Will You Carry Around A Phone And A PlayStation Vita?
See Full ImageWith everything becoming integrated these days, some analysts are wondering if the mobile gaming explosion will hurt Sony's new handheld device.
Although the PlayStation Vita supports 3G, it still isn't a phone. At the same time, smartphones will let you call someone, support 3G (and in some cases, 4G), and yeah, play games. While it's certainly true that not one of those phones can match the Vita's potential for interactive entertainment, technology continues to advance at a rapid clip; there may come a time in the Vita's lifespan when a smartphone can compete in the gaming arena. And it's still a phone.
We've heard some analysts ask the question- "How many mobile devices are consumers willing to carry around?" SCEJ president Hiorshi Kawano told Reuters that he expects the Vita to do well and claims it doesn't compete with smartphones. Kawano says Sony expects the 3G Vita model to sell quickly (the first 500,000 are expected to disappear soon after launch) and he also believes the Vita doesn't compete with the Nintendo 3DS, either. Now, we agree on some points, and we certainly believe the Vita will become the best handheld gaming device available.
But despite Kawano's statements, that question in the headline remains viable. The Vita is a portable device. So is a smartphone. Maybe we wouldn't always carry both around but as the phone is typically a staple these days, the Vita will have to be added at some point, right? Furthermore, while the avid gamers easily recognize that the Vita is designed for them, other consumers might just look at the handheld and assume it's a phone. Sony will have to work to differentiate themselves from the crowd, and prove that their new portable is unique and attractive.
Tags: ps vita, playstation vita, vita games, gaming culture
9/15/2011 9:02:13 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (91 posts)
Doppel
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 12:04:12 AM
One thing about dedicated Handhelds is that if you sit down and play games and manage to blow away your handheld's battery, you still have a phone.
When you blow away your phone's battery playing crappy mobile games, you'll be out of luck when you need to call, text or receive messages and incoming calls.
7 up, 0 down
Cpt_Geez
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 12:27:11 AM
4 up, 0 down
Stabs88
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 8:36:01 AM
2 up, 0 down
ZettaiSeigi
Thursday, September 15, 2011 @ 9:45:01 PM
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Beamboom
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 12:34:12 AM
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ZettaiSeigi
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 3:43:42 AM
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Beamboom
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 7:00:27 AM
Remember, there was a time were the console games were much less than todays smartphone games. :)
Last edited by Beamboom on 9/16/2011 7:56:41 AM
1 up, 1 down
godsdream
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 11:36:58 AM
1 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 12:10:04 PM
Some of the Android games today are pretty darn close to what could have been a PSP game, and in my opinion that's a pretty strong indication of what to come. May I remind you all that games development for Android only started to gain momentum during the last couple of years. That's a pretty short time getting to where they are today.
Last edited by Beamboom on 9/16/2011 12:11:37 PM
1 up, 0 down
ZettaiSeigi
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 8:42:21 PM
I am not saying that games on smartphones will never progress. They have and will continue to do so. But games on dedicated handheld consoles would do so as well and they would always take a higher priority for me. So yes, I'd still say never.
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John Shoemaker
Thursday, September 15, 2011 @ 9:46:18 PM
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And of course I'd have my phone. Free mobile hotspot anyone? Instant Wifi for the Vita.
11 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Thursday, September 15, 2011 @ 10:03:59 PM
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I've spent a good deal of time with cell phone games over the past several months and I've come to see that the value is incredible where a person can obtain a decent to high quality game from $1 to $10. But while these games are nice, they just aren't at the same level with the kind of premium offerings that will be on Vita. And this just isn't a graphics thing either. It's also a production one. Many of these parent's basement games or games being generated with modest budgets by amateur to fledgling devs are fun and many are quite remarkable, but the sort of development effort going into Sony's first party offerings or esteemed partners just won't be touched by the phone market anytime soon imo. That, and the control options and versatility are in a league of their own on Vita. A part of me really wants to get behind Vita, because I want to support the highest quality stuff. But another part of me acknowledges that mobile gaming in general isn't all that valuable to me, and perhaps the $1-$10 spot is my sweet spot for killing some game time on the side.
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sirbob6
Thursday, September 15, 2011 @ 10:05:24 PM
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Pandacastro
Thursday, September 15, 2011 @ 10:15:29 PM
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Lawless SXE
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 3:24:50 AM
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Snorge
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 1:33:53 PM
Gotta love The Lonely Island....Like a Boss is one of the best they've done....next to the Jack Sparrow song...Micheal Bolton doing cocaine: Classic!
