Sony, AT&T team for PlayStation Vita gaming handheld

Sony Computer Entertainment America has named AT&T (NYSE:T) as the exclusive U.S. service provider partner for its new PlayStation Vita portable entertainment system.

The PlayStation Vita will be available in Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi/3G versions.

Boasting dual analog sticks, front and rear cameras, front multi-touch display, multi-touch rear pad, GPS, six-axis motion sensors and three-axis electronic compass, the PlayStation Vita also leverages wireless connectivity to add social media interactivity, enabling users to identify and connect with friends and competitors by sharing their game information across the PlayStation Network via AT&T's mobile network.

The PlayStation Vita introduces Near, an application that pinpoints which titles other nearby Vita gamers are currently playing as well as the most popular titles in the area. Near also enables location-based gaming features like "gifting" (enabling users to access virtual game-related items that other gamers are sharing by checking in at geographic locations that others have previously visited). Also new: LiveArea, an interactive space for each Vita title offering access to the latest information on PlayStation Network games, along with an Activity log that's constantly updated with user accomplishments within the same game.

Sony Computer Entertainment America will release two versions of the PlayStation Vita: The Wi-Fi edition is $249, and the Wi-Fi/3G model is $299. Additional details about data plans and pricing will be announced later, although the companies said that PlayStation Vita customers with an AT&T service plan will have free access at more than 24,000 AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots nationwide.

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