xperia-play
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Xperia Play commercial surfaces, makes back alley surgery fun again (video)
You know, it just wouldn't be an ad campaign for a Sony game system without a suitable "WTF?" moment. And why would Sony Ericsson's Xperia Play (a.k.a. PlayStation phone, a.k.a. the Worst Kept Secret in the Business) be any different? There isn't much to say about this ad, except that the fine folks at Droid NYTT got hold of a copy, and that we hope these back-alley thumb transplant goons know a thing or two about anesthetics. See for yourself after the break.
Sony Ericsson's Xperia Play retail booths exposed
We said it at the Show and we'll say it again, Sony Ericsson just can't keep a lid on (any) secret information. The Xperia Play, formerly and more poetically known as the PlayStation Phone, has been previewed, videoed, and loved (mostly by us), but today we can add even more to our foreknowledge about this still unannounced device in the form of its in-store booths. Yes, SE has planned out how resellers and carriers will pimp its gaming smartphone at retail, and yes, renders of that "brand experience" have leaked out. It's nothing jaw-dropping, just some upright pedestals with the words "smart phone, smart gaming" on its side, but at least it signals that we're at an advanced stage of preparations ahead of the handset's launch. There is a T-Mobile logo on there too, but that could be just a placeholder or could refer to territories outside the US. Either way, spring does sound like the perfect time for some more Gingerbread in our lives. Update: Although we've been assured that the layout above is genuine, the slim device pictured on top of the stands looks like the Xperia Arc. The device at the bottom looks more like a cross between a PSP Go and the Xperia Play. Of course, we're expecting to see a myriad of Android devices announced with PlayStation Suite support, so who knows.
The Engadget Show: Xperia Play / PlayStation phone previewed, 'shoulder flippers' in tow (video)
We expect each and every one of you to watch the Engadget Show's initial live stream and to download / re-watch it when we post up the official HD files -- and that expectation goes double for episodes featuring Steve Wozniak. So when we tell you about this awesome breakout clip of Nilay and Josh playing with Sony's top secret Xperia Play / PlayStation phone prototype -- the one Richard Lai previewed last week -- it's not because we suspect it's the first time you've seen the footage. No, we just want to provide yet another excuse to watch Street Fighter EX Plus Alpha with slow framerate, and get a visual cue of the custom-made Josh Topolsky soundboard app. We imagine the games to be much Suite-r by the time the device makes its (much more likely than not) Mobile World Congress debut this month.
The Engadget Show - 017: Steve Wozniak, Sony NGP, PlayStation Phone prototype
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) Subscribe to the Show: [iTunes] Subscribe to the Show directly in iTunes (MP4). [Zune] Subscribe to the Show directly in the Zune Marketplace (MP4). [RSS MP4] Add the Engadget Show feed (MP4) to your RSS aggregator and have it delivered automatically. [HD RSS] Get the Engadget Show delivered automatically in HD. [iPad RSS] Get the Engadget Show in iPad-friendly adaptive format.
The Engadget Show returns this Sunday with Steve Wozniak!
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. Subscribe to the Show: [iTunes] Subscribe to the Show directly in iTunes (M4V). [Zune] Subscribe to the Show directly in the Zune Marketplace (M4V). [RSS M4V] Add the Engadget Show feed (M4V) to your RSS aggregator and have it delivered automatically.
Sony Ericsson Xperia Play 'PlayStation' Phone manhandled again ... by Engadget
It's official: Sony Ericsson's so-called Xperia Play -- or, as we prefer to think of it, the PlayStation Phone -- is the worst gaming product reveal in the history of gaming product reveals. Sure, you might argue that the leaked PSP Go video was more damning (and more detailed!) but the quantity of Xperia Play leaks is nothing short of staggering. First, it was just details and some pictures, but then came the Chinese gadget blogs and a series of hardware previews. And now, our gadget-loving kin at Engadget have somehow managed to procure a unit -- rumor has it Crash Bandicoot got drunk off Wumpa Fruit juice and left it on a barstool -- and they've put it through the paces, with a full writeup, gallery and videos. Unfortunately for those of us more interested in video games than noise-cancellation mics, there's not much more info on the mysterious PlayStation Pocket app, or any feedback on those weird touch-based analog thumbsticks. Yup, it's another hardware reveal for a product that will live and die by its software library. While Sony is rumored to come clean on the relatively classified PSP2 tonight, the Xperia Play won't be getting officially unveiled until Mobile World Congress in just under three weeks. Way to stick to that plan, guys!
