Understanding How the Sony PS Vita Functions

In early 2005, Nintendo was gearing up to follow the success of its Game Boy series. The somewhat clunky DS, featuring dual screens, debuted in the 2004 holiday season and was still testing the waters of the handheld market. Nintendo's Game Boy had previously fended off competition from Sega and Atari, securing its place as the handheld champion. However, the DS now faced a stronger competitor in the Sony PSP, an elegant device supported by the massive PlayStation brand. The PSP entered the market with impressive graphics and a widescreen display, offering PlayStation 2-like games on an optical disc format. Nintendo, as always, opted for more affordable, simpler hardware, including a touch-enabled screen.

How did the battle between the handhelds unfold? From 2005 to 2011, Sony managed to sell over 67 million PlayStation Portables [source: Sony], which was a solid performance for the company's first handheld venture. Meanwhile, Nintendo's unique device sold over 140 million units during the same period [source: Nintendo]. Why does this matter? Because a new showdown is on the way.

The successor to the Nintendo DS, the 3DS, launched in March 2011, introducing the first handheld with 3-D display capabilities. Meanwhile, Sony's follow-up to the PSP, the PS Vita, keeps the tradition of powerful hardware alive with features like a quad-core processor, dual analog sticks, a touchscreen, and a rear touchpad. With the PS Vita expected to hit the market in late 2011 or early 2012, the two gaming giants will once again clash in a new era of technology. Will Sony's upgrades take the PS Vita to greater heights in the handheld market?

PS Vita Design Overview

Anyone who has used a PlayStation Portable will immediately recognize the PS Vita as Sony's next generation of handheld gaming. The Vita keeps the PSP's horizontal 'slab' style, with movement controls -- a directional pad and an analog stick -- on the left of a 16:9 screen, while the classic PlayStation action buttons (triangle, square, X, and O) sit on the right. Though the dimensions could be altered before the final release, as of July 2011, the PS Vita measures 7.2 inches by 0.7 inches by 3.3 inches (1.8 cm by 1.9 cm by 8.4 cm) [source: Tested]. While the weight is not specified, the system is only slightly bigger than the PSP.

The PS Vita boosts the PSP's screen size by 0.7 inches (1.8 cm), expanding from 4.3 inches (10.9 cm) to a full 5 inches (12.7 cm), while also doubling the resolution from 480 by 272 pixels to 960 by 544 pixels. Its advanced OLED touchscreen is also one of the new features, offering a touch-sensitive interface, much like modern smartphones and tablets [source: Tested]. This is just one of the new input methods included: The PS Vita replaces the PSP's single analog nub with a new joystick design and adds a second joystick to the right side of the device, positioned between the action buttons and the Start/Select buttons. The basic button layout is completed by a PlayStation button and volume controls.

The top corners of the PS Vita are protected by the familiar L and R shoulder triggers, but on the back, there is a unique touchpad that users can interact with using their fingers while holding the device. It also includes front and rear cameras, clickable joysticks (which offer a secondary button action, like the joysticks on the PlayStation controller), and a built-in microphone.

To truly grasp all the innovations Sony has packed into the PS Vita, we need to look beyond the surface and explore its internal hardware.

PS Vita's Powerful Hardware

When compared to the PSP, the PS Vita is a massively enhanced piece of compact technology. Given the five years of development in the mobile sector between the release of these two devices, this comes as no surprise. Powered by a quad-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor, each core can clock up to 2GHz. The Cortex-A9 chip is already seen in several high-end mobile devices, including Apple's iPad 2 and Android smartphones with Nvidia Tegra 2 chips [source: Anandtech]. However, while those devices use dual-core processors, the PS Vita's four-core setup makes it an incredibly powerful mobile device. To match the Cortex-A9, Sony has included the PowerVR SGX543MP4+ graphics processor, capable of rendering 133 million polygons per second at 200MHz [source: Gamespot].

Sony hasn't fully disclosed every minute detail about the PS Vita's hardware. For example, the exact performance of the CPU and GPU is still unknown. While higher clock speeds can improve performance, they also require more power. Additionally, the amount of RAM in the device hasn't been revealed, but based on current smartphone trends, the PS Vita is likely to have at least 512MB of RAM.

