We spoke the other day about the Playstation phone rumours and how Sony must be thinking of something big if they are to knock Apple, HTC and even Google off their Smartphone stride. It seems there was some truth in the rumours as Sony’s chief financial officer has confirmed the device – well sort of.
The leaked photographs showed the alleged device from all angles including the slide out d-pad that will supposedly be used for the Playstation Function. It was also revealed that the device would run the brand new Android Gingerbread software and include a Sony Marketplace where users will be allowed to download games and apps.
Last week Sony remained very tight lipped about the device, dismissing the photos as a hoax. However Masura Kato did reveal a little more over the weekend. He said “there is a gaming market based on cell phones, and there are many changes that are being seen with Nintendo, as well as ourselves, in the field of the product for the gamers. And there are smartphones and others or even cell phones gaming markets are very popular here in Japan. So the market itself is very… expanding.”
This is a little cryptic but he went on: “We are trying to figure out what we can do as Sony in this market. I think this is as far as I can tell you regarding these products at market.”
So no direct admission of the fabled Playstation phone but a clear enough statement to suggest they are at least interested in developing their gaming and expanding their reach. That said it’s probably worth remembering that this whole saga started way back in 2007, the rumours were dispelled then and again in January 2009. Until there is a solid admission by Sony it’s all guess work, at least Kato’s comment goes some way to confirm Sony’s interested in a true gaming Smartphone. Watch this space.
