Ten things you need to know about PlayStation Vita

Find out how portable gaming has changed forever with some essential facts about PlayStation Vita.

1. What's in a name?

Why PlayStation Vita? "Vita" means "life" in Latin - and this revolutionary handheld aims to transform every aspect of your daily life into an entertainment experience. Rich gaming and social connectivity all wrapped up into a sleek portable package. It's time to prepare your life for a new gaming experience...

2. When can I buy one?

PS Vita will launch in the global market starting at the end of 2011. There are two different versions: a Wireless model which will have an RRP of €249 and a Wireless and 3G version with an RRP of €299.

3. Ultimate Portable Entertainment

PS Vita is approximately 182mm in width, 18.6mm in depth and 83.5mm in height, which makes it as portable as PSP-3000. Comfort plays a big part in Vita's design, featuring a sleek Super Oval Design to fit snugly in your hands without sacrificing its smooth good looks. Speaking of which...

4. A feast for your eyes

As PSP has already proved, portability is no excuse for poor quality displays. Which is why PS Vita is equipped with a brilliant organic light emitting diode (OLED) 5-inch screen for incredible picture quality. You can treat yourself to rich, visually striking graphics never seen before on a portable entertainment system. So no matter what form of entertainment you're enjoying - movies, videogames or other digital content - PS Vita has the visual power to dazzle.

5. Why you're always in control

Videogames are all about versatile and engaging entertainment - so why limit the possibilities? PS Vita expands your options with its impressive range of controls which ensure you always have your scintillating gameplay at hand. The glossy OLED 5-inch display is also a touch screen, capable of picking up multiple touches at the same time. A revolutionary touch pad at the back of the system means three-dimensional hand motions such as pulling and grabbing are also easy.

None of this means you'll be without options for more traditional game experiences. PS Vita packs a variety of buttons and two analog sticks, as well as motion sensing functions that react when you tilt and turn the system. Your portable gaming experience has never been so capable, no matter what type of game you're playing.

6. Have a blast with the freshest games

PS Vita is dedicated to bringing you some of the highest quality videogame entertainment on a portable device. With its unique and versatile control options, you can expect unique experiences. Supported by some of the most popular publishers and developers in the world, including Capcom, SQUARE ENIX and Rockstar Games, the richest gameplay experiences will be yours to enjoy. Don't forget that some of the biggest PlayStation exclusive series will be hitting the system as well, such as Uncharted, Killzone and WipEout.

If you're a PSP owner already, any PSP titles you have previously downloaded from PlayStation Store will be playable on PS Vita, along with minis and PS one Classics. You'll also be able to download new PS Vita games and other content directly from PlayStation Store.

For non-downloadable games, PS Vita uses an innovative flash based memory card which stores full software titles, any add-on game content and game save data.

7. More than games

PS Vita can do so much more than just play games. You can go online with an Internet browser to check your favourite sites and web based emails, and take advantage of all the thrilling content on PlayStation Store. So you can stream and download all the newest films from the PlayStation Store Video Store and read the freshest comic books from the PlayStation Store Comic Store.

Equally as important is PlayStation Suite, which gives you access to great new content. Developed to offer PlayStation quality games on Android operating system portable devices (such as mobile phones and tablet PCs), newly created content for PlayStation Suite will also become available for PS Vita. The result will be a broad and ever expanding range of entertainment available for you. 

8. Stay connected

PS Vita features Bluetooth, Wireless and 3G connectivity so whether you're chatting to friends online or blasting through a game with your mates, your portable fun is completely connected.

You'll be pleased to know that PlayStation Network is also integrated, so you'll be able to use your existing SEN account on PS Vita for a seamless transition between PlayStation systems. Services such as your friends list and trophies are fully supported and shopping from PlayStation Store is a breeze.

9. Get closer to your friends

Every game title for PS Vita will be provided with a space called LiveArea, where you'll be able keep up to date with all the news and new content around a particular game and share all your fun with friends and other players online. LiveArea constantly updates with accomplishments from users who are playing the same game.

Your journey to new connections doesn't stop there. A pre-installed location based service called near lets you find out what your geographically nearby friends are playing at the moment. near also gives you access to features such as gifting, where you can check-in to specific locations and collect game-related items that other users are sharing.

That's not all. PS Vita also comes with a pre-installed application called Party - a voice and text chat feature, allowing you to chat with friends while you surf the Internet, play games and use other applications.

10. There's more...

There are all sorts of features that you'll have fun with on PS Vita that you may not have even considered. In this bursting package is an electronic compass, front and rear facing cameras for taking pictures and amazing augmented reality games that put you directly into the on-screen action, and a microphone for voice detecting software. Portable entertainment on the cutting edge - and there's more to come. So keep checking eu.playstation.com and PlayStation.Blog at blog.eu.playstation.com for all the latest PS Vita news.