[Magnus]

lol

The last thing the mobile market needs is another device. Haha

[IrishNinja]

why would anyone want this

battery life would be horrible, and ive yet to see a design that incorporates both functions and doesnt look awful

[Averon]

Perhaps, but its a tough call for Sony. Do their Xperia line of phones sell well?

http://www.xperiablog.net/2012/08/02...ed-in-quarter/

Overall, Sony Mobile sold 7.4 million Xperia smartphones over the three-month period, this compares to 3.5m Xperia shipments in the same period last year. The company specifically talked about a “the strong performance of Xperia S and Xperia acro HD”. This led Sony to upgrade the FY13 (year to March 2013) forecast of smartphones shipped from 33.3 to 34 million units.

Still pales in comparison to Samsung, much less Apple. But it seems that their current Xperia line of phones are gaining some popularity, at least outside the US.

[OmegaTreeFish]

There are a few things that would make a vita phone pointless. Mainly having a battery good enough and the size. The vitas screen size is just right. If it was smaller and had to cram the buttons on it it would just not be even remotely as nice to play. If it was a slide design the back touch would be off, the smaller size would further increase battery issues and you wouldn't get analogue sticks, prob some awful slider design as well. I doubt it would be remotely comfortable to play either.

I see the vita more in line with a tablet than a phone. Smart phones need to be small and have enough juice to last the day. Tablets can run out of power and not mean your stuck without a phone.

A decent set of apps on vita would be nice though. I'm hoping ps mobile brings that.

[Massa]

lol The last thing the mobile market needs is another device. Haha

No, what the mobile market doesn't need is another iPhone-clone. A Vita phone would actually stand out and differentiate itself in that market.

But most importantly a Vita phone would be just another SKU for the platform, the primary one would remain the same. Creating a Vita phone and tablet would simply make the platform more attractive to more people.

[funkystudent]

Unless the can get vita games running on android or android apps running in vita OS they shouldn't bother.

A vita OS phone would be dumb as hell.


Playstation moble is clearly the future but yeah.... The need a real flagship phone.

The Xperia play was 2 years early.

[xJavonta]

The VITA brand is toxic assets. Sony should not mix that disaster with their successful phone business. I say leave VITA behind and don't waste anymore money on it, and focus on a brand new device that will spear head the play station mobile initiative.

Xperia/Ericcson is successful? I rarely see anyone with anything other than an iPhone, and if it's an Android phone then it's usually an HTC variant.

[Takao]

Xperia/Ericcson is successful? I rarely see anyone with anything other than an iPhone, and if it's an Android phone then it's usually an HTC variant.

Sony Mobile's big in Asia and Europe. I'm not sure why their phones never really gained a foothold here.

[Nekki]

Sony's predicting 33.3 million Xperia smartphones will be sold in fiscal 2012.

They're not particularly.. good at predicting sales.

I don't know, smartphones have such a limited battery life that, adding heavy gaming to it makes me shudder.

Then again it's already happening without Sony stepping in, my phone's battery lasts nothing (and i don't game) :/

[Takao]

They're not particularly.. good at predicting sales. I don't know, smartphones have such a limited battery life that, adding heavy gaming to it makes me shudder. Then again it's already happening without Sony stepping in, my phone's battery lasts nothing (and i don't game) :/

Sony did 22 million Xperias last year, and Xperia S has reportedly done extremely well. I can see them hitting it, especially given they actually upgraded their forecast.

[knitoe]

Sony screwed up. They should have launched with a Vita phone along the regular Vita. Sony sold 22 million Xperia in 2011. Even if only 1/3 of that were Vita phone sales, the Vita install base would be 4X larger. Imagine 9 million Vita install base, right now. 3rd parties would more serious about supporting the Vita platform. I would assume most would buy Vita phone over Xperia so the number would actually be much higher. Personally, I would gladly dump my iphone/vita setup and move to Vita phone. Right now, I carry my iphone everywhere while the vita has been collecting dust since the launch month.

As for how a Vita phone would work, it would be like most other smartphones. The Vita sticks/dpad/buttons would be converted to touch. There would still be a back touchpad. And, the official case would be something like a bumper which still allows easy access to front and back.

[Thoraxes]

As someone who has a friend with an Xperia Play, that phone still needs to catch up to the PSP first.

