Sony PlayStation 4
November 15. That’s the day Sony unleashes the PlayStation 4, the long-awaited follow up to the company’s PlayStation 3, a machine that debuted all the way back in 2006. The road leading up to launch has been tedious and bloodied by an intense rivalry with Microsoft’s Xbox One, due exactly one week later.
Both new consoles arrive with their own marketing spin designed to claim the gaming throne: at US$400, the PS4 is the “affordable” next-gen machine, whereas the US$500 Xbox One promises an ambitious, always-on integration with live TV that aims to subsume your cable box.
Without these distinctions, however, Sony and Microsoft consoles could be separated at birth. Both offer powerful HD graphics that nearly match high-end gaming PCs. Each delivers a small initial set of non-gaming streaming entertainment apps, and a relatively underwhelming slate of exclusive games out of the gate. Meanwhile, both offer a near carbon-copy lineup of third-party games, including the requisite roster of EA Sports titles, and the latest installments of the Call of Duty, Assassin’s Creed, and Battlefield franchises — all of which have already been released on the PS3 and Xbox 360.
The PS4 and the Xbox One also share one ugly defect: neither console can play games purchased for their respective predecessors. Your library of PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 discs is not welcome here.
That’s the playing field onto which these two next-gen consoles arrive this holiday season. So, which console is right for you? Is it worth spending US$400 or more on a new console now? Does the PS4 make the case for PS3 owners to upgrade — or for Xbox 360 owners to switch?
It’s a lot to digest, so let’s get started. I’ll walk you through the future of Sony gaming.
What’s in the box
Included inside every PlayStation 4 box is the console, power cord, a 2m HDMI cable (finally!), a DualShock 4 controller, a Micro-USB cable (to charge the DualShock 4), and a monoaural earbud for online chat. (The earbud plugs directly into the DualShock controller; you can alternately use any pair of headphones with a standard 3.5mm plug.)
The PS4 won’t be sold in multiple models this time around. There’s only one version, a 500GB model that retails for US$400. This is US$100 less than an Xbox One, though the latter ships with its camera and voice/motion-sensing peripheral, Kinect, in the box. It’ll cost you US$60 extra to pick up the PlayStation Camera for the PS4 — which I’ll get to a little later. That model provides some of the same features as the Kinect, but it’s less sophisticated than Microsoft’s, and isn’t as tightly integrated into the system.
The hardware
Despite its smallish size — at least compared with an Xbox One — the PS4 packs a lot of power under the hood. The box is 275 x 53 x 305mm, weighs about 2.8kg, and packs in 8GB of DDR5 RAM. The CPU is a low-power x86-64 “Jaguar” eight-core chip, and the graphics are powered by a 1.84 TFLOP AMD Radeon “next engine.” The fine print may not impress the layperson, but suffice it to say, the PS4’s innards are in line with a mid- to high-end gaming PC.
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Like previous PlayStations before it, the PS4’s 500GB hard-disk drive is user replaceable (a standard SATA laptop hard drive or SSD will work), something I’m thrilled Sony has decided to keep intact. That 500GB may seem like more than enough storage, but with game sizes beginning to flirt with 50GB apiece, that might not cut it a few years down the road.
The PS4 boasts a striking angular design with a modestly low profile. The front end angles toward the user, sleekly hiding two USB 3.0 slots to the right and a slot-loading 6x Blu-ray drive to the left. Between these two ports are touch-sensitive power and eject buttons that give off familiar PS3 beeps when activated.
Around punt of the PS4 are quaternity acicular interfaces in constituent to a textbook knowledge interact — the synoptic size secure apiece PlayStation in the former has bespectacled. From tract to rightist there’s an optical audio, HDMI, Ethernet, and help side, which is old for the nonobligatory PlayStation Camera.
Say that the PS4 staleness be abutting to an HDTV with an HDMI sign; there are no similarity (composite or element) outputs for this PlayStation.
The PS4 is accoutered with wireless 802.11 b/g/n protocols (but not 5Ghz nor the new 802.11ac prescriptive) and also supports Bluetooth 2.1. That said, Sony has indicated that most current Bluetooth peripherals — including headsets and senior DualShock 3 PS3 controllers — won’t wreak with the PS4. The principal exclusion is the PlayStation Locomote — if and when there’s a PS4 gallinacean that’s organized to output with it.
The PS4 has two force off modes when not in use. It can be overturned completely off or it can be put into actor mode. It’s worth noting that the PS4 staleness be on or in histrion norm to receive pistol updates or be woken up remotely.
The top layer of the PS4 is one-third satiny and two-thirds matte ignominious. Between these finishes is a disentangle multicolor LED that glows yellow in thespian, discolor spell powered on, and juicy when booting up.
Dissimilar the Xbox One, which must place horizontally, the PS4 can be utilized vertically as easily. Sony recommends using a devoted posture for steep activeness, but the PS4 seems to sit on its opinion rightful pulverized by itself.
Not included with the PS4, the aforementioned PlayStation Camera is a US$60 accessory that allows you to control your PS4 with your voice. It’ll also recognize your face and log you in should you set it up that way. Its functionality is quite similar to the Xbox One’s Kinect, though it doesn’t feature any IR blasting support. In fact, there’s no IR port on the PS4 hardware, either, so you’re stuck using the DualShock 4 controller when watching movies or streaming video. (Sony says a special Bluetooth remote is in the works, but didn’t supply an ETA.)
Built into the PS4’s operating system is interactive software called The Playroom that creatively demonstrates the PlayStation Camera’s place in the PS4 environment. If you don’t have the camera, The Playroom falls flat.
