Father of the PlayStation, Ken Kutaragi's recent comments in the lead up to his retirement from Sony regarding the next iterations of the Playstation appear to have kicked off a firestorm of speculation. The latest regards the Playstation 4 and its imminent appearance.
Australian tech site, Smarthouse, reports that – according to a Sony insider - the PS4 is 18 months away.
We spoke to Sony in the UK this morning and were told, “Obviously, this is garbage.” This unequivocal response is very different to the usual, “We don’t comment on rumours” line… very different.
The site reports that, “The device will include the same chipset as the current PS3 but where it will differ from the current model is in the drive bay and in the attachment area. It will also include an extensive software suite for the managing of content being streamed to a TV or Hi Fi source.”
The fact that the new unit will contain the same chipset as the current PlayStation 3 would tend to scream loudly that it can’t be a PS4.
It continues, quoting the anonymous source, “We have even looked at a Sony home server based on Playstation technology. This would allow consumers to connect home automation devices to the Sony server while also delivering online gaming and access to an extensive movie and music library.”
The phrase “We have even looked…” strikes SPOnG as the kind of wording used in what marketing types like to call “blue sky thinking” – and which human beings call, “shooting the shit”.
In terms of the available technology, however, there is no doubt that a Sony home media hub could be made available tomorrow. The chances of Sony muddying its Playstation brand, confusing consumers and retailers (and creating the shortest lived platform “iteration” ever) would, however, be the commercial equivalent of taking a large pistol and firing it at your own big toe – it would certainly get Sony out of the console war, but would cripple it for life.
We’re putting this one firmly in the “a drunk Sony bloke came up with some ideas last night in a pub near the Opera House” bin.
Australian tech site, Smarthouse, reports that – according to a Sony insider - the PS4 is 18 months away.
We spoke to Sony in the UK this morning and were told, “Obviously, this is garbage.” This unequivocal response is very different to the usual, “We don’t comment on rumours” line… very different.
The site reports that, “The device will include the same chipset as the current PS3 but where it will differ from the current model is in the drive bay and in the attachment area. It will also include an extensive software suite for the managing of content being streamed to a TV or Hi Fi source.”
The fact that the new unit will contain the same chipset as the current PlayStation 3 would tend to scream loudly that it can’t be a PS4.
It continues, quoting the anonymous source, “We have even looked at a Sony home server based on Playstation technology. This would allow consumers to connect home automation devices to the Sony server while also delivering online gaming and access to an extensive movie and music library.”
The phrase “We have even looked…” strikes SPOnG as the kind of wording used in what marketing types like to call “blue sky thinking” – and which human beings call, “shooting the shit”.
In terms of the available technology, however, there is no doubt that a Sony home media hub could be made available tomorrow. The chances of Sony muddying its Playstation brand, confusing consumers and retailers (and creating the shortest lived platform “iteration” ever) would, however, be the commercial equivalent of taking a large pistol and firing it at your own big toe – it would certainly get Sony out of the console war, but would cripple it for life.
We’re putting this one firmly in the “a drunk Sony bloke came up with some ideas last night in a pub near the Opera House” bin.
Companies:
Sony
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Comments
Peppermonkey 3 May 2007 12:54
1/7
18 months?
The only thing I see in 18 months is perhaps a revision to the motherboard.
Even though by now they've probably already revised it a few times (like they did with the PS2)
2 years is FAR too short of a life cycle for a console, and considering Sony's stated expectations (10 years? yeah right) I can't imagine they're even thinking about releasing the PS4 in such a short time.
The only thing I see in 18 months is perhaps a revision to the motherboard.
Even though by now they've probably already revised it a few times (like they did with the PS2)
2 years is FAR too short of a life cycle for a console, and considering Sony's stated expectations (10 years? yeah right) I can't imagine they're even thinking about releasing the PS4 in such a short time.
Steviepunk 3 May 2007 14:25
2/7
I don't see it as that unlikely that Sony won't release a 'New' console in that kind of time frame... however it does come down to the definition of 'new'.
It certainly won't be 'new' in the way PS3 is to the PS2, I'm thinking that we're likely to see iPod style updates on a regular basis, so would think of a rumoured PS4 as being an update from the PS3 as the 5th Gen iPod is from the 4th Gen iPod.
It has been suggested that Microsoft are going to be making modifications to the 360 on an annual basis and updating the SKUs available, I believe it has also been suggested for Nintendo as well (DVD playback?), so I see no reason that Sony wouldn't do this as well.
Technology moves very quickly now, as does lifestyle, so while the PS3 may be used as the technology base for the 10 years, I would very much doubt that the PS3 will remain as it is today for the next 10 years.
It certainly won't be 'new' in the way PS3 is to the PS2, I'm thinking that we're likely to see iPod style updates on a regular basis, so would think of a rumoured PS4 as being an update from the PS3 as the 5th Gen iPod is from the 4th Gen iPod.
It has been suggested that Microsoft are going to be making modifications to the 360 on an annual basis and updating the SKUs available, I believe it has also been suggested for Nintendo as well (DVD playback?), so I see no reason that Sony wouldn't do this as well.
Technology moves very quickly now, as does lifestyle, so while the PS3 may be used as the technology base for the 10 years, I would very much doubt that the PS3 will remain as it is today for the next 10 years.
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Peppermonkey1 3 May 2007 21:50
3/7
That may be true, but I certaily will not be spending another $600+ each year just to keep up with consoles.
If the console industry is going to start moving around the same pace as the PC industry, I think I'll be dismissing a lot more games/systems than I used to.
I personally think 10 years is a bit too long for a console, because at a certain point, it will start showing its age. I don't expect any hardware revisions to the PS3 to change the power and capabilities as significantly as the iPod revisions, if anything they may make it smaller and cooler.
I can imagine them adding rumble in the near future.
I'm just hoping I'm not expected to be dishing out $600 every 24 or so months.
If the console industry is going to start moving around the same pace as the PC industry, I think I'll be dismissing a lot more games/systems than I used to.
I personally think 10 years is a bit too long for a console, because at a certain point, it will start showing its age. I don't expect any hardware revisions to the PS3 to change the power and capabilities as significantly as the iPod revisions, if anything they may make it smaller and cooler.
I can imagine them adding rumble in the near future.
I'm just hoping I'm not expected to be dishing out $600 every 24 or so months.
Darwins Evil Twin 3 May 2007 22:34
4/7
If its true I invite Ken K to do what this bitch is doing on mr Howard...
([used to be a URL])
[4 May 2007, 08:30: Message edited by 'tyrion']
That's enough of that thanks!
([used to be a URL])
[4 May 2007, 08:30: Message edited by 'tyrion']
That's enough of that thanks!
jocaju 3 May 2007 23:27
5/7
Whats is going on??
first ps3 with 80gb, then a control with censor like a glove or something and now ps4??
first ps3 with 80gb, then a control with censor like a glove or something and now ps4??
jackajack 4 May 2007 09:54
6/7
Even if it WAS true, you know Sony's 18 months would mean something along the lines of 4 years -_-'
Spring 2006 worldwide launch, anyone?
Spring 2006 worldwide launch, anyone?
DougalDC 4 May 2007 10:06
7/7
sounds to me that it is the promised ps3 version of the PSX media playstation, the only supprise to me is that it is so-far away.