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Vita OS could be ported to Sony tablets and smartphones

by Steven Williamson on 14 February 2012, 09:49

Tags: Sony (NYSE:SNE)

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Having already backed out of the joint mobile phone venture with Sony Ericsson, Sony may also leave Android behind by using a version of the PlayStation Vita operating system to run future smartphones and tablets.

In a Q&A session in Japan, Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai told reporters that Vita’s new OS is “expandable” so could be applied to other handheld devices, though didn’t confirm whether the company had made any firm plans to port the operating system.

Since Sony Corp. took over the mobile phone business from Sony Ericsson, its been planning a re-branding strategy to help stamp its own identity of future smartphones, as well as integrate them with other products, much in the same way that Apple has used the iPhone to promote its iTunes service.

"We can more rapidly and more widely offer consumers smartphones, laptops, tablets and televisions that seamlessly connect with one another and open up new worlds of online entertainment," said Sony chairman Howard Stringer when the takeover was confirmed last year.


Xperia PLAY was dubbed the "PlayStation Phone," but sent out mixed messages with Sony Ericsson branding

With Google’s operating system set to make even more of an impact in 2012, it would be an extremely bold decision from Sony to use a totally new OS for future devices.

However, it does seem plausible that we may see a few new devices using Vita’s operating system. Though Xperia PLAY, Sony’s first attempt at a hybrid smartphone and gaming device, didn’t really take off, the company has something unique over its competitors with its PlayStation brand.

Now that Sony is in total control of its design, it makes sense that it will try again to create a hybrid device that can interact with the PS3 (or PS4) and Vita. With Vita though we already have a handheld gaming device that also has a few of the social connectivity features that you'd find on a smartphone, so it seems unlikely that Sony would go down the Xperia PLAY route again. But a PlayStation tablet that has all the functionality of an Android slate – albeit without the luxury of the Android marketplace – could be a winning formula.

Source: The Verge


HEXUS Forums :: 5 Comments

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Sony may also leave Android behind by using a version of the PlayStation Vita operating system to run future smartphones and tablets
Only if they're monumentally stupid. :wallbash:
With Google’s operating system set to make even more of an impact in 2012, it would an extremely bold decision from Sony to use a totally new OS for future devices.
Like I said … monumentally stupid.
But a PlayStation tablet that has all the functionality of an Android slate – albeit without the luxury of the Android marketplace – could be a winning formula.
They could sell a few, and a tablet as a larger screen version of Vita could be a good thing. However, as a general purpose tablet, (up against iPads, Galaxy Tabs, Kindle Fire's etc), I really don't see it working unless it was really cheap or had some amazing unique selling point.

I don't see a VitaOS smartphone getting anywhere, mainly down to the lack of a good range of apps for it. Xperia Play made a heck of a lot more sense because at least it could make use of the Google Market Place for all those “essential” non-game apps. And while I'm sure someone will say that “apps aren't everything”, Sony would be in a worse position than HP were with webOS, or Samsung with Bada. I've also got to wonder how well suited to a phone VitaOS would be - since presumably it's been stripped and polished to act as the basis of a portable games device.
Totally agree with crossy. This would be mega dumb. Its not like Sony are making the cash to pump into a launch that this would need. I mean lets face it even Microsoft are struggling in this market place and they have cash to throw at it. Saying that it seems like the usual dumb decision I've seen Sony making lately - aka:

1) Custom memory card for Vita
2) Fixed battery in latest phones
3) No microSD slot in latest phones

I swear Sony have a corporate attitude that they must reinvent the wheel no matter how popular and well supported the wheel is so this just might happen…
This is quite like Sony - lets face it they have always tried to be different and have their own format in the markets they compete with.
Sony thinking they can have their own OS and compete with Google, sounds just like their thinking - would be another massive nail in the coffin for Sony if they did.
The VITA should have blooming used Android OS to begin with! it would have a MUCH bigger appeal then it has now!