14 DAY TRIAL // On Monday, mobile phone carrier AT&T and Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC (SCEA) announced a deal through which would make AT&T the exclusive provider of services for the PlayStation Vita, the next generation portable entertainment system from Sony. Through this agreement, PlayStation Vita users will benefit from the speed and coverage that AT&T's mobile broadband network can offer.
Moreover, the wireless carrier will ensure that users stay connected while on the go, so that they can access content or can connect with each other at all times.
On top of that, all PlayStation Vita customers who have an AT&T service plan will enjoy free access to over 24,000 AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots nationwide, the wireless carrier announced.
“AT&T’s mobile broadband network excels at delivering data with high speeds nationwide, which is what we need for powering the social and connectivity features built into the PlayStation Vita entertainment system,” said Jack Tretton, president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America.
“PlayStation Vita will give users the opportunity to engage and connect with one another while delivering the kind of rich and immersive gaming experiences unimaginable on any other portable device on the market today.”
On AT&T's network, PlayStation Vita users will be able to “encounter,” “connect,” “discover,” “share” and “play” with their friends while on the go.
Not to mention that they would have at their disposal a series of social networking features meant to enable a next generation experience. A new application, called “near,” along with an interactive interface named “LiveArea” will be included with the PlayStation Vita system as well.
“near” was developed specifically for this device, and comes pre-installed on each and every one of them, enabling users easily find and connect with other PlayStation Vita users in their vicinity.
The application also enables users enjoy location-based gaming features, including “gifting,” consisting of accessing virtual game-related items shared by others, all through checking in at locations visited by other users as well.
“AT&T consumers are accustomed to being the first to have access to the most cutting-edge mobile technologies available on the market today. We are thrilled to continue this legacy as the exclusive provider for PlayStation Vita in the U.S. market” said Glenn Lurie, president, emerging devices, AT&T.
“By pairing the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network and the nation’s largest Wi-Fi network with this highly anticipated portable gaming device, PlayStation Vita users will experience a new era of portable gaming that will connect their entertainment and their lives more closely than ever.”
The PlayStation Vita system is set to hit shelves in the United States in Wi-Fi and 3G/Wi-Fi flavors, priced at $249 and $299, respectively. Details on AT&T data plans and pricing will be unveiled at a later date.
Additional info on the new the PlayStation Vita system can be found on Sony's website.
