Sony Brings Gaming To Android - Competition To Marketplace

Sony is all in with mobile gaming. Not only will it release it own mobile gaming device based on Android OS, Xperia Play "Playstation Phone", it is offering a coding environment for developers to create games for this Sony app. And it will require devices running the latest Android OS, 2.3.

How will this change things?

We're not exactly sure at this moment but this is very exciting news. Sony also introduced their next generation PSP, NGP "next-generation portable", that promises PS3 like graphics and gaming, we have to assume that this Android app will be a very different thing all together.

Still, having access to a library of PSP games is great news for Android gamers. These are games from top tier developers that have yet to commit to Android, or for that matter, Apple's iOS devices.

Sony only would commit to 2011 but would not say when that would be. This is likely a good move for Sony but for Android gaming, we might see a shift away from Marketplace if developers believe they can deliver quality gamings through Sony's setup than through Google.

Here are some key points from Sony's press release:

• Gaming and gamers have diversified. This explains why Sony is deliver a Playstation gaming environment on Android while developing PSP2 in tangent.
• Will offer a “PlayStation®Certified” license program for hardware manufacturers.
• Classic Playstation games will be offered - Woohoo!
• There will be a Playstation Store
• Will have SDK for developers to create games and sell through the PS Store
• Will require Android 2.3 and beyond.

On a level of a mobile warrior, this news from Sony is great. We're talking about increased competition for our wallets. It'll be interesting to see Sony's device competitors like Motorola, Samsung, LG, and HTC open up and install Sony's Playstation app.

Furthermore, this really has Nintendo, and maybe Apple, scramble back to the drawing board to come up with an answer. So stay tuned. I get the feeling well get more answers at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in June.

More at Android Community.

Android 2.2 Not Ready For Tablet Primetime Says Google

I don't want to get into a pissing contest with Steve Jobs about what is the perfect screen for the tablet. iPads have done will but Android's day under the tablet sky will come.

Right now there are a few unsanctioned Android tablets on the market if you're willing to chance it. Yeah, I thought so. So then therefor Samsung's Tab which will cost close to $1K unsubsidized, $400-600 depending on carrier subsidy.

But even then, Google has publicly said that Android 2.2 is not optimized for tablet use and we'll have to wait for Android 3.0 at the end of the year.

What's clear though is that Android tablets will flood the market early 2011. And if you thought waiting until then is hard, just wait until we have to chose between different versions, screen sizes, and which works best for us.

Android Device Makers That Also Make TV May Have Advantage Over Others That Just Make Tablets And Phones

Android device makers, Toshiba, Sharp, Samsung, and Sony, all have one thing in common that Android makers do not have. They made TV. Specifically, HDTV. And that potentially mean their Android tablets may have greater living integration than anything from HTC, Dell or Motorola.

Sure, Google TV is suppose to be on the TV only and Android is Android. Then again, HTC’s Sense or Moto Blur are all device specific skins that work to the strengths of individual device makers.

I look for for incumbent TV makers to leverage this advantage over the traditional device makers. What better way to distinguish their tablets from others in the field than to offer a tighter integration with their other hardware? It’s what Apple do in creating their second-to-none ecosystem.

For instance, Sony may marry its PSP with Android. So potentially, specific apps can be written for closer integration with the Bravia TVs and PS3. This is even a step further than what Toshiba, Sharp, or Samsung can do.

We’ll see in the next 12 months when what all this means and if what I predict pans out. Let’s just say, if this doesn’t happen, HTC and Samsung will take everyone else to school with their tablets.

How Microsoft, Nintendo, And Sony Will Bring Portable Gaming to Mobile Computing Market

Some quick thoughts about mobile gaming in the age of app stores, casual gaming, and diminished support for portable gaming consoles, is it time to give thought to how Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo will go on. I see a merger of platforms, birth of new ones, and a salad of old tech mixed with the new.

Which is better?

More at Onxo.

Sony And Android Versus Windows Phone With XBox Live

You may have heard by now that Windows Phone 7 (WP7) will be connected to Microsoft's successful Xbox Live experience in a mobile manner.

Of course, Sony is also looking to merge its PSP brand with Android. That is to say that its PSP experience will run on top of Android.

