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June Update: PlayStation 6 and PlayStation Portable future visions

 The recent PlayStation video about the "simulated" technology in development, discussed between AMD and Sony engineers that will power the PlayStation 6 was interesting from a geek point of view. But from a gameplay perspective, there is - IMO - no need for a PlayStation 6 for another few years. Especially with the limp Xbox is-it-isn't-it launch .  June 2026 Update : The latest snippet of gossip for Sony's next-gen systems is a modular/external drive that will connect to both devices. Allowing installation on the portable of physical games, and reducing the cost of the PS6 by making the Blu-ray an accessory (like the PS5 Slim).  I prefer the idea of a dedicated dock on the PS6 that connects the next Portable to your entire PSN library, and they'd better make