PlayStation 4

Back in 2006, a TechInsights teardown showed that it cost Sony about $688 to build the PlayStation 3 console it launched at $599. Locked in a tough battle with Microsoft, Sony’s decision to sell the PS3 at a loss was widely viewed as a prudent move. But in 2013, TechInsights estimates it costs Sony only $296 to build the PlayStation 4, which launched at $399. Sony could be launching the console at $299 or even $249, but is electing to price it high. This is a bit surprising for several reasons. More →

Mark Cerny, the Sony engineer largely responsible for creating the PlayStation 4, shared more details on the work behind Sony’s new toy in an interview with DigitalTrends, revealing that he and his teams spent six years developing the product, while aiming for a Holiday 2013 launch. Off to a very good start considering its million-unit debut, the PS4 was conceived with great attention to hardware in mind, even though some of the technology behind it may not have been available at the beginning. More →

Is the pent-up demand for next-generation video game consoles the tech media has been talking up for the past few months real? Sony’s announcement from this past weekend suggests the answer is a decisive yes. The consumer electronics giant on Sunday announced that its PlayStation 4 launch was a huge success, with sales to end users having topped 1 million units during the console’s first 24 hours of availability. More →

After a long year of waiting, Sony has finally delivered the PlayStation 4, which is currently begging you to spend the weekend with a DualShock 4 in hand. You want to oblige, but you have neglected to pick up any PS4 games. You have read the reviews and you know about the curse of the launch lineup, but you can’t just sit around and wait for four months until Infamous: Second Son comes out. If this short story describes you, I’d like you to know that I’m in the same boat, so I’ve written this handy, completely unscientific evaluation of the three exclusive PS4 launch games to provide some assistance for befuddled gamers. More →

We’re still a couple of days out from the PlayStation 4 launch, but you can prepare yourself for Sony’s second screen experience by downloading the PlayStation App on your iPhone or iPad on the App Store or your Android device on the Google Play store right now. As Sony announced in February, the app is free and will allow you to respond to messages, check to see what your friends are playing, and even make rash purchasing decisions on the go. Any game you buy on the app will start downloading immediately on your PS4, so by the time you get home, you’ll be able to start playing right away. There will be some second screen functionality with the app, although those features have not been extensively detailed yet. For now, it’s just another reminder that you don’t have a next-gen console in your house yet.

With less than 48 hours left before the PlayStation 4 launch, there might be only one way to still secure a PlayStation 4 without a preorder. On the PlayStation Blog, Sony announced that it will have 444 additional PlayStation 4 units for sale at midnight on November 15th and The Standard, High Line hotel in New York City. The line has apparently already started forming, but anyone considering joining the line should note that the system can only be purchased with a credit card, so keep your cash at home. Along with the extra PS4s, Sony will also be holding a rather large launch event at the hotel, with an arcade, an interactive lighting installation, and the chance to play some PS4 launch titles with the developers. Even if you’ve already preordered your console, it might be worth checking out the event if you’re in the area.