[Stephen Colbert]

Sony screwed up. They should have launched with Vita phone along the regular Vita. Sony sold 22 million Xperia in 2011. Even if only 1/3 of that were Vita phone sales, the Vita install base would be 4X larger. Imagine 9 million Vita install base. Then, 3rd parties would more serious about supporting the Vita platform. I would assume most would buy Vita phone over Xperia so the number would actually be much higher. I know I would switch from iphone to Vita. As for how a Vita phone would work, it would be like most other smartphones. The Vita sticks/dpad/buttons would be emulated by touch. There would be back touchpad. And, the official case would be something like a bumper which still allows easy access to front and back.

You had me till that second para.

Hell no the sticks/dpad/buttons should NOT be emulated by touch.

A Vita Phone is a brilliant idea as a supplement to the standard non-phone Vita once they shrink the die so it's technically feasible. It would pack all the internal hardware the Vita has, and would run the exact same games the Vita runs and nothing else.

As far as the technicals, its not too complicated.

The Vita's internals are very similar to the internals of many current smartphones. If Sony wishes, they could stick an extra A9 processor in a Vita phone to handle background phone related tasks while you're playing a game. But otherwise, they really wouldn't have to change too much.

The design could be fairly similar to the original Xperia Play but they would have to make room for a touch screen on the back panel and they would need to make room for the game slot.

The main technical limitations are size and battery life. Sony would probably have to opt to use build the chip on 28nm rather than 40nm to get the device to be smaller and consume less power. Likewise, they would need to shrink the screen to 4-4.3 inches while retaining the same resolution.

[knitoe]

You had me till that second para. Hell no the sticks/dpad/buttons should NOT be emulated by touch.

Phones should be kept as simple, small and thin devices. For most smartphone users, that's why they want. Apple didn't stick with that design for nothing. The regular Vita is already there for people whom must have sticks, dpad and buttons.

[echothreealpha]

Sony should do a Playstation Vita.

It's a great option and makes sense. The only thing that seem to stop them is not wanting to cannibalize the sales of their other products, which is pretty much a slow assisted suicide for most companies in not wanting to do so.

[Stephen Colbert]

Phones should be kept as simple, small and thin devices. For most smartphone users, that's why they want. Apple didn't stick with that design for nothing. The regular Vita is already there for people whom must have sticks, dpad and buttons.

You seriously don't think something like this that plays all Vita games (and has the same internals as the Vita), wouldn't have appeal to gamers in the market for a new smartphone for cheap?




or atleast this...



As I already explained, Apple/Samsung/HTC etc get a subsidy of $300-$500 from ATT/Verizon for every 2 year contract they get someone to sign onto for the smartphone.

Sony could give the Vita Phones away for free in exchange for a 2 year cell phone contract, and the $300-$500 they get from ATT/Verizon would be more than sufficent to cover the cost of the Vita Phone's hardware.

When my contract is up, if I could get a phone like this for free (or even $99) in exchange for renewing it, I sure as hell would. Because, I like many many people, prefer an all in one device that does everything, including meet my gaming needs.

[knitoe]

You seriously don't think something like this that plays all Vita games (and has the same internals as the Vita), wouldn't have appeal to gamers in the market for a new smartphone for cheap?

Yes. Having numb/dpad/buttons will appeal to gamers, but they can also be unappealing to casual or non gamers which are a much larger group. And, although gamers would prefer to have physical inputs, at the end of the day, most gamers would still buy a Vita phone without them.

[AranhaHunter]

http://www.xperiablog.net/2012/08/02...ed-in-quarter/ Still pales in comparison to Samsung, much less Apple. But it seems that their current Xperia line of phones are gaining some popularity, at least outside the US.

Their smart phone line seems to be doing well. Unfortunately they don't give out numbers on their financials for their tablets, I don't even know if they are bundled together with the PC numbers or if they are just not given. Regardless I think they will rebrand their tablet to xperia, should make it sell better and from the leak, the next one is looking good.

Sony Mobile's big in Asia and Europe. I'm not sure why their phones never really gained a foothold here.

Simple.

• No marketing

• No real presence with major carriers. ATT carries the Xperia ion and that's about it, it's not featured in the store at all. Verizon might carry the play and that's about it. There's no Sony phones with Sprint etc

• No presence at major electronic stores. If you go to Best Buy or walmart, you'll see more mobile phones from no name brands than you will see Sony brands.