Gameplay
So what does playing a PlayStation 4 feel like? Quite honestly, it’s a lot like the PlayStation 3. There’s a noticeable bump in graphics, of course, but it’s logical to assume the real heavy hitters won’t have their day until we’re deeper into the system’s life cycle. Like I mentioned earlier, the jump in visuals is not as dramatic as it was going from SD to HD. Also, PC gamers with the luxury of a souped-up machine probably won’t be much impressed at all. It’s also worth mentioning that some cross-platform games like Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag don’t look nearly as good as PS4-exclusive games like Killzone: Shadow Fall.
Not all of the PS4’s launch software received the next-gen “port” treatment. A lot of the sports games (FIFA 14, Madden 25, and NBA 2K14) are reworked from the ground up and run on next-gen engines to take better advantage of the new hardware. Of course, these next-gen games will be available for the Xbox One as well.
In terms of gameplay, the PS4 experience is greatly improved thanks to the fantastic DualShock 4 controller. Nearly every genre I tested seems to benefit from the redesign.
During any gameplay session you can suspend the action and back out into the Dynamic Menu. Double-tapping the Home button will bring you back to the game or you can manually select it from the menu. However, if you put the system in standby mode or turn it off, you’ll lose your gameplay session.
Sony has been very vocal about the PS4’s support for independent game development and plans on offering a healthy selection of titles at launch and soon after. These titles can only be accessed through the PlayStation Store exclusively.
Like the DS3, the DS4 has a six-axis motion-sensing system, which encompasses a three-axis gyroscope and a three-axis accelerometer. A fun little note here: you can click the right stick during text entry to get a tiltable keyboard that’s slightly quicker than entering letters manually.
You’ll likely notice the glowing light emanating from the DS4’s back. It’s designed to work with the PlayStation Camera accessory and will change colors if there’s more than one controller connected to the system. Below it sits a Micro-USB port for charging the controller’s built-in rechargeable battery.
Additional DualShock 4 controllers will cost you US$60 each. The console supports up to four.
The interface
Both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One have made substantial efforts in streamlining the user interface. The PlayStation 3’s cross-media-bar has evolved into the PlayStation 4’s “Dynamic Menu” that casts a blanket of simplicity throughout the operating system, logically grouping like-minded items together.
It basically consists of two horizontal rows, the top filled with icons for various functionalities like Friends, Trophies, and Settings, and a thumbnail lower row that is populated by recent activities like the last game you’ve played, shared game DVR clips, downloaded titles, Web access, other media, and more.
When you highlight an item in the Dynamic Menu, “live” items from the PlayStation Network (PSN) will populate with relevant content for you to browse.
Signing up on the PSN for the first time will require a 323MB day 1 download that will unlock most of the console’s connected features. You don’t need to update in order to play games, but it’s highly recommended for everything else the PS4 can do.
Those who own a PlayStation Vita can connect the portable to the PS4 to activate remote play. Setup is fairly simple and it actually works well, but performance all depends on the strength of your home network. The concept is similar to what Wii U owners can do with that console’s GamePad controller except for the fact that PS4 remote play uses your home. It’s a godsend when your PS4 TV is being used up, but it’s not a bulletproof work around because of its reliance on an ever-changing connection speed. While it’s entirely possible down the line, you won’t be able to play your PS4 outside of your home network.
Entertainment options
During our initial review period, none of Sony’s digital entertainment services were turned on; that changed once we installed the 1.50 software update. We’re still evaluating them — and we’ll continue to update this review — but even without much hands-on time, there’s plenty we know about the PS4’s entertainment capabilities, both from hands-on demos and Sony’s released information.
isc player: In addition to PS4 games, the PS4’s disc drive is capable of playing back Blu-ray and DVD discs, but it can’t play audio CDs or SACDs. It’s hard to believe that the PS4 can’t play a CD, but if you stick one in the drive you’ll get a message that says “disc unsupported.” In a sense, the PS4 is a step back from the “plays everything” nature of the PS3, although that could change with a future firmware update.
Digital media player: If you’re willing to give the PS4 a pass by not supporting the 30-year-old compact disc format, it’s harder to explain away the fact that it’s not DLNA-compliant and can’t play MP3s. Again, that may just be a launch-day limitation, with more features added in a future firmware update, but at least for now, the PS4 isn’t nearly as capable as the PS3 is on the digital media side.
No TV integration: And if you’re stacking up the PS4 vs. the soon-to-be released Xbox One, there’s none of the TV integration that Microsoft is pushing as the future of living room technology. There’s no onscreen program guide or the ability to watch TV and play games at the same time via a picture-in-picture window.
No compatibility with infrared remotes: Furthermore, unlike the Xbox One, the PS4 can’t control the rest of your home theater equipment, nor can it be controlled via a typical IR-based universal remote. And it doesn’t have Kinect’s extensive voice control capabilities, although the optional PlayStation camera, as mentioned above, does support some limited voice control.
All of that isn’t necessarily a knock — we won’t know how well the Xbox One’s features work until we get a chance to test them in the real world — but the PS4 is certainly less ambitious when it comes to its living room capabilities.
PlayStation Network, PlayStation Plus, and social
PlayStation Network provides a huge portion of the PlayStation 4’s functionality. You’ll need to be logged in to an account to activate almost all of the PS4’s extra features.
