Sony says PSVita won't get UMD add-on, might have had 3D
updated 05:30 pm EDT, Thu June 9, 2011
Sony PSVita gets detailed FAQ
Sony has quietly rolled out an FAQ for the PSVita that has answered some of the deeper questions surrounding its new handheld. The system will play PSP games but, without a UMD drive or an add-on reader, will have to rely on downloadable games. The console maker was considering "every possibility" to accommodate gamers with an existing library but wouldn't say more.
It wasn't likely that every older game would come forward, Sony said, since it would have to get legal approval to bring the games over.
Sony also mentioned that it had one point "studied" the possibility of using stereoscopic 3D visuals like on the Nintendo 3DS but claimed it wanted to focus on the user interface first.
Extra tips mentioned that the system would still have region-free game support. As expected, though, the 3G is data-only and can't be used for voice. Bluetooth also works primarily for voice headsets and can't be used for hooking up a mouse or keyboard, nor can it be used to get the Wi-Fi model online.
Sony was still uncertain on some points. It was "evaluating" non-gaming tasks, including viewing Flash and YouTube, as well as earlier PSP features such as Remote Play or Skype audio chat. More information was coming later.
The launch of the new handheld was promised for the holidays, though in the FAQ Sony now said it would be a "phased roll out." North America, Europe, and Japan are likely to get systems first.
