Everything You Need to Know About the PS4 (03.01.13)

The PlayStation 4 (PS4) is an upcoming video game console from Sony Computer Entertainment. Billed as the successor to the PlayStation 3, the PS4 was officially announced at a press conference on February 20, 2013. The announcement makes it the second eighth-generation console to be officially confirmed, the first being Nintendo's Wii U. It will also be the fourth game console in Sony's PlayStation series. The PS4 is expected to launch in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Moving away from the Cell architecture, the PlayStation 4 will be the first in the Sony series to feature compatibility with the x86 architecture, specifically x86-64, which is a widely used platform common in many modern PCs. The idea is to make video game development easier on the next-generation console, attracting a broader range of developers large and small. These changes highlight Sony's effort to improve upon the lessons learned during the development, production and release of the PS3. Other notable hardware features of the PS4 include 8 GB of memory and a faster Blu-ray drive.

Among new applications and services, Sony plans to release the PlayStation App, allowing PS4 owners to turn smartphones and tablets into a second screen to enhance gameplay. The company also plans to debut Gaikai, a cloud-based gaming service that hosts downloadable content and games. By incorporating a share button on the new controller and making it possible to view in-game content being streamed live from friends, Sony plans to place more focus on social gameplay as well.