PlayStation Plus subscriptions can carry over from the PS3 to PS4 and are now required for online multiplayer gaming. (Notably, unlike Xbox consoles, you do not need a PS Plus membership for using the media apps.) PS Plus members will also get automated game updates (the PS4 can update itself while in standby mode) so you won’t need to wait when starting a game just to find out it needs updating. For system firmware updates, both PS Plus and non-PS Plus members will receive automated updates.
PlayStation Plus members have access to cloud game saves, free and discounted games across all Sony platforms, automatic game updates, access to game demos, online multiplayer and some beta invites. To be clear, “free” comes with a catch. Everything you download for free is accessible only while you still have a PS+ account. If your membership expires or you cancel, you’ll lose those titles.
A PSN member must make one PS4 their “primary” console, but once that’s situated up to 16 people can log in to it. That primary account holder can also log in to any PS4 and have access to games and saves. Again, it’s important to note PS+ is required for cloud game saves.
The PlayStation Store is doing away with downloaded content. Starting with the PS4, everything will now be streamed directly through the Sony Entertainment Network service or content portal of your choice.
That said, you will need to download games directly to the PS4’s hard drive. All “large file” games will support play-as-you-download capabilities, and some titles — if the developer wishes to do so — can support downloading of a certain part of a game and not the other. For example, downloading Call of Duty: Ghosts on the PS4 gives you the option to only install the campaign or multiplayer component separately.
Since a PS4 in standby mode can now be remotely turned on, a purchase made through the Sony Entertainment Network site can be downloaded to a PS4 without having to be in front of the physical console. Essentially you could make a purchase at work and have it ready to play by the time you get home.
The PSN experience and store is deeply woven into the fabric of the Dynamic Menu. Live items are built in everywhere you look, and social features are present at every corner, especially when it comes to your friends list. Your account can be tied to your Facebook and Twitter profiles and have the option of posting on your behalf depending on your settings. Your friends list will actually be made up of your friends’ real names if they approve your friend request.
The PS4 has a game DVR feature that’s constantly recording so that you won’t miss any sequence you’d like to share. With the touch of a button, you can stream to Twitch or Ustream and send a link to social networks, though recorded video sharing will only be offered on Facebook to start. You can also view a live feed of a friend’s gameplay directly from the PS4, and you can add comments, too. Screenshots can be uploaded to Facebook and Twitter as well.
Built into the Dynamic Menu is a section called “Live from PlayStation” that gives you access to watch various video streams. From here you can watch Twitch and Ustream live broadcasts, search for specific feeds and comment on content as well. If you own a game that you’re watching, you can start the game from the video screen or even get linked out to the PS Store to buy it.
Facebook integration appears to be more closely interwoven into the PS4 experience, whereas Twitter only seems to crossover for screenshot uploads. In fact, when you run the initial PS4 setup you’ll have the chance to connect your Facebook account and even use your profile photo on PSN
The PlayStation App on iOS and Android complements the PS4 experience with games that support second-screen functionality. It can also act as a navigational screen for the PS4 as well act as a keyboard when a text entry box pops up. Connecting the app to my PS4 was very easy (as long as they’re on the same network) and the keyboard option comes in very handy when entering codes, tweeting screenshots, or commenting on videos.
Sony PlayStation 4
News
via newandroidios http://newandroidios.blogspot.com/2013/11/sony-playstation-4.html
Sony PlayStation 4
November 15. That’s the day Sony unleashes the PlayStation 4, the long-awaited follow up to the company’s PlayStation 3, a machine that debuted all the way back in 2006. The road leading up to launch has been tedious and bloodied by an intense rivalry with Microsoft’s Xbox One, due exactly one week later.
Both new consoles arrive with their own marketing spin designed to claim the gaming throne: at US$400, the PS4 is the “affordable” next-gen machine, whereas the US$500 Xbox One promises an ambitious, always-on integration with live TV that aims to subsume your cable box.
Without these distinctions, however, Sony and Microsoft consoles could be separated at birth. Both offer powerful HD graphics that nearly match high-end gaming PCs. Each delivers a small initial set of non-gaming streaming entertainment apps, and a relatively underwhelming slate of exclusive games out of the gate. Meanwhile, both offer a near carbon-copy lineup of third-party games, including the requisite roster of EA Sports titles, and the latest installments of the Call of Duty, Assassin’s Creed, and Battlefield franchises — all of which have already been released on the PS3 and Xbox 360.
The PS4 and the Xbox One also share one ugly defect: neither console can play games purchased for their respective predecessors. Your library of PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 discs is not welcome here.
That’s the playing field onto which these two next-gen consoles arrive this holiday season. So, which console is right for you? Is it worth spending US$400 or more on a new console now? Does the PS4 make the case for PS3 owners to upgrade — or for Xbox 360 owners to switch?
It’s a lot to digest, so let’s get started. I’ll walk you through the future of Sony gaming.
What’s in the box
Included inside every PlayStation 4 box is the console, power cord, a 2m HDMI cable (finally!), a DualShock 4 controller, a Micro-USB cable (to charge the DualShock 4), and a monoaural earbud for online chat. (The earbud plugs directly into the DualShock controller; you can alternately use any pair of headphones with a standard 3.5mm plug.)
The PS4 won’t be sold in multiple models this time around. There’s only one version, a 500GB model that retails for US$400. This is US$100 less than an Xbox One, though the latter ships with its camera and voice/motion-sensing peripheral, Kinect, in the box. It’ll cost you US$60 extra to pick up the PlayStation Camera for the PS4 — which I’ll get to a little later. That model provides some of the same features as the Kinect, but it’s less sophisticated than Microsoft’s, and isn’t as tightly integrated into the system.
