PlayStation suite

[Squilliam]

edit: not posted by me! Kisses and hugs regardless.

 

[patsu]

Apple loosened their in-app purchase policy:
http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/09/apple-gives-in-to-publishers-changes-policy-on-in-app-subscript/

11.13 Apps that link to external mechanisms for purchases or subscriptions to be used in the app, such as a "buy" button that goes to a web site to purchase a digital book, will be rejected

11.14 Apps can read or play approved content (specifically magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music, and video) that is subscribed to or purchased outside of the app, as long as there is no button or external link in the app to purchase the approved content. Apple will not receive any portion of the revenues for approved content that is subscribed to or purchased outside of the app.

Previously, they rejected Sony's eBook app because it has in-app purchase. It also demanded 30% cut from in-app transactions and stipulated that external purchases must be equal or more expensive than in-app purchases. These pricing restrictions are gone now. Hopefully my Qriocity subscription will work on iOS someday !

 

[Arwin]

Apple loosened their in-app purchase policy:
http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/09/apple-gives-in-to-publishers-changes-policy-on-in-app-subscript/

Previously, they rejected Sony's eBook app because it has in-app purchase. It also demanded 30% cut from in-app transactions and stipulated that external purchases must be equal or more expensive than in-app purchases. These pricing restrictions are gone now. Hopefully my Qriocity subscription will work on iOS someday !

I don't see any significant change? You are still not allowed to have your own in app purchase or even link to your own site where a user can
purchase said content? This only talks about accessing content that was purchased by a user outside the app.

 

[patsu]

Gamasutra has a more thorough description:
http://gamasutra.com/view/news/3513...scription_Guidelines_Removes_Restrictions.php

You can sell content from your own website without any pricing restriction now, and play it on iOS devices.

 

[Brad Grenz]

Yeah, the big change is for subscription services like Netflix and Hulu that would have been fucked by the new rule. Under the rule change that business model would have become untenable on iOS without raising prices for all subscribers to account for a potential 30% Apple cut on just one class of clients. Apple backed off somewhat, but I think the situation is still dicey for things like eBooks where you want to sell individual items in app for convenience, but where Apple's cut for processing the transaction could still be crippling.

 

[patsu]

11.14 mentions purchase and subscription though.

 

[Brad Grenz]

11.14 mentions purchase and subscription though.

Right, but you won't be required to offer them in app or for the same price anymore, which was the problem for netflix and hulu. Originally Apple was going to change it so that if you wanted your subscription service app (like hulu+ or netflix streaming) on iOS you would have been required to sell subscriptions in app at the same price as outside, with Apple processing the payment and taking a 30% cut. Those companies would have either taken a bath every time a customer subscribed or renewed through their iPad or iPhone, or would need to raise prices for all their customers to compensate for the Apple tax. Now they can just keep things the way they are and not offer in app subscriptions at all.

 

[patsu]

Yes, you'll need to set up a separate site or mechanism to sell the digital items. e.g., The eBook reader will not be able to sell books within the app, but it can open already sold books in a personal digital locker.

 

[Brad Grenz]

Right, Amazon can sell eBooks on their web page that you can read in their iPad app, but they can't sell the books in app, or even have a "Buy Online!" link in the app that takes you to the webpage in the browser to purchase it. This puts Amazon and other purveyors of eBooks or Music or Movie at a disadvantage compared to Apple's own services. Apple's still being a dick about this stuff, but they've walked it back far enough that Netflix and Hulu won't abandon the platform now.

 

[patsu]

Good enough for now. Makes my Hulu Plus and Qriocity subscription worthwhile if they can play on all my devices.

Would be great if I can play my PSN games and purchased movies on iOS too.

 

[patsu]

Music Unlimited Expanding to Android Today, New Opportunity for PS3 Owners:
http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011...android-today-new-opportunity-for-ps3-owners/

Music fans are in for a treat; starting today for a limited time, eligible Playstation 3 owners* can try out a Basic subscription of Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity for free over the next 180 days.

