PlayStation Vita Gets Suite Of Video Apps

PlayStation Vita isn’t exactly known for its multimedia apps or streaming capacities – it’s more of an on-the-go gaming system. Sony, however, takes a different view: the Vita is a portable multimedia console that should be utilized as effectively as possible. It’s showing faith in this assessment by adding a suite of video apps, including NHL GameCenter Live, CrunchyRoll, Qello, Hulu Plus, and Redbox Instant. The latter two services will be available sometime later this spring, and as such signals Sony’s intent to make a vested investment in the mobile streaming community. As cordcutters continue to increase their potential viewing options, major brands appear to be keeping pace, trying to rope younger generations of content viewers onto different, non-traditional hardware platforms. It’s a trend to keep a close eye on. 

Sony Announces PS Vita TV

Sony is taking on Apple TV, Ouya, and other boxes like Roku all at the same time with its PS Vita TV. It’s a 6 by 10 centimeter console and set-top box that connects to a TV. Based on Vita hardware, it plays Vita, PSP, and PS1 games, while offering wireless PS4 connectivity; it lets users play PS4 games on another TV screen if, say, the PS4’s screen is occupied at that given time. What’s more, it also offers video apps like Hulu, the LiveTweet Twitter client, and Reader ebook software. At $99, it looks set to take on many competitors in the set-top box environment while offering a robust gaming proposition. Thus far it’s only available in Japan, but when it comes to America it could make big waves indeed.