Sony: NGP To Come In 3G-Free Model; PS Suite To Support Non-Gaming Apps

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe president Andrew House has clarified that Sony's recently unveiled Next Generation Portable will offer models with and without 3G data support, much like Apple's iPad. "The first thing to clarify, which I'm not sure the presentation did a perfect job of doing today, is that all of the devices will have Wi-Fi capability; a separate SKU will have 3G," House told Eurogamer. Addressing whether the 3G model would allow for synchronized online play over a cellular connection, House said it would "depend very much on the degree of data traffic that's being driven by that online game," hinting at potential limits on unannounced mobile data plans for the device. House also confirmed that 3G data access will come with some sort of additional cost to consumers, and that the company is still looking for partners to provide the mobile data service. House was much more definitive on the existence of separate NGP models than SCEA President and CEO Jack Tretton, who told Engadget "we haven't made any determination on models yet." But Tretton did confirm that Sony's PlayStation Suite of downloadable Android- and NGP-compatible games will also include non-gaming apps. Tretton initially told Engadget that these apps would be available on the PS3 as well, but quickly backtracked, saying he had misspoken. Tretton went on to say that the "holiday 2011" NGP release date discussed at the recent PlayStation Meeting would apply to at least one territory, but that not all regions would necessarily get the system this calendar year. "[We were] ambiguous for a reason," Tretton told the site.