I am interested in a new phone but won't change my carrier. I'll get the phone at the end of the year, but there's no Sony phones on my carrier. PSM kind of interests me, but luckily I can get that through other phones.

Likewise my job offers a variety of android, blackberry, and iphones for us to pick from. No Sony hardware is available there. Personally I'll get the iphone 5 through my job, but the point is that there's no Sony mobile hardware to choose from. It's actually HARD to find a sony mobile on your carrier of choice when it should be easy and in your face. So it's easy to see why Sony mobile devices don't sell well here.

I prefer this mock up, mainly because of the nubs which seem more comfortable than your other mock up. And you are definitely right about subsidies, that makes a hell of a difference. I'm actually kinda surprised Sony has never really worked with a major carrier in the US in order to try to push their products like the galaxy or the evo. Really surprised. Maybe that will change since Kaz lives part time in the US.

Yes. Having numb/dpad/buttons will appeal to gamers, but they can also be unappealing to casual or non gamers which are a much larger group. And, although gamers would prefer to have physical inputs, at the end of the day, most gamers would still buy a Vita phone without them.

In those cases Sony will have xperia sl or ion for them which are pretty good phones, psm certified and have virtual buttons and awesome designs. If a Vita phone ever happens, I think you should definitely expect physical buttons and nubs.

[Takao]

In Canada our largest provider in my region, Rogers actually does push Sony phones a lot. They ran a tonne of ads for Xperia Play, and right now for ion. I guess Sony Mobile's real problem is the US.

[michaelius]

Sony rejected Xperia Play/PSP Go alike VITA prototypes due to heat issues.

That can be cured with next die shrink (vita uses 40nm parts? )

[Ollie Pooch]

You had me till that second para. Hell no the sticks/dpad/buttons should NOT be emulated by touch. A Vita Phone is a brilliant idea as a supplement to the standard non-phone Vita once they shrink the die so it's technically feasible. It would pack all the internal hardware the Vita has, and would run the exact same games the Vita runs and nothing else. As far as the technicals, its not too complicated. The Vita's internals are very similar to the internals of many current smartphones. If Sony wishes, they could stick an extra A9 processor in a Vita phone to handle background phone related tasks while you're playing a game. But otherwise, they really wouldn't have to change too much. The design could be fairly similar to the original Xperia Play but they would have to make room for a touch screen on the back panel and they would need to make room for the game slot. The main technical limitations are size and battery life. Sony would probably have to opt to use build the chip on 28nm rather than 40nm to get the device to be smaller and consume less power. Likewise, they would need to shrink the screen to 4-4.3 inches while retaining the same resolution.

The Xperia Play wasn't even updated to ICS. I'm sure a lot of people wouldn't want to be burned again.

I have an Xperia S. It has a 4.3 inch screen (1280x720, but still). It's great but just using the phone for browsing and reading and stuff sucks up the battery like crazy. A Vita/Xperia phone would have to be enormous.

And yeah, fucking LOL at people suggesting converting the inputs (the selling point of the Vita) to touch screen.

[Log4Girlz]

I've changed my mind. I think Sony should abandon the Vita chipset all together and just focus 100% on the Xperia line of phones and port games to the Vita. Shoot, the Xperia should be the target handheld and let the Vita get scraps.

[Takao]

I've changed my mind. I think Sony should abandon the Vita chipset all together and just focus 100% on the Xperia line of phones and port games to the Vita. Shoot, the Xperia should be the target handheld and let the Vita get scraps.

This is a bad post, and you should be ashamed of it.

PlayStation Mobile is the attempt to bring phone games to Vita, and it's a much smarter plan than your's.

[AranhaHunter]

In Canada our largest provider in my region, Rogers actually does push Sony phones a lot. They ran a tonne of ads for Xperia Play, and right now for ion. I guess Sony Mobile's real problem is the US.

I went to the Rogers website and they only have 1 Sony phone available. I wouldn't call that pushing it a lot, but if they are having plenty of ads for it, then it's better than what's happening in the US for sure.

[knitoe]

And yeah, fucking LOL at people suggesting converting the inputs (the selling point of the Vita) to touch screen.

Yeah. Vita's input are setting sales record on fire...While, Apple's 1 face button & touch only are crippling their sales...

I've changed my mind. I think Sony should abandon the Vita chipset all together and just focus 100% on the Xperia line of phones and port games to the Vita. Shoot, the Xperia should be the target handheld and let the Vita get scraps.