Here's the difference and I'll let you decide what's good or not for Android. Microsoft owns WP7 as well as the Xbox Live brands. That means it controls the whole ecosystem. Anyone who wants to make devices for it will need to participate in the whole ecosystem to some extent. And who would want to have WP7 san the Xbox Live experience?

On the other hand, I see Sony's move to Android as a bet it all sort of maneuver. PSP is a recognized brand. I don't see Sony gaining much from this other than that folks can run PSP games as well as Android games. That would be terrific.

But what of developers who don't have access to the PSP catalog at all? Will they lose out? If you're EA or another developer, would you want to bring your game over to Android but only have it run on Sony's own devices but no on HTC, Droids, or the variants of Galaxy S? Or will you choose to develop it specifically for the Android and be sure that it runs on all devices?

Sony certainly brings a lot of energy to the platform and Google would like nothing more than to have a powerhouse like Sony, both as a gaming and hardware developer. But it might leave a few others feeling like they're second class.

What Does Xperia Plus PSP Mean? Possibly The Endgame

Android is pretty buff these days. It's doing very well and probably on its way to dominate the mobile market. Not this year. Maybe not even next year. But eventually it will. However, today's news that Sony may be on the verge of releasing an Android device and merge it with its powerful (yes, second to Nintendo's DSi but well-known) PSP brand, Sony have have something on its hand to crawl back to the top of the mobile market.

So why haven't Sony done this before and why now?

Timing of course. And Android's maturity as a mobile OS is on the level, if not better, of other platforms. Furthermore, Sony is hurting pretty badly in the mobile realm without really a flagship device that has capture the hearts and imaginations of users the way Droid and Samsung's Galaxy S has. Plus, PSP, while a pretty viable platform in its own right, really hasn't lit a fire in the portable gaming market, consistently trailing incumbent, Nintendo.

But by merging the PSP brand with Android, Sony is betting that it might be the right combination to catapult it to the top. Heck, as well as Droid is doing, it hasn't come close to the numbers iPhone puts up in sales. But a PSP/Android phone might be able to achieve that level of success and even take back some gaming market-share from Apple.

Furthermore, Sony isn't likely to be content with just the games in the Marketplace. I've got a feeling that top tier games will follow. Don't be surprise if Sony and Google work together to create a little boutique place just for Sony in the store. Yeah, Google is in this to win and with Sony on its side, Google will have more arsenal against other mobile platforms.

Imagine all the riches of the PSP on the Android, even if it's just for Sony's Android device. Heck, Sony might even be interested in licensing the ability to place PSP branded games to other Android hardware makers. Imagine God of War, Final Fantasy, and SOCOM on the Android!

Right now, we don't know when we're going to be seeing this new PSP phone. However, as patient as I've been waiting for T-Mobile to introduce its HSPA+ phones, I can be persuaded to wait a bit longer if Sony's gaming partnership with Google is as good as I think it can be.

Of course, this isn't necessarily a guarantee of success. Sony is basically taking a great game. In the past, I've speculated that Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo will get their gaming platform into the phone market. It's finally happen, at least with Sony. And it is a gamble. If this doesn't work, it can really tarnish the PSP and Playstation brand.

Sony is basically going all in. I hope this gamble pays off.

More at Engadget.

I want one now! XPERIA X10

Just watch the video I lifted off Phandroid's post. It's a youtube promo for Sony's X10.

Alright, this could be my next Android phone if this thing ever comes to the US.

Here are some quick specs:

• Android OS, baby!
• 1GHz Snapdragon from Qualcomm!
• 8.1MP camera, autofocus, video recording, face recognition
• WebKit
• Email and messaging - Exchange, bla, bla...all the bells and whistles
• Great design
• GPS with Google Maps - this will likely run 2.0 which means free Nav app
• Wi-Fi, USB support (separate from micro-USB), BT, 3.5mm audio jack
• Sony-branded services like sync, Mediascape, Timescape as well as the usual Google Webapps
• 4" screen - 480 x 854 pixels!
• 8GB microSD card included
• size 119 x 63 x 13 mm, 135 grams

Engadget has a hands-on with the device. Alright, if this thing is as great as it looks and works as it should, maybe I'll consider getting it unsubsidized next year when it's out. Still, pre-announcing like this is risky as others are coming out with just the same specs and likely with competitive pricing as well.

Still, I wait eager! More at Phandroid.