Gamers in the US can officially get their hands on Sony’s next-generation gaming console now. The PlayStation 4 finally launched tonight in New York, after being unveiled in June at the E3 conference.
The standard version of the PS4 is going for $399 in the US. This time round, the console runs on an 8-core x86 processor and comes fitted with a 500GB hard drive, a Blu-ray/DVD drive and 8GB of GDDR5 memory. In the box is also a new DualShock 4 controller with touchpad, as well as the new PlayStation 4 Eye — provided consumers want to pay the extra $59.
If you want to use the online/multiplayer features of games, the PS4 will require a PS Plus membership currently priced at $49.95 for 12 months. It includes automatic system and game updates, 3GB of cloud storage, access to additional game trials, betas, demos and the ‘Instant Game Collection’.
A new nifty feature for the PS4, however, is the ability to start playing games before they’ve downloaded.
The PS4, like its predecessor, will also support apps — and those at launch time include TV and movie streaming apps like LoveFilm, Netflix, Amazon, Hulu Plus, iPlayer, Demand5 and a host more region-specific titles.
Headline image via Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images
The PrioVR sensor suit will track your whole body in virtual reality
YEI Technology just launched the Kickstarter campaign for its PrioVR virtual reality sensor suit. If it reaches its funding goal of $225,000, the suit will offer full-body motion tracking that can then be coupled with the OculusVR and other virtual reality headsets for a more immersive experience.
The concept is an exciting one, though I do have some concerns. The campaign video, for instance, shows a player waving a sword while wearing the Oculus Rift. That may sound like fun, but it also sounds like a recipe for accidental dismemberment. Full-body motion capture also requires a lot of room to operate, making it less practical.
Developer kits for the PrioVR can be had for a minimum pledge of $450. The company will offer a lite version and a pro edition with additional sensors.
Projects like the Oculus Rift , Leap Motion , MYO armband and now PrioVR have set lofty goals of making our virtual reality dreams come true. Realistically, some of these products are bound to turn out as duds, but that shouldn’t stop them, or us, from continuing to dream.
➤ PrioVR
Sprint tempts music lovers with HTC One (M8) Harman/Kardon and discounted Spotify subscriptions
Sprint today unveiled a special Harman/Kardon edition of the HTC One (M8) and a new partnership with Spotify, which will see the on-demand music streaming service offered at a reduced rate to its subscribers in the US.
The new version of the HTC One (M8) is aimed at music lovers, with a couple of different audio technologies that should improve audio playback. Sprint says it will be available online from May 2 – followed by stores on May 9 – and come with a “champagne accent” to differentiate the new model. The smartphone will also come with a set of Harman/Kardon earbuds worth $149.
Harman is supporting the device with an application called ‘Clari-Fi’ that promises to restore and “rebuild” music fidelity normally lost during traditional audio compression. The technology behind this isn’t clear, but Sprint says it’ll translate into “richer, deeper and clearer” audio quality. The reworked HTC One (M8) will also reproduce FLAC tracks at 24 bit, 192kHz DAC for a music playback experience that bests both MP3s and CDs.
Sprint also announced that come May 9, anyone on its “ Framily ” plans – designed for up to 10 friends, colleagues or family members – will get six months of Spotify Premium for free. After that, the service will cost $7.99 per month for one to five members on a Framily plan, or $4.99 for six to ten members. Customers on other Sprint plans will receive three months of Spotify Premium for free, before paying the regular rate of $9.99 per month.
➤ Sprint (via TechCrunch / The Verge )
Image Credit: DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images