Sony is at the mobile gaming platform again with the recent introduction of the device solely codenamed as “Next Generation Portable” abbreviated as “NGP.”
Slated for release during the fourth quarter of 2011, the “NGP” aims to become the latest and greatest device currently on the market featuring a 5” OLED capacitive touchscreen, a front and rear camera, as well as both WiFi and 3G connectivity, all of which are the most demanded for features by consumers at this time.
Sticking with the “oval rectangle” of the original PSP, the NGP has a touchscreen on the front of the device for menu selection as well as controlling the game, but also has touch pads on the front and rear to use gesture based motions to control the game rather than always using the two D-pad’s and the all too familiar “PlayStation buttons”: the green triangle, red circle, blue X, and purple square.
This seems to be one of the most captivating experiences that the device will offer as not many other items on the market have a touch screen panel in the back to help control the game.
This will surely present a learning curve, but has such an ability to change the entire gaming and technology world that the interface and experience with the NGP will have a lasting impression on everything for years to come.
Sony has appeared to make a number of significant changes to the device, most notable being the lack of support for the UMD or Universal Media Disc that was proprietary to the first generation PSP of 2005.
Instead Sony has chosen an “E-Media card,” very similar in theory to the flash drives used to transfer data from computer to computer. The specifications are still very limited on this aspect of the NGP, but Sony has stated that they are porting over many favorites to the new card format as well as adding many video game titles to the online store for immediate download.
Hopefully, those who have previously owned a Sony mobile gaming device won’t have to purchase the same games they already own to have the title ported over to the NGP.
Like many other technology companies, Sony is banking on the world’s reliance for social media and has completely reworked their user interface to accommodate for customer’s needs of being connected with their friends at all times.
Having developed a new home screen called “LiveArea,” Sony has developed a touch screen environment for NGP users to feel at one with their social network as never before, allowing someone to flick from Twitter to YouTube, and back to Twitter again without the slightest of issues.
Specific carrier information has still not been announced nor has pricing or a time of release other than in time for the holidays 2011, but a 3G data support has been confirmed.
The question remains though if Americans will be interested in such a large device, seeing as how almost everyone has such an item in their pocket that can play games, receive and send emails, download the latest and greatest songs and videos, and even make the occasional phone call without ever having to grab another device.
Children and teens, which are sure to be the largest audience for this new device, always seem to be captivated by the large touch screen and dual cameras on a device, but the parents, those with the purchasing power, are the real decision makers in whether or not their child will receive an NGP from Sony.
Todd Sanborn can be reached at toddalan@me.com.