PlayStation Suite Could Head to Other Platforms

SCE CEO Kaz Hirai said the upcoming PlayStation Suite may come to Windows, iOS and other platforms.

After Sony's press event last week revealing the PSP2 (NGP) and the PlayStation Suite (PSS) platform, Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Kaz Hirai said during a roundtable interview session that he deliberately didn't use the word "exclusive" when talking about the PSS. That’s because Sony is leaving the option open to bring the suite to other operating systems other than Android.

"We have a completely open stance," said Hirai. "With carriers and with handset makers. There are a variety of OS's. But we're focusing first on Android. There's also Windows, iOS and so forth, but we don't have the resources to make it compatible with everything from the start."

Hirai added that for the Android platform, Sony is focusing on the handsets first and will follow up with tablet support later on. In general, PSS will work on any Android device, but first must be PlayStation Certified to make sure the device can handle the software emulator and games.

That said, further development will depend on user adoption. "We're not ruling out PSS even on products like Sony Internet TV Powered by Google (Google TV) if adoption rate increases, or if it will help push adoption greatly."

If Sony moves beyond the Android platform with PSS, the company may look to the Windows platform first so that VAIO owners can play PlayStation titles on the go. It makes sense given that VAIO owners can connect to the PlayStation 3 using the Remote Play application. Users can also purchase PlayStation content through Sony's Media Go PC client.

In a separate report, Sony is allegedly planning to re-release PSP games on SD cards since the PSP2 (NGP) doesn't have a UMD drive. Because PSP games are already available to purchase and download via the PlayStation Network, the news seemed somewhat unlikely.

However if Sony follows through, this option would not only please local brick-and-mortar shops, but provide means to purchase games for those who don't have reliable broadband Internet access. According to Adriasang, Sony noted that due to rights issues, it's possible that some games will end up not being playable on NGP at all.

Monday another PlayStation-related report surfaced indicating that the company plans to introduce cloud-based storage for the PlayStation 3 console in the 3.60 firmware update. The option will supposedly be called "Save File Insured" or "Online Saving"and be offered only to PlayStation Plus subscribers. No other details concerning the new feature were given although it's assumed that players will be able to store saved games in the new cloud service.