The hardware
Despite its smallish size — at least compared with an Xbox One — the PS4 packs a lot of power under the hood. The box is 275 x 53 x 305mm, weighs about 2.8kg, and packs in 8GB of DDR5 RAM. The CPU is a low-power x86-64 “Jaguar” eight-core chip, and the graphics are powered by a 1.84 TFLOP AMD Radeon “next engine.” The fine print may not impress the layperson, but suffice it to say, the PS4’s innards are in line with a mid- to high-end gaming PC.
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Like previous PlayStations before it, the PS4’s 500GB hard-disk drive is user replaceable (a standard SATA laptop hard drive or SSD will work), something I’m thrilled Sony has decided to keep intact. That 500GB may seem like more than enough storage, but with game sizes beginning to flirt with 50GB apiece, that might not cut it a few years down the road.
The PS4 boasts a striking angular design with a modestly low profile. The front end angles toward the user, sleekly hiding two USB 3.0 slots to the right and a slot-loading 6x Blu-ray drive to the left. Between these two ports are touch-sensitive power and eject buttons that give off familiar PS3 beeps when activated.
Around punt of the PS4 are quaternity acicular interfaces in constituent to a textbook knowledge interact — the synoptic size secure apiece PlayStation in the former has bespectacled. From tract to rightist there’s an optical audio, HDMI, Ethernet, and help side, which is old for the nonobligatory PlayStation Camera.
Say that the PS4 staleness be abutting to an HDTV with an HDMI sign; there are no similarity (composite or element) outputs for this PlayStation.
The PS4 is accoutered with wireless 802.11 b/g/n protocols (but not 5Ghz nor the new 802.11ac prescriptive) and also supports Bluetooth 2.1. That said, Sony has indicated that most current Bluetooth peripherals — including headsets and senior DualShock 3 PS3 controllers — won’t wreak with the PS4. The principal exclusion is the PlayStation Locomote — if and when there’s a PS4 gallinacean that’s organized to output with it.
The PS4 has two force off modes when not in use. It can be overturned completely off or it can be put into actor mode. It’s worth noting that the PS4 staleness be on or in histrion norm to receive pistol updates or be woken up remotely.
The top layer of the PS4 is one-third satiny and two-thirds matte ignominious. Between these finishes is a disentangle multicolor LED that glows yellow in thespian, discolor spell powered on, and juicy when booting up.
Dissimilar the Xbox One, which must place horizontally, the PS4 can be utilized vertically as easily. Sony recommends using a devoted posture for steep activeness, but the PS4 seems to sit on its opinion rightful pulverized by itself.
Not included with the PS4, the aforementioned PlayStation Camera is a US$60 accessory that allows you to control your PS4 with your voice. It’ll also recognize your face and log you in should you set it up that way. Its functionality is quite similar to the Xbox One’s Kinect, though it doesn’t feature any IR blasting support. In fact, there’s no IR port on the PS4 hardware, either, so you’re stuck using the DualShock 4 controller when watching movies or streaming video. (Sony says a special Bluetooth remote is in the works, but didn’t supply an ETA.)
Built into the PS4’s operating system is interactive software called The Playroom that creatively demonstrates the PlayStation Camera’s place in the PS4 environment. If you don’t have the camera, The Playroom falls flat.
Gameplay
So what does playing a PlayStation 4 feel like? Quite honestly, it’s a lot like the PlayStation 3. There’s a noticeable bump in graphics, of course, but it’s logical to assume the real heavy hitters won’t have their day until we’re deeper into the system’s life cycle. Like I mentioned earlier, the jump in visuals is not as dramatic as it was going from SD to HD. Also, PC gamers with the luxury of a souped-up machine probably won’t be much impressed at all. It’s also worth mentioning that some cross-platform games like Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag don’t look nearly as good as PS4-exclusive games like Killzone: Shadow Fall.
Not all of the PS4’s launch software received the next-gen “port” treatment. A lot of the sports games (FIFA 14, Madden 25, and NBA 2K14) are reworked from the ground up and run on next-gen engines to take better advantage of the new hardware. Of course, these next-gen games will be available for the Xbox One as well.
In terms of gameplay, the PS4 experience is greatly improved thanks to the fantastic DualShock 4 controller. Nearly every genre I tested seems to benefit from the redesign.
During any gameplay session you can suspend the action and back out into the Dynamic Menu. Double-tapping the Home button will bring you back to the game or you can manually select it from the menu. However, if you put the system in standby mode or turn it off, you’ll lose your gameplay session.
Sony has been very vocal about the PS4’s support for independent game development and plans on offering a healthy selection of titles at launch and soon after. These titles can only be accessed through the PlayStation Store exclusively.
Like the DS3, the DS4 has a six-axis motion-sensing system, which encompasses a three-axis gyroscope and a three-axis accelerometer. A fun little note here: you can click the right stick during text entry to get a tiltable keyboard that’s slightly quicker than entering letters manually.
You’ll likely notice the glowing light emanating from the DS4’s back. It’s designed to work with the PlayStation Camera accessory and will change colors if there’s more than one controller connected to the system. Below it sits a Micro-USB port for charging the controller’s built-in rechargeable battery.
Additional DualShock 4 controllers will cost you US$60 each. The console supports up to four.
The interface
Both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One have made substantial efforts in streamlining the user interface. The PlayStation 3’s cross-media-bar has evolved into the PlayStation 4’s “Dynamic Menu” that casts a blanket of simplicity throughout the operating system, logically grouping like-minded items together.
