Wednesday, August 23rd 2023
Sony Announces the US$200 PlayStation Portal Handheld Gaming Device
Back in May Sony officially revealed what was then known as Project Q, its first streaming only handheld gaming device. Since then, there have been multiple rumours about the specs and what the device will deliver and now, Sony has finally decided to launch the device as the PlayStation Portal. However, it appears that Sony is still keeping things under wraps, as not much new was announced in terms of the actual specs of the device, although we now know that the 8-inch, 1080p60 display is a touch display and it can act as a virtual touchpad. Other details that Sony shared in today's announcement was that the device will feature a 3.5 mm headset jack. With a US$199.99 MSRP it might end up being a popular accessory though, as Sony is asking for far less than the rumours suggested the PlayStation Portal would cost.
Sony also unveiled a pair of new headsets for the PS5, the Pulse Elite and the Pulse Explore. The latter was shown back in May. What was not known back then, was that Sony will be adding a new wireless audio specification to the PS5 called PlayStation Link. This will require a new USB dongle that ships with the headsets and can apparently also be used with PCs and Macs in a rather unusual move for Sony. PlayStation Link is said to be a low latency and lossless wireless audio solution, but the good news is that both headsets also support Bluetooth connectivity and can connect to a PlayStation Link dongle and a Bluetooth device simultaneously. Both the the Pulse Elite and Pulse Explore will feature planar magnetic drivers, which is a not common in gaming headset and even less so for earbuds like this. The Pulse Elite has a US$149.99 MSRP and the Pulse Explore will retail for US$199.99 when they launch later this year.
Source:
Playstation Blog
Sony also unveiled a pair of new headsets for the PS5, the Pulse Elite and the Pulse Explore. The latter was shown back in May. What was not known back then, was that Sony will be adding a new wireless audio specification to the PS5 called PlayStation Link. This will require a new USB dongle that ships with the headsets and can apparently also be used with PCs and Macs in a rather unusual move for Sony. PlayStation Link is said to be a low latency and lossless wireless audio solution, but the good news is that both headsets also support Bluetooth connectivity and can connect to a PlayStation Link dongle and a Bluetooth device simultaneously. Both the the Pulse Elite and Pulse Explore will feature planar magnetic drivers, which is a not common in gaming headset and even less so for earbuds like this. The Pulse Elite has a US$149.99 MSRP and the Pulse Explore will retail for US$199.99 when they launch later this year.
34 Comments on Sony Announces the US$200 PlayStation Portal Handheld Gaming Device
This is a companion device, not a standalone base device, so more like an accessory. Sony needs to make their fat gross margins off of these!
:):D:p
Typo edit
They are a little heavier than the majority of gaming headsets I've tried which could also be a deal breaker for some.
"PlayStation Portal is the perfect device for gamers in households where they might need to share their living room TV or simply want to play PS5 games in another room of the house. PlayStation Portal will connect remotely to your PS5 over Wi-Fi**, so you’ll be able to swiftly jump from playing on your PS5 to your PlayStation Portal. PlayStation Portal can play supported games that are installed on your PS5 console and use the Dualsense controller."
"**Requires broadband internet Wi-Fi with at least 5Mbps for use. For a better play experience, a high-speed connection of at least 15Mbps is recommended."
blog.playstation.com/2023/08/23/playstations-first-remote-play-dedicated-device-playstation-portal-remote-player-to-launch-later-this-year-at-199-99/
I'm not a console guy, but I'd probably buy a handheld for travel and I'd get a chance to play the Sony only games.
Wait... All this is, is a Sony Shield? A handheld LAN streaming device?
I'm underwhelmed.
EG console is in the living room, but TV is being used by someone else etc.The Poop Deck?
Calling it now: People will buy this thing, thinking it's a portable PS5, only to find out that they can only use it around their house alongside their actual PS5. In short, this thing is already DOA.
I wonder if it could be used easily on a friend's PS5?
Maybe, potentially marketable as a sort of WiiU-like dedicated screen-troller.
IDK 'bout folks today, but I'd have paid a fraction of a console's price, just to have my own controller and screen for split-screen games.
Then again, most consumers willing to shell out $200 for a new Sony PlayStation thingy, might be willing to shell out for a PS5 too. Esp. parents 'appeasing' kids...
I could see a company today, actually 'running the numbers' on such.