Sony's going to announce a new PlayStation Vita at next month's PlayStation Meeting – or so we read on the Internet. We've been inundated with messages about Trinity today, a new handheld that the Japanese giant's apparently about to announce. So we trawled through the sources, and came away less convinced than a doping panel after a Russian athlete is deemed clean. Too soon?
The story begins – and, honestly, ends – with a report on Japanese website Hokanko-Alt. The blog picked up on some FCC filings for two wireless chips that Sony's working on – one of which has a model name similar to the PS4 line of hardware, while the other's analogous to the Vita line. From that, one eager NeoGAF poster assumed that a new handheld is on the way.
Is it possible? Well, stranger things have happened – but this isn't proof by any stretch. More likely is that this chip will go in the PS4K, or Neo, as the current model's sub-par wireless receptor has been a source of criticism since launch. Equally, it's worth remembering that Sony is an electronics manufacturer that's coming up with new hardware components all of the time – just because it's registered this one, doesn't mean that it will ever get used.
So, to summarise: the platform holder's created a couple of new wireless chips that may or may not be used in forthcoming products. We know that an upgraded PS4 is on the way, so it stands to reason that they could be used in there. As for the rumours regarding a new Vita? We honestly have no idea how they started, but you can pretty much bank on them being inaccurate until there's a lot, lot more smoke.
[source blog.hokanko-alt.com, via neogaf.com]
Comments 37
Yeah I don't buy it either.
Although I'd love a Vita with the design of the newer model but with the OLED screen of the original.
DAY ONE. What specs are we thinking? Get that sub-forum open.
Maybe they've decided to make a Vita that uses SD cards. Or not.
It's just some NeoGaf user who just won the Olympic gold medal for jumping to conclusions. Nothing to see here.
I will hold off buying the Vita I was going to get until I hear the news officially confirmed or denied.
I love the Vita but it's nearly dead at this point. So it's most likely not for that console.
Any chance it could be in a tablet like device that doubled as a PS4 controller? People like tablets, and PS4 probably has enough couch mulptilayer to justify a 2nd controller for PS4. Xbox One has how many controllers now? Original, Elite, new S1 and that make your own kit, that's 4. As far as I know Sony has 1. Maybe it's like the PS4 controller but with an actual screen rather than a touchscreen. Yes, like the Gamepad, and the Dream cast VMU before that.
So while a $200 new Vita might be out of the question, maybe an $80 controller with a screen that is only used for PS4 streaming could work? I know it didn't work for Nintendo, but they bundled it. And Sony gave us a $500 3D monitor and Wonderbook, so I can't put anything past them. It wont have Vita in the name though, maybe PS4 Stream or something. It needs to have Netflix though, not be gimped like PS TV. PS Vue, PS Now, all of it.
Edit - re-read the article. Maybe 1 of those chips goes in the new PS4k and 1 goes in the new PS4k controller with a built in screen? So it's not a new Vita, but a Sony Gamepad. At least that sort of makes sense, new PS4, new conttroler.
@rjejr and can be taken with you to play games over wifi
@GodOfPie yes that is a good idea
@andrew20 Yeah, I probably could have just written "remote play" and saved myself 2 paragraphs of typing. I do like the name PS4 Streaming Controller though, shortend to PS4 Stream. 1 of the dozen things wrong with Wii U was limiting the Gamepad to 8'. It was so short, they should have wired it so the battery didn't run out every 3 hours. I know they worried about game lag, but for Netflix, Miiverse, internet, eShop it should have switched to WiFi.
And I think it would actually make sense. Why? Sony rules this generation gaming-wise; They'd had a very successful handheld, and then the Vita, which was marketed all wrong (high-end gaming on the go, which just didn't sell, people need games to jump in and out of on the go) but hardly a TOTAL flop. Putting these things together, lessons learned if you like, they are in a great position to release another handheld. I think they will do something, eventually.
Wouldn't buy it after the ups and mostly downs of Vita tbh.
I don't want a Vita (I've bought 5, one for me, one for my daughter, one for my brother another for my partner and then got myself the 2000 model) I want a new handheld with SD card support (with a free 256 GB card as a way of compo for those horridly overpriced propriety ones we had too pay for) my beloved OLED screen back, and NO back touch pad (always hated that) oh and R3 and L3 and of course R2 and L2 buttons.... It's not much of an ask really.... 😂
Sony is done with handheld, I don't think they want to make another one. Their strenght is in console and they should focus on that. It will be cool if the new ps4 has ps vita chips inside though, so I can finally play my dragon crown and persona 4 golden on my tv.
Probably exclusive to Japan
No way I'm buying another one
No market for another dedicated handheld, it doesn't exist. Sony would be mad, quite frankly.
@rjejr
Get that Extended Battery rjejr.
My gamepad lasts as long as a DualShock 4 controller now (8 hours)
@JaxonH DS4 only lasts 8 hours? My DS3 seems like it lasts 30. I rarely charge it. It's that useless glowbar isn't it?
@ShogunRok "Sony would be mad, quite frankly."
@rjejr
Ya, 8-10 depending.
But honestly that's long enough for even the lengthiest day-long play session for me. That's why that extended battery was so nice because there is no play session that it will die during.