It basically consists of two horizontal rows, the top filled with icons for various functionalities like Friends, Trophies, and Settings, and a thumbnail lower row that is populated by recent activities like the last game you’ve played, shared game DVR clips, downloaded titles, Web access, other media, and more.
When you highlight an item in the Dynamic Menu, “live” items from the PlayStation Network (PSN) will populate with relevant content for you to browse.
Signing up on the PSN for the first time will require a 323MB day 1 download that will unlock most of the console’s connected features. You don’t need to update in order to play games, but it’s highly recommended for everything else the PS4 can do.
Those who own a PlayStation Vita can connect the portable to the PS4 to activate remote play. Setup is fairly simple and it actually works well, but performance all depends on the strength of your home network. The concept is similar to what Wii U owners can do with that console’s GamePad controller except for the fact that PS4 remote play uses your home. It’s a godsend when your PS4 TV is being used up, but it’s not a bulletproof work around because of its reliance on an ever-changing connection speed. While it’s entirely possible down the line, you won’t be able to play your PS4 outside of your home network.
Entertainment options
During our initial review period, none of Sony’s digital entertainment services were turned on; that changed once we installed the 1.50 software update. We’re still evaluating them — and we’ll continue to update this review — but even without much hands-on time, there’s plenty we know about the PS4’s entertainment capabilities, both from hands-on demos and Sony’s released information.
isc player: In addition to PS4 games, the PS4’s disc drive is capable of playing back Blu-ray and DVD discs, but it can’t play audio CDs or SACDs. It’s hard to believe that the PS4 can’t play a CD, but if you stick one in the drive you’ll get a message that says “disc unsupported.” In a sense, the PS4 is a step back from the “plays everything” nature of the PS3, although that could change with a future firmware update.
Digital media player: If you’re willing to give the PS4 a pass by not supporting the 30-year-old compact disc format, it’s harder to explain away the fact that it’s not DLNA-compliant and can’t play MP3s. Again, that may just be a launch-day limitation, with more features added in a future firmware update, but at least for now, the PS4 isn’t nearly as capable as the PS3 is on the digital media side.
No TV integration: And if you’re stacking up the PS4 vs. the soon-to-be released Xbox One, there’s none of the TV integration that Microsoft is pushing as the future of living room technology. There’s no onscreen program guide or the ability to watch TV and play games at the same time via a picture-in-picture window.
No compatibility with infrared remotes: Furthermore, unlike the Xbox One, the PS4 can’t control the rest of your home theater equipment, nor can it be controlled via a typical IR-based universal remote. And it doesn’t have Kinect’s extensive voice control capabilities, although the optional PlayStation camera, as mentioned above, does support some limited voice control.
All of that isn’t necessarily a knock — we won’t know how well the Xbox One’s features work until we get a chance to test them in the real world — but the PS4 is certainly less ambitious when it comes to its living room capabilities.
PlayStation Network, PlayStation Plus, and social
PlayStation Network provides a huge portion of the PlayStation 4’s functionality. You’ll need to be logged in to an account to activate almost all of the PS4’s extra features.
PlayStation Plus subscriptions can carry over from the PS3 to PS4 and are now required for online multiplayer gaming. (Notably, unlike Xbox consoles, you do not need a PS Plus membership for using the media apps.) PS Plus members will also get automated game updates (the PS4 can update itself while in standby mode) so you won’t need to wait when starting a game just to find out it needs updating. For system firmware updates, both PS Plus and non-PS Plus members will receive automated updates.
PlayStation Plus members have access to cloud game saves, free and discounted games across all Sony platforms, automatic game updates, access to game demos, online multiplayer and some beta invites. To be clear, “free” comes with a catch. Everything you download for free is accessible only while you still have a PS+ account. If your membership expires or you cancel, you’ll lose those titles.
A PSN member must make one PS4 their “primary” console, but once that’s situated up to 16 people can log in to it. That primary account holder can also log in to any PS4 and have access to games and saves. Again, it’s important to note PS+ is required for cloud game saves.
The PlayStation Store is doing away with downloaded content. Starting with the PS4, everything will now be streamed directly through the Sony Entertainment Network service or content portal of your choice.
That said, you will need to download games directly to the PS4’s hard drive. All “large file” games will support play-as-you-download capabilities, and some titles — if the developer wishes to do so — can support downloading of a certain part of a game and not the other. For example, downloading Call of Duty: Ghosts on the PS4 gives you the option to only install the campaign or multiplayer component separately.
Since a PS4 in standby mode can now be remotely turned on, a purchase made through the Sony Entertainment Network site can be downloaded to a PS4 without having to be in front of the physical console. Essentially you could make a purchase at work and have it ready to play by the time you get home.
The PSN experience and store is deeply woven into the fabric of the Dynamic Menu. Live items are built in everywhere you look, and social features are present at every corner, especially when it comes to your friends list. Your account can be tied to your Facebook and Twitter profiles and have the option of posting on your behalf depending on your settings. Your friends list will actually be made up of your friends’ real names if they approve your friend request.
The PS4 has a game DVR feature that’s constantly recording so that you won’t miss any sequence you’d like to share. With the touch of a button, you can stream to Twitch or Ustream and send a link to social networks, though recorded video sharing will only be offered on Facebook to start. You can also view a live feed of a friend’s gameplay directly from the PS4, and you can add comments, too. Screenshots can be uploaded to Facebook and Twitter as well.
Built into the Dynamic Menu is a section called “Live from PlayStation” that gives you access to watch various video streams. From here you can watch Twitch and Ustream live broadcasts, search for specific feeds and comment on content as well. If you own a game that you’re watching, you can start the game from the video screen or even get linked out to the PS Store to buy it.
