Sony has devised a new program that will help existing PSP owners to play their UMD-owned games on PlayStation Vita. The UMD Passport Program announced by Sony Japan will allow users to register their UMDs and in return get a discounted price for the downloadable version compatible with PlayStation Vita.

It’s a bit disappointing to pay for the game you already own but I guess it’s the premium you’re paying for playing on a better and improved console. The program will start from December 6 and the price of most of the titles will range from 500-1000 Yen but can go up to 2400 Yen for some.

Sony PlayStation Vita will be available in Japan from December 17.

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Following a price drop in North America and European region, Sony has also reduced the PS3 price in India. Indian consumers will now be able to buy the 160GB PS3 for a price of Rs. 16,990, which is a 15 percent discount from the original price. The 320GB PS3 SKU with Move has also got a price drop, which will now sell for Rs. 19,990.

To make it more appealing to Indian users, Sony India will also launch India-specific games like Move Street Cricket as well as RA.One based on upcoming Bollywood movie.

PS3 is one of the advanced gaming consoles that in addition to playing Full HD games support Blu-ray, 3D, wireless connectivity and more.

If you’re concerned of getting a Sony Ericsson Android phone just to enjoy PlayStation games, Nvidia has confirmed that their Tegra-based Android devices will be able to do the same as well. Later this year, Tegra-based phones and tablet will get PlayStation Suite that will allow users to play original PlayStation games on their devices, irrespective of the device being Sony Ericsson or not.

Meanwhile, Sony has started PlayStation Certified licensing program offering companies development support to optimize PlayStation games better with the hardware.

[Via Slashgear]

Engadget is on a roll these days with rumors related to Sony. After publishing a full fledged preview of Xperia Play and info on 9.4-inch S1 PlayStation tablet, they’ve now published details of two upcoming devices. First is S2, featuring a unique oval cylindrical design with dual touch-screen displays. Both the displays will measure 5.5-inch in size and boast specs similar to S1 with Tegra 2, Wi-Fi, 3G, front and rear-facing cameras and Qriocity support.

Next up is a 9.4-inch VAIO-branded Windows 7 slider. The device is pitted against the likes of Samsung’s 7 Series Slider PCs but is said to underwhelm due to Pinetrail-class Atom CPU and $799 price tag.

Expect the S2 to reach consumers before holiday season whereas the VAIO-branded slider PC by fall.

[Via Engadget]

Sony today issued a statement for those who have circumvented their PS3 consoles and are using it to play pirated games. In a bid to stay fair to legit gamers, Sony has confirmed that users using unauthorized consoles will be barred permanently from using the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services.

“By identifying PlayStation 3 systems that breach our guidelines and terminating their ability to connect to PlayStation Network, we are protecting our business and preserving the honest gameplay experiences that you expect and deserve.”

This is the full statement:

Important Access to the PlayStation Network and Access to Qriocity Services Notice

Unauthorized circumvention devices for the PlayStation 3 system have been recently released by hackers.

These devices permit the use of unauthorized or pirated software. Use of such devices or software violates the terms of the “System Software License Agreement for the PlayStation 3 System” and the “Terms of Services and User Agreement” for the PlayStation Network/Qriocity and its Community Code of Conduct provisions.

Violation of the System Software Licence Agreement for the PlayStation 3 System invalidates the consumer guarantee for that system. In addition, copying or playing pirated software is a violation of International Copyright Laws.

Consumers using circumvention devices or running unauthorized or pirated software will have access to the PlayStation Network and access to Qriocity services through PlayStation 3 System terminated permanently.

To avoid this, consumers must immediately cease use and remove all circumvention devices and delete all unauthorized or pirated software from their PlayStation 3 systems.

[Via PSBlog]

Sony will reveal its plans for the PlayStation Move controllers to work with desktop PCs at the Game Developers Conference 2011 next month. This exciting confirmation comes from the GDC’s site that details Sony’s session at the conference where John McCutchan will talk about PlayStation Move and the Move Server Project. Going by the session’s description, “Sony will discuss the Move Server project that will make it possible for academics and hobbyists to develop software using the PlayStation Move controller on their own PCs.”

Sony’s move to get the PlayStation Move to PC is apparent due to the recent Xbox Kinect PC hacks albeit unofficial coming up. PC fanatics didn’t take very long to develop Kinect hacks, making it work with both desktop computers and laptops to motion control applications and games.

[Via TechRadar]

PlayStation owners in UK, France, Germany, Spain, Netherlands and Italy can quickly head to the App Store or Android Market to grab the very first version of the PlayStation app. The app will allow users to check PSN Trophies, read news, reviews related to PlayStation and even share favorite things via Facebook, Twitter or e-mail.

The app requires at least Android OS 1.6 and an iPod touch or iPhone running iOS 4.

The app will be released to other countries in the coming weeks.

[Via PS Blog]

Sony executive, Kazuo Hirai recently confirmed that the next-gen PSP or the PSP2 is definitely coming. Talking to New York Times’ Bits Hirai said that they’re in the “successor game since the day PlayStation was released” but to everyone’s dismay did not spill detailed info on the device.

He however, spoke about PSP’s controllers which will mostly have a combination of touch and conventional PSP controls. The decision to go with dual controls is obvious – Sony wants to target casual gamers who’re accustomed to games like those on Android and iOS and physical buttons to please hardcore gamers.

If we go by the recent leak, this dual controls condition is easily fulfilled by Sony Ericsson’s PlayStation Phone but apparently, Hirai is not really fond of the idea.

When asked about the PlayStation Phone, he claimed that Sony didn’t “want gamers to be asking, what’s the difference between that and a PSP…We have to come up with a message that users will understand. It would have to be a product that keeps the PlayStation’s strengths intact.”

Is the app a prologue to bigger things? Well, we’re not sure but PlayStation gamers will soon be able to download the PS app on their iPhone, iPod touch or Android devices running at least v1.6 OS.

The app will allow users to check their and friends’ PSN trophies, read news, reviews related to PlayStation and even share favorite things via Facebook, Twitter or e-mail.

Unfortunately, the initial version does not drop any hints of possible PS gaming but the fact that Sony is planning to bring “tons more features” in the coming months will keep our hopes high.

[Via PS Blog]

We’re not sure about the veracity of this document but apparently Sony has been sending press invites about a mysterious PlayStation-related event. The event is scheduled to take place on December 9 and reads as “the most awaited event of the past 10 years.”

The event could very well be about Sony’s rumored PlayStation phone, which is evident from the phone icon sitting beside the ubiquitous PS icons.

[Nowhereelse via BGR]