It's at this point that Sony Ericsson joins in on the fun with its creepy Super Bowl ad reveal. But after months of detailed leaks, early hands-on previews, and numerous executive non-denials, the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play is finally 100 percent official. As we've heard for ages now, it'll run Android 2.3 Gingerbread on a 1GHz Snapdragon processor with Qualcomm Adreno 205 graphics and display those games on a sizable 4-inch, 854 x 480 multi-touch LCD screen, the combination of which Sony says will provide 60 frames per second playback and manage up to 5 hours, 35 minutes of battery life in a single game session with the slide-out PlayStation Certified controller. Gaming credentials aside, you're looking at either a quad-band GSM or CDMA and EV-DO smartphone with a 5-megapixel autofocus camera, LED flash, stereo speakers, Bluetooth and WiFi functionality baked in, as well as Sony Ericsson's Timescape UI layer. The phone comes preloaded with a "legendary" PSone game of the undisclosed variety, as well as a bevy of popular Android games including Asphalt 6, The Sims 3 and Tetris, and Sony Ericsson promises a library of 50 additional titles available at launch from 20 publishing partners. Some games ported from existing smartphone platforms (like Reckless Racing) will have bonus content on Xperia Play, too. Local area multiplayer gaming is a go, as you'll be able to host a WiFi hotspot on one device and join the game with another. It's launching in March, and will be available on Verizon (a US timed exclusive) in "early spring," suggesting that we'll see the European launch before it hits the States. Update: Press release, full, gigantic spec sheet and loads of video after the break! Update 2: A brand new Xperia Play hands-on with games! %Gallery-116429%
Live from Sony Ericsson's MWC 2011 press event!
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?
Sony Ericsson Xperia Play may be headed to Verizon
If you're looking for reasons not to jump on the Verizon iPhone bandwagon, here's a pretty compelling, albeit unconfirmed, one: the Xperia Play may be headed to Big Red as well. In comparing Sony Ericsson's thumb-friendly Android handset to the iPhone 4, Wirefly has listed VZW as the carrier for the Play. This is the first we've really heard of a US provider for the phone, though we'd hardly be surprised if Sony Ericsson opts to spam it out to all four major networks. It did as much in the UK, where every single operator will try to sell you one in April, and we don't see why that strategy should change on US soil. The Xperia Play will be announced in full this Sunday, February 13th, when we might just learn more about its global availability... if we're really polite and wear our PlayStation T-shirts, presumably.
Reports: Xperia Play UK and Canada carriers revealed
While Sony's Xperia Play -- aka the PlayStation Phone -- still has yet to be fully revealed, that hasn't stopped various carriers around the globe from announcing plans to carry the device. UK's O2 tweeted the news from its official account, while mobile news site Pocket-lint reports that Vodafone will carry it as well. Additionally, the site says that T-Mobile UK and Orange will begin offering the device in April. Meanwhile, Mobilesyrup reports that the Xperia Play will be exclusive to Rogers in Canada, though the site is still chalking it up as a rumor for now. While very little official information has been confirmed, reports certainly seem to be pointing to an Xperia Play launch sooner rather than later. You can bet we'll be paying close attention to Sony's Xperia Play event this weekend.
Xperia Play coming to Canada, exclusive to Rogers?
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.
O2 UK says it's getting the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play (update: all UK carriers, April launch)
Now that the Xperia Play is finally official ahead of a full unveiling at MWC next week, carriers are ready to hop on the bandwagon -- or at least one is: O2 in the UK. Other than a brief tweet, no other details are given at this point, though the quick support of a major European carrier has to be good news for Sony Ericsson considering that device subsidies are no longer a sure thing... and without question, the Play represents something of a Hail Mary for one of the most badly bruised and beaten titans of the wireless industry. Pricing on contract is, of course, a huge open question -- as is North American support -- but hopefully all will be revealed on the 13th. [Thanks, Ed] Update: Pocket-lint says it can "exclusively confirm" that Vodafone will be getting the phone as well, suggesting that Sony Ericsson may not be pursuing exclusivity periods here -- at least, not in the UK. Update 2: Pocket-lint is additionally reporting that Orange and T-Mobile UK (collectively known as Everything Everywhere) are signed up to get it in April, which would put it around the same time as the Xperia Arc. Still no word on what this might mean for North American launches. Update 3: And the circle is complete. Three has just tweeted its confirmation that it too shall be "ranging" the Xperia Play. Thanks, Tom!
Sony Ericsson announces Xperia Play -- for real
After four months of convincing, total, comical leaks -- Engadget has one of the damn things -- Sony Ericsson has officially unveiled the Xperia Play, the Android handset commonly referred to as the "PlayStation Phone." Kind of. Actually, even this official reveal isn't a full release: Sony merely posted an announcement on Facebook, with that horrifying commercial (after the break) and the news that we'll find out more next Sunday, Feb. 13, at 1 p.m. EST, during the Mobile World Congress event. Sony also spared no expense running the ad during the Super Bowl. While we question the wisdom of finally taking the wraps off of what might be the best-known unannounced device ever with nothing more than a tease and images of mascot vivisection, we must give Sony props for acknowledging the existence of its phone at last.
Sony Ericsson makes Xperia Play official in Super Bowl commercial, full launch coming February 13th
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!
Sony Ericsson Xperia Play ('PlayStation Phone') now has a commercial
We're all out of flabbergast over here. Sony Ericcson's still unannounced PlayStation-branded smartphone -- the "Xperia Play," or "PlayStation Phone" to us normal folks -- now appears in a commercial that found its way to YouTube. Beyond showing the (usually adorable) Android mascot having human thumbs sewn onto its arms, the advert depicts an unknown fighting game and two Gameloft titles. The two Gameloft titles -- a racing game and a space combat game -- look an awful lot like entries in the publisher's Asphalt and Star Battalion franchises. Check out the creepy commercial after the break.
