Hasta La Gadget!

Just like the PlayStation Portable before it, the PlayStation Vita comes in iterations. There’s the standard, original Vita, and then there’s the new, even nicer version. Sony unveiled that new iteration recently at a Japanese event, and we got our first hands-on with it today at Tokyo Game Show 2013. So, what’s different? Not too much. As it turns out, it’s still a Vita.

The good news is that it’s a far lighter, more comfy version of the Vita you already know and (maybe) love. Rounded edges make holding the Vita distinctly less abrasive — the sharper angles on the original Vita were pretty from a design perspective, but not so much from an ergonomic standpoint. The buttons have been rejiggered as well, with a solid click for each (the start / select / PS Home buttons are also all now circles instead of ovals). And hey, the micro-USB port for charging is an unbelievably welcome addition. Gone are the days of your proprietary Vita charging cable (though there’s still a port for it as well, should you refuse to change).

And that’s not the only ergonomic improvement: the new Vita is dramatically lighter than its predecessor, making it all the easier to take on-the-go. We’re told that its battery life is also much improved, but we’ve yet to see that play out in real life, so we’ll reserve judgment for now.

Update: We’ve added video just below walking through the new Vita — please excuse us, as we called the new Vita’s LCD screen an LED in the video. Chock it up to jet lag!%Gallery-slideshow89586%

Check out all our Tokyo Game Show 2013 coverage right here at our hub!

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Software, HD, Sony

Comments

Each week, our friends at gdgt go through the latest gadgets and score them to help you decide which ones to buy. Here are some of their most recent picks. Want more? Visit gdgt anytime to catch up on the latest, and subscribe to gdgt’s newsletter to get a weekly roundup in your inbox.

Filed under: Misc

Comments

Consoles don’t ever really come back from the dead, they just usually become niche. But the PlayStation Vita, Sony’s redheaded portable stepchild, is currently having its Lazarus moment more than a year after release; a solid second chance at relevance. It’s a resurrection owed entirely to the indie community, a fact Sony’s more than happy to acknowledge — just look at the company’s recent marketing and Gamescom presser for proof. But before we talk Vita 2.0 and the promising future ahead, let’s rewind a bit to examine the missteps that almost pushed Sony’s powerhouse portable off a cliff.

Filed under: Gaming, HD, Sony

Comments

While Microsoft continues to trip over itself in the lead up to Xbox One, Sony’s PlayStation 4 message is staying on target and sailing straight into gamers’ good graces. And, after an undisputed win at E3 this year, there’s little doubt Gamescom 2013 will slow Sony’s roll, instead giving the company yet another opportunity to increase its already positive mindshare and deliver on next-gen promises (PS Vita Remote Play, anyone?).

So, what can we expect from Sony’s center stage spectacle today? The company will probably dive a bit deeper into the particulars of its indie strategy and, hopefully, announce a hard date on that PS4 holiday release — which is what most of us care about, anyway. Beyond that, it’s anyone’s guess. So, hang tight, we’ll be back with the blow-by-blow (and every gloriously awkward corporate potshot) right here at 9AM PST / 12PM EST.

Filed under: Gaming, Software, HD, Sony

Comments

As much as we’d like to talk about Sony’s increasing hospitality toward independent developers, we’re a little too anxious. You see, the company has just added an indie games channel to its handheld console, with Hotline Miami as the flagship title. Users will also be able to grab 53 other titles, like Thomas Was Alone, Sound Shapes and Limbo, but we’re too busy with Hotline Miami to pay attention right now. Sony is also promising that we’ll see Spelunky, Terraria and Hohokum in the next few months, which’ll keep you entertained when you’ve finished, you know, Hotline Miami. If you’d like to catch a trailer showcasing all the new games, head on past the break.

Filed under: Gaming, Sony

Comments

Via: Official PlayStation Blog

Source: PlayStation Indie