Facebook integration appears to be more closely interwoven into the PS4 experience, whereas Twitter only seems to crossover for screenshot uploads. In fact, when you run the initial PS4 setup you’ll have the chance to connect your Facebook account and even use your profile photo on PSN
The PlayStation App on iOS and Android complements the PS4 experience with games that support second-screen functionality. It can also act as a navigational screen for the PS4 as well act as a keyboard when a text entry box pops up. Connecting the app to my PS4 was very easy (as long as they’re on the same network) and the keyboard option comes in very handy when entering codes, tweeting screenshots, or commenting on videos.
Sony PlayStation 4
News
via newandroidios http://newandroidios.blogspot.com/2013/11/sony-playstation-4.html
Lenovo introduces tablets Yoga Tablet 8 and 10
Lenovo has unveiled two tablets 8 and 10 inches. The Yoga Yoga Tablet Tablet 8 and 10 both show a definition of 1280 x 800 pixels and work with Android 4.2.2 . What distinguishes them from other tablets is that they have a mini rotating base that can hold them more easily hand , ask the tablet at an angle for easy reading or the questions to the vertical as a TV screen.
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In terms of features are similar and include a quadruple heart processor clocked at 1.2GHz , 1GB of RAM and 16GB of expandable storage via microSD card. A 5 megapixel video sensor / is also integrated on the back shelves . In addition to its larger size , the Yoga Tablet 10 differs autonomy amounting to 18 hours , according to Lenovo and a weight of 600 grams instead of 400 grams for the 8 -inch model .
The Yoga Yoga Tablet Tablet 8 and 10 will be sold respectively 229 and 299 euros in the coming days . ( EP)
Lenovo introduces tablets Yoga Tablet 8 and 10
News, Tablets
via newandroidios http://newandroidios.blogspot.com/2013/10/lenovo-introduces-tablets-yoga-tablet-8.html
Lenovo introduces tablets Yoga Tablet 8 and 10
Lenovo has unveiled two tablets 8 and 10 inches. The Yoga Yoga Tablet Tablet 8 and 10 both show a definition of 1280 x 800 pixels and work with Android 4.2.2 . What distinguishes them from other tablets is that they have a mini rotating base that can hold them more easily hand , ask the tablet at an angle for easy reading or the questions to the vertical as a TV screen.
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In terms of features are similar and include a quadruple heart processor clocked at 1.2GHz , 1GB of RAM and 16GB of expandable storage via microSD card. A 5 megapixel video sensor / is also integrated on the back shelves . In addition to its larger size , the Yoga Tablet 10 differs autonomy amounting to 18 hours , according to Lenovo and a weight of 600 grams instead of 400 grams for the 8 -inch model .
The Yoga Yoga Tablet Tablet 8 and 10 will be sold respectively 229 and 299 euros in the coming days . ( EP)
Lenovo introduces tablets Yoga Tablet 8 and 10
News, Tablets
via newandroidios http://newandroidios.blogspot.com/2013/10/lenovo-introduces-tablets-yoga-tablet-8.html
Sony officially announces its Android HDMI dongle
Sony has finally announced its first Android HDMI dongle for TVs. First discovered last month, the Bravia Smart Stick provides users access to the Google Play app store, Chrome Internet browser and the company’s own apps. With a built-in HDMI input and pass-through function, a settop box can also be connected to the dongle to search and view TV programs.
Searching for content is further simplified, thanks to a nifty touchpad controller with voice-recognition capability. The clicker also doubles as a universal remote, making it possible to conveniently operate the connected TV and settop box. The only caveat is, the Bravia Smart Stick will retail for US$149, which is lot pricier than the US$35 Google Chromecast.
According to Sony’s press release, the Bravia Smart Stick is available now in the the US. Sadly, there is no mention as to when this device will reach Asia. We’ve already contacted Sony Asia and will be posting more updates as we get them.
Sony officially announces its Android HDMI dongle
News, SONY, NEW tech
via newandroidios http://newandroidios.blogspot.com/2013/09/sony-officially-announces-its-android.html
Sony officially announces its Android HDMI dongle
Sony has finally announced its first Android HDMI dongle for TVs. First discovered last month, the Bravia Smart Stick provides users access to the Google Play app store, Chrome Internet browser and the company’s own apps. With a built-in HDMI input and pass-through function, a settop box can also be connected to the dongle to search and view TV programs.
Searching for content is further simplified, thanks to a nifty touchpad controller with voice-recognition capability. The clicker also doubles as a universal remote, making it possible to conveniently operate the connected TV and settop box. The only caveat is, the Bravia Smart Stick will retail for US$149, which is lot pricier than the US$35 Google Chromecast.
According to Sony’s press release, the Bravia Smart Stick is available now in the the US. Sadly, there is no mention as to when this device will reach Asia. We’ve already contacted Sony Asia and will be posting more updates as we get them.
Sony officially announces its Android HDMI dongle
News, SONY, NEW tech
via newandroidios http://newandroidios.blogspot.com/2013/09/sony-officially-announces-its-android.html
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 available on Sep 28 in Singapore
Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Samsung’s Galaxy Note 3 phablet will make its debut in Singapore on Sep 28, though those who have pre-registered their interest either with Samsung or the telcos will be able to collect their sets a day earlier on Sep 27.
As the recommended retail price has not yet been announced, those who are buying one without a telco contract may have to fork out a huge amount for the handset. Hopefully, it won’t be too far off the price of the Note 2, which went for S$989 without an operator contract.
