The Playstation Vita: Where Did It Go Wrong?

[KBG29]

SlimShadyDroid said:

IIRC the Vita did have a 3G version that could kind of act like a phone. They discontinued it I think.

Yes, the 3G Vita can make calls via 3G and Wifi using Skype (even in game). The problem is it was never makerted that way and it was only available on AT&T. At the time AT&T had major network issues and a bad image due to iPhone overloading their network. Due to that the 3G on Vita was severly gimped to help relieve traffic, so most features did not work or were very limited. I just started using my 3G Vita as a phone last month after getting a Z3 and moving to AT&T in November. That is when I releaslized how much better the Vita is than the last couple of Galaxy and Xperia phones I had.

Another problem with phones (and one I forgot to mention last time) is that phones evolve at a rapid pace. People don't keep phones for more than 2 years, which is peanuts in a normal consoles life span. OEMs are expected to release a new model every year, or they risk falling behind the competition. The constant change in hardware will make it hard for big game devs (AA-AAA) to make games for the thing.

I explained this in another post, but I will do it again here. They can continually improve the PS Phone while continue to build games to a set spec. They can add more RAM, better screens, more battery life, new Wifi, Bluetooth, and Mobile standards. New tech can be added at yearly intervaults, just like any other phone. There is no reason the games can not be developed to the same standard spec/hardware for 5 to 7 years just like every other console and handheld before. 

Then when they hit the point of a true generational leap in tech they can set PS Phone spec 2.0. From there they can go another 5 - 7 years, just upgarding the supplementry aspects to keep it competitive against other devices, and with the newest standards.

Edit: Also, since it'll be Android, Piracy will be a huge issue

And, No. If they do it, it has to be on their own OS. The PS Vita OS is already perfect for it, and PSN already offer places for everything from garage devs to world class companies and game publishers to deliver their content. They can easily start by drawing in the gamer crowd, and letting all of the apps on android and iOS build up around them just like Google and Apple did. Piracy will always be an issue, but it ain't gona have a thing to do with Android.