PlayStation Vita

PlayStation Vita Finally Jailbroken

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After years on lockdown, PlayStation Vita has finally been jailbroken (you still remember the Vita, right?). Unlike the PSP which was cracked practically overnight, it’s taken five years for the powerful portable to crack and now that it has, say hello to classic gaming.

 some clever folks at the hacking collective Team Molecule have come up with a solution that fully unlocks the Vita hardware for homebrew developers. Dubbed HENkaku, the jailbreak exploit not only works on the latest 3.60 Vita firmware, but also requires very little user intervention to execute. All you have to do is head over to the official HENkaku website on the Vita, tap on the install button, and then sit back and let the hack work its magic. The one drawback is that the jailbreak isn’t permanent, so if the Vita is fully powered off it needs to be reinstalled. 

Twitch App Comes to PlayStation Vita

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In a bit of left field news, Twitch, the popular game streaming platform has released an app for PlayStation Vita. A welcome announcement for owners of the powerful handheld, since as far as Sony is concerned, the Vita stopped existing years ago.

PlayStation Vita & PlayStation TV System Update 3.60 Now Available

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Not to be outdone by the PS4 and its recent system update 3.5, Sony’s portable console is receiving an update of its own, as is PlayStation TV. Because Sony’s naming scheme has never been confusing:

 The PlayStation®TV system is sold as PlayStation®Vita TV system in some countries and regions. Systems with either name are referred to as PlayStation®TV or “PS TV” on this page. 

So what does this update get us? A ton – or nothing. At this point, it’s highly unlikely that we’ll see any meaningful update for either platform as PlayStation TV is more or less dead and Vita is only alive because of indie developers. In fact the only reason PlayStation TV is even getting an update is because it’s made from the exact same hardware/software of the Vita. If it wasn’t for that, it likely wouldn’t have even received this update.

 This system software update improves system performance 

Ironically, the disclaimers about the update are nearly 15x longer. Those after the jump.

PlayStation Vita TV Discontinued in Japan, US Next?

PlayStation_Vita_TV_PlayStation_TVA while back, I wrote a piece called Dear Sony: Either Support PlayStation TV or Kill It’. That piece is just as relevant (and worth reading) today as when I first wrote it; I argued what the future of the small connected box could have been:

 the ultimate trojan horse for Sony. If you have a PS4, perfect. With PS TV, you can now extend that experience to other parts of the house. Don’t have one? No need to worry as you’ll be able to enjoy everything that PlayStation embodies today like PlayStation Vue, PlayStation Music, PlayStation Network (TV shows, Movies, Trailers) 

Of course there is no reason to limit PS TV to just entertainment content.

 From there, Sony has an extensive electronics arm which ranges from cameras to speakers. Imagine being able to stream from them to PS TV or easily viewing the photos you just took with PlayMemories Online, Sony’s semi take on iCloud photo library. All this with of course a UI designed for television. As Apple has proven time and time again, a single product can have a massive halo affect on the company. For that reason alone, with a $99 price tag, PS TV is an easily attainable product that could open the door for consumers to purchase other Sony products that it complements like PS4 or subscribe to any of the mentioned services. 

Of course history has proven that during that time, Sony has given little to no thought to PS TV and that its days are likely numbered. Details after the jump.

PS3 Update 4.78 & PS Vita Update 3.57 Remove Facebook Functionality

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PS3 update 4.78 and PS Vita update 3.57 are now live and ready for your downloading pleasure. Neither update is required to continue gaming though some select titles might be affected by it. Seeing how both updates are fairly small (PS3 – 206MB & PS Vita 137MB), I’d recommend just getting them out of the way to ensure you don’t have any problems going forward.

However unlike other updates that are either vague like ‘bug fixes and system improvements’ or specific where they bring on a host of new features, both updates here are designed to remove functionality from the PS3 and PS Vita. More after the jump.

PlayStation Vita and PlayStation TV to Get ‘PlayStation Now’ Subscription

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Great news PlayStation Vita and PlayStation TV owners. After months of “it’s coming soon,” Sony is officially bringing PlayStation Now subscriptions to the PS Vita and PS TV. Till now, you could use PlayStation Now on a per-rental basis, meaning you could rent individual games. Starting today, alongside that option, you’ll also be able to sign up or use your PlayStation Now subscription, which gives you access to more than 100 games for one price.

Details await you after the jump.

PlayStation Store Update (05-19-15)

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Welcome to the PlayStation Store update for May 19, 2015. We have a great update this week packed full of new content and sales. PlayStation 4 users now can jump into the highly anticipated The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Farming Simulator 15.

PlayStation Vita users now have access to Alien Shooter and there is a large sale entitled Extended Play which features discounts on several games that include Season Passes/DLC.

Finally, as you are probably aware PlayStation Plus users now receive all of their free games at the beginning of the month and then are given discounts on extra content the rest of the month. The PlayStation Plus games for May include Ether One (PS4), The Unfinished Swan (PS3/PS4), and Murasaki Baby (PS Vita).

PlayStation Store Update (05-12-15)

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Welcome to the PlayStation Store update for May 12, 2015. We have a great update this week packed full of new content and sales. PlayStation 4 users now can jump into Toren, Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster, and Project Cars.

PlayStation 3 users now have access to the Prototype Franchise Bundle and PlayStation Vita users now have access to Breach & Clear. 

