To match Microsoft’s Xbox SmartGlass, Sony has come up with what it calls the PlayStation App. This app has been hinted at several times during the last few months and would allow numerous mobile devices to connect to the PlayStation 4 and allow additional functionalities. The Playstation app basically allows the PS4 to act as a server that streams mobile games to a smartphone or tablet.
The iOS and Android version of this application was demoed live on stage during Sony’s Keynote at the Tokyo Game Show 2013. Sony Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida personally showed off some of its features via the app’s integration into the upcoming PS4 freebie, The Playroom.
Following the keynote event, in a roundtable interview Mr. Yoshida explained that the app allowed PS4 to become a hub for mobile games – which suggested a wider use than the previously assumed second screen console experience. For example, thanks to this App one no longer would need to download mobile titles to his/her phone, as one could simply stream them to the phone via the PS4.
Signing into this app provides the gamers access to the mobile version of the social feed feature of the PS4, in which details such as what friends are playing now are highlighted. In addition, consumers can receive and sent text and voice messages, and even multiplayer game invites. You can also start downloading purchased PlayStation Store content to the PS4.
The app also featured a “Connect to PS4” button which basically pairs the mobile device to the PS4, much like the SmartGlass, which allows second-screen content and touch-controlled gameplay. This feature was highlighted by Mr. Yoshida who used his smartphone to make a doodle of Knack which he then sent to the Playroom mini-game, thus turning the sketch to a 3D model.
But it was clear to assume that not all PS4 titles will be integrated with this app however and Mr. Yoshida could not comment on which other PS4 titles other than Knack would feature Playstation App compatibility. Mr. Yoshida did mentioned that the following games Knack, Driveclub, Watch Dogs and Assassin’s Creed 4 will all get their own integrated applications.
Check out the PlayStation App demonstration here - http://youtu.be/q06nWmhv4Gs