The Sony PlayStation Network was temporarily shut down in April 2011 after it emerged that Sony had found a substantial security breach involving the hacking of around 100 million customer accounts.
A limited service was available from 16 May 2011 whilst Sony carried out repairs. This allowed customers to continue playing games, but there was little scope for downloads, which extended out to some of the Sony PlayStation apps such as LoveFilm.
Normal services resumed in the US, Europe and some parts of Asia on 2 June 2011.
Since then there have been several reports that Sony's PlayStation Network has continued to be compromised. The BBC reported on 3 June 2011 that Sony was investigating another potential hack on one of its websites. However in light of this, they have managed to release a new console that may gain back its credibility as being a global leader in the gaming world.
Sony PlayStation Vita
The BBC stated in one of their articles that the new release of the PlayStation portable was “an apology” plea from Sony. This was neither confirmed or denied by Sony who released the PlayStation Vita at the E3 video games show in LA at the beginning of June 2011. The PlayStation Vita specification taken from the official PlayStation website is as follows:
- 5-inch multi touch screen measuring at 960 x 544 (approx) with 16 million colors
- External Dimensions (approx) 182.0 x 18.6 x 83.5mm (width x height x depth)
- CPUARM® Cortex™- A9 core (4 core)
- Rear multi touch pad
- Front and rear cameras
- Built-in stereo speakers and microphone
- Six-axis motion sensing system (three-axis gyroscope three-axis accelerometer)
- Three-axis electronic compass
- Built-in GPS
- Wi-Fi communications and location service support
- Keys, switches and PS button
- Directional, Action and Shoulder buttons
- Right stick and Left stick
- Mobile network connectivity (3G)
- IEEE 802.11b/g/n (n = 1x1)(Wi-Fi)(Infrastructure mode/Ad-hoc mode)
- Bluetooth® 2.1+EDR (A2DP/AVRCP/HSP)
- Compatible titles with PlayStation 3
Pricing
Sony has only specified initial pricing for the United States, where the Vita will cost $249 (£150) for the WiFi only version, and $299 (£183) for the 3G model.
Future Sony Products
In addition to the news of a PlayStation Portable successor, Sony also stated that future plans included the launch of a 3D monitor and glasses for the PS3.
The PlayStation Vita is set to be released at the end of the year but more information about updates and how and where it can be bought, can be found on the official Sony PlayStation website.
Sources
- Sony PlayStation Official Website
- "Sony offers successor to PSP and hacking apology", BBC, 7 June 2011
- E3 Video Games Show in LA - 7-9 June 2011
- "Sony Investigating another hack" - BBC, 3 June 2011
Kelly Foxhall - Kelly by trade is an IT Training Manager at a London law firm. She is also an Internet Journalist that writes about technology, law and ...
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