PlayStation App Coming To iOS, Android

Sony has announced plans to launch PlayStation-centric apps for iOS 4 and Android devices. While the apps doesn't actually let users play games, it allows them to interact with various PlayStation Network functions. "This includes allowing players to view various trophies they and their friends have won in order to validate their self-worth. Players will also be able to view friends' online status and browse games for the PS3, PS2, and PSP with the app, as well as catch up on news and any relevant hardware announcements. If they see anything they like, the app will integrate with Facebook, Twitter, and e-mail to make for easy sharing." The app will be released for several European countries to start, with more versions and languages to follow.

Comments

Validate their self-worth?

[vrmlguy]

What sort of people need to show themselves or their peers how good they are at video games to validate their self-worth?

Re:Validate their self-worth?

[sakdoctor]

Isn't that the whole premise behind MMORPG already?

Next, change the summary to read "...integrate with Facebook, Twitter, and e-mail to make me a sitting duck for targeted marketing".

Re:Validate their self-worth?

[kuzb]

I ask myself that all the time when xbox owners feel the need to show off their gamescore.

Re:Validate their self-worth?

[Ant P.]

The sort of people that buy iPhones in the first place

Re:Validate their self-worth?

[nacturation]

I see you got modded +5 Insightful. How does it feel to have your worth validated with a numerical score?

How well does it integrate

[PhrostyMcByte]

Windows Phone has an Xbox Live app that lets you check up on your friends' activities, chat with them, and receive game invites. Game invites and perhaps chatting are really useful features, but needing to open a slow-loading app every time you want to check on those makes it real impractical in use. It needs smoother integration with the phone.

It's always seemed odd to me that there are separate apps for each social network. Phones should have a plugin system that allows any network to get first-class integration.

Re:How well does it integrate

[Anonymous Coward]

Palm WebOS is doing this right.

Re:How well does it integrate

[w0mprat]

Oh but they do, at least that's my experience. However however the tight integration with the cloud is reserved for Google.

Re:How well does it integrate

[Superken7]

Maybe thats the case with iOS devices, but you can pretty much integrate your own accounts and cloud-based services on Android devices. I really like that about Android's API :)

Re:How well does it integrate

[mr_jrt]

N900 FTW.

Playstation releases an app that does nothing.

[Anonymous Coward]

Playstation is releasing an app that does absolutely nothing. No useful features are planned for this long-awaited release. Fans everywhere will accidentally download this only to be disappointed. Details at 11.

iPad remote

[TooMuchToDo]

Could we get an app to use the iPad as a ps3 remote? Tcp or Bluetooth for connectivity, doesn't matter to me.

Re:iPad remote

[nine-times]

No, that would be too useful. But you can view your trophies!

rootkit vs rooted

[A nonymous Coward]

I wonder if it will try to install a root kit on a rooted Android.

Re:rootkit vs rooted

[toriver]

Well, someone has no sense of humor. The anti-Apple brigade is strong on this site.

Meh

[Underholdning]

This functionality is available to several other gaming networks, and it would be more newsworthy if they didn't bring one for playstation.

Re:PlayStation development for Android?

[EdIII]

You are either kidding or incredibly selfish.

The only thing EgoHot ever did was try to gain full control over his rightful property. Which, btw, is an absolute right that should be held sacrosanct. We own our property. Period.

PS3 "features"

[kuzb]

Why would I need an app for features most PS3 owners don't even use?

Re:PlayStation development for Android?

[toriver]

You did not have to install the firmware that removed the OtherOS feature if Linux support was that important to you. Granted, if you did not you would no longer be able to access the PS Network, but that is a service you do not own anyway.

Re:PlayStation development for Android?

[toriver]

I am sure Sony would not have minded as much if there was an easy way to prevent these "owned" devices from accessing the services that Sony owns.

Slashvertisement

[aliquis]

And isn't this the greatest slashvertisment ever?

I mean, it doesn't even provide anything, except Playstation branding/ad/..

PSApp on PS3/Android?

[Doc Ruby]

I'd love to jailbreak my PS3, install Android, then install this PlayStation app on in to hook it back up to the PlayStation Network. Then I could dual-boot the PS3 between GameOS and Android without having to leave behind the PS Network. And program it in Android without losing access to the RSX (or the SPUs), maybe writing some games. Maybe writing some games that connect to the PS Network. Without paying a royalty to Sony, so I could write some cheap but cool (for a few hours, anyway) games.

The missing link is Android on PS3. How's that coming along? Is there even a single HowTo somwhere for jailbreaking and installing Linux instead of Android, to get started programming in Java for when Android is ready?

Somebody @ Sony bought a WP7 device...

[wilgibson]

...and saw Xbox Live Extras. Too bad they didn't notice that the best feature wasn't the ability to view your profile, but to be able to message online friends. I am amazed that it isn't mentioned as part of the product. Hell, you can even get voices messages on Xbox Live Extras. Goes to show while Sony's online service may be free they still don't understand basic needs of users.

Re:Somebody @ Sony bought a WP7 device...

[wilgibson]

When I hop on XBL on my WP7 phone many times it is because I am on my way home and want to see who is playing games. I don't want to call every friend I have to see if they are on, and I don't want to waste money on text messages. I want to see who is there and ask them quickly if they want to play a game when I get home. At that point it is easier to just use the Xbox messaging system.

Online is essential and every company except MS (not including their pc games) gives you that for free.

And too bad their competitions' networks suck. I won't compare the Xbox to a PC, not on /. or anywhere. But owning all three consoles this generation and seeing what their networks have to offer, I would gladly pay for XBLive than deal with PSN or Nintendo Wifi-Connect any day. If you can't pay for Live, don't get an Xbox. Simple as that. I make my $60 a year back with the "Deal of the Week" anyways. I may have to pay the money to get the deals but I would buy the games anyways, so it is a win/win situation to me.

So what is the big deal?

[Agent__Smith]

I was thinking how cool this is until I saw that it does not allow any gameplay. Shoot, even if it allowed you to play PS1 games on the phone it would be cool. There were some great games. It would be a good revenue stream for them as well. lots of us would like to play some of the cool old games.

This lets you show your friends what you did while they were out with actual girls while you sat home all weekend, and message them, which you already do with 22 other programs. Seems like it is a redundant purpose. Too bad. Could have been cool.

Maybe

[BlackBloq]

Maybe its a weak way to wet their feet before doing a full up emulator due to piracy concerns.

Re:PlayStation development for Android?

[nacturation]

You did not have to install the firmware that removed the OtherOS feature if Linux support was that important to you. Granted, if you did not you would no longer be able to access the PS Network, but that is a service you do not own anyway.

It also means that games released after the firmware update which require at least that version of firmware will not work at all. So it's either have a limited selection of PS3 games to play or cripple your PS3. A Hobson's choice... neither option is desirable.