Sony's PlayStation App Brings the PS4 Social Experience to Your Smartphone or Tablet

Sony's PlayStation 4 announcement Wednesday came to the surprise of no one. What was a surprise was how heavily Sony will be focusing on social interactivity between users. We were shown a brief glimpse of the console's new User Interface which touts FaceBook connectivity in that you'll be able to upload screenshots as well as gameplay directly to your FaceBook page. Additionally, Sony announced their plans with Gaikai and how they're allowing the gamer to shape their ecosystem.

Gaikai's role in the PlayStation 4 is simple, yet intuitive. PlayStation 4 users will be able to stream gameplay to the PS4's UI or Ustream using Gaikai. In the case of demos, users will be able to seamlessly try out PSN titles without the need to sit and wait for it to download - just press X and off you go. Finally, Gaikai will allow various PlayStation 4 games to be streamed to your PlayStation Vita as well as your Smartphone or Tablet. In the Vita's case, this means that you'll be able to play supported PlayStation 4 games through Remote Play with Gaikai.

While smartphone and tablet users won't get the chance to play PS4 games on their devices, they will get the convenience of control. This means you'll be able to purchase and download PSN titles to your PS4 and view streams of what others are playing all from your device through what Sony has dubbed the "PlayStation App".

The PlayStation App also enables developers to send information from their game directly to smartphones or tablets to act as a second screen of sorts. Vita users will also be able to take advantage of this feature. This resembles elements of Microsoft's SmartGla#s app that was debuted late last year.

With Sony taking such a social stance on the PlayStation 4, how do you feel? Will these features entice you to purchase one at launch, or are these simply an added convenience for you?

Sony's PlayStation App Brings the PS4 Social Experience to Your Smartphone or Tablet

!! better work on my Ipad...

would hate it, if only accessible on Sony products

It will.