It appears that Sony has been planning a dedicated Remote Play handheld for a long time. In fact, there's evidence suggesting work began on what would become PS Portal at least eight years ago — long enough back that it could've potentially been made for PS4.
Fans have dug up a patent, filed by Sony in 2015 and published two years later, depicting a device visually very similar to the Portal. It was reported on by IGN at the time, where it was speculated that the mystery handheld might've been Sony's answer to the Nintendo Switch. However, it's almost certainly an early patent for the PS Portal.
It's interesting to look back on; the patent's diagram shows a version of the handheld rocking DualShock 4-like handles either side of the screen. It can be inferred that this was, at least at one point, being designed with PS4 in mind. No doubt the PS5 was already in the planning stages by this point, though, so it's possible Sony opted to make it an accessory for its new console instead.
Anyway, it's always good to get a feel for how long these things take to come to fruition. Of course, not all patents and products make it to market, but the PS Portal is here now, and it's selling out fast.
[source ign.com, via reddit.com]
Comments 28
I like the Portal but imo it has one major issue: Bitrate. In my case, this leads to frequent micro stutters which do not make it unplayable but are certainly annoying to me. I have the same issue via the official remote play app with both my phone and my tablet. This does not happen at all with the PSPlay app which lets you set the bitrate to auto or manually. I've done some digging and found out that the Portal/ remote play app uses a rather high bitrate which is fixed (also shows in my router). According to the PSPlay dev on Reddit, this is generally disadvantageous, even with blazing fast internet and Wi-Fi connections. Digital Foundry has pointed this out as well which gave me some relief because I was thinking I'm seeing things, lol.
Don't get me wrong: Aside from that, I absolutely adore this device but once you see it, it is impossible to unsee. Apparently, a lot of people do not even notice them. And I do not claim to be a know-it-all and pretend that everyone has them and simply does not see them, in my case there is a crystal clear pattern that always links back to issues with the official remote play, even after exhausting all the options (unlplugging HDMI, prioritizing the Portal in my network, dedicating a specific 5 Ghz channel for it, interference measures, PS5 system settings changes...and many more).
I seriously hope Sony is aware of that and a patch with additional options referring to bitrate will be introduced. Because I wanna love this device, it's just that one issue that dampens my enjoyment a bit.
@dschons This is interesting. Thanks for sharing! I also notice that same stutter, and it is indeed frustrating, because otherwise it’s a great experience. Fingers crossed Sony can improve performance in future patches!
Didn't you fine fellows write an article about a patent like the Portal in the past? I feel like I've seen it before.
@ear_wig It's reassuring to hear, as negative as it is for consumers at large. I've been able to replicate this issue in TLOU Part I. I've played the exact same section with the Portal, then with my phone with the official remote play app and then with my phone and the PSPlay app. After each run, I reloaded the save file. Only with the portal and my phone with the official remote play app, I've been able to replicate stutters in the exact same moments whereas phone + PSPlay didn't show any micro stutters at all. As you said: It's specifically frustrating because it is the only thing that bothers me in an otherwise excellent device. Fingers crossed it will be addressed by Sony! This thing could be the ultimate handheld experience with the PS5.
@Deadlyblack they may not have but it has been reported on some years ago.
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sony-is-planning-a-playstation-mobile-controller-patent-suggests/
Looks like the same thing to me. Don't know of any patent for addons to place a mobile phone in the middle of.
It was also on reddit a few years before that.
Was this the "PSP 5G" that was rumoured? I hope the Portal sells extremely well so Sony knows how bad people want a full on handheld. Even handheld PCs are becoming increasingly popular.
It might not be a PS Vita 2, but it’ll have to do. I really want one, but unfortunately they are sold out everywhere. Plus, my wife would kill me if I ordered it, but she’ll forgive me eventually.
@ear_wig I’m sure more updates will elevate the experience but for the first attempt it’s very enjoyable.
@ear_wig Sony (Playstation) will collect data from the Portal users and obviously it will improve. I'm sure they will patch this to make it even more optimized.
It was the same with the Vita I bought. Minor lag at release but now I never have lag when streaming from my Pro!
Seems worthwhile to some I suppose, but can anyone tell me how it’s any different/advantageous than just streaming to a tablet and using a controller?
@MasterEMFG off the top of my head, better resolution. A tablet is 720p at best. Better framerate too. No need to have a seperate controller. Easier to play, no need to rest a tablet on a table or your lap. Haptic feedback works properly. Probably some other stuff too.
@MasterEMFG If you don't care about the handheld aspect and don't mind putting a tablet beside you and use a controller, the Portal is pretty much useless imo.
