PlayStation is becoming a smartphone. On Sunday, Sony Ericsson announced the “game changing” Xperia PLAY, with a slide-out gaming control and the first PlayStation certification.
The certification means the device will have access to PlayStation game content through the PlayStation Suite initiative, which will offer content from that gaming console for Android-based phones and which is expected to launch later this year. Rikko Sakaguchi, executive vice president and chief creation officer at Sony Ericsson, said the Xperia PLAY “will forever change the way people think about smartphones and mobile gaming.”
‘Ultimate Ball Control’
The Xperia PLAY is the latest in that line of smartphones. It runs on Android 2.3, uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor at one gigahertz, and has an embedded Adreno graphics processor. Other features include a five-megapixel camera, a four-inch multi-touch screen, and integrated social networking.
The gaming control contains a digital D pad, two analog touchpads, two shoulder buttons, and the circle, cross, square and triangle control icons from the PlayStation.
The company said leading game publishers are making popular franchise titles available for the smartphone. These include EA’s The Sims 3 and FIFA 10, GLU Mobile/Activision’s Guitar Hero, and Gameloft’s Assassin’s Creed and Splinter Cell. Sony Ericsson also said it’s partnering with Unity Technologies to utilize its development platform to ensure a continuous stream of high-quality titles.
Other content partners include Digital Chocolate, Gamehouse, PopCap, Trendy Entertainment, and Glu Mobile. Ridge Racer, a PS1 classic, will come with the PLAY. Battery life, a big issue for mobile gamers in particular, is specified as 5.5 hours.
EA Vice President Travis Boatman said the dedicated gaming keypad gives players what they need in a “footy” game, such as “ultimate ball control, quick player selection on the pitch, effortless passes.”
Other New Xperia Phones
The PLAY is expected to be launched in the spring, initially through Verizon…