What We Know
Hardware
The PS4 console hasn't been revealed yet since Sony are still working on it; hands-on time is expected at E3 (June 11-13, 2013)
The PS4 console will use a 6x BluRay (8x DVD) drive for games and movies
The PS4 console uses an 8-core 64bit AMD "Jaguar" CPU, an enhanced ATi Radeon with 18 compute units capable of 1.84 TFlops, and 8GB of unified GDDR5 RAM.
A storage drive will be included but specifications concerning this haven't been revealed yet.
802.11n WiFi, USB 3.0, Bluetooth 2.1, HDMI, optical out and a legacy analog AV out make up the inputs and outputs
A "near-final" version of the DualShock 4 controller has been revealed, showing convexed thumbsticks, additional "Share" and "Options" buttons, a touchpad, and a PS-Move style light bar for player number identification and controller location tracking via the new PlayStation 4 Eye.
The PlayStation 4 Eye features two 1280x800 cameras with 85 degrees field of view (one for video, one for motion tracking, 3D triangulation, and gesture recognition) and 4 microphones.
4K 'super high definition' video output will be available for content that supports it. PS4 games currently being developed will not be able to output at 4K.
A separate chip will handle uploading/downloading content in the background while playing or while the console it turned off (standby mode).
Software
The x86-based CPU means that PS3 games (which were coded for a Cell processor) will not be natively compatible on the PS4. Sony will later consider alternative solutions such as emulation or online streaming for the longer term.
Games purchased through the PlayStation Store and downloaded digitally on the PS3 will also not carry across to the PS4. The same goes for 'gave saves'.
Used games will work on the PlayStation 4, however there appears to be an unannounced caveat concerning this.
Players will be able to use Gaikai's streaming technology to play games without waiting for downloading to complete, to try before you buy, and to drop-into games your friends are playing to help them out.
Players will be able to live-stream their gameplay to friends via the Sony Entertainment Network and record up to 10 seconds of video.
Integration with popular social networks will be available.
While aliases will be retained for 'anonymous gaming', players will be able to see personal details when playing with real life friends. Information will likely be pulled from social networks.
PS4 consoles will be able to stream games to the PlaySstation Vita using RemotePlay.
Instant suspend mode will allow you to turn off the console mid-game and then turn it back on and return to the same point in your game. No more booting.
Driving Games
It has been reported that Ivory Towers are developing a game similar to Test Drive Unlimited 1 (which they created when known as Eden Games) for the PS4. Further details coming at E3.
DriveClub has also been announced as a PS4 launch title from the developers who made MotorStorm on PS3.
Other Details
The PlayStation 4 console will be available in the holiday season at the end of 2013.
The head of Sony America "hopes" the console will cost less than US$499, which was the launch price of the most expensive PS3 variant.
[gallery size=gallery-thumbnail" itemtag="div" icontag="span" link="file" columns="4]
Recommended Comments