Sony on Sunday confirmed that the PlayStation 4 will go on sale in Japan on February 22, three month after its launch in the US. The company also announced a slimmer PS Vita model, Play station Vita TV as well as a new "NASNE" device.

The next generation computer entertainment system, PlayStation 4 (PS4), will launch in Japan on February 22, 2014, at a recommended retail price (RRP) of 41,979 yen (including tax). Retailers handling PS4 will begin accepting pre-orders from October 5, 2013.

Nineteen software titles developed by SCE Worldwide Studios (SCE WWS) and software developers and publishers, will be released in Japan concurrently with the launch of the PS4 system. In addition to these titles, more than 23 titles are currently under development, and a total of more than 51 upcoming titles are expected to be released for PS4 in Japan, according to Sony.

Furthermore, "PlayStation 4 First Limited Pack" and "PlayStation 4 First Limited Pack with PlayStation Camera" will be released as a limited offer in Japan, concurrently with the launch of PS4, at a RRP of 41,979 yen (including tax) and 46,179 yen (including tax) respectively. "PlayStation 4 First Limited Pack" will include a product code for downloading PS4 the exclusive title KNACK via the PlayStation Store, and a warrantee with extended coverage for 12 extra months. "PlayStation 4 Limited Pack with PlayStation Camera" will come bundled with PlayStation Camera in addition to the contents included in "PlayStation 4 First Limited Pack".

Sony also announced the new PlayStation Vita (PS Vita) Wi-Fi model (PCH- 2000 series), featuring a more streamlined form factor and a 1GB internal memory card. The new PS Vita Wi-Fi model will become available first in Japan on October 10, at a recommended retail price (RRP) of 19, 929 yen (including tax) in Japan. 3G/Wi-Fi model will continue to be available in PS Vita PCH - 1000 series.

PCH - 2000 series is 20- percent slimmer and 15- percent lighter than the original version. In addition, a high-definition liquid crystal display (LCD) has been newly adopted for the 5-inch front display. The new device also features a rounded shape. In addition, the PS button / START button / SELECT button have been modified to a round and convex shape and the device comes with a 1GB internal memory card.

A new power indicator and notification indicator at the top of the system provide users with various information, such as the power status or incoming messages. Furthermore, the system incorporates a micro USB port and has a stronger battery, enabling it to achieve approximately 4 to 6 hours of game play (current model is approximately 3 to 5 hours) and approximately 7 hours of video play (current mo del is approximately 5 hours).

The PlayStation Vita TV (PS Vita TV) is a new entertainment system within the PlayStation family that will allow users to access video services, games and various content on their TV at home. The new system adopts chipsets and system software of the PlayStation Vita (PS Vita) portable system and its size is 6 .5cm × 10.5cm.

With PS Vita TV, users can enjoy various video service s in high quality, including "TSUTAYA TV, " TSUTAYA ' s video service with more than 40,000 contents new and old, "niconico," delivering array of content including live broadcasts, and "Hulu," an online video subscription service with unlimited access to movies, TVs and anime , by simply connecting the system to the network. In addition, more than 1,300 software titles for PS Vita as well as various network services for PS Vita and PlayStation Plus membership service can be enjoyed on the system.

PS Vita TV will be available first in Japan prior to any other regions, on November 14, 2013, at a recommended retail p rice (RRP) of 9,954 yen (including tax). "PS Vita TV Value Pack” comes with Wireless Controller (DUALSHOCK 3) and 8 GB Memory Card, will also be available on the same day at 14,994 yen (including tax). Additionally, a promotional campaign will run at its launch in Japan, offering a PlayStation Plus 90-day free trial with every "PS Vita TV Value Pack” purchase.

Below you see the main features of the PS Vita TV system:

- For the Japanese market, a variety of video services will be available including "SKY Perfect TV! On - Demand, " "TBS THE WORLD HERITAGE S ELECTION," "DMM.com, " "TV dogatch" and "U - NEXT" in addition to "TSUTAYA TV," "niconico , " "Hulu " and video contents available on PlayStation Store.

In addition to the basic applications preinstalled on the system such as browser, email and party, an application for voice chat and text chat, users will have access to various network service applications available for download including; the Music Unlimited cloud - based digital music service, "radiko.jp " Internet Protocol simulcast radio service, "Reader for PlayStation Vita " e - book application for reading books and comics , and "LiveTweet" for PlayStation Vita" application that allows users to find what information they want from Twitter. New services such as the "JOYSOUND.TV" streaming karaoke service will also become available for the system.

Similar with PS Vita, users can put their PS Vita TV system in standby mode, temporarily saving the system status. With this feature, users will not have to turn off the system completely and can instantly resume their games from the point where they left off. Additionally, if a user own s a TV with CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) specification like BRAVIA Sync features , they can set it up to turn on automatically when the PS
Sony will also introduce a new color variation for Wireless Controller (DUALSHOCK 3) in "PlayStation Vita TV edition (White )", concurrently with the launch of PlayStation Vita TV (PS Vita TV) in Japan , on November 14, 2013, at a recommended retail price (RRP) of 5,500 yen (including tax) .

Last but not least, Sony announced the latest model for its "nasne" networked recorder and media storage device, which will become available with an 1TB hard disk drive (HDD) at a recommended retail price (RRP) of 22,000 yen ( excluding tax) / 23,100yen ( including tax) in Japan on October 10, concurrently with the release of its system software version 2.00.

Through the system software version 1.71 which became available in April, 2013, "nasne" is able to store various data kept in the memory card for the PlayStation Vita (PS Vita) system including application, saved games, picture and music, in addition to recorded digital terrestrial or satellite television programs, private content such as photo or video on its HDD.

The new software version 2.00 will add new features including the "Anytime Access” which enables users to access their "nasne” to enjoy their content comfortably wherever they are, and the " nasne share " feature which syncs 2 "nasne " units in real time via internet. It will also cooperate with "Reader for PlayStation Vita”, an e-book application offered by Sony, so users can leverage "nasne" as their book shelf to store books purchased at Reader Store, Sony’s online eBook store.

The "naspocket" application for PS Vita enables users to access their photos, music and private video s stored in "nasne" not only from their home network but also from external network such as Wi-Fi or mobile (3G). The application will be offered on PlayStation Store (PS Store) on October 10th at no charge.

The "nasne ACCESS" application for Android smartphones and tablets enables users to access and enjoy content stored in their "nasne” at home. It also comes with auto upload feature which will allow users to automatically upload photo s and videos taken to pre - registered "nasne" via mobile network (3G/LTE). Through this feature, those people at home can also enjoy shared photo and video simultaneously on DLNA client devices.
The "nasne share" feature will allow users to synchronize a specific folder in two "nasne" units at different places in real time via internet.