AT&T to power Vita 3G

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Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC (SCEA) and AT&T* today announced that AT&T, which powers the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, will be the exclusive service provider in the United States for PlayStation Vita (PS Vita), Sony Computer Entertainment's (SCE) next generation portable entertainment system.

The PlayStation Vita system offers a revolutionary combination of rich gaming capabilities and social connectivity that will bring users closer to each other and closer to their gaming experiences wherever they are. Blurring the lines between interactive entertainment and reality, PS Vita provides unparalleled portable gaming experiences with dual analog sticks, front and rear cameras, front multi-touch display, multi-touch rear pad, GPS, six-axis motion sensors, and three-axis electronic compass. The speed and coverage of AT&T's mobile broadband network will ensure that PS Vita users will remain connected to content and each other on the go. PlayStation Vita customers with an AT&T service plan will also have free access at more than 24,000 AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots nationwide.

"AT&T's mobile broadband network excels at delivering data with high speeds nationwide, which is what we need for powering the social and connectivity features built into the PlayStation Vita portable entertainment system," said Jack Tretton, president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America. "PlayStation Vita will give users the opportunity to engage and connect with one another while delivering the kind of rich and immersive gaming experiences unimaginable on any other portable device on the market today."

"AT&T consumers are accustomed to being the first to have access to the most cutting-edge mobile technologies available on the market today," said Glenn Lurie, president, emerging devices, AT&T. "We are thrilled to continue this legacy as the exclusive provider for PlayStation Vita in the U.S. market. By pairing the nation's fastest mobile broadband network and the nation's largest Wi-Fi network with this highly anticipated portable gaming device, PlayStation Vita users will experience a new era of portable gaming that will connect their entertainment and their lives more closely than ever."

AT&T wireless connectivity will enable infinite possibilities for PlayStation Vita users to "encounter," "connect," "discover," "share" and "play" with friends on the go. Within the device are a range of social networking features that provide unique, next generation portable entertainment experiences, including a new application called "near" and an interactive interface called "LiveArea."

Developed specifically for PlayStation Vita and pre-installed on each system, "near" will allow users to find out what other PS Vita users in their vicinity are currently playing and what titles are most popular in the area. Users can meet with friends and new players virtually – regardless of what games they are playing – simply by sharing their game information across PlayStation Network on the go via AT&T's mobile network, or when they're at a Wi-Fi hotspot. "Near" also enables location-based gaming features such as "gifting," in which a user can access virtual game-related items that other users are sharing, through checking in at geographic locations that others have also visited. The virtual items can include content unlocked from games, such as character costumes, weapons and treasures. Sharing these items between users adds a unique dimension to the portable gaming experience on PlayStation Vita while enhancing the social connectivity among the PS Vita community.

"LiveArea" is an interactive space for each PlayStation Vita software title in which users can access the latest information for games through PlayStation Network. Additionally, users will be able to view an "Activity" log that is constantly updated with accomplishments from users who are playing the same game, which in turn can trigger active real-time communication among users. The AT&T wireless network will enable "LiveArea" users to connect to their games on the go.

The PlayStation Vita system will have both Wi-Fi and 3G/Wi-Fi models in the US for $249 and $299, respectively. Additional details about AT&T data plans and pricing will be announced later.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

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AT&T guys must be very proud of themselves. What a big chunk of revenue they are getting! Hopefully the service would be seamless.
 
As a current AT&T customer, this concerns me. They are not the most reliable provider. I don't know who is, but its not AT&T. Dropped calls and dropped signals plague their aging equipment. Despite owning the entire infrastructure, they don't seem very proactive in improving the reliability or efficiency of that infrastructure. Their customer service are script readers who will eventually forward you to a techie in India. Actually the techies are probably the most reliable part of the company.
Now add thousands or millions of new customers via the Playstation, I don't think their network can handle it.
 
I am a current AT&T customer, I have a netbook with 3G and I have never had a problem unlike the other poster. I am looking forward to the Vita and rather happy Sony has chose AT&T to be the wireless provider. I know that I am going to reserve the 3G version as so as I can.
 
I am a current AT&T customer, I have a netbook with 3G and I have never had a problem unlike the other poster. I am looking forward to the Vita and rather happy Sony has chose AT&T to be the wireless provider. I know that I am going to reserve the 3G version as so as I can.


You my friend, are more prepared than most of us. Unfortunately AT&T isn't my provider.
 
Why can't Verizon ever power these kinds of things? They're supposed to be America's largest network. I guess that could that could be part of the reason. From what I've heard about AT&T's network, they should be working to make it better rather than trying to overload it with another device (not that I think the Vita will put as much of a strain on the network as the iPhone did).
 
Being a non-American, I don't know who will carry the Vita for my country... But I'm not too concerned anyway. I'm not going to buy the 3G model anyway. I'll be happy with with the Wifi only one if I do actually get one.
 
I am not a AT&T user and I am not implying that they are not good, but why does it always seem that these new devices coming out with 3G have AT&T as their provider? There are many out there, but it seems to mostly be them. Is it the prices, or does AT&T simply have more to offer?
 
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