I think it's the light bar and just a cheaper battery. Everything about the PS4 controller is cheap. Don't get me wrong- it's extremely well designed, but the analogue rubber rips and tears, the sticker on the back peels off just from normal use and leaves this sticky adhesive residue, the battery life barely out-does the gamepad (using the extended battery) and it's got a gigantic screen on it.
I just keep two controllers on the official Sony docking station, and when one controller dies I swap it out with the other. At least, in those rare situations where the controller actually dies. I do that for all my systems- 2 PS4 controllers, 2 X1 controllers, 2 Wii U Pro Controllers (even though they hold 80 hours of charge), but just one Wiimote on the rapid charge station.
@JaxonH "Everything about the PS4 controller is cheap"
So, DS4.5 to help move the new system? Maybe w/o the screen and remote play, I got a bit carried away before, you know me.
what's a "Vita?"
@rjejr
I just replaced my old DS4 with the Uncharted edition controller, but ya, I'd be down for an updated controller.
What I'd really be down for though is if consoles let you sync any blutooth controller and use it, with auto button mapping just so they don't have to implement custom app. As long as it has all the same number of buttons (2 clickable analogs, 4 shoulder and 4 face buttons, start and select and D-pad).
Cause I really wanna use that new Xbox Lab controller on everything. At least I can use it on Wii U for GameCube, although Wii U pro controller is probably the 2nd best controller Ive ever used so it does alright atm.
But even without all that (maybe I'm getting carried away like you were), And updated controller would be nice.
VIta with TV output. They had this function, but removed it.
Now Nintendo's NX is getting highlighted for this feature... Bad move Sony...
@JaxonH But if you had 1 controller on every system what would you do about all those button dependent QTEs that I hate with a passion? I need my circle, square, triangle and x. At least Bayonetta shows you the position very clearly, but I've still died about 10 times, and 8 of those were QTE. ggrrr
The story is baloney since it says nothing about a new handheld.
Do I want a new handheld? Sure, in a few years when Vita is completely dead. I also think one could be a success too - I don't agree the handheld market is dead. I just think that the device should do what the PS4 marketing did and target gamers - not casual gamers.
Casual gamers will use their phones. Dedicated Playstation gamers don't want to use phones, they want to have good controls. I have said it before but a good battery, full pS4 controls and no silly and expensive add ons (motion control, back touch, proprietary memory cards) and the ability to port PS2-3 era games would be a solid seller.
Would love some form of successor in the future as vita is one of my favourite consoles that i have ever owned. The problem for sony is they burned alot of bridges on the vita and i dont know how many people would take the risk on buying another handheld from them if they will so readily drop support if it fails to be a massive success. I see consumer caution created by the approach to vita being reflected in sales of playstation vr in the long term too
Have to admit I'd love to see another Sony handheld as I loved both the PSP and the Vita, but I'd really be quite astonished if they did.
Sony already had a chance to completely overhaul the Vita and give us what we want.... ie, No propriety memory cards and extra buttons for remote play!! Did we get it ... no... and now its doomed!! Those 2 little changes wouldve seen the Vita 2000 flying of the shelves as a must have for every PS4 owner! I still love my Vita (after the extra expense; 64GB Card and L2/R2 attachment - money I should never have had to pay if it was designed for the consumer and not to line Sony pockets)! Remote play couldve been so much better if it had the same controls as PS4 - a real missed opportunity! Having to buy extra buttons for a games console to make games playable in 2016 isnt acceptable!!!
No thank you, I have one just gaining dust right now.
@rjejr Things are much, much different these days, though. I don't think there's any reason for Sony to shift its attention from the PS4 - not when it's doing so well.
@ShogunRok "I don't think there's any reason for Sony to shift its attention from the PS4 - not when it's doing so well."
Arrogance? Ok, that's sort of a joke, sort of. How about how well Vita is still doing in Japan? The Japanese love their handhelds.
I don't think they should make a Vita 2, ever. Vita failed, Vita TV failed, PS TV, which was Vita TV in the west, failed. That would be like Nitneod naming NX Wii U2.
But I do think Sony has spent so much time on the idea of "Remote play" w/ PS3 and PS4 games, and "cloud play" w/ PS Now, and viewing w/ PS Vue, I don't think a streaming handheld is out of the question. I know it should be out of the question b/c Wii U and Gamepad failed so miserably, but I can see Sony wanting a handheld just for remote play, Now and Vue. I'd suggest a tablet, but you need buttons and sticks for remote play and Now. So that leaves me w/ a dual purpose PS4 Neo controller w/ a screen.
Have you ever gamed on a 3DS or DS, those screens are so tiny, they could fit one on a DS4. So it's not a Vita 2, it's a tablet controller. Or something. Can't abandon Japanese gaming.
While I'd love to see a new Vita (or PS handheld), there is no way in a million years it is happening. Damn shame too, I think both Sony and Nintendo benefit from competition.
Also @Tasuki looks a troll has entered, see above (if he isn't already gone by the time I post this)
The Vita is far from dead, but that's no thanks to Sony. Why would they release yet another revision of hardware they seem keen on forgetting ever existed in the first place?
If I wanted unrealistic rumours I'd join a Nintendo fansite.
@Savino Better call it the PSP 2 that name is less damaged.
@Ralizah What about Playstation TV no advertisement whatsoever with terrible support. And why no 1080p it could have been awsome.
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