Last edited by Snorge on 9/16/2011 1:34:02 PM
1 up, 0 down
PasteNuggs
Thursday, September 15, 2011 @ 10:21:20 PM
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SmokeyPSD
Thursday, September 15, 2011 @ 10:28:17 PM
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GustaveXIII
Thursday, September 15, 2011 @ 10:30:34 PM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, September 15, 2011 @ 10:44:43 PM
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, September 15, 2011 @ 10:49:19 PM
15 up, 0 down
ZenChichiri
Thursday, September 15, 2011 @ 11:04:10 PM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, September 15, 2011 @ 11:13:57 PM
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 9/15/2011 11:15:11 PM
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Snorge
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 1:35:31 PM
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bebestorm
Thursday, September 15, 2011 @ 10:51:20 PM
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playaplus
Thursday, September 15, 2011 @ 10:53:27 PM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, September 15, 2011 @ 11:14:14 PM
6 up, 0 down
Palpatations911
Thursday, September 15, 2011 @ 11:15:07 PM
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If it already has 3G, expect a version that will make voice calls, however.
I have a question for someone who may be able to answer. Are they planning for people to play online with the PS Vita over 3G or are they reserving that feature for Wi-Fi? I ask because I have played games online over 4G with my Ps3, and while that is FAR better than 3G, it has very poor performance for gaming, so I am interested on how online gaming on the Vita will work.
1 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 8:48:25 AM
If it's anything like the PSP, you should be able to connect to whatever wireless network you are around as well. When at home, I can connect to my home internet, and at the airport, I can connect to the airport internet, too.
1 up, 0 down
ZenChichiri
Thursday, September 15, 2011 @ 11:20:03 PM
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"Actually, that's my iPhone, Vita, wallet, and keys, but yes, I actually do have an erection because my Vita is so close to my pee pee."
10 up, 0 down
bruno_py
Thursday, September 15, 2011 @ 11:25:27 PM
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1 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, September 15, 2011 @ 11:28:17 PM
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leatherface
Thursday, September 15, 2011 @ 11:55:34 PM
5 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 8:46:56 AM
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Cesar_ser_4
Thursday, September 15, 2011 @ 11:59:56 PM
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0 up, 4 down
Beamboom
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 12:39:17 AM
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faraga
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 12:05:50 AM
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Last edited by faraga on 9/16/2011 12:05:59 AM
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Killa Tequilla
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 12:14:19 AM
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shadowpal2
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 12:28:56 AM
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I always end up taking my AC/DC adapter if I want to take it out. And by taking it out, I mean like...sitting in the middle of campus, in a cafe, eatery, to play Co-op games with friends...Monster Hunter, Metal Gear, Kingdom Hearts, and GODS EATER!
The PSP was at first touted as a portable media center (in my opinion)...it has music, video, photos, internet, and gaming. But I couldn't really do all that primarily because of memory. Memory sticks were quite expensive and although they went down in price...I ended up getting a Micro sd to Memory Stick adapter. I have 32gb of memory now on my PSP. So i can carry loads of music and movies (mp4,mpeg). But then...I had to convert DVDs to mp4 and mpeg...which was ...kind of a pain and didn't always work out.
Carrying around photos seemed a bit pointless as it didn't have a camera (well it did but wasn't really worth it). As far as the internet goes...no flash...and a pretty dismal browser make it a lousy experience wouldn't you say?
But moving on...we have the VITA. Now the internal flash memory (16, 32gb) has been scrapped (all the way back from the playstation meeting) to meet consumer pricing. And that's good...but the NVG cards are quite expensive. But once again...someone on this earth will create a Micro SD to NVG adapter and make it infinitely cheaper. Seriously...I saw the price for a 4gb stick and if you were to convert the price to USD...it'll be $30. Hell...I can get a 32gb memory stick for $30, so I'll just wait for the adapter. Then...the music player, video player, camera will all come to great use. As for the internet...we have 3G and Wi-fi. It all comes down to AT&T's pricing of 3G doesn't it? I can tell you that Docomo's pricing is just...damn expensive. I can see many in Japan getting the wi-fi model in the end as players there will just end up going to a comic market or wherever there are plenty of Wi-fi connections. And they play Ad-hoc mainly as well.
For here in the U.S...it's AT&T...some hate it, some say it's ok. It really comes down to the price. Those who have quite a bit of cash to get the 3G...well yes...it's guaranteed that they can just have this device and just any normal feature phone or whatever. I mean hell, the browsing experience on the VITA will be better, there's flash meaning: YouTube, and there's a GPS.