Sorry, I can't see PS Mobile going anywhere other than mainly get ports from the much larger install base iOS and android platform. People don't switch for ports.

[Log4Girlz]

This is a bad post, and you should be ashamed of it. PlayStation Mobile is the attempt to bring phone games to Vita, and it's a much smarter plan than your's.

They should put all available development funds on developing mobile games, all of it. Phones sell so much better than handhelds.

[Ollie Pooch]

Yeah. Vita's input are setting sales record on fire...While, Apple's 1 face button & touch are crippling their sales...

I didn't say touch was bad.

The inputs were how Sony were differentiating their platform from the competition. Are you suggesting Sony just create games for phones?

[knitoe]

I didn't say touch was bad. The inputs were how Sony were differentiating their platform from the competition. Are you suggesting Sony just create games for phones?

Have you read my previous posts about the Vita platform?

In short, it's fine for a handheld (Vita) to have physical inputs. With a phone, people want it to be simple, slim and lean. Thus, Vita phone would need to emulate physical buttons with touch. And, if they are so HC and must have buttons, they would have gotten a regular Vita anyway.

[Takao]

They should put all available development funds on developing mobile games, all of it. Phones sell so much better than handhelds.

You had me, I actually thought you were serious. :(

[Ollie Pooch]

Have you read my previous posts about the Vita platform? In short, it's fine for a handheld (Vita) to have physical inputs. With a phone people want it to be simple, slim and lean. Thus, Vita phone would need to emulate physical buttons with touch. And, if they are so HC and must have buttons, they would have gotten a regular Vita anyway.

Sorry , didn't link you with your previous posts - jumped to my tablet and the end of the thread! Apologies.

I still don't see it - emulating two sticks, face buttons and triggers on a single screen? Sounds like a mess. I still have nightmares of that dualshock overlay from the PS suite conference, and that was on a tablet screen.

[G0DLIKE]

I thought the successor to the PSP was bound to be a gaming smartphone hybrid.

I want a Vita phone.

[spwolf]

Xperia phones, Sony tablets, and Vita all have sub par to pathetic sales. I think combining them and having more synergy in them is the way to go. It's a risky step but one they need to take IMO.

Sony will sell 35 million Xperia phones in 2012, while thats a lot less than Apple or Samsung, it is still a lot and i wouldnt call it pathetic especially since their growth has been 110% last quarter.

I agree that they simply have to make Vita phone. People already spend a lot more money on high end phones, so Vita functionality would be a big draw and differentiation for Xperia line.

Who cares if inputs wouldnt be perfect - let customers decide if they like it or not... people obviously dont have problems playing all those iOS games on touch alone so why not Vita games...

[Nemo]

Sony's predicting 33.3 million Xperia smartphones will be sold in fiscal 2012.

Considering they shafted those people (x16 the userbase of vita) out of 100 ps1 games Sony is doing fuckawful regarding decisions

Coming with a vita phone now will not only be too little to late but also won't make sense

[IamMikeside]

Sony will sell 35 million Xperia phones in 2012, while thats a lot less than Apple or Samsung, it is still a lot and i wouldnt call it pathetic especially since their growth has been 110% last quarter. I agree that they simply have to make Vita phone. People already spend a lot more money on high end phones, so Vita functionality would be a big draw and differentiation for Xperia line. Who cares if inputs wouldnt be perfect - let customers decide if they like it or not... people obviously dont have problems playing all those iOS games on touch alone so why not Vita games...

Because it'd have to play all Vita games without it being a port or something, otherwise it's not a Vita phone & they'd just further fragment an already-on-thin-ice market

[Panajev2001a]

I think how easily this could happen depends on the level of coupling between Vita's gameOS and Vita's 'live area' os. If they're very independent then maybe it would be possible sooner rather than later.

After the incredibly shitty handling of the Xperia Play (bad build quality, very easy to scratch gorilla-glass-less screen, outdated HW, no ICS upgrade for a 2011 high-end phone), Sony has a tough road ahead to make me even consider one of the handsets again. Awful.

[G0DLIKE]

Who cares if inputs wouldnt be perfect - let customers decide if they like it or not... people obviously dont have problems playing all those iOS games on touch alone so why not Vita games...

