How Sony plans to compete with the iPhone
- Posted July 14th, 2009 at 18:06 EDT by Adam Dolge
- 6,608 views
- 37 Comments
Sony is working hard to attract developers from around the world to create digitally distributed games for the PSP in an effort to expand the software available on the handheld device. Develop is reporting that Sony will accomplish this by offering a new streamlined content pipeline for the platform (which will abolish concept approval), and provide cheaper devkits, shorter quality assurance processes, and low price points for new games.
Zeno Colaco, SCEE’s head of developer relations, explained that Sony is working very hard to bring top-end gaming to more than just the consumers who were around during the launch of the PSP. Sony is trying to expand its handheld market by changing how consumers acquire entertainment and applications.
“We’re introducing new initiatives for the PSP which take it beyond traditional gaming, but still includes elements from gaming, and also include new developers,” he told Develop.
These new studios include Subatomic Studios, an iPhone developer that is working on a PSP-exclusive version of its Fieldrunners tower defense game. Other new studios include India’s Gamasharta, and PSN experts Creat.
Sony has a plan to slash the cost of PSP SDK by 80%. In addition, some 50 studios from around the world are already working on making these new kinds of games and applications. These games and apps will be sold via a specially-branded PlayStation Store that’s only open to the PSP and the forthcoming PSP Go.
What Sony is hoping to achieve with its new strategy is a way to compete with Apple’s iPhone app market. Developers for the iPhone can sell pretty much whatever they want. Sony’s plan is to make it easier for development studios to create games, faster, and smaller.
Comments
-
psycho_mantis
- 6:09pm BST - July 14th, 2009
- 1
its not even touch screen....wtf? psp2 needs to come out touchscreen with HD screen then it will be able to compete.
-
-
RayzaSharp
- 6:16pm BST - July 14th, 2009
- 3
Mate the iPhone is abit more then a cell phone, yeh it still is branded as one but it has much, much more.
Btw phejej is obese and greasy.
-
Fiddlesworth
- 6:19pm BST - July 14th, 2009
- 4
Stupid news title. The plans are still very different to iPhone development and it's clear there's no intention to compete head to head.
-
DemonOfRazgriz07
- 6:29pm BST - July 14th, 2009
- 5
sweet! i love apps and little games. this is great to hear!
-
Greystones
- 6:30pm BST - July 14th, 2009
- 6
As long as metal gear touch isn't going to the kind of standard I can expect than I'm down with it. I have an iPod touch and the games are fun for about twenty minutes but after that they are pointless. I'm OK with smaller games but so long as they are above a certain standard it is capable of games like GOW and GTA. I mean I'm happy with it I just don't want the quality to go too low.
@2
I don't think personally that the PSP2 should be touch screen device because then it makes it too much like the iPod touch. I'd be OK with it though if they made sure that it wasn't going to be an integral part of every game. And a HD screen at like four inches would be pointless.
-
starblinky01
- 6:41pm BST - July 14th, 2009
- 7
they cant compete with iphone unless they create a fully functional store that works in any webbrowser.
If they dont do that, then dont even try. You cant just have it available on PSN.
-
-
-
Intervention
- 7:15pm BST - July 14th, 2009
- 10
Now what is more practical to carry around and caters to the masses. A phone with games, web, bluetooth, apps, and a slew of peripherals or a PSP. I would rather play PSP games (for gaming), but I'm not going to lug it around with me everywhere. Until Sony integrates the walkman with the psp and a phone, Apple's got my money.
-
Sonan
- 7:22pm BST - July 14th, 2009
- 11
Does that mean that PS3 owners can't buy a game from its version of the store? That's usually how I buy my PSP stuff: PS3 download -> transfer to PSP since the speed is so much faster on PS3.
I feel like I could just be nitpicking, but over the years with all the download stuff for nearly every game, I am *so* tired of the word "content."
-
-
B_U_L_L_E_T
- 7:40pm BST - July 14th, 2009
- 13
Pretty sad when a huge video game/entertainment company such as Sony has to "hope to compete" with a phone company over video games. There shoud be no "hope to"....it shouldn't even be close.
-
-
lordAlucard
- 7:56pm BST - July 14th, 2009
- 15
wtf? is with the title shouldn't it be 'Sony reveals new business plans or something
-
-
-
-
-
wazza102
- 9:54pm BST - July 14th, 2009
- 20
Sony would not be able to compete with Iphone. Unless they release a game console that has touchscreen and ability to call (Don't tell me skype bulls*it). That way, they would compete with Iphone.
Personally though I think they should be worried about the DS, Nintendo DS sells more than the PSP, why? Because of the games. They have casual games, apparently that's what the people like.
Oh and Apple sells an 'image' that's why people want them.
-
rbrtchng
- 11:42pm BST - July 14th, 2009
- 21
PSP doesn't need touch screen to compete with iphone. Personally, touch screen is way over rated for games, and I'm a big fan of Iphone. The precision is just not there and most often than not, it feels like it's just tacked on just so they can say "touch screen" in their commercials like "motion control" for Lair. It's cool in theory, but it's mediocre in practice.
What I want from the PSP is a second nub, more interactivity with the PS3, more online functionalities, and just more solid software.
-
Daz2399
- 11:54pm BST - July 14th, 2009
- 22
The Iphone is a POS with garbage games. The sound quality is horrible as well. As is the Ipod. Most other PDA phones are hands down better. The new Sony Xperia X1 PWNS the Iphone in every way As does my 8GB walkman compared to an Ipod anything. The PSP has always been able to play music and movies and games etc. Having the PSN is a big improvment and makes getting media much easier.
