Sony 'In Discussions' For Third-Party, PlayStation-Certified Hardware

Sony Computer Entertainment chairman Kaz Hirai says the company is talking with third-party hardware makers to expand the lineup of PlayStation-certified Android devices outside of those made by Sony. "This isn't an ecosystem where we want to keep everything within the Sony family," Hirai said in an on-stage conversation with Walt Mossberg at Hong Kong's AsiaD conference today (as reported by Engadget). "That's the beauty of Android," Hirai continued. "We're in discussions with non-Sony companies to bring them onboard. We'll make those announcements when it's time to go public with it. This is not just for Sony devices." Sony began its PlayStation Certification program for mobile devices this Spring with the Xperia Play, a Sony Ericsson Android smartphone with a slide-out set of buttons resembling a PlayStation dual-shock controller. The recently released Sony Tablet S and the upcoming, dual-screen, folding clamshell Tablet P are also PlayStation Certified, meaning they can download and play digital copies of select classic PSOne games from the Android marketplace. Sony plans to expand the capabilities of these certified Android devices with the PlayStation Suite, an Android SDK set to roll out as a beta "tech preview" in November, with software available to consumers in Spring of 2012. Games designed for the PlayStation Suite will also be playable on Sony's upcoming PlayStation Vita portable, due next February. Developers interested in signing up for the closed beta can register their interest with Sony.