[shinobi602]

Don't know how reliable GamerXchange is, obviously I've never heard of it, still considered a rumor nonetheless:

With the one year anniversary of the PlayStation Vita fast approaching in North America, sources (who have requested that we keep anonymous) have hinted at the possibility of an upgraded model coming sooner than most may have expected. Although the credibility of this report comes into question by myself and my colleagues, these are the details nonetheless: A new 4G model of the PlayStation Vita will be replacing the 3G model sometime this year. According to the source, this will be the so-called “price drop” that has been rumored for the Vita as the new model will retain the $299 price point for an upgraded system. The Wi-Fi version will still be available on the market for $249 To go along with the 4G model, a significant firmware update will go live bringing in a lot of requested features including new ways to organize apps in folders. The new model may be unveiled along with the rumored PS4 this month at PlayStation’s February 20th event or at E3, but will not hit the market until later in the year. A price cut on memory cards will be made. No details on prices. According to the source, no other hardware changes will be made to the Vita and all other specs and features will remain the same. As for the 4G model, the regions where it will be available, in addition to info on any data plan pricing was not available. As stated before, this is a rumor and credibility comes into question, so take it with a whole pile of salt, if you would like; But it should be interesting if it really pans out. We will reach out to Sony to see if they have any comment on this. http://gamerxchange.net/2013/02/04/r...revealed-soon/

Something interesting from Patent Bolt:

NOTE: Yes this is a picture of the devkit. However, it appears Sony has published a new patent on February 7th.

On February 7, 2013, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Sony that is technically about the PlayStation Vita and their new and upcoming connectors. Sony states that the connectors are for "connecting the electronic apparatus to peripheral apparatuses" at the bottom and side surfaces of the device housing. Sony's patent filing specifically states that the next generation PS Vita will gain USB, HDMI and a power supply connector described as a parallelepiped connector. Sony's patent application was originally filed in the US in Q3 2012 but months earlier in Japan. The photo above was taken from Sony website on February 7, 2013. It's juxtaposed to Sony's patent figures 1 and 2 which expose the new ports. In comparison, we see the new ports clearly. Source

[Feature]

Ow shit, no PS4 at the meeting confirmed. This is the announcement!

[water1111]

Impossible even Sony doesn't what a vita is.

[Majine]

This is.... a step in the right direction.

[The_Monk]

This is very interesting, I'm just waiting for a little price drop on Vita and on a memory card.

I already have a Backlog thanks to PS Plus.

[Nibel]

I don't want Vita to ruin PS4's conference

NO NO NO

[Ragus]

4G? Why?

[Iceblade]

Will buy.

[Foshy]

I thought that was just the dev-kit?

Anyway, if true, I welcome the memory card price-cut with open arms even though I've just bought a 32 GB 4 days ago.

[Hanmik]

ehh.. is there a link to the patent..?

[fvng]

Sony cant ever keep anything under wraps. I'd buy this though

[cw_sasuke]

Firmware to provide Folders is the real Megaton here.

[Phire Phox]

looks like Sony is finally getting serious about moving vita units. HDMI is great. Easy to record gameplay.

[astronautcowboy]

Some of those holes on the bottom look new...

[Herb Alpert]

A new 4G model of the PlayStation Vita will be replacing the 3G model sometime this year. According to the source, this will be the so-called “price drop” that has been rumored for the Vita as the new model will retain the $299 price point for an upgraded system.

I don't think that this will help.
Cut the price on memory cards will though.

[Peru]

Vita already is and feels high-end - not sure why upgrading the hardware is first priority.

[Friedreich]

An HDMI out is always nice. More so with a price cut.

[Supreme Stephan]

If Sony announces this instead of PS4... oh boy.

[LevityNYC]

Still trying to get people to buy a cellular data capable device?

for shame.

I love my WiFi Vita and a lot other people love their Vitas as well.

Can we all agree that the 3G version was a complete waste?

[REMEMBER CITADEL]

If it has HDMI out, I'll be buying it when it's $200. If it's not dead by that point, that is.

[ElTopo]

Ow shit, no PS4 at the meeting confirmed. This is the announcement!

Can you imagine the meltdowns we would get ?