The timing couldn’t be better – the service’s Android App also launched today, so users can enjoy music on the go with their compatible Android mobile device or on a number of other Internet-connected Sony devices including 2010 and 2011 models of network-enabled BRAVIA HDTVs, Blu-ray Disc players and Blu-ray Disc Home Theater systems as well as the PSP and personal computers including VAIO personal computers.

...

To access the 180 day Basic Service free trial, log on to your PlayStation 3 system and click on the Music Unlimited service below the Music icon. Once the application has downloaded, follow the sign up instructions.

*180 day free trial available if:
You are 18 or over
You own a Playstation 3 system
You do not currently hold or have not previously held a Music Unlimited subscription to the premium or basic plan
You are in a supported country/region (US)
Note: you will not be able to take advantage of the 180-day Subscription Free Trial on PS3 if you purchase other subscriptions.

Eh... don't have an Android device yet.

 

[patsu]

Not PS Suite per se... but Official Playstation App 1.1 for iOS and Android in SCEE regions:
http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2011/06/24/playstation-official-app-version-1-1-coming-soon/

I’m pleased to announce that the next version (1.1) will include some of the most requested features. This new version will be available for download in a few weeks from iTunes and Android Market. Let’s take a look at the new features and improvements.

...

According to the comments, iPad version is coming soon.

 

[patsu]

http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/06/sonys-s1-and-s2-tablets-pose-for-the-cameras-again-show-off-mo/

Sony's S1 and S2 Honeycomb tablets have been very coy in front of the cameras since their initial unveiling. Aside from two visually pleasing short films and a tease of a hands-on, we haven't seen much of them since -- or any specific release details, for that matter. The former's changed at least, however, thanks to Notebook Italia. The site managed to handle the duo long enough in front of a lens to capture a bevy of snapshots, along with a short video of the S1 running PlayStation Suite.

...

Sony may face Microsoft again in their tablet race. MS signed up a few Android h/w manufacturers, which may include their own entertainment stack (XBL ?) on Android. ^_^

Spotify is coming to US:
http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/06/spotify-is-coming-to-the-us-invites-are-open-now/

The music streaming service that has won over the collective heart of Europe is finally making the puddle jump that we've been waiting for. Spotify just threw up a US landing spot, inviting eager Americans to jump in line for a table at the party. Meanwhile, we just received confirmation on our own end that things are finalizing for testing here in the States, and we'll be sure to report back just as soon as our credentials clear.

FaceBook is also signing up partners left, right, center. What to do ? What to do ? ^_^

 

[Arwin]

Yeah, Spotify is ready to go in the US. I've been testing it on my iPhone for a week now after I ran into it at my father's place, who has one of those streambox things with unlimited Spotify, and man, Spotify is pretty sweet. And incidentally at US launch, now another company that went from nothing to being estimated at $1 billion in only four years.

 

[patsu]

Yap... now that Kaz Hirai is relieved from handing SCE, he will have to show some good result in Playstation Suite. It's a strategic piece. Hopefully Sony realize it now, if not earlier.

 

[patsu]

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105...out-sony-tablets/?tag=contentMain;contentBody

A source familiar with the company's plans for the Android devices tells us that four versions of the S1 will be available at launch: 16GB Wi-Fi only; 16GB Wi-Fi and 3G; 32GB Wi-Fi; and 32GB Wi-Fi and 3G. The S2 will come in 16GB and 32GB models that have both Wi-Fi and 3G, but no separate Wi-Fi-only variant like the S1, the source says. Those desiring more capacity will be pleased to know that the S1 tablet has a full-size SD memory card reader onboard for additional storage.

...

The Japanese company is expected to launch the S1 and S2 right before IFA 2011 in Berlin (the largest consumer electronics show in Europe), which runs from September 2-7. In conjunction with the launch, the real names of the tablets will be revealed, and the source says they could be very similar to the current S1/S2 pseudonym.

