Andrew House speaks at an event to announce the Sony Playstation 4 Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
NEW YORK -
Sony unveiled its next-generation gaming system, the PlayStation 4, and promised social and remote capabilities. Wednesday's announcement gives the struggling Japanese electronics company a head start over Microsoft and an Xbox 360 successor.
The new PlayStation's controller resembles that of the PlayStation 3, but adds a touchpad, motion control and a "share" button. The Japanese electronics giant said the console will be part of a new ecosystem focused on hardware, software and "the fastest, most powerful gaming network."
The PlayStation 4 will be Sony Corp.'s first major game console since the PlayStation 3 went on sale in 2006. Microsoft Corp. is expected to unveil the next Xbox in June at the E3 video game expo in Los Angeles. Last fall, Nintendo started selling the Wii U, though it plays catch-up in some respects in bringing the ability to play high-definition games.
Although the Xbox 360 came out a year before PlayStation 3, Microsoft's game machine has been more popular, largely because of its robust online service, Xbox Live, which allows people to play games with others online. The original Wii has sold more units since its launch than both its rivals, but it lost momentum as the novelty of its motion controller faded. Sales of the new Wii U have been slow.
Underscoring the importance of a new PlayStation and the U.S. market, Sony is holding its announcement event in New York rather than in Japan, as it had in the past. The event is at the Hammerstein Ballroom in midtown Manhattan.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:25 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:25:35 GMT
N.C. lawmakers and passersby stopped to take in a display of Tesla Motors' award-winning electric cars Wednesday.
North Carolina lawmakers and passersby stopped to take in a display of Tesla Motors' award-winning electric cars Wednesday as the company presses against a bill in the General Assembly that effectively outlaws Tesla's Internet-based sales model.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:20 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:20:27 GMT
There's a huge new development on the horizon in the core of the Triangle coming into public focus. A new technology area known as "Chatham Park" near Pittsboro is seeking official approvals for its newly
A new technology area known as "Chatham Park" near Pittsboro is seeking official approvals for its newly revised master plan.
Thursday, May 16 2013 12:15 AM EDT2013-05-16 04:15:41 GMT
Cars flooded during Hurricane Sandy are back on the road in North Carolina, and the cars' new owners may have no idea their car was once submerged in ocean water.
Cars flooded during Hurricane Sandy are back on the road in North Carolina, and the cars' new owners may have no idea their car was once submerged in ocean water.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:20 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:20:27 GMT
There's a huge new development on the horizon in the core of the Triangle coming into public focus. A new technology area known as "Chatham Park" near Pittsboro is seeking official approvals for its newly
A new technology area known as "Chatham Park" near Pittsboro is seeking official approvals for its newly revised master plan.
Saturday, May 25 2013 5:12 PM EDT2013-05-25 21:12:58 GMT
Police arrested a suspect early Saturday morning after Raleigh gun store on Craftsman Drive was broke into, for the second time in two weeks. Authorities responded to the 4400 block of Craftsman Drive
Police arrested a suspect early Saturday morning after Raleigh gun store on Craftsman Drive was broke into, for the second time in two weeks. Authorities responded to the 4400 block of Craftsman Drive
Friday, May 24 2013 7:32 PM EDT2013-05-24 23:32:53 GMT
Local leaders, business owners and residents gathered at Jordan Lake Friday to urge lawmakers to reject a bill that would repeal a 2009 cleanup plan for the lake.
Local leaders, business owners and residents gathered at Jordan Lake Friday to urge lawmakers to reject a bill that would repeal a 2009 cleanup plan for the lake.
Saturday, May 25 2013 1:16 PM EDT2013-05-25 17:16:15 GMT
A decades-old mural, hidden for years, is once again exposed in Downtown Durham. A Coca-Cola mural at 300 E. Main Street remained hidden behind a plaster wall for years. Now, the 1940s era artwork is
A decades-old mural, hidden for years, is once again exposed in Downtown Durham. A Coca-Cola mural at 300 E. Main Street remained hidden behind a plaster wall for years. Now, the 1940s era artwork is
Andrew House speaks at an event to announce the Sony Playstation 4 Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