And even if one gets the Wi-fi model, because they have a smartphone that has GPS, 70+ apps, camera, music, video, and whatnot...there's still one main reason to go out with a VITA. THE GAMES. And with unique features like augmented reality & a rear touchpad...gaming on this device is going to be one hell of an experience.
As far as games go on this...I'm hoping to see RE: revelations, Monster Hunter 4, and some others get developed for the PS Vita. Currently though...there are the 2 big ones: Uncharted & Resistance. But honestly...the game I'm really waiting for...IS GRAVITY (JPN: GRAVITY DAZE)...because that...seems like the first game to actually test the console's limits.
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Highlander
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 2:46:56 AM
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BikerSaint
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 3:48:54 PM
Oh well, at least I can still use my new memory cards on my regular PSP's, with my adaptors.
Anyway, as I didn't get any manuals or paperwork with my GO, does anyone here know exactly which damned memory card the PSP GO uses?????
Last edited by BikerSaint on 9/16/2011 3:51:17 PM
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shadowpal2
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 4:53:12 PM
They use the Memory Stick Micro. Except...I have not heard of a Micro SD - > Memory Stick Micro Adapter.
I only tried searching for a minute though, so...best of luck with that.
0 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 8:26:03 PM
Yeah I bought 2 8GB & one 16GB Sandisk Micro SD HC #2 cards thinking they were the only micro's being made.
They seem to fit into the Go OK, but....
then they stay stuck inside & I have to use a tiny-ended jeweler's tweezers just to pry them out as they refuse to do that normal auto pop-out when pressing inward, like all 3 models of my regular PSP's do.
Plus the Go won't recognize any of my micro's either(I've even tried other brand names of these same Micro SD cards too).
FYI, and they still work perfectly if placed into the Pro Duo adapter for all my other 1000, 2000, & 3000 PSP's though.
So the Go MUST BE using some %#&$%^&* different model or form of Micro card that I'm not currently aware of.
Hey all,
Anyone else here that has(or had) a PSP GO too that can help me out here?????
Last edited by BikerSaint on 9/16/2011 8:27:35 PM
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BikerSaint
Monday, September 19, 2011 @ 12:12:31 AM
It's called a "Micro M2"
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Coffeya
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 12:34:03 AM
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CaptRon
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 12:58:55 AM
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Beamboom
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 1:19:31 PM
Anyways, this news were very well received amongst the Android developers/fans on that site, but personally I think they misunderstood what this Sony devkit really is.
Last edited by Beamboom on 9/16/2011 1:36:43 PM
1 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 8:30:49 PM
Here's the 411 on the Android apps so far....
PlayStation SDK Support for Android
September 16
http://www.thealistdaily.com/news/playstation-sdk-support-for-android/
Sony has announced that it's PlayStation Suite SDK will allow developers to make Android-based games for PlayStation Vita, Xperia Play, Sony Tablet S&P, and other PlayStation-certified Android devices. Sony also announced that they will update the PlayStation Store in Spring 2011 to support PlayStation-certified devices and PlayStation Suite content.
“By supporting development for multiple devices and by adopting libraries to create a variety of content not only limited to games, PS Suite SDK will not only help developers save their cost in creating new content but also allow them to efficiently create their content on one SDK and without having to create on several different SDKs,” wrote Sony in its release. “Through PS Suite SDK, SCE will provide to game developers and publishers the potential to further expand their business opportunities to Android based portable devices. In addition, SCE can approach to a wider range of content developers, non-gaming developers and individual programmers.”
1 up, 0 down
Highlander
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 2:37:09 AM
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I see no conflict at all here and will carry both as needed.
2 up, 0 down
___________
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 3:21:18 AM
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lets just hope it holds calls better then the iphone 4!
im just about the biggest apple fan, but by god how can a 800 dollar device have so many reception and call issues!
if i a nickel for every time someone has rang me on the home phone going off at me because i have not been answering their calls on my mobile id be a multibillionare by now!
almost every time someone rings me my phone just sits there like a stunned mullet!
best 800 bucks i have ever spent!
0 up, 3 down
bigrailer19
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 10:33:39 AM
3 up, 0 down
Lawless SXE
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 3:28:52 AM
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Peace.
2 up, 0 down
Douchebaguette
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 5:16:38 AM
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Though if only the Vita had simple phone SIM card on it =[, I'd take it everywhere. Don't mind a beefy phone that's infinately more fun than a touch phone.
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Fane1024
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 6:08:25 AM
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I won't carry the Vita all the time, either, especially since it's even bulkier than my PSP-1000 and therefore less than ideal as a MP3 player.
