Jamie Doward
Sony is set to capitalise on the success of PlayStation by launching a new portable device which allows users to play its electronic games on the move. The PocketStation plugs into a normal PlayStation and games can be loaded on to the smaller device from the larger one. Users can then play the games wherever they choose.
The PocketStation will initially be on sale only in Japan. The device includes an infra-red communication system which allows PocketStation users to play games against each other from a distance of up to 5,5m. Once the player returns home, the software can be reloaded on to the PlayStation so the players can carry on where they left off.
The PocketStation also offers a personal digital organiser with electronic calendar, calculator and clock, and can function as a television remote control.
Only games compatible with the PocketStation system can be played. Sony plans to have 31 PocketStation- compatible games on sale within the next three months.
The move will be a fillip to the rapidly expanding software markets which analysts at Paribas estimate is worth $17,5- billion worldwide.
The importance of the electronic games market has even been recognised by such major players as Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO, who recently said that Apple was to launch new software which would allow Macintosh users to run Sony PlayStation games on their computers.