The LTE Note 3 features a quad-core processor clocked at 2.3GHz, and has a whopping 3GB of RAM. Samsung has increased the size of the 5.7-inch full-HD display from the Note 2’s 5.5-inch screen and has added better multi-tasking features.
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 available on Sep 28 in Singapore
News, Samsung Galaxy Note 3 III
via newandroidios http://newandroidios.blogspot.com/2013/09/samsung-galaxy-note-3-available-on-sep.html
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 available on Sep 28 in Singapore
Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Samsung’s Galaxy Note 3 phablet will make its debut in Singapore on Sep 28, though those who have pre-registered their interest either with Samsung or the telcos will be able to collect their sets a day earlier on Sep 27.
As the recommended retail price has not yet been announced, those who are buying one without a telco contract may have to fork out a huge amount for the handset. Hopefully, it won’t be too far off the price of the Note 2, which went for S$989 without an operator contract.
The LTE Note 3 features a quad-core processor clocked at 2.3GHz, and has a whopping 3GB of RAM. Samsung has increased the size of the 5.7-inch full-HD display from the Note 2’s 5.5-inch screen and has added better multi-tasking features.
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 available on Sep 28 in Singapore
News, Samsung Galaxy Note 3 III
via newandroidios http://newandroidios.blogspot.com/2013/09/samsung-galaxy-note-3-available-on-sep.html
LG G2
.jpg "LG G2")
LG’s G2 is the company’s newest flagship handset, and it replaces the former model, the Optimus G. Clad in plastic, the G2 has the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor clocked at 2.26GHz. Let’s take a look at what makes this smartphone good.
Design
The first thing you notice when you look at the G2 is the large 5.2-inch full-HD display. While it may be larger than the Optimus G (5-inch), the handset is only 2mm wider. That’s because LG has all but removed the bezels at the side, leaving it with almost no gaps at the side. Because of this, the volume rockers and power buttons have been moved to the rear and are located just below the 13-megapixel camera.
While I was dubious of this design change at first, I quickly got used to using the buttons at the rear. As there are no physical buttons on the front screen as well, you may be wondering just how to turn on the phone when it’s lying flat on the table.
The solution from LG was simple: KnockOn. To turn on the G2, all you need to do is double tap the screen. However, I found this sometimes doesn’t work and I had to re-double tap. Generally speaking though, KnockOn works fine most of the time.
Unlike the Optimus G and its gorgeous looking glass rear, the G2 uses a glossy plastic behind. According to LG, this is because of how the handset was designed. Inside the handset, LG has maximized the space to stack battery cells even at the curved corners of the G2, and chosen plastic instead of premium materials in order to keep the phone light.
At 143g, the G2 is lighter than the Optimus G (145g). Even so, the G2 felt solid in my hands.
Lastly, both the micro-USB port and 3.5mm audio jack are found at the bottom of the G2, while the IR blaster is located at the top.
Features
Running on Android 4.2.2, the G2 comes with some LG customizations. For a start, there’s Slide Aside, which lets you use three fingers to put an app in the background for quick access. You can put up to three apps, and can call them up again by sliding three fingers to the right. On paper it sounds great, but I didn’t find myself using it that much — my apps could be easily accessed from the home screen, so I didn’t see the point.
Guest Mode is another cool feature that you can enable if you use the lock screen. Guest Mode turns on when you draw a different pattern from your usual one, and it locks down apps and access to certain areas of the handset.
The one tweak that I found most useful was the Clip Tray — instead of just copying one thing, it sends many entries to a clipboard, which then pops up at the side when you’re ready to do some pasting.
The older QuickMemo and QSlide tweaks from the previous models are also included in the G2, and can be accessed by sliding up on the Home button.
The keyboard still hasn’t been improved though — like the Optimus G, hitting the backspace button after an autocorrect takes place doesn’t bring back the previous word, so you will have to retype it, and if you don’t tap the word to tell it to keep it, pressing the spacebar to type the next word autocorrects the word again and you’ll then have to hit backspace. Good luck with that infinite loop. It’s probably best to download the default Android keyboard or a third-party solution like Swiftkey.
Like the G Pro and Optimus G, the G2 comes packing a 13-megapixel camera that has various software modes such as a Time Catch (that helps with moving subjects), VR Panorama (similar to Android’s Photo Sphere, a Burst mode, a Beauty mode and a Shot and Clear mode (that lets you scrub away unwanted photobombers).
As for the camera performance, I found that it takes well-saturated shots as well as good low-light pictures. While I noticed some over- and under-sharpening in certain situations, the upside was that photos were relatively noise-free. The shutter was also really fast.
Test images taken using the built-in flash actually turned out a little dim. This actually worked in its favor when I tried it on a human subject as the resulting illumination didn’t look too harsh, which can happen when a flash unit is pointed directly at a subject.
Performance
Powered by a 2.26GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, the G2 was fast and snappy. It also has 2GB RAM and comes in either a 16GB or 32GB version. As it has no microSD card slot, you will be stuck with what you buy. On the 3DMark Benchmark test, the G2 easily maxed out the normal Ice Storm test, while scoring 9,258 in the Ice Storm Extreme tests.
I had no issues with voice quality or reception. Calls were clear and the volume of the twin speakers located at the bottom were loud and clear.
Packing a non-removable 3,000mAh battery, the G2 lasted us a little over a full day’s use on moderate to heavy usage. This includes Web browsing, accessing social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter, while also having two email accounts on push.
