Previously known as NGP, the new Sony PS Vita was announced last week during E3 fair in Los Angeles. Sony has now provided more details by posting a broad FAQ section on its website.
US Carrier, 3G
One of the two PS Vita versions offers 3G connectivity and the device will be sold through cell-phone provider AT&T exclusively in the US - but no word on AT&T data plans and pricing yet. Vita cannot be used as a cell phone and the VoIP support is unclear. Sony also says the console will not be region specific.
Games medium
There's no Universal Media Discs (UMD) support, instead there will be a new format of an unknown name and capacity which the FAQ section says will be "a small flash memory based card." That means it will be possible to store save games directly on the card, as well as additional game content data. Sony also clarified the compatibility issue - there are no plans on making PS Vita compatible with PS2 and PS3, though it will be possible to play PSP titles, minis and PSone classics.
No 3D, no gaming on the TV
Nintendo decided to feature the stereoscopic 3D technology (glasses-free) in its newest handheld console Nintendo 3DS, but Sony studied the glasses-free 3D technology and decided not to install it, focusing on the features and spec instead. PS Vita does not support HDMI or video output in any form. That means it won't be possible to play games on bigger screen in contrast to PSP 3004, which supports video out.
Sony is still unclear on which functions other than gaming will be available, including Flash, YouTube, PDF, Remote Play, SenseMe or Skype support and there's no word on exactly how many games will be available at launch, nor their pricing.
Profitable within 3 years
In a recent Reuters interview, Sony consumer products head Kaz Hirai said that Vita is expected to be profitable within 3 years. That means in terms of Vita, Sony sticks to their well-known, patient 10-years console cycle ... it is rumored that Sony is still losing money on PS3 launched 5 years ago (in terms of hardware sales).
