New Sony PlayStation 4: Features, Hardware, Specs, Accessories and More!
This time around Sony is jumping the gun ahead of Microsoft’s Xbox (720?) video gaming system and are showing us why their latest gaming console should be on everyones wish list for christmas of 2013.
The new console will be Sony’s first since 2006, when the PlayStation 3 went on sale. While Microsoft has yet to announce any plans for a new console, we are sure the announcement isn’t too far off.
With many new features, major upgrades in the hardware department and a push for a more social network type of environment, Sony is really showing us that they want to be the number one selling gaming console once again.
So lets go ahead and see what all the fuss is about with the new Sony PS4 and what you should expect coming this fall. Will it be enough to take the PlayStation 4 back to the top again?
Sony PlayStation 4 Features
PlayStation 4 Specs & Hardware:

Sony’s PlayStation 4 features a PC-like architecture. The PS4 packs an 8-core 64-bit x86 "Jaguar" CPU built by AMD. Comes with a powerful PC-graded Radeon GPU. The GPU is made up of 18 "compute units”. This means the PS4 is capable of pushing up to 1.84 TFLOPS, which will allow you to play those stunning next generation graphics in all its glory.
The PS4 comes with 8GB of unified GDDR5 memory and also features 802.11n WiFi, USB 3.0, Bluetooth 2.1, HDMI, optical out, and a mass internal storage (Sony did not detail in size).
What is Sony’s PS4 Secondary Custom Chip?
The PS4 has a secondary custom chip that will allow for background uploading and downloading. Gamers will now be able to play video games at the same time that they are being downloading.
The PS4 also features a low-power mode where the main system is asleep but the subsystem is awake, downloading or uploading and processing content. This will allow for the gamer to jump right into games without having to worry about any down time. Just purchase the game and go!
The console will also have the ability to suspend gaming sessions and restart them instantly, right where the game was left off. The state of the console will be stored in its memory, so gamers do not need to wait for the console to boot. This will eliminate the long loading times that come with current PS3 and Xbox 360 gaming consoles.
Sony PlayStation Accessories
Sony’s new DualShock 4 Controller:

Sony’s new PS4 DualShock 4 controller is an amazing upgrade to older versions of the PlayStation Dual Shock controllers. The new dual shock 4 controller now features a touch-screen in the center. On the rear of this upgraded controller features a light bar which will help gamers identify each players.
A headphone jack has also been added to the controller, useful for voice chat during multiplayer gameplay. The controller also features a new Share button (more on that below) and enhanced rumbling technology.
Sadly, Sony has confirmed that PS4 won’t support DualShock 3 controllers. So your old PS3 controllers will not be compatible with the PlayStation 4. But there is some good news for you PS Move fans out there, the new system will support PS Move controllers.
Sony PlayStation Eye:
Sony has also introduced the next generation PlayStation Eye. Its features two 1280 x 800 cameras that have an 85-degree angle field of view. Each camera will have a job to do, one will capture the setting and ensuring a quality picture, the other handles all motion tracking.
The PS Eye is capable of facial recognition. This will allow the PS4 to use face login features, by using its facial recognition software. The 3D camera will be able to recognize and detect the position and depth of each player in the room, by using the color of the DualShock 4's LED light bar.
The new sensor also features four microphones. The collection of these microphones will make it possible for gamers to use voice control as well.
PS4 can be controlled by your PS Vita, Smartphone or Table:
Players will be able to wake up the PS4 via tablets, smartphones or with the PlayStation Vita. Companion apps will be made available for Android and iPhone devices, which will turn the devices into a second gaming controller for the PS4.
The Vita will be able to play PS4 games remotely via remote play, with the goal of all games using remote play functionality. PS Vita integration will allow gamers to play and resume PS4 games on the PS Vita seamlessly. This will be useful if someone wants to watch a movie on the TV while you're playing a game on the PSVita. Then after the movie is over, you can easily switch back to the TV without losing where you left off. This feature is kind of the same type technology that is in the Wii U.
Sony is pushing for all game developer to try PS Vita Remote play before submitting PS4 Games for certification. Sony has worked hard to ensure the fastest response times for remote play.
The addition of remote play with the PS Vita means developers can create custom control layouts on the Vita.
Sony worldwide studios president Shuhei Yoshida: "Some PS Vita games make use of the edge of the screen to add contextual buttons – that works really well, I think, and it's easy to see. So that kind of thing I'd like to see developers do on PS Vita over remote play."
PS4’s Social Capabilities
Whats this share button on the new PS4 controller?
One of the most interesting features on the PlayStation controller is the new share button. This new button is right in between the D-pad and the new touchpad and is labeled ‘share.’ The share button will allow gamers to capture video and screen shots on your screen and broadcast what you’re doing to all your friends. The PlayStation 4 will feature live streaming capabilities via UStream.
Video Sharing and streaming:
Sony says that its "goal is to make sharing of video as popular in PS4 as screenshots are today.” The PlayStation 4 will be able to save and stream video and screen shots from games as they are being played, and then be able to share the videos and screenshot to services like PlayStation Network (PSN), Facebook and Ustream.
Additionally, players will have the ability to watch the games of friends over the PlayStation Network, while talking to them at the same time. Sony also added the ability to cross-game chat and PSN Sony Entertainment Network accounts can now connect to Facebook, making the gaming system a whole lot more integrated and social.
The platform is also expected to learn how individuals make use of the hardware, and will be able to streamline their experience based on their behavior.
PS4 Gamers will be able to take over friends games on PSN:
The social fun doest stop there. Sony has added the ability to allow gamers to remotely take over and control games their friends are playing. The spectator feature allows you to share your game session and allow friends to take over your video game on the fly.
This might be good say if a friend is trying to help a fellow gamer get through a tough spot, or if a you have to leave for whatever reason, call up a friend to take over!
PlayStation 4 Games and Third-Party Developers:
A substantial amount of third-party developers have already signed on to support the Sony PlayStation 4, so you can count on many exciting blockbuster video games coming out for the PS4.
A number of games have already been revealed for the PlayStation 4 gaming system. Many of these new games will not only push the new beefed up graphics in the PS4, but also include never before sharing and social networking capabilities.
Here are some of the games that were announced by Sony and are expected to be blockbuster hits:
- Knack
- Killzone: Shadow Fall
- DriveClub
- Infamous: Second Son
- The Witness
- Deep Down (Working Title) from Capcom
- WatchDogs from Ubisoft
- Diablo 3 from Blizzard
- Destiny from Activision – there will be exclusive PS4 content
Other apps that are going to be included with the PlayStation 4:
- Video Unlimited
- Music Unlimited
- Netflix
- Amazon
- …and more to come.
Sony’s main points it promises to make for the future of the PlayStation 4:
- Simple – Making development simple for the companies and easier to access for the player.
- Immediate – Cutting downtime for the player in order to get back to playing. One aspect is being able to start playing games that you are still downloading.
- Social – Being able to share videos and pictures with your friends on Facebook.
- Integrated – Being able to play any game on any Sony device wherever you can.
- Personalized – Your PS4 will track what you play and buy and suggest things, and prepare demos, for games before you even look for them.
Will you be pre-ordering the Sony PS4?
While Sony revealed many new features and functions of the PlayStation 4, we still have no idea what the actual console will look like. But at this point with Sony showing off all these amazing features the new PS4 will have, does it really matter what it looks like at this point?
Will you be purchasing Sony’s newest gaming machine? Will you wait to see what Microsoft’s Xbox system will have up their sleeve, before deciding? Leave us your thoughts down below.
Note: This article will be updated periodically as more information is made available so make sure to share and bookmark this page!
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