I wouldn't touch it if it was touch only. (^_-)

[Stephen Colbert]

After the incredibly shitty handling of the Xperia Play (bad build quality, very easy to scratch gorilla-glass-less screen, outdated HW, no ICS upgrade for a 2011 high-end phone), Sony has a tough road ahead to make me even consider one of the handsets again. Awful.

Surprised you bought Xperia Play even when it was obvious their mobile gaming development is going towards Vita.

A Vita Phone would get around all the flaws you mention. By definition, it would have high end hardware in it as it's a Vita phone. It would also have to be OLED so the screen won't have issues. And the Vita's OS is topnotch.

Subsidies basically make this a no brainer for Sony as well as for consumers, it's the definition of win win...

For Sony...

Entering the smartphone market is EXTREMELY lucrative. The most Sony can charge for the Vita is $249. Apple gets $700 from AT&T for every phone that consumers buy from them for $200. Imagine how much tech Sony can pack into the PSP Phone and still rake in a massive profit with prices like that. In addition, the PSP Phone is more likely to sell to casual gamers that might not be interested in a big bulky PSP2. So there's a lot of money to be made selling games to these customers that Sony normally can't reach.

For Consumers...

Lots of people prefer all in one devices. I only have so much room in my pocket. Between my keys, wallet, cell phone, camera etc, there really isn't any room for another portable device. This is why I rarely have my DS or PSP with me when I'm out of the house, where as I always have my iPhone with me, and do my outdoor gaming on that, out of neccesity.

Also, consumers can get a better deal thanks to subsidies. I'm not looking forward to plopping down $300 on a PSP2, and when I do, I'm going to have to justify that purchase to my wife. But buying a cellphone every 1.5 years is seen as a neccessity. I always sell my old cellphone on ebay for $300, and use that money towards getting my new smartphone, and my wife is always happy about it.

Meanwhile, Sony could well sell their Vita Phone for a price of $99, or even for free, and still rake in far more cash than what they can charge for the PSP2. Sony could give away Vita Phone's for free, and they would still be getting $400-500 from the cellphone carriers (that's how much apple is getting in exchange for the two year contracts), far more than they get for the Vita. Which would you have an easier time justifying to yourself? Buying a $250 Vita, or getting a Vita Phone for free when your contract runs out.
"

[Baki]

Surprised you bought Xperia Play even when it was obvious their mobile gaming development is going towards Vita. A Vita Phone would get around all the flaws you mention. By definition, it would have high end hardware in it as it's a Vita phone. It would also have to be OLED so the screen won't have issues. And the Vita's OS is topnotch. Subsidies basically make this a no brainer for Sony as well as for consumers, it's the definition of win win... For Sony... Entering the smartphone market is EXTREMELY lucrative. The most Sony can charge for the Vita is $249. Apple gets $700 from AT&T for every phone that consumers buy from them for $200. Imagine how much tech Sony can pack into the PSP Phone and still rake in a massive profit with prices like that. In addition, the PSP Phone is more likely to sell to casual gamers that might not be interested in a big bulky PSP2. So there's a lot of money to be made selling games to these customers that Sony normally can't reach. For Consumers... Lots of people prefer all in one devices. I only have so much room in my pocket. Between my keys, wallet, cell phone, camera etc, there really isn't any room for another portable device. This is why I rarely have my DS or PSP with me when I'm out of the house, where as I always have my iPhone with me, and do my outdoor gaming on that, out of neccesity. Also, consumers can get a better deal thanks to subsidies. I'm not looking forward to plopping down $300 on a PSP2, and when I do, I'm going to have to justify that purchase to my wife. But buying a cellphone every 1.5 years is seen as a neccessity. I always sell my old cellphone on ebay for $300, and use that money towards getting my new smartphone, and my wife is always happy about it. Meanwhile, Sony could well sell their Vita Phone for a price of $99, or even for free, and still rake in far more cash than what they can charge for the PSP2. Sony could give away Vita Phone's for free, and they would still be getting $400-500 from the cellphone carriers (that's how much apple is getting in exchange for the two year contracts), far more than they get for the Vita. Which would you have an easier time justifying to yourself? Buying a $250 Vita, or getting a Vita Phone for free when your contract runs out. "

Following on from this, a big advantage a PSVita Phone could bring is that it could allow a financial cushion for them to cut the price of the stand-alone to target the younger demographic if need be.