Conclusion
The LG G2 is a worthy follow-up to the Optimus G and G Pro. Set to debut soon in Singapore, the LG handset has the chops to give other handsets a run for their money. Given that the high-end smartphone market is very competitive, it’s quite likely the G2 will have a price tag of around the S$900 mark. That means that you really should be choosing based on specs and functionality, which the G2 can boast of having.
That said, you will likely be spoilt for choice soon — the next iPhone, the Sony Xperia Z1, Samsung Galaxy Note 3 as well as the rumored Nexus 5 should be making their way soon to the market soon, so if you’re in no rush, it might be a good idea to wait it out before making a decision.
LG G2
News, LG
via newandroidios http://newandroidios.blogspot.com/2013/09/LG-G2.html
LG G2
LG’s G2 is the company’s newest flagship handset, and it replaces the former model, the Optimus G. Clad in plastic, the G2 has the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor clocked at 2.26GHz. Let’s take a look at what makes this smartphone good.
Design
The first thing you notice when you look at the G2 is the large 5.2-inch full-HD display. While it may be larger than the Optimus G (5-inch), the handset is only 2mm wider. That’s because LG has all but removed the bezels at the side, leaving it with almost no gaps at the side. Because of this, the volume rockers and power buttons have been moved to the rear and are located just below the 13-megapixel camera.
While I was dubious of this design change at first, I quickly got used to using the buttons at the rear. As there are no physical buttons on the front screen as well, you may be wondering just how to turn on the phone when it’s lying flat on the table.
The solution from LG was simple: KnockOn. To turn on the G2, all you need to do is double tap the screen. However, I found this sometimes doesn’t work and I had to re-double tap. Generally speaking though, KnockOn works fine most of the time.
Unlike the Optimus G and its gorgeous looking glass rear, the G2 uses a glossy plastic behind. According to LG, this is because of how the handset was designed. Inside the handset, LG has maximized the space to stack battery cells even at the curved corners of the G2, and chosen plastic instead of premium materials in order to keep the phone light.
At 143g, the G2 is lighter than the Optimus G (145g). Even so, the G2 felt solid in my hands.
Lastly, both the micro-USB port and 3.5mm audio jack are found at the bottom of the G2, while the IR blaster is located at the top.
Features
Running on Android 4.2.2, the G2 comes with some LG customizations. For a start, there’s Slide Aside, which lets you use three fingers to put an app in the background for quick access. You can put up to three apps, and can call them up again by sliding three fingers to the right. On paper it sounds great, but I didn’t find myself using it that much — my apps could be easily accessed from the home screen, so I didn’t see the point.
Guest Mode is another cool feature that you can enable if you use the lock screen. Guest Mode turns on when you draw a different pattern from your usual one, and it locks down apps and access to certain areas of the handset.
The one tweak that I found most useful was the Clip Tray — instead of just copying one thing, it sends many entries to a clipboard, which then pops up at the side when you’re ready to do some pasting.
The older QuickMemo and QSlide tweaks from the previous models are also included in the G2, and can be accessed by sliding up on the Home button.
The keyboard still hasn’t been improved though — like the Optimus G, hitting the backspace button after an autocorrect takes place doesn’t bring back the previous word, so you will have to retype it, and if you don’t tap the word to tell it to keep it, pressing the spacebar to type the next word autocorrects the word again and you’ll then have to hit backspace. Good luck with that infinite loop. It’s probably best to download the default Android keyboard or a third-party solution like Swiftkey.
Like the G Pro and Optimus G, the G2 comes packing a 13-megapixel camera that has various software modes such as a Time Catch (that helps with moving subjects), VR Panorama (similar to Android’s Photo Sphere, a Burst mode, a Beauty mode and a Shot and Clear mode (that lets you scrub away unwanted photobombers).
As for the camera performance, I found that it takes well-saturated shots as well as good low-light pictures. While I noticed some over- and under-sharpening in certain situations, the upside was that photos were relatively noise-free. The shutter was also really fast.
Test images taken using the built-in flash actually turned out a little dim. This actually worked in its favor when I tried it on a human subject as the resulting illumination didn’t look too harsh, which can happen when a flash unit is pointed directly at a subject.
Performance
Powered by a 2.26GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, the G2 was fast and snappy. It also has 2GB RAM and comes in either a 16GB or 32GB version. As it has no microSD card slot, you will be stuck with what you buy. On the 3DMark Benchmark test, the G2 easily maxed out the normal Ice Storm test, while scoring 9,258 in the Ice Storm Extreme tests.
I had no issues with voice quality or reception. Calls were clear and the volume of the twin speakers located at the bottom were loud and clear.
Packing a non-removable 3,000mAh battery, the G2 lasted us a little over a full day’s use on moderate to heavy usage. This includes Web browsing, accessing social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter, while also having two email accounts on push.
Conclusion
The LG G2 is a worthy follow-up to the Optimus G and G Pro. Set to debut soon in Singapore, the LG handset has the chops to give other handsets a run for their money. Given that the high-end smartphone market is very competitive, it’s quite likely the G2 will have a price tag of around the S$900 mark. That means that you really should be choosing based on specs and functionality, which the G2 can boast of having.
That said, you will likely be spoilt for choice soon — the next iPhone, the Sony Xperia Z1, Samsung Galaxy Note 3 as well as the rumored Nexus 5 should be making their way soon to the market soon, so if you’re in no rush, it might be a good idea to wait it out before making a decision.
LG G2
News, LG
via newandroidios http://newandroidios.blogspot.com/2013/09/LG-G2.html
newandroidios 