1 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 8:45:00 AM
As it stands now, I use my PSP at the following 3 times: When traveling and not the driver, in bed when my wife really doesn't want to go to bed alone (she goes to bed much earlier than I like to) and I'm not anywhere near tired, and when I'm on the john... because lets face it... some of those washroom breaks take a couple minutes... and I love the PSP's ability to be put to sleep and come back on where you left off next time you turn it on.
4 up, 0 down
Clamedeus
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 10:07:05 AM
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BikerSaint
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 4:24:24 PM
My PSP's really help to whittle away all that otherwise wasted time, whether I'm listening to Depeche Mode & Jon Michal Jarre, or playing a UMD movie, or just plain gaming a few quick rounds of Pursuit Force: Extrme Justice.
Matter of fact, Ford has just invited me back to play a another round of Pursuit Justice at their dealer's shop again, as I just got a National Recall on my truck for possible corrosion to the straps that hold my gas tank up.
My best guess is that they rather have my PSP's buttons blowing up sh!t, than to have their own product making me into one hell of a lit-up highway pinata later.
Last edited by BikerSaint on 9/16/2011 4:25:40 PM
1 up, 0 down
Aerifale
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 7:05:56 AM
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0 up, 0 down
TheOldOne
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 8:11:13 AM
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0 up, 2 down
gumbi
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 8:13:49 AM
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I expect it'll be the same when I get my Vita. I'll rarely take it with me when I leave the house, but when I'm not home I don't have time for games anyway.
3 up, 0 down
Dustinwp
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 8:34:55 AM
Reply
Last edited by Dustinwp on 9/16/2011 8:37:18 AM
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AcHiLLiA
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 1:36:20 PM
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Beamboom
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 2:42:56 PM
3 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 8:41:36 AM
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Snaaaake
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 9:43:15 AM
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I will be carrying a Vita along with my cell that's for sure, isn't that what most is doing with their PSP now?
Not even iPhone 4 is capable of replacing handheld gaming.
Last edited by Snaaaake on 9/16/2011 9:43:48 AM
1 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 10:20:38 AM
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Just based on this small sample, anyway.
Btw, it appears I may have to finally get rid of my 7-year-old cell phone and upgrade. 'sigh'
4 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 10:33:28 AM
1 up, 0 down
bigrailer19
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 10:37:57 AM
Last edited by bigrailer19 on 9/16/2011 10:39:16 AM
1 up, 0 down
godsdream
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 11:55:39 AM
On topic, I see it like the mobile phone is just an extension of us now. I have mobile phone and nextel, and I had a psp (recently sold it) so I wouldn't mind carrying a Vita. Besides as other people said, if you have a bag or backpack, you can just bring it there, or if you don't, just don't bring it if you know for certain that you won't have time for using it. For my previous PSP I had a cool pack PSP branded that I bought in Gamestop. It had little compartments for a lot of things, so I think there will be also a similar one for the Vita sooner or later, and you can use it for extra stuff, or if you are a man like me, like a man bag or something, just something that you can use for keeping your stuff when not at home.
This should not be a problem. A mobile phone is completely to a portable device game system, but I understand why people gets confused and think that we need to decide for just 1 of those 2.
1 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 12:29:22 PM
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Beamboom
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 1:38:45 PM
Decided on the new phone yet? Surely it will be a Sony Ericsson, of course? :)
1 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 1:40:21 PM
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BIGRED15
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 4:33:44 PM
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BikerSaint
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 4:40:04 PM
Ha, I won't tell you how old my only cell phone was when I finally donated it last year(along with the both chargers & 11 battery packs) to our troops who are in-country, so they can call home instead of waiting in a long barracks line.
OK, OK.....it was a Motorola StarTec!
(And I can't ever remember that far back to when it was all the new rage back then
1 up, 0 down
shadowpal2
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 5:04:09 PM
If I ever get a new phone...it has to be SHARP SH-01C.
By the way, does anyone know if the PS VITA can download apps from the Android app store?
0 up, 0 down
godsdream
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 5:23:20 PM
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Qubex
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 10:39:25 PM
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
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Beamboom
Saturday, September 17, 2011 @ 6:22:42 AM
The Incredible 2 is a HTC phone right? They make good phones. But only The Sony Xperia Play has the Playstation suite! You gotta keep an eye on their doings in that area too?
And who knows, there may be released a game that offer playability across the Play, the Vita and the PS3... Some would say that as the editor of the psxe you are obliged to choose Xperia Play! ;)
Last edited by Beamboom on 9/17/2011 6:26:05 AM
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Minishmaru
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 3:45:47 PM
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Wraith
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 6:19:38 PM
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Cpt_Geez
Reply
Thursday, September 15, 2011 @ 9:34:05 PM