Finally, as you are probably aware PlayStation Plus users now receive all of their free games at the beginning of the month and then are given discounts on extra content the rest of the month. The PlayStation Plus games for May include Ether One (PS4), The Unfinished Swan (PS3/PS4), and Murasaki Baby (PS Vita).

PlayStation Store Update (05/05/15)

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Welcome to the PlayStation Store update for May 5, 2015. We have a great update this week packed full of new content and sales. PlayStation 4 users now can continue jump into Wolfenstein: The Old Blood.

PlayStation 3 users can now play Chariot and PlayStation Vita users now have access to Cosmophony (3-way cross buy) . 

Finally, as you are probably aware PlayStation Plus users now receive all of their free games at the beginning of the month and then are given discounts on extra content the rest of the month. The PlayStation Plus games for May include Ether One (PS4), The Unfinished Swan (PS3/PS4), and Murasaki Baby (PS Vita).

PlayStation Store Update (04-28-15)

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Welcome to the PlayStation Store update for April 28th, 2015. We have a great update this week packed full of new content and sales. PlayStation 4 users now can continue jump into the quirky simulation game Tropico 5 and the latest advent Broken Age (also available for PS Vita).

PlayStation 3 users can now play Risk and PlayStation Vita users now have access to the Star Wars Mega Bundle. This week the PlayStation Store is having a Golden Week sale and features deep discounts on Japanese inspired games including the incredible must-buy PlayStation 1 Classic Suikoden 2. If you do not already own this game, buy it now! It is easily one of the best JRPGs available.

Finally, as you are probably aware PlayStation Plus users now receive all of their free games at the beginning of the month and then are given discounts on extra content the rest of the month. The PlayStation Plus games for March include Never Alone (PS4), Dishonored (PS3), and Killzone: Mercenary (PS Vita).

PlayStation Store Update (04-21-15)

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Welcome to the PlayStation Store update for April 21st, 2015. We have a great update this week packed full of new content and sales. PlayStation 4 users now can continue jump into  the newest offering Ubisoft, Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China and the quirky L.A. Cops.

PlayStation 3 users can now play the highly anticipated Shovel Knight (3 way cross buy). This also marks the final week of the annual Spring Fever sale which is featuring discounts on Shovel Knight and the Call of Duty franchise.

Finally, as you are probably aware PlayStation Plus users now receive all of their free games at the beginning of the month and then are given discounts on extra content the rest of the month. The PlayStation Plus games for March include Never Alone (PS4), Dishonored (PS3), and Killzone: Mercenary (PS Vita).

PlayStation Store Update (04/14/15)

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Welcome to the PlayStation Store update for April 14th, 2015. We have a great update this week packed full of new content and sales. PlayStation 4 users now can continue jump into  the highly anticipated Mortal Kombat X.

PlayStation 3 users can now play Teslagrad (also available on PS4) and PlayStation Vita users can now enjoy Titan Souls (also available for PS4)This also marks week five of the annual Spring Fever sale which is featuring discounts on Titan Souls  and the Grand Theft Auto Franchise.

Finally, as you are probably aware PlayStation Plus users now receive all of their free games at the beginning of the month and then are given discounts on extra content the rest of the month. The PlayStation Plus games for March include Never Alone (PS4), Dishonored (PS3), and Killzone: Mercenary (PS Vita).

PlayStation Store Update (03-31-15)

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Welcome to the PlayStation Store update for March 31, 2015. We have a great update this week packed full of new content and sales. PlayStation 4 users now can continue jump into  the highly anticipated Axiom Verge and owners of each systems can jump into the new season of baseball in MLB 15 The Show.

PlayStation 3 users can now play Anna- Extended Edition and PlayStation Vita users can now enjoy Toukiden: KiwamiThis also marks week five of the annual Spring Fever sale which is featuring discounts on Axiom Verge  and the Batman Franchise.

Finally, as you are probably aware PlayStation Plus users now receive all of their free games at the beginning of the month and then are given discounts on extra content the rest of the month. The PlayStation Plus games for March include Valiant Hearts (PS4), Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishment (PS3), and CounterSpy (3 way cross buy).

PlayStation TV Won’t Support PlayStation Vue

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In a move that only Sony/PlayStation could pull off, PlayStation TV, the companion device which allows you to stream PS4 games, and play PlayStation Vita games on your television will not support PlayStation Vue, the streaming TV service from Sony. Yes, PlayStation TV won’t support Sony’s PlayStation television streaming initiative. After you’re done shaking your head, meet us after the jump for some more head shaking.

PlayStation Store Update (03-17-15)

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Welcome to the PlayStation Store update for March 17, 2015. We have a great update this week packed full of new content and sales. PlayStation 4 users now can continue jump into  the highly anticipated Battlefield Hardline (also available on PS3) and Final Fantasy Type-0 HD (Day one edition also includes demo for Final Fantasy XV).

PlayStation 3 users can now get their JRPG fix with The Awakened Fate Ultimatum and PlayStation Vita users can now enjoy Soldner X -2: Final Prototype. This also marks week three of the annual Spring Fever sale which is featuring discounts on Jamestown+  and the Assassin’s Creed Franchise.

Finally, as you are probably aware PlayStation Plus users now receive all of their free games at the beginning of the month and then are given discounts on extra content the rest of the month. The PlayStation Plus games for March include Valiant Hearts (PS4), Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishment (PS3), and CounterSpy (3 way cross buy).