PS4 didn't need it - it had the Vita.
Really??? Given the simple nature of the thing I'd be surprised if it had been in development for that long.
@dschons maybe post a video showing this and upload to Twitter/X to show Sony who can fix 👍🏻
@Luigia Not necessary. Sony has all the data available from the people using the device. A post on socials probably won't even be seen. 100% sure they are aware of the matter. The question is whether they will take action.
@dschons I hope so and I enjoy seeing improvements 👍🏻
@Luigia I truly hope so, so that it will improve. I was planning to play the sh*t out of this thing. Reality right now is that I am not using it at all because of it, lol.
I was thinking about sending it back but something inside of me tells me they have to do something about it. Single third party devs offering a better experience is quite embarrassing if you think about it. Let's just hope it is not wishful thinking. You never know with Sony.
As someone who tried PS4 Remote Play with a PS Vita literally back around 2015, let me tell you it was not a pleasant experience. I had fiber optic broadband with a decentish upload speed and low ping time, yet on the rare times it would connect the delay was half a second to a second, so most of my short time with it was turning the camera around going "nope, totally unplayable" for stuff like GTA V. Maybe Sony waiting for a little less latency was the better move, but that doesn't mean I'd buy a Portal until they're £50 in a couple of years when the novelty has long since worn off (similar to how PSVR1 complete sets can basically be had for like £30-40 on Marketplace and still not many buyers).
@MasterEMFG the advantage (and the main reason I'm getting one) is I can lay on the sofa or lay in bed and play. With a tablet you've got to stand it up somewhere. People say "just use your phone and a £20 phone holder" but then I don't want to be playing a game when a phonecall or message come through, I'd rather have an accessory that lets me just play games.
Makes sense. They waited. Like PSVR for more power to process the image/stream better or more tech to progress or more time for IPs to build up too.
The Portal with the PS5 makes sense to transfer more than 720p. The Wii U 480p to the Gamepad 720-1080p the console depending on the games, Vita 360-540p remote play depending on the setting you chose to match and whatever the games actual output.
Phones with Playlink titles working against things even if their own apps technically and not as much sent to the PS4 for quiz games.
It still would have been obsolete back then without full bluetooth capability. Although, they would be right there with Apple in 2015; gating peripherals to ensure you could only buy their overpriced options.
You want wireless audio and the controllers glued to a tablet that can do absolutely nothing but run an app streaming from your PS5? That'll be a Minimum of $348 USD. $797 if you are just getting the Ps5 as well.
Seems fair....
@dschons I'll be honest, I always notice micro-stutter, whether it's caused by poor frame pacing a la Bloodborne or streaming issues. It's part of why I started watching DF in the first place - to be able to tell the difference and name stuff like that. It's a shame Remote Play still hasn't fixed that - I concede it is improved, but when you have a 200 dollar object that only has one job it needs to nail it. The Portal doesn't nail it, they really did nothing new or different or improved with Remote Play to make this device special, it's just another way to access a service other more versatile devices have been able to do for years.
@riceNpea You're not saying most tablets are 720p are you? Because that's plain wrong. SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S9 for example, 1600p in around a 12" form factor.
@dschons If the official RP app has been like that for ages, what makes you think they'll fix it just because they released a device specifically to use that app?
Played at a buddy's house and man once u start moving around with this thing connection just drops all the time and his place ain't all that big and the router is in the center of the home
@zekepliskin obviously not. I'm saying you only get up to 720p resolution from Remote Play on a tablet. Its not even guaranteed to be that, if you have problems you may need to drop it down to 540p or even lower. Resolution on Portal is 1080p
@zekepliskin It was certainly one of my worries before the Portal arrived here. I consider myself somewhat "techy", but I am certainly not an expert when it comes to streaming technologies. My hope was that the Portal would use another protocol or something like that which sets itself apart in some way referring to that, does not seem to be the case.
However, otherwise, I think this device offers a lot actually due to screen size and comfort alone. My other remote play options do not offer that at all. Backbone + phone works well enough but screen size is an issue, the tablet takes care of screen size but the portability just isn't there. As you said: The Portal could have nailed it but the outcome with micro stutters isn't satisfying, which makes it all the more frustrating.
As for future updates: I could see it go both ways honestly. With Sony, you never know if they care enough. This is definitely something that can be patched though. My dilemma is that you have to see it for yourself. Obviously, I could send it back and wait for updates and check various socials whether the issue has been resolved. But then what? Buy it again to realize it hasn't changed anything on my end and send it back yet again? I might just keep it and hope for the best.
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