Right now, its clear that in the western world dedicated handheld market is shrinking at an alarming rate. Even the 3DS posts pathetic sales in this region, even after its price-cut. Sony's only real chance to remain relevent is to create a Phone with the capability of playing VITA games. The form factor can be that of the PSPGo and with the upcoming 28nm chipset, the publics liking towards large screen devices, they can easily fit in a respectable battery.

[see5harp]

Create phone that costs even more than the current Vita so they can sell iPhone ports to kids. Okay then.

[OmegaTreeFish]

How would you get around the yearly updates that are in the current mobile market. You buy a vita phone then a year later your model doesn't play any new games.

There are so many flaws in making a vita phone it's not even funny. 3DS doesn't need to be a phone to sell. It's a different market. Sony need to do marketing that's worth a damn and price there products to what the general public would play. That's all.

Those phone pics posted early look like I would have wrist pains in no time playing those things.

For gaming on the go in short bursts smart phones are doing just fine. For gaming unchained to the tv, long journied and holidays, portables like the vita, 3ds and tablets are there. Smartphones are not the vitas competition or it's reason for poor sales. Tablets and the 3ds are. Sony need to show people how good the vita is. Most people in the uk still don't know what one is.

Hopefully ps mobile will bring a good app range to the cuts as well which could rely widen it's appeal.

[spwolf]

How would you get around the yearly updates that are in the current mobile market. You buy a vita phone then a year later your model doesn't play any new games. .

Vita games would always work on Vita, nothing would change that...

i dont think Vita phone would be that hard to make either... it would probably have some VM that runs Vita games on Android and that would give it direct hardware access.

I am sure it is coming too.

[DMB4237]

Make a quad-core device with tech that still overshadows most phones and eats battery like a bastard and shoehorn phone capabilities (eats more battery) and native Android (which is so antithetical to the Vita's closed system that the only way it would work would be to have some complicated dual boot option).

The design would also have to change so that it is a smaller slider-style system meaning that that
1. Back touch does not match up with screen
2. Screen has to be smaller and eat less battery
3. Controls are now cramped up
4. Analog sticks would be gone because that surely ain't going in my pocket

So essentially scrapping the only good things that the Vita has going for it.

Why are we complicating the things that the Vita needs to be a success? Sony needs this to have killer apps and must be pro-consumer and affordable. The fact that this $250 device needs a memory card and also most of its games cost $40 dollars is not helping it.

Sony has a long road with this device like they did with the PS3. If they can curate an ecosystem where it is easy to get games of all kinds (cheap time-killers and $30-$40 adventure titles), make it less confusing with all this memory card bullshit, market it, market it, and market it then they can turn this around.

[Dreams-Visions]

Sorry for the ot, but this reminded me of the other xperia tablet: is it out? is it good? How much for it?

this is a horrible tablet, universally panned by reviewers.

[Stephen Colbert]

Create phone that costs even more than the current Vita so they can sell iPhone ports to kids. Okay then.

Who the hell said anything about iPhone ports. The Vita Phone would play all Vita games, along with all PSOne Games. Lots of gamers want that.

To consumers, the phone wouldn't cost more than the Vita. To consumers, Sony can give the phone away for FREE, because the major carriers pay Apple/Samsung and other smartphone makers $400-$500 for each 2 year contract they get someone to sign alongside the device.

When your current cellphone contract runs out, you can go get yourself another boring old smartphone with crap gaming controls, or you can get a Vita Phone for free with AAA games and buttons identical to the Vita + two excellent gaming nubs. Lots of gamers would opt for that latter option.

[Baki]

Make a quad-core device with tech that still overshadows most phones and eats battery like a bastard

Only drinks energy when playing VITA games. I'm sure that when the VITA is performing normal phone functions it would have comparable battery life to a smart phone. Secondly, the smaller chipset is coming soon. This will drink less battery.

and shoehorn phone capabilities (eats more battery) and native Android (which is so antithetical to the Vita's closed system that the only way it would work would be to have some complicated dual boot option).

Well to be fair, VITA already has a Virtual Environment for Android applications via PlayStation Mobile. Perhaps they can have a solution which involves only having Android Applications running on the System as opposed to having Android as the native OS.

The design would also have to change so that it is a smaller slider-style system meaning that that 1. Back touch does not match up with screen 2. Screen has to be smaller and eat less battery 3. Controls are now cramped up 4. Analog sticks would be gone because that surely ain't going in my pocket

Regarding the smaller screen, as long aspect rations are maintined it should not be a problem (that includes correct interfacing between back-touch and screen). Also, 5" screen have been incredibly popular on the market place. The Galaxy Note and the S3 (with a 4.7" screen) have been incredibly successful. The S3 has sold over 10M units since release.

