Your Smartphone and PS4 console: How they’ll integrate with one another
Ever since video games burst onto the scene, the technology driving the console market has been constantly evolving. Stepping back to look at the big picture, it would seem that the overall history of video games (up to this point) has really been about building upon the concept of “augmented reality”, specifically, within interactive entertainment. Throughout the years gimmicks have come and gone, but the important thing to remember is that those early devices (like the light guns used by the original NES) laid the ground work for the modern bank of motion-based capture cameras like the PS Eye. Sure, the technologies are world’s apart, but one mustn’t underestimate the psychological impact those initial accessories would have on future inventions, of course.
Quite recently, prospective PS4 owners were informed of the upcoming console’s smartphone integration capabilities. This is another great reason Sony are giving gamers to buy PS4 instead of the XBOX One. Aside from being able to use your mobile device to enhance gameplay directly (via select titles) you’ll also be able to download and install a shopping app. The best thing about this app of course is that you can peruse the PSN library anywhere, at any time, choose a game, purchase it, and later, arrive back at home, with everything waiting for you. In other words, your smartphone app will be linked to your account as well as the console itself, even in your absence, the PS4 will turn on, download and install the game and then turn off when finished. Sure, many of you are probably thinking “hey, I can do it myself, it’s no big deal”. Seriously, don’t knock it until you try it – the truth is, this new, sleeker interface concept might very well improve your entire gaming experience. For newer or perhaps casual gamers, this type of smartphone integration also means that less time is spent trying setting up as opposed to gaming (which should be good for the industry as a whole).
With smartphones and tablets playing such an active role in society at large these days (as well as the video game world), allowing for integration with the PS4 is a really sound idea on many fronts. Remember, the PS4 will also make it easier to share content and updates via social media – when you consider that you’ll be able to do that as well as shop from the same source…well, you can see how this all might be used to build larger, more active gaming communities for Sony.