Sony aims to market the S1 as a tablet for the home, for several reasons, including PS3 connectivity (DLNA and possible remote play/remote keyboard), and the previously announced onboard infrared remote feature, which allows the tablet to control TVs, Blu-ray players, and other devices.

I was told the games running on Xperia Play are not Playstation Suite games. Perhaps we will learn more after S1 and S2 launch.

 

[patsu]

Forgot about this one:
http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/23/sonys-s1-android-tablet-is-the-tablet-s-due-to-arrive-in-early/

Sony's S1 Android Tablet is the Tablet S, due to arrive in early September:

The official name of the S1 is the Sony Tablet S, which is currently projected to bring its 9.4-inch (1280x768) screen to market in the first two weeks of September. It will ship with Android 3.1 with an eye towards upgrading to Ice Cream Sandwich once that's available, and just as the company said many of the key features will revolve around using it to control all devices in the home, via the network or the integrated IR blaster, as well as having the ability to "Throw" media to other DLNA-compatible hardware, whether it's made by Sony or someone else. The slate's dual cameras come in at 3.0MP res up front and 5.0MP around the back, while it's also expected to bring along accessories our source indicates are very similar to those for the iPad. In the images below you can check out a wireless keyboard and dock setup and micro-USB to USB host dongle, details on the "TruBlack" screen technology that's supposed to provide better colors with less glare, and of course all of Sony's preinstalled software bringing PlayStation Certified gaming plus its music, movie and book services. What we don't know yet is its final price -- we'd heard $599 previously -- but there should be more to say about that and the clamshell S2 tablet soon.

Update: Eagle-eyed Daniel wrote in to let us know that it looks like Sony is rebranding its video service as "Video Unlimited," which will make it a much nicer match for Music Unlimited.

...

Sony posted a job for a new video service developer lead. Perhaps, Video Unlimited is the name of that project.

Playstation Suite (PSS) sounds more and more like a suite of applications (rather than specific APIs) to me. Google may want full control of the Android "entertainment" API. Will be interesting to see how Sony positions PSS.

 

[boommoob1]

Forgot about this one:
http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/23/sonys-s1-android-tablet-is-the-tablet-s-due-to-arrive-in-early/

Sony's S1 Android Tablet is the Tablet S, due to arrive in early September:




Sony posted a job for a new video service developer lead. Perhaps, Video Unlimited is the name of that project.

Playstation Suite (PSS) sounds more and more like a suite of applications (rather than specific APIs) to me. Google may want full control of the Android "entertainment" API. Will be interesting to see how Sony positions PSS.

Well it would reveal Hirai as a charlatan.

 

[patsu]

Ha ha. If true, it would be even more interesting to watch. I'm curious how deep he understands technology and software anyhow.

 

[patsu]

Sony Android tablet details and specs continue to leak, 'S2' is the Sony Tablet P:
http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/26/sony-android-tablet-details-and-specs-continue-to-leak-s2-is/

We've got more info for you on the pair of Android tablets Sony plans to launch next [strike]year[/strike] month, as our source indicates the dual 5.5-inch screened clamshell, thus far codenamed the S2, will launch as the Sony Tablet P. Hardware specs include a weight of 370 grams -- less than the iPad 2's 601 grams, but more than say, a Kyocera Echo at 193g -- 512Mb of RAM, 4GB of storage and a 2GB SD card, with connectivity over 4G or WiFi. Both the Tablet P and the Tablet S will share NVIDIA Tegra 2 processors and 0.3MP (not 3.0MP as we'd previously reported) front cameras, but the more conventional, WiFi-only Tablet S weighs in at 600g, has 1GB of RAM and will be available in 16GB or 32GB versions. There's still no word on price or exact shipping dates but retailers have reportedly been told to expect more information soon, so stay tuned for further updates.

Update: This post previously stated the tablets would launch next year, that was a mistype. We're still expecting to see them launch in September.