Sony Announces PlayStation 4, Second-Screen Experience PlayStation App for iOS

ps4logoTonight, Sony announced PlayStation 4, their next generation video game console, at an event in New York City, which was also live streamed on their website. The company announced that the new console would allow gamers to try out new games before purchasing them, share gameplay videos with friends and watch friends play their games in a spectator mode.

Sony also revealed a redesigned Dual Shock controller with a touch pad on the front and showed off tech demos of the console's capabilities and new games like "Killzone: Shadow Fall." While Sony announced some of the hardware specs for the new PS4, they didn't show the device and provided no details about pricing.

Just after announcement, Sony sent out a press release (via Engadget) announcing a PlayStation App for iOS, which will serve as a second-screen experience app, much like Microsoft's Xbox SmartGlass.

playstationapp

Image via Engadget

A new application from SCE called "PlayStation®App" will enable iPhone, iPad, and Android based smartphones and tablets to become second screens. Once installed on these devices, users can, for example, see maps on their second screens when playing an adventure game, purchase PS4 games while away from home and download it directly to the console at home, or remotely watch other gamers playing on their devices.

Previously, Sony had released an iOS app called PlayStation Official App that was only available in Europe and Australia and it allowed users to check on their gaming achievements, in the form of "trophies," and check their friends' online statuses.

It's not known when this new app will be available, whether it will cost anything or whether it will have any additional features, but more information is certain to be released as the PlayStation 4's release date gets closer. Sony announced that the PlayStation 4 would be released in the Holiday 2013 timeframe, but did not reveal pricing for the console.

Top Rated Comments

komodrone Avatar
145 months ago
"I’d like to be watching this on my television, while hooked onto my mobile device, which is being controlled by my tablet device, which is hooked into my oven, all while sitting in my refrigerator.”
Score: 46 Votes (Like | Disagree)
phinsup Avatar
145 months ago
Maybe I missed it, so what does the actual console look like?

It's so mind blowing if they actually showed you the console your head would explode. This was like calling a press conference about a car and showing you the steering wheel and bragging about how great it is going to be to drive, but no car.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Fatalbert Avatar
145 months ago
I don't care about the controller's touch screen. Just make it not have awkwardly-placed thumbsticks, bad triggers, and a bad shape. The XBOX 360 has way better controllers.

The interface looks better than whatever MS can make, but I hardly know anything about it. I know that I like the PS3 interface waaaaaaaay better than the 360 interface. Wanna play a local multiplayer game? Plug in another controller. Wanna do that on an XBOX 360? D00d you need to sign in br0! Wanna play online? There, enjoy. Wanna do that on a 360? You must subscribe to XBOX Live. You want Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Copper, Helium, Germanium, or Hydrogen Phosphate? Too late, you slow, RRoD, bai.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fullauto Avatar
145 months ago
All a bit meh really.. What does everyone else think?

Australia really needs to step up their broadband with everything going to the cloud / streaming..
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
singhjeet29 Avatar
145 months ago
Finally Sony looking beyond just their own devices and proprietary crap!! Personally quite excited about the PS4 and next-box. Can't wait to see more.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bill Killer Avatar
145 months ago
I'm excited for the PS4. The current Playstation is proving to be the best of the main 3 consoles.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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