So essentially scrapping the only good things that the Vita has going for it. Why are we complicating the things that the Vita needs to be a success? Sony needs this to have killer apps and must be pro-consumer and affordable. The fact that this $250 device needs a memory card and also most of its games cost $40 dollars is not helping it. Sony has a long road with this device like they did with the PS3. If they can curate an ecosystem where it is easy to get games of all kinds (cheap time-killers and $30-$40 adventure titles), make it less confusing with all this memory card bullshit, market it, market it, and market it then they can turn this around.

Yes. the VITA is a good stand alone device, but I also do believe there is a massive void in the phone market, one which Sony using their expertise could exploit! Right now, the VITA is in a situation where competing in the western market as a purely dedicated handheld device is extremely difficult. (as this market continues to be marginalised) While Sony Mobile is a difficult position, where it can't seem to find a flagship device that can truly elevate it above the rest. This would be a perfect marriage between both departments that could take the Company onto the big stage.

I think what needs to be decided now, is how often Sony would release a refresh to this VITA phone?

[Panajev2001a]

Surprised you bought Xperia Play even when it was obvious their mobile gaming development is going towards Vita. A Vita Phone would get around all the flaws you mention. By definition, it would have high end hardware in it as it's a Vita phone. It would also have to be OLED so the screen won't have issues. And the Vita's OS is topnotch.

I got the Xperia Play when it launched, well before PS Vita came out. I bought it as an Android development device (it already had Gingerbread on it) and because I needed a new phone (transitioning my old iPhone 3GS to development only device rather than day to day phone while waiting for the iPhone 4 successor to come out, with hopefully a much stronger HW platform inside it to last for a few years like the iPhone 3GS has done). A proper d-pad could have been an exciting prospect.

I did like the concept of a physical pad and the design did look nice. I thought Sony would support it better and that it was a better built device than it really is. I knew the specs were not top notch, but I hoped there were no other major problems (even the touchscreen sometimes gets nonexistent touches or duplicated touches, it is full of little glitches).

Also, I had a good experience with their ol' "dumbphones" and I thought PS Suite would not take so long to come out. Still, I am very disappointed in how they handled the device, how they supported it, and how they are basically forgetting about it already. They will have to do a very good job for me to even consider a phone they make...

[T-0800]

Sony should bring PS2 and PSN games to their tablets. I believe they already have the ability to use a DS controller. I'd buy one.

[thomasmahler]

Why do you guys prefer that slider design? Is it just cause it looks cool or have you actually held those devices in your own hands?

I got an Xperia Play recently and it feels like crap. The clicky buttons that are way too small, the cramping that you get in your hands, the L/R buttons being completely misplaced, everything about that design is just terrible.

Any normal PSP is much superior to this thing.

[2+2=5]

It's out, I saw it at the AT&T store the other day. I thought it was weird because lots of the content splits between the two screens with the gap in the middle. Not sure who it's for but you can check it out there. Price, I can't recall. Something in the 400 range I believe.

this is a horrible tablet, universally panned by reviewers.

Ok, thanks for the info ;)

[Baki]

I got the Xperia Play when it launched, well before PS Vita came out. I bought it as an Android development device (it already had Gingerbread on it) and because I needed a new phone (transitioning my old iPhone 3GS to development only device rather than day to day phone while waiting for the iPhone 4 successor to come out, with hopefully a much stronger HW platform inside it to last for a few years like the iPhone 3GS has done). A proper d-pad could have been an exciting prospect. I did like the concept of a physical pad and the design did look nice. I thought Sony would support it better and that it was a better built device than it really is. I knew the specs were not top notch, but I hoped there were no other major problems (even the touchscreen sometimes gets nonexistent touches or duplicated touches, it is full of little glitches). Also, I had a good experience with their ol' "dumbphones" and I thought PS Suite would not take so long to come out. Still, I am very disappointed in how they handled the device, how they supported it, and how they are basically forgetting about it already. They will have to do a very good job for me to even consider a phone they make...

I have to agree. Sonys rollout of PSMobile took far too long. It was obviously announced far too early. An Xperia Play like device had a lot of potential.