PlayStation has unveiled the name of it’s new handheld device, the PlayStation Portal, as well as a bunch of juicy specifications.
Formally known as the Project Q, the new handheld is a remote play device that allows users to connect to their PS5 via Wi-Fi and play the games in their library.
The PlayStation Portal is unique in its design, sporting an 8 inch LCD screen stuck between, what’s essentially a Dualsense controller split down the middle.
The adaptive triggers and haptic feedback are still on show, which is probably it’s biggest selling point over existing devices like the Backbone, that uses your phone as the screen.
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The PlayStation Portal is a dedicated remote play device, meaning it won’t run games itself, this isn’t the next PS Vita. It’s only capable of remotely playing games that are already installed on your PlayStation 5 console, at 1080p 60 FPS.
We’re yet to learn details on the Portals battery life which will be key to the usefulness of the device.
It all sounds great for situations at home where you may not have access to your TV or monitor to play your PlayStation – parents, I’m looking at you. Your little ones may be watching the TV, so this would allow you to play your games without disturbing the peace in the house. Or, if you’re like me and want to go to bed and be comfortable, you can continue your gaming sessions there too.
But that doesn’t mean you can only play it when you’re at home. As long as your PS5 is on standby and remote play enabled, you can play from pretty much anywhere that has a stable Wi-Fi connection.
So it might be a no-go on flights, but once you check into your hotel you can go nuts playing God of War Ragnarok while eating room service!
The PlayStation Portal is priced at $199.99 USD (we speculate about $350 AUD), however, preorders and a launch date haven’t been announced yet, though I expect that news to come very soon.
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PlayStation also introduced their new Pulse Elite Wireless Headset and Pulse Explore Wireless Earbuds.
These are PlayStation’s take on a more premium sound experience, using custom-designed planar magnetic drivers.
The headsets will connect directly to the PlayStation Portal by using PlayStation’s new wireless audio technology called PlayStation Link.
PlayStation Link claims to treat users to low latency, lossless audio and ease of switching between multiple hosts (such as having the USB dongle plugged into your PS5 and switching from that to the PlayStation Portal). Not to mention, you can also simultaneously connect to a Bluetooth device too.
The Pulse Elite will launch at $149.99 USD and the Pulse Explore buds will launch at $199.99 USD – with preorder and launch dates coming soon.
Very exciting times to be a PlayStation 5 gamer. The PlayStation Portal will be a day one purchase for me!
You can dive deeper on these devices on the PlayStation blog