The PS Vita shares a lot in common with modern smartphones in several ways. If you remove the five-inch screen and the analog sticks, you’re left with hardware that’s strikingly similar. Sony has equipped the PS Vita with the same six-axis motion sensing system used in many smartphones. This system includes a three-axis accelerometer and a three-axis gyroscope, which provide motion control and track the device’s roll, pitch, and yaw. Additionally, it features a three-axis electronic compass to measure the device’s orientation relative to the Earth’s magnetic field.

Along with basic WiFi 802.11b/g/n connectivity, Sony has packed the PS Vita with 3G, Bluetooth, and GPS capabilities. In June 2011, Sony revealed that AT&T would be the exclusive cellular carrier for the PS Vita. This announcement wasn’t met with much excitement from the gaming community. For users who don’t want a 3G contract with AT&T, Sony will also offer a WiFi-only version of the PS Vita.

How the PS Vita Hardware Impacts Games

The PS Vita's technical advancements make gaming a whole new experience compared to the PSP. Its powerful quad-core processor enables graphics far more detailed than anything seen on a handheld before. This improvement is just the tip of the iceberg — the enhanced hardware allows developers to pack more polygons into each frame, which opens the door to more complex and exciting games. However, despite the graphics boost, a 3D action game on the PS Vita will still have a similar feel to one on the PSP. The more important leap forward is in the added control features.

With its second joystick, touchscreen, and rear touchpad, the PS Vita provides developers with exciting new ways to create interactive experiences. For instance, first-person shooters on consoles typically use two joysticks for both movement and aiming, a setup impossible with the PSP's single joystick. But the PS Vita’s additional controls make this possible. The touch controls are a more drastic change, offering developers a chance to explore input methods familiar to smartphone and tablet users. Moreover, with the PS Vita’s accelerometer and gyroscope, Sony is encouraging mobile game developers to port their games to the PlayStation Network. Sony has already demonstrated how motion and touch controls enhance gameplay: in "Uncharted," the protagonist swings from ropes by tilting the PS Vita and climbs them by using the back touchpad with up and down finger movements [source: Joystiq].

Although the PS Vita comes with traditional video game controls like joysticks and buttons, many games will continue to rely on these familiar mechanics instead of exploring the potential of touch and motion controls. However, Sony has a new incentive for mobile developers who have found success on Apple’s iOS platform. Despite its impressive hardware, the PS Vita will feature a diverse range of games: Some developers will strive to bring PlayStation 3-quality graphics and gameplay to the portable device, while others will offer casual, downloadable games like "Angry Birds" through the PlayStation Network. A key change that will excite major developers is Sony’s decision to ditch the Universal Media Disc (UMD) format from the PSP in favor of flash memory. This shift results in greater storage capacity and faster load times.

PS Vita Media Formats

When Sony launched the PSP in 2004, one of its key selling points was the Universal Media Disc. Years earlier, when Sony introduced the PlayStation, it took a gamble on a new technology that hadn’t yet made its mark in the gaming industry: the CD. While Nintendo stuck with cartridges, Sony embraced CDs for the PlayStation, and the decision paid off. CDs were cheaper to produce and easier to press, and soon PlayStation games began to span multiple discs to accommodate longer CG videos.

With the PSP, Sony once again showed its preference for optical media by creating a new disc format: the UMD. These discs were housed in a protective plastic shell, with a small exposed window for the laser to read the content. Sony marketed the UMD as a new media platform, and early on, movies were released on this format. However, the UMD never really gained traction, and it had its share of drawbacks, including high battery consumption and slow load times [source: Gamespot]. Given this history, it’s no surprise that Sony decided to abandon the UMD with the PS Vita. While this means no backward compatibility with PSP disc games, it also marks a fresh start for the PS Vita.

In the 90s, when Sony opted for CDs for the PlayStation, discs were not only cheaper but also offered much more storage than cartridges. Since then, flash memory has advanced significantly, becoming more affordable and capable of holding much more data. The PS Vita will use a new flash memory cartridge format known as NVG, available in 2GB and 4GB sizes [source: Blog NGP]. Even the 2GB version can store more than a dual-layer UMD! The beauty of flash memory is its flexibility—Sony can (and likely will) offer larger cards as the platform evolves to support more complex games [source: Parfitt]. The PS Vita actually includes two flash media slots—one for the NGV format and one for another format, probably the Memory Stick PRO Duo from the PSP, which can hold downloadable games and save data [source: Blog NGP].