-
-
BossSnake
- 1:27am BST - July 15th, 2009
- 24
@ Intervention:
Are you kidding? You don't seem to realise that the PSP can play music. Do you live with republicans? Come on! The media type for the PSP is FAR more revolutionary than the .mp4 that the iPod/iPhone uses, due to its small size and outstanding sound quality. Having access to all the media on your PS3 from the internet anywhere you go on your PSP is, also, FAR more functional than having a device that's overloaded with useless apps and stupid, breakable parts.
When I read your post, I almost lost all hope in people. It's in the same ballpark as someone not hearing about the invention of the wheel... Incredible.
-
-
-
graphixmaster
- 3:12am BST - July 15th, 2009
- 27
Stick a phone in the PSP make it touch screen and give me my other analog stick. I will think about it. Touch screen would help in not requiring a full keyboard and other phone buttons needed.
-
O_G_H
- 4:27am BST - July 15th, 2009
- 28
@27 ...and you will "think about it", huh? How long will you "think about it"? I'll tell you how ong. Until you find out that your "dream device" costs more than $100 bucks. Your the type that wants everything in the device, then complains about the price. I can tell.
-
lloyd_yayo
- 4:32am BST - July 15th, 2009
- 29
im sorry, i feel like sony is being competitve with someone who has yet to truely surpass them. Nintendo is there company to beat, not Apple and their games. pick on bigger fish.
-
higgos22
- 4:37am BST - July 15th, 2009
- 30
also tha tower defense game is really adictive and i reckon it is a good idea i wouldnt mind some of those iphone aps on psp
now sony ericcson has trakc id so i see no reason why u cant have this app on psp like iphone has that track id like thing
msn or ebuddy would also be nice(altho msn is microsoft and id like to see it on ps3 first but meh what can u do)
and @30 this just kinda makes sure apple wont pass them either shutting down any potential competitors before they take hold of em
-
-
dawidv
- 7:15am BST - July 15th, 2009
- 32
The iphone is becomming a force in gaming because people talk more - in general - than play games.
Everyone has a cellphone, compared to that very few people have PSPs so the market the game developers are selling to is much bigger wich means more money. Anf they will drop the PSP in a heart beat if they cant make money off it.
Sony should stop charging for the Sdk, they can start charging when the developer actually has a game that we wants on psn.
They should also add a phone to the psp, so that it will appeal to people who mainly want a phone but also want a nice new toy. Then then can also get the cellphone service providers to subsidise their device, bring down the apparent cost to the consumer and vastly increase the user base.
-
spawn of stumpy
- 8:19am BST - July 15th, 2009
- 33
@10. the iphone has blue tooth but you cant send any files via bluetooth which totally sucks imo. (you cant beat sending rude mp4 vids/ringtones/pics etc to anyone nearby in the cinema whilst waiting for films to start !!) ive got a psp, and am about (maybe) to upgrade my phone to an iphone, but the only thing that i`m concerned about & keeping me away from the iphone is the lack of bluetooth, & only 3mp camera. i may buy a couple of games for the iphone (simplye ones like marble madness or bejeweled etc but not any 3D or racing) to keep me amused on the bus. Other than that it`l be used for my work.
ive already got a sony walkman mp3 doodaa & i find the sony phones have a keyboard that gives me cramp. in the UK u get unlimited internet on iphone & the touch screen is sweet.
both machines are for different markets, they dip their toes into each other`s briefly but not really to push people away from buying the product they initially want.
i thought this PSPgo would of come with touch screen. hope psp2 has it but not as the main source if input for the device etc.
AHH too many gadgets vying for a space in my pocket !!
-
PS3sR2DEAR
- 8:52am BST - July 15th, 2009
- 34
LOL sorry have to laugh......my PALMIIIc from the year 2000 kicks an iPODs arzzzze in apps!
And my Kyocera Flip Phone was just as good if not BETTER !!!
RIP CDMA......
-
vipergts2207
- 9:11am BST - July 15th, 2009
- 35
Sorry but using a PSP as a media device means I would also have to carry around a cell phone. Having to only carry one device is better than two. Not to mention the size of the PSP alone. It's not huge, but it's still much bigger than my iPhone. Plus the fact that I'd need to add the cell phone too. By the time you add the headphones to the pockets, they're no longer comfortable. Unless you wear ghetto style pants with huge pockets. I also don't really feel the need to play games much on the go. Let alone hours long games with story lines. The iPhone and me is a match made in heaven.
-
vinthedean
- 5:21pm BST - July 15th, 2009
- 36
the PSP can not and will never compete with the iphone. The success of the iphone is that it's a phone first and then gaming. The PSP is gaming first then no cell phone. Until Sony decides to mix the Sony Erricson with the PSP it will never compete.
Sony has to provide a phone that has gaming capabilities. All PSP users have been asking for this since it's enception.
The lore of the iPhone is that it's an all in one device. Phone/Calender/Apps/Gaming. The PSP needs to become all of this BEFORE it can REALLY compete with the iPhone.
-
mikezed
- 1:02am BST - July 16th, 2009
- 37
Create an open platform and allow devs to improve it ... might work, but baby steps like this wont.
Also, piss of that skype rubbish and install a proper standards-based voip application.
And even with all that, it'll be a somewhat dated and pricey piece of hardware by then, with arm based stuff coming out of the woodworks.
Advertisement