[tusken77]

Very nice.

[NBtoaster]

the new model will retain the $299 price point for an upgraded system. The Wi-Fi version will still be available on the market for $249

ugh

First of either 3DS or Vita to get a price drop I will buy. This does not constitute a price drop.

[Hana-Bi]

So, no price drop... Hmm, don't know if they learned their lessons...

[Papytendo]

please be the announcement for the 20th

I want tears to be shed

[gotee12]

I don't want Vita to ruin PS4's conference NO NO NO

Sony don't want PS4 to ruin Vita's conference

NO NO NO

[gaming_noob]

If Sony announces this instead of PS4... oh boy.

Kagari already basically confirmed Feb. 20 will reveal PS4 games.

[SolarPowered]

Ow shit, no PS4 at the meeting confirmed. This is the announcement!

Worlds would break

[Kyoufu]

I would buy 5 of these.

[Box of Bunnies]

Firmware to provide Folders is the real Megaton here.

"Tell me, what was it drove the 3DS sales!?"
"W-well, they introduced folders for the home menu..."

[Ushojax]

New hardware won't do anything on it's own. They need attractive new software to stop the platform dying.

[davious88]

So, no price drop... Hmm, don't know if they learned their lessons...

To not sell hardware cheaper than iPad/Phone?

[Majine]

Still trying to get people to buy a cellular data capable device? for shame. I love my WiFi Vita and a lot other people love their Vitas as well. Can we all agree that the 3G version was a complete waste?

The idea of a cellular dedicated handheld is appealing to me, but 3G is not enough for online multiplayer, and I fear it's too late now with 4G.

[grimshawish]

Just allow third party memory cards.
4G could be kind of big if it actually allows for mobile multiplayer.

[Lyphen]

HDMI in a consumer model? That's cool. I just want to know what these other ports on the current model are.

[Kouriozan]

February 20th can't come soon enough, dat Playstation future.

[glaurung]

Sony is insane.

Unless this is some genius plan to save Vita. I hope the new model carries the name W00T.

[CrunchinJelly]

New hardware won't do anything on it's own. They need attractive new software to stop the platform dying.

Maybe they will announce some on 20th alongside this?

[shinobi602]

ehh.. is there a link to the patent..?

Yea, was going to find it but I'm heading out to work right now lol. The serial number is in the OP if you can find it.

[G_Berry]

Ow shit, no PS4 at the meeting confirmed. This is the announcement!

Lol could you imagine the tears and epic backlash on here if thats true!

One for the ages.

[grandjedi6]

I'm going to take a wild guess here that 4G isn't what the Vita actually needs to be saved

[BGBW]

I don't want Vita to ruin PS4's conference NO NO NO

Don't worry, Vita will get the same amount of exposure this year as it did last year.

Also title makes it sound like they patented memory card price cuts.

[Exterminieren]

Well, it's nice that they're trying, but a new, more expensive SKU entirely misses the point of why Vita's not selling.

Taking it away from mass market prices is a bad move.

[Tomcat]

Can you imagine the meltdowns we would get ?

not going to happen but yeah it would be hilarious.

[Foetoid]

I really doubt this is true. Sony are losing money enmasse, they're share prices are awful, and even in Japan, the general consensus among the public is that Sony have lost their way and are now junk. The Vita already isn't selling, and its not because of the hardware, its a lack of software. Even when the Vita does sell, it sells at a loss, the Ps4 will likely also sell at a loss. They can't afford both as it is, nevermind another Vita also selling at a loss. If they're going to upgrade the Vita, they should replace the current one.

[Rösti]

Yea, was going to find it but I'm heading out to work right now lol. The serial number is in the OP if you can find it.

I've searched and searched. It's not in the USPTO's register as far as I can see.

EDIT: The serial number provided in the article was inaccurate. The filing's there, the serial number is 559772.

[CaptainTiptop]

It's the Vita dev unit.

[BlackLagoon]

That "next-gen" Vita already exists - it's a dev-kit.

[A_S]

A model with more useless junk instead of a proper price drop? Hope that snippet of information is false.

[lazer_bean]

i've always had a feeling the vita would be / could be used as the PS4 controller