Sony Preparing New Handheld Devices to Take On Apple

[MorphingDragon]

As opposed to what??

here they buy a lot of cars made by kia. It doesn't mean it's a better choice.

Nokia handsets.

Thats our choice for nonsmartphone type cellphones. Nokia or Erricson. Sharp have dropped off the earth and LG is more interested in selling handsets with a keyboard and Samsung phones just suck.

 

[tobyw7]

It was not an entry market phone at the time of purchase.

It can not be compared to the iPhone all the same.

 

[iSamurai]

What? The PST? T for touch?

 

[Journojulz]

The iPad is going to fail.

Bit busy now, but have put this url in my iCal for March 5, 2011

https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=9383442#post9383442

Will get back to you then, ta.

 

[Journojulz]

"We have always been shameless about stealing great ideas."

.....and making them into great products

There IS a difference.

 

[E.Lizardo]

Microsoft just wishes they could be as bad as Sony

Sony is one company I won't ever consider buying from.Proprietary connectors everywhere in their gear,memory sticks,DRM CDs that(thankfully)won't play on Macs and put malware on Windows boxes.The las thing I bought from them was a minidisc player.I read the software terms of service,removed the CD and drove right back to Circuit City for a refund.It was outrageous.
Oh yea-also actual graffiti advertising the PSP and the pathetically hilarious "All I Want for Christmas is a PSP"website/video.
There is no product they make now that isn't made better by someone else.

 

[0098386]

I threw in no opinion, just facts.

Secondly, if a shop throws in games/controllers, that's fine and dandy. I was just disputing your comment that the 360 is some how significantly cheaper than the PS3. Sure, you can play without a harddrive, but don't expect to be able to play old XBox games, or get on XBL, as a HDD is required.

But that is what you want out of the console, not what is needed to just play games.
You don't need a HDD to play games. I could happily live off my memory card if I wanted, it isn't forced nor required.

To go down that route I would have to buy a HDMI to VGA adapter ontop of a PS3 (looking at £300 now) where I only spent £140 on my Xbox and VGA adapter. For the price of 1 PS3 alone I could (today) buy an Xbox, a HDD, 4-6 AAA title, Arcade disc and potential extra controller depending on the shop.

 

[E.Lizardo]

I hope that Sony can introduce a new and revolutionary product to keep Apple on it's toes. In the past few years it seems like Apple has slowly became the new Micro$oft and is becoming less and less of an innovator.

If this is what it is going to take to get Apple to become a better company than what it is today and to keep that number one position as the most admired company they are going to need to keep innovating and re-innovating.

Why?Because they haven't come out with something like the iPhone every few months?What the heck do you want from them?And who's out innovating them?

 

[gnasher729]

Sony is having a hard time competing with Microsoft. What makes them think they could compete with Apple or Google?

Their hardware engineers can build really nice hardware. Unfortunately, they are so worried about their precious IP (Sony owns a lot of music) that they are forced to make it all quite useless. Nobody knows if they are any good at producing software.

Can't quite see where you see Sony competing with Microsoft though.

 

[E.Lizardo]

Oh, I get the iPhone, I get it's success, and it's appeal. After all that, I still don't like it. I have a lengthy list of reasons too. Sometimes the list grows, sometimes it shrinks. I'm just not a one-size-fits all kind of guy.

So...how many phones do you have?

It annoys me how people keep saying ooh 30%/40% failure rate. This was a problem fixed with the new chipsets on the Xbox quite a long time ago.

That should never have happened.

 

[gnasher729]

Specs are pretty much irrelevant nowadays. That's what the Wii has made very clear. Also, Sony often implements stupid proprietary technologies (in the case of the PSP those horrible UMDs) and calls them "specs". That game is so over.

Specs are very important for game consoles if you add "fun" to the list of specs. And suddenly, the Wii is quite at the top with its specs. Like a Mac is quite on top of the list spec-wise once you add "Just Works" and "My wife can use it" and "Doesn't look horrible in the living room" to the specs.

 

[John Dillinger]

Sorry....

I'd have been excited about this perhaps 10 years ago, but Sony Computer Entertainment has lost it's way massively and the PlayStation 3 has not shifted the numbers expected by the Sony Corp. However, Sony Corp will be happy enough in that their decision to force Sony Computer Entertainment into using Blu-Ray and using the PlayStation brand as a Blu-Ray trojan horse, paid off.

Back where it matters though, in gaming, the PlayStation 3 is a machine crippled by Blu-Ray and a poor online service in comparison to it's main rival, the Xbox 360. Mandatory installs on major releases (MGS4 installing each chapter as you go through the game shocked me as I played through it), and slow loading times (x2 speed Blu-Ray drive, which is also the reason behind mandatory installs) mean the console is crippled technically when it comes to games.

Add to that the lack of third party exclusives, a major factor in the success of the PlayStation and PlayStation 2, and it's clear that the PlayStation brand doesn't carry the same "aura" it used to ... and that saddens me somewhat.

