At an event in Japan today, Sony unveiled the new PS Vita TV, a tiny set-top box that will sell for around $95 and look to compete with devices like the Apple TV. Not only will it let you stream content from services like Hulu and Sony’s own Video Unlimited service, but if you connect a DualShock 3 controller, it will also allow you to play PSP and PS Vita games on your TV.
And that’s not all; PS Vita TV will also team up with the upcoming PlayStation 4 to provide you with some nifty extended screen functionality. If you have your PS4 connected to your TV in the living room, but your other half is watching her favorite soap, you’ll be able to stream the game to the PS Vita TV connected to your set in the bedroom.
PS Vita TV is priced at ¥9,480 in Japan, which roughly translates to $95, and it’ll launch in November. There is a catch, though. If you want to play games on it, you’ll have to buy the ¥14,280 ($143) version, which comes bundled with a DualShock 3 controller and an 8GB memory card — or provide your own.
PS Vita TV currently supports a number of streaming services in Japan, including Hulu, Tsutaya TV, Nico Nico Douga, and Video Unlimited; and it comes loaded with a bunch of PS Vita-style apps, including the LiveTweet Twitter client.
At this kind of price, the PS Vita TV will surely compete with devices like the Apple TV and the Roku, and its ability to run apps and games, and extend your PS4 gaming to another TV, gives it a huge advantage; particularly in Japan where the PSP and the PS Vita are hugely popular.
Sony hasn’t announced its PS Vita TV launch plans for the rest of the world yet, but we’re assuming it won’t remain exclusive to Japan for too long. If Sony wants to rack up sales quickly, it will ensure PS Vita TV is pretty much everywhere in time for the holiday season.
Source: Sony
Via: The Verge
