How the PlayStation Eye connects your hands and voice to the PlayStation 4

Posted on 20/09/2013 by Ben Gilbert

When the PlayStation 4 launches this November, the PlayStation Eye camera will enable you to sign into the console using just your face. Unlike its Microsoft counterpart, Kinect, the Eye won't allow much more control of the system. At least not initially. "At the time of launch, first the face recognition is for the purpose of logging in," SVP and Division President of Business Division 1 at Sony Computer Entertainment Masayasu Ito told Engadget in an interview this afternoon.

Beyond face recognition for log in -- something Sony's still not shown to the press or public -- PS4 users with an Eye will also be able to use voice "from the game page." Ito said, "Game titles could be called in and then the game could start." But in the future, Ito said the PS4's camera will go further. There's no voice or gesture command in the UI beyond what's described above, but he foresees more in-game use. "That's as far as it goes, but continuous updates, it can go deeper. Make it with greater depth. With face recognition, we think about how that could be used in the context of the game," he said. He sadly wouldn't go further, but demos like The Playroom -- a game that's included on the PS4 at launch -- offer an example of how the Eye will work in games. As for more UI control, well, we're hopeful that that's part of the "continuous updates" Ito promised.

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals, Software, HD, Sony

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PlayStation 4’s Blu-ray drive is 3x as fast as PS3’s, PSN friends list cap raised, and other tidbits from Sony’s GDC panel

Posted on 28/03/2013 by Ben Gilbert

The PlayStation 4's new DualShock 4 controller can be charged even while the PlayStation 4 is turned off. The PlayStation 4's new Eye motion camera has a tilt sensor so it can tell players when its facing the wrong direction or if it's fallen off your TV stand. The PlayStation 4's Blu-ray disc drive is three times as fast as the PlayStation 3's. In case it weren't clear, Sony's PlayStation 4 panel at this week's Game Developers Conference wasn't chock full of major revelations, but it did provide plenty of interesting little details about the PlayStation 4 and its various hardware companions.

For instance, the console's "True Name" social functionality isn't automatic -- you have to opt-in to who will see your real name versus your PlayStation Network ID. That is, unless you find a friend through Facebook or another social network where your real name is already your main ID; in that instance, the console defaults to displaying your actual name. That's not the only change coming to your friends list, either, as the standing 100 friends cap is being raised to an unknown amount.

Additionally, the Gaikai-powered Remote Play functionality between the Vita and PS4 is said to be "much better," according to Sony senior staff engineer Chris Norden. Not only can it display your PS4 games in the Vita's native resolution (960x544), but it can be activated at any given time rather than having to be preset. And unlike Remote Play on PS3, with PS4 the game being pushed to the Vita is mirrored on your television screen. None of this stuff is what we'd call red hot, but we're hungry for PS4 details and this is what Sony's delivering. Here's hoping the company's more forthcoming at E3.

Filed under: Gaming, HD, Sony

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Sony PlayStation Move Racing Wheel hands-on (video)

Posted on 06/06/2012 by Joe Pollicino

After Sony's PlayStation keynote last night here at E3, PlayStation.Blog made a sort-of-surprise announcement when it officially detailed the $40 Move Racing Wheel -- something we only caught passing glimpses of during our liveblog. Naturally, we decided to drop by Sony's booth to find out whether the peripheral might potentially pass muster for you serious virtual racers out there. Our verdict after some racing in LittleBigPlanet Karting? Definitely not, but it sure is interesting despite a few quirks. Join us past the break where we'll break it down with text and video.

Gallery: Sony PS Move Racing Wheel hands-on

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Sony PlayStation Move Racing Wheel hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jun 2012 21:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony reveals $40 PlayStation Move Racing Wheel for LittleBigPlanet Karting and more

Posted on 05/06/2012 by Richard Lawler

We didn't spot it on stage during the pre-E3 2012 press conference, but Sony's PlayStation Blog is showing off a new PS Move Racing Wheel on the way. This framework apparently fits around the Move, featuring different grip styles with twist throttles and paddle shifters depending on what kind of racing you'd like to do. The "precise motion tracking" afforded by the Move appears to be targeted at titles like the upcoming LittleBigPlanet Karting, but it's hard to see how this will be real wheel, or even controller, alternative for serious gamers. It certainly seems to be fair competition for Microsoft's Wireless Speed Wheel that was introduced last year or the Nintendo Wii Wheel, but frankly we're surprised that's a battle anyone else wanted to be in. Either way, we expect to get our hands on it this week before it hits stores this fall for $39.99.

Gallery: PlayStation Move Racing Wheel