Given that the PlayStation 3 has sold some 23m units so far, compared to the PlayStation 2 which had shifted near on 70m in the same point in it's lifespan, you can see that exclusives DO make a system.

And, of course, with these handheld devices that play PlayStation Store content ... will the pricing be anywhere near in line with the iTunes Store?

I severely doubt it. Sony has had it's day I'm afraid, and the ironic thing is that it shot itself in the foot to derail it's own future.

AHEM... COMPLETELY OFF!!!!

Crippled by BLU-RAY??? Read the latest Final Fantasy XIII ps3 vs 360 face off... a 2010 game http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-final-fantasy-xiii-face-off
The lack of space CRPPLED the 360 version!!!

And the PS3 sold 23m??? Its 2010, theyre at 33m!!!! http://www.scei.co.jp/corporate/data/bizdataps3_sale_e.html

Theyve cut a 10m lead down to just over 5 with a system which as many complained about--had a significantly higher entry point! Even now in UK you can get 360 for £130 with a couple games... try £249 for ps3.

Mandatory installs??? Try the 2009 GAME OF THE YEAR Unchaterd 2 (Ps3 exclusive) No installs, all streaming!! From the "slow blu-ray"

So much for the crippled system!!

Try God of 3?? http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/god-of-war-iii-needs-no-hdd-install

Try Killzone 2? try Resistance 2? Try so many others without mandatory installs! The only ones that do nowadays are multiplat devs who DONT know how to code properly for Ps3 (eg. Bisoshock 2)

You are so uninformed (or outdated) its unbelievable!! And if thats the case dont speak like you know!!

Wake up!!

P.S Im NOT saying this psp phone will be a success... Os will be biggest hurdle but they dont necessarily need it to be as expandable as the iphone with App store. So a solid symbian or even proprietory based on linux could work. Their "app store" would be the PS Store... their apps: the games. But it would still be tricky to pull off.

 

[John Dillinger]

Sony is one company I won't ever consider buying from.Proprietary connectors everywhere in their gear,memory sticks,DRM CDs that(thankfully)won't play on Macs and put malware on Windows boxes.The las thing I bought from them was a minidisc player.I read the software terms of service,removed the CD and drove right back to Circuit City for a refund.It was outrageous.
Oh yea-also actual graffiti advertising the PSP and the pathetically hilarious "All I Want for Christmas is a PSP"website/video.
There is no product they make now that isn't made better by someone else.

Oh Gosh please stop moaning about proprietory as an Apple fan!! Im sure youvre loving all the standard accessories you can just attach to you iPod/iphone?? Just plug in any usb cable and go right??

The way you can just share your songs with someone else library without losng your songs???

And Sony with PS3 is the one with open platform: standard bluetooth 2 for communication with controllers, keyboards.

Takes any standard SATA drive vs proprietory (Way Overpriced) 360 HDs.

Apple or NOT the best hardware manufacturer!! If they opened it up they would get outsold period!! Thats why they wont!!

Thats why they are not liking the android situation right now.

Android may still be off in polish but its VERY VERY close, running on MUCH BETTER hardware in some cases... Have you seen the new Qaulcomm chips coming out???

http://www.droiddog.com/android-blog/2010/02/qualcomm-7x30-the-next-generation-of-androids/

Can any of you honestly say that even iphone 5 will be like that?? Were still waiting on a hardware flash in 2010! We may still not get it as it looks "Ugly" and flashes on phones are "too small" (even though people have been loving Xenon flashes since the K800i in what, 2007??)

How is Apple supposed to compete with hundreds of open source devs out there? They will overtake them soon enough...hence the need to slow them down. And sorry but the ipad is NOT "magical"

Respect where its due Apple did a fantastic thing with the Iphone. Unfortunately for them Google got the basic blueprint and have unleashed it to hordes of devs and it doesnt look good.. hence why they act. Will be interesting once Google actually steps in.

Fans can say all they want about "superior hardware and software integration... its not the hardware, its the ecosystem". Well the rest of the world have spoken with their wallets and they voted for a wide variety of choice, and customisation. And while Macs are nice and most do like them, theyre overpriced, and youre limited to what 2-3 basic designs for laptop, and $1000 entry price. It will be Mac (iphone) vs pc (android) eventually, and we all know who won that battle.

 

[kernkraft]

This is where i can disagree with you...

The ipad like the iphone may play a few games.. but sony already has all their PSP games under their belt. An never underestimate how much an extra 4 or 5 buttons or touch sensitive outer edges benefits a game (that apple has not included on the ipad and what sony most likely will).

This is where sony shines as a competitor to apple's ipad just as the google/htc alliance competes with apple in the phone area. (Granted... no other company polishes a product inside and out like apple does.) mmmm shiny apples. I like the red ones.

As I suggested, I'm not a heavy gamer. I loved the whole GTA franchise, Annos, AOE, etc, but I just don't have the time for these kinds of games anymore. However, the iPhone opened the floodgate for some simple games. I don't think that I can play Monopoly better with buttons. In fact, I prefer playing Monopoly on my iPhone, despite the obvious screen size limitation.

