will this be the last generation of dedicated gaming handhelds?

[Screamapillar]

NintendoPie said:

bananaking21 said:

i really dont know. sony's 3 major departments now are mobile, gaming and imaging. if they had to chose between either handhelds or smartphones the realistic thing is to go for smartphones. though they dont really have to chose and can do both. i think sony needs to adjust its strategy when it comes to handhelds though if it wants to continue

I thought Audio/Music was one of their biggest?

Audio/music is no longer a priority for them, merely limited functionality for that in their devices, but no investment in audio devices.  I disagree with Bananaking21 about Sony dropping dedicated handhelds in favor of smartphones. I think both are vital to their survival, and both represent vastly different markets.  No one going into an electronics store looking for a phone is comparing a Vita with an Experia Z.   Conversely, no one going into a GameStop looking for a handheld game system is comparing an Experia Z with a Vita.   They reach two different markets, and I don't think there is very much overlap. 

The consumer who uses a smartphone and plays games on it has a less than 1 in 10 chance of ever spending a penny of real money on a smartphone game.  Someone who owns a Vita is spending tons of money on full-price games as well as accessories multiple times a month.  Sony needs money from both of those groups.