Like with the PSP, downloadable games will be available via the PlayStation Network, even for titles that won’t get a full retail release. This time, however, Sony is ensuring both physical and digital distributions are well supported, meaning every game sold in stores will also be available as a digital download [source: Parfitt].

Wireless Capabilities

The PlayStation Network plays a vital role in Sony's gaming strategy, offering a wide array of downloads from full-fledged games and demos to smaller, budget-friendly titles exclusive to digital distribution. PSP users also have the option to download and play PSOne Classics, original PlayStation games from the 90s, right on their portable systems. With the PS Vita, Sony plans to further expand its digital ecosystem. One of the new initiatives is the PlayStation Suite, an online storefront designed to cater to both PS Vita and Android users alike [source: Engadget]. As mobile gaming platforms like iOS and Android grow, the demand for quick, affordable games has surged, as evidenced by the enormous success of titles like "Angry Birds," which passed 100 million downloads in March 2011 [source: Joystiq].

Another feature Sony has borrowed from smartphones is 3G connectivity, which enables the PS Vita to stay connected wherever there's cellular coverage. This allows for online multiplayer gaming and continuous access to the PlayStation Network, even on the go. Of course, 3G requires a data plan with a mobile carrier. While the PS Vita will likely offer a Wi-Fi-only option, there could also be a partnership with AT&T or Verizon for 3G functionality.

The PS Vita’s wireless capabilities extend beyond 3G, featuring GPS and Bluetooth. Bluetooth enables the PS Vita to sync with wireless devices, such as headphones, for music streaming. With GPS, Sony could introduce navigation apps or integrate location-based features into multiplayer gaming or chat services. Together with 3G and the PS Vita’s powerful quad-core processor, these features reflect Sony's vision for a highly versatile, modern mobile device that packs all the power and functionality users expect from today's tech gadgets.

Is that the right strategy to take on the Nintendo 3DS?

PS Vita versus 3DS

For gamers choosing between handheld consoles in 2011 and beyond, the question is clear: PS Vita or 3DS? In 2005, the DS triumphed over the PSP with superior sales and a richer library of games, but Sony held its own with respectable numbers. When compared to early systems like the Atari Lynx, Sega Game Gear, and Nokia N-Gage — all of which failed to surpass the Game Boy — the PSP can still be considered a significant success.

The PS Vita and 3DS are set to face off just as their predecessors did, with each company sticking to the same strategy that worked in 2005. The PS Vita brings more power with its quad-core processor, 3G connectivity, two touch inputs, GPS, and a higher resolution display. The 3DS, however, has a standout feature of its own: glasses-free 3D on the top screen, along with a touch-enabled bottom screen. When it comes to online gaming, Nintendo’s DSiWare shop fell short with its late launch and strict file size limits [source: NintendoLife]. Nintendo plans to improve this with the eShop, a revamped online store. Over time, the superior online marketplace of each device will become clearer as the PS Vita and 3DS compete on the market.

Looking purely at the control inputs, the PS Vita has the potential to offer a more diverse range of gaming experiences. Both consoles come with an analog stick, face and shoulder buttons, a touch screen, and accelerometer/gyroscope sensor packages. However, the PS Vita goes further with an additional analog stick and a rear touchpad. Whether these extra controls will enhance gameplay remains to be seen. Despite the DS’s lower specs compared to the PSP, it had excellent software support and the backing of Nintendo’s strong first-party titles like Nintendogs and Mario Kart. The outcome of the PS Vita versus 3DS battle will depend on whether Sony’s superior hardware will outshine Nintendo’s software advantage, or if history will repeat itself.

Release Date and Price

As of mid-2011, Sony has not disclosed every specification of the PS Vita. While it boasts a quad-core processor, the exact clock speed remains unclear. However, the price has been confirmed: $249 for the WiFi-only model and $299 for the version that includes both WiFi and 3G connectivity.

An April 2011 report from the Wall Street Journal suggested that the PS Vita’s launch could be delayed due to the devastating Japanese earthquake and tsunami. Despite this, Sony has reassured consumers that these natural disasters have not affected its planned launch schedule [source: Joystiq]. So when can we expect the device to hit the shelves? Sony promises a worldwide release by the end of 2011, just in time for the holiday season.

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