The traditional computer game market is getting saturated. There are other people too, who so far did not have much of a chance to get aimed at.

Look at the success of the Wii and it's obvious that the next big jump for the gaming industry will be to get middle-aged, elderly and professional people into occasional gaming. Oh, and families. I think the iPad sucks as an e-reader, but as a potential family gaming platform, it makes sense.

I cannot wait to see a new generation of activity and board games emerging!


One thing, though... I'm not sure that apart from the US and a few developed countries, the iPad will be very popular. For the iPad to succeed, you need a stable middle-class, well-off pensioners with good pensions and established App Stores/iTunes Stores.

The PS Wee.

iPad

 

[*LTD*]

"We have always been shameless about stealing great ideas."
- Steve Jobs

From a comment from leoc at lwn.net:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW0DUg63lqU

The words of your self-admitting stealing messiah.

We've already moved past the point where you can take his words out of context and make everyone think you're on to something.

By the way:

http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/11/apple-countersues-nokia-for-infringing-13-patents/

As Anssi Vanjoki, Nokia's executive Vice President and General Manager of Multimedia, stated at Nokia's GoPlay event in 2007 when asked about the similarities of Nokia's new offerings to the already released iPhone:"f there is something good in the world, we copy with pride."

And let's not forget one of our favourites:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/12/simon-aldous-windows-7-in_n_355043.html

Aldous told PCR that the graphical style of Windows 7 was influenced by Macs:

One of the things that people say an awful lot about the Apple Mac is that the OS is fantastic, that it's very graphical and easy to use. What we've tried to do with Windows 7 - whether it's traditional format or in a touch format - is create a Mac look and feel in terms of graphics.

Now THAT is shameless. Or rather, everyone is saying this sort of thing. Which makes it fairly meaningless (actually Aldous' admission is pretty telling) until the courts decide on something substantial, like actual patent violations, never mind PR-speak.

The iPad is going to fail.

You mean just like the iPod and the iPhone failed? Because that is exactly what we're looking at here: another iPod phenomenon. The game is already over for the also-rans in the slate/tablet game. The only thing left will be the pack of "iPad Killers." Apple has this segment all figured out and locked up for the next few years, easily.

 

[baleensavage]

I just hope that Sony sticks to what they're good at—gaming—and doesn't try to emulate Apple too much. I love my iPod touch, but for real portable gaming I will always turn to my PSP. The PSP on the other hand has the worlds crappiest internet browsing system and fails in every respect where the iPod rocks. The reason the PSPGo was a flop was because it was trying to emulate a DS and iPod touch, without using any of the innovations that make those devices different. I personally can't see what Sony will have to offer in the tablet market other than crappy Windows Tablet edition or Android. As if the world needs any more of those.

 

[*LTD*]

I just hope that Sony sticks to what they're good at—gaming—and doesn't try to emulate Apple too much.

The problem is that everyone and their dog has been trying to "emulate Apple too much", and doing a poor job of it. It's time for these also-rans to go their own way and develop completely new ideas. In the end, the follow-Apple approach usually ends up backfiring, because these products end up being compared to Apple's offerings anyway.

 

[Kwill]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone : Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_1_3 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7E18 Safari/528.16)

At CES everyone had a "slate" tablet. Now that the iPad is Apple's official product name, the "Sony Walkpad" is an expected response.

 

[cumanzor]

Running what lousy desktop OS scaled down to run on a tablet device?

What a joke. Seen it all before.

Bring on the "iPad Killers."

Pfft. Call me when your iPhone can match the gaming experience of my PSP.

(or my ps3 for that matter but that's another beast)

 

[SandynJosh]

Sony's design philosophy: Make it and if they don't come, abandon it and try something else. There's no focus; no plan... just throw sh*t against the wall and hope something sticks.

 

[PandaOnslaught]

They make the best flat screen tv's. I love my huge Sony screen. Connected to my Apple T.V., too.


The quality of their products constitutes a threat to Apple. I'm sure Apple will be suing them, too. For.....something..I dunno what but they'll find something to sue them over.

SONY does NOT!!!!! make the best tv's, where do you even get the idea that sony is best? every single samsung television made is better than sony, and even Vizio has a higher rated picture quality than sony. Sony is a joke,

 

[surferfromuk]

omitted from the PR release...

"...but first we got to write a UNIX based OS that'll run on a cellphone. Just as soon as we've got that cracked we'll get right on with these amazing products that are going to kick Apple's butt!"

 

[PandaOnslaught]

Pfft. Call me when your iPhone can match the gaming experience of my PSP.

(or my ps3 for that matter but that's another beast)

Yeah and when your PS3's frame-rates and picture quality match that of my 360, call me, ill be waiting

 

[*LTD*]

Yeah and when your PS3's frame-rates and picture quality match that of my 360, call me, ill be waiting

Isn't the PS3 more powerful than the 360?

 

[xIGmanIx]

Just like computers, its not about the hardware, its about the software, as the PS2 is still selling to this day 10 years later.

Isn't the PS3 more powerful than the 360?