Sony Slaps PlayStation Certification on Two More Phones

The Xperia Arc and Xperia Acro will receive PlayStation Certification via Sony Ericsson's Android 2.3.4 update.

Until now, Sony Ericsson's Xperia Play has been the only PlayStation Certified smartphone on the market. However both Nvidia and Sony have previously indicated that more is to come in December thanks to the Tegra 2-optimized PlayStation Suite "emulator" for Google's Android platform. Outside the smartphone sector, the only PlayStation Certified devices (other than actual PlayStation products) on the market is Sony's Tablet S and the upcoming Tablet P.

But that has now changed. In Japan, Sony Ericsson has slapped PlayStation Certification onto the Xperia Arc and Xperia Acro smartphones. These two devices will get a special update provided by Sony Ericsson unlocking access to "hundreds" of games that was originally Xperia Play exclusives.

But as Xperia Play owners have already discovered, these games aren't even available yet save for the pre-installed Crash Bandicoot (which actually rocks on the PlayStation Phone) -- they'll arrive once the PlayStation Store launches its doors on the Xperia devices and coughs up the PlayStation Suite app. That said, Sony Ericsson's Android 2.3.4 update will likely launch sometime before the December launch which will reportedly include the PlayStation Certification upgrade for the Arc and Acro.

Previously Sony Ericsson acknowledged that Android 2.3.4 is getting ready to roll out to all Xperia handsets nationwide although there's no exact timeframe when the wireless carriers will distribute the upgrade. Android 2.3.4 will supposedly offer native support for Sony Entertainment Network (Music Unlimited, Video Unlimited, PlayStation Store), add wireless tethering, native screenshot functionality, 3D and 2D panorama picture capability, HD video recording, 16x video zoom, Wi-Fi DLNA media streaming, gesture input and more.

"The update will be available for all unlocked phones and most operator variants but there will be local deviations," the company said. "There are also some deviations on feature upgrade depending on phone model. Google Talk video chat will only be available for phones with front facing camera. Xperia PLAY will not get 3D panorama sweep but it will get HD video recording."

Games for Sony's PlayStation Suite were recently seen residing on the PlayStation Store via the Tablet S. Games will start at $5.99 USD and so far include PSOne classics like Cool Boarders, Destruction Derby, Hot Shots Golf 2, Jet Moto 1 and 2, Jumping Flash, MediEvil, Motor Toon Grand Prix, Rally Cross, and Wild Arms.