Exclusive: Sony Ericsson Xperia Play (PlayStation Phone) preview
Oh yes. After all the unbearable teasing since we unveiled the first ever photos of the PlayStation Phone, we've finally managed to get hold of the real deal for an in-depth preview. Honestly, we couldn't wait any longer with this thing floating around in China; we'd otherwise have to wait until MWC, where we expect the phone to be launched as the "Xperia Play" (and we shall refer to this name henceforth). Before you pop the cork for us, do bear in mind that what we're seeing here is subject to changes, so don't be alarmed by any missing features or exposed cables in our preview. When you're ready, head right past the break to find out what Sony Ericsson's cooking up. %Gallery-115003%
PlayStation Phone gets some much-needed sunlight in latest video ... still not announced
Just because it's the the latest in a long-line of unannounced, but comically well-known PlayStation products – remember the PSP Go leak and the months-long PS3 Slim reveal? – doesn't mean the PlayStation Phone can't take some time off. It's tough, spending all that time under wraps, only to be furtively pulled out for a massive ten-page exposé or a video shoot. So it's with great joy that we share the latest video of Sony Ericsson's Xperia Play gaming handset; finally, some light is shed on the PlayStation Phone. Watch! As the curiously long-fingernailed gentleman spins the device around, revealing its every curve. Gasp! As he toggles the slide-out gamepad back and forth. And it's all happening in broad daylight, far from the fluorescent din of an assembly line (or a Chinese gadget blogger's basement). See for yourself after the break.
Alleged 3DS, PlayStation Phone disassembled
Not one but two ritualistic device dismantlings have been exacted in recent days, an alleged 3DS and PlayStation Phone the sacrificial lambs. Spilled across a TVGZone forum thread are the guts of an apparent 3DS, posted by a Taiwanese tinkerer who claims to have obtained the stolen unit (not unlike the one supposedly lifted from an assembly line earlier this month) and promptly taken the tools to it. The de-casing has revealed only a typical arrangement of circuitry and plastic bits, leaving us to wonder if the plundering of this poor portable was in vain. As it we hadn't seen enough already, TGbus, which had apparently tired of displaying its alleged "Xperia Play" PlayStation phone alongside its comprehensive collection of the world's handheld devices, broke out a set of Torx bits and proceeded to tear the thing down. The meticulous disassembly, however, failed to uncover what some might have hoped would be an intact, teensy-weensy PlayStation system -- just more circuitry (including what's suspected to be a Qualcomm MSM7x30 chipset) and plastic bits, it seems. Are you finished yet, you monsters?
PlayStation Phone caught on video playing unofficial PSOne Android app
This seems like a pretty natural fit -- the PlayStation Phone, which, hilariously enough, still hasn't been formally acknowledged by Sony, was recently captured on video running a PSOne emulator Android application called ROM Buddy PSX. It should be stressed that the handheld (which has supposedly been branded the Xperia Play) doesn't have this functionality built in -- the video is simply demonstrating how the Play's slide-out gamepad can be used to interact with the App, and the zombies therein. Of course, that doesn't make the video any less dead sexy. Check out the video after the jump to see the PlayStation Phone living up to its unofficial name, playing ROMs of Resident Evil 2 and Rage Racer.
Even more PlayStation Phone shots appear, comparison shots galore!
What would you say if we told you that somehow, Sony's containment of its still-unannounced PlayStation Phone (the Xperia Play?) has gotten even more impossibly bad? At this point, just a few short days after we saw the first Chinese-language explosion of pics we've got another ten-page, Chinese-language explosion. Engadget's Richard Lai handled translation duties and he suggests this may be the very same PlayStation Phone making the Chinese media rounds. This time around, we've got comparison shots with the PSP-1000, the PSP Go, DSi, GBA SP, various Sony Ericsson Xperia handsets, and more. That PlayStation Pocket app is as much of a mystery as it was the other day, but this preview says a third-party emulator runs on the handheld with 70% of the titles working. Are those PSone titles or PSP titles? Engadget's guess is it's the 'psx4droid' PSone emulator. Regardless, there's plenty of eye candy at the Source link below.
Sony's PlayStation Phone gets in-depth preview in China, PlayStation Pocket app in tow
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-113164%
Sony's PlayStation Phone finally gets Xperia, PlayStation logos
We've heard of the mysterious, still-totally-unofficial PlayStation Phone running Android 2.2 in the past, but we'd also heard it could run 3.0 -- thing is, that was back before we knew Gingerbread would be 2.3, so it's possible that those 3.0 rumors ended up materializing as 2.3. Capiche? Anyhow, this is the first time we're seeing the Xperia Play (or Zeus Z1, or whatever it'll end up being called) running 2.3 in the wild, doing its thing next to a white Xperia X10 to give you an idea of scale. The lucky poster actually has two of the phones available, so they seem to be leaking out of factories in sufficient quantities now to suggest that it'll likely be announced soon -- or so we hope, anyway. CES? MWC? We'll know soon enough. Follow the break for the 2.3 evidence up close. Also notable: these appear to be new hardware builds that feature refined touch surfaces -- notice the engraved circles -- along with PlayStation-themed and Xperia logos at the bottom (notice the telltale square, triangle, X, and circle shapes). The screen shots call out a model number of R800i, which has previously been associated with the Zeus... so this is definitely lining up nicely. [Thanks, Sze] %Gallery-112492%
Japanese paper pegs PlayStation Phone for spring launch
In case you needed any more evidence that Sony is ramping up to launch a gaming system on a phone in the next few months, here you go: Japanese rag Asahi Shimbun says that the PlayStation Phone -- which could be known as the Zeus Z1, Xperia Play, or something else altogether by the time it's on store shelves -- is expected in the spring of 2011 for a North American and European release. That lines up with virtually everything we've been hearing lately, and it's also fortuitous timing considering that both CES and MWC are right around the corner; we don't know what Sony Ericsson might have on tap for CES, but we definitely know they're planning some new Xperia-branded models for MWC. There are many questions left unanswered -- how (and if) any of this ties into the standalone PSP2, how gaming titles will be purchased, and how many models will be available that support the platform, just to name a few -- but hopefully Sony can clear all that up here within the next few weeks.
Sony's Kaz Hirai talks up virtues of touch controls, weighs in on PlayStation phone
The PlayStation phone keeps popping up time and again, and still no one at Sony is going to flat-out admit anything -- but that hasn't stopped playful speculation. Even SCE chief Kaz Hirai is joining in the fun. "We don't want gamers to be asking, what's the difference between that [a PS phone] and a PSP... we have to come up with a message that users will understand," he told The New York Times. "It would have to be a product that keeps the PlayStation's strengths intact." So that's the issue, then, differentiating a new PSP and a variant with phone capabilities -- nothing a good marketing campaign can't fix, if you ask us. But enough about the phone, what of the PlayStation's portable brand in general? Hirai seems to fancy touch controls, actually. "Depending on the game, there are ones where you can play perfectly well with a touch panel," he said, adding that "immersive games" -- the ones he think are Sony's focus, vs. the more casual fare offered by Apple and Android -- do well with physical buttons, and that some games work well with the two. We can't help but notice he said touch panel and not touch screen, which reminds us of the touchpad we saw on the PS phone leaks, but we wouldn't want to harp too much.
Reports suggest PlayStation Phone called 'Xperia Play,' to be revealed in Feb.
Recently, some evidence has appeared suggesting that Sony is planning to market a new Android-based phone built on the legacy of one of the company's existing product lines. That product line, of course, is Xperia, Sony Ericsson's smartphone line. According to European trademark filings spotted by PocketNow, Sony is releasing something under the name "Xperia Play" -- a name that would make sense for a Sony Ericsson phone designed to play games, which is exactly what the rumored (and very well-photographed) "PlayStation Phone" is. The Unofficial Xperia X10 Blog found XperiaPlay domain registrations set up by a marketing firm that works for Sony Ericsson. Pocket-Lint reports a rumor that the phone will be revealed at February's Mobile World Congress for an April release. None of this is any guarantee that the "Playstation Phone" will be released as the Xperia Play -- or even that the Xperia Play name will be used for anything -- but in our opinion, it would be a pretty huge mistake to torpedo the product by associating it with any brand other than PlayStation. Perhaps Sony will launch an "Xperia Play Mobile App Store Powered by PlayStation" or some similar confusing half-step.
Sony Ericsson PlayStation Phone to be called 'Xperia Play'?
We've been hoodwinked by trademark filing and domain registrations before (cough, BlackPad and SurfBook) so we wouldn't say this is anywhere near definite, but we just caught wind of a Sony Ericsson EU trademark registration for "Xperia Play," and SE PR firm Jung Relations has registered a variety of Xperia Play domain names, including XperiaPlay.com, .net, and .org. Yes, that certainly sounds like a promising name for the PlayStation Phone (although not quite as promising as, you know, "PlayStation Phone,") but honestly we wouldn't bet on anything at this point. We've got a feeling we'll either find out either at CES or at MWC in February -- hold on tight. Update: Turns out SE also registered Xperia Arc, Xperia Duo, and Xperia Neo, so now our interest is definitely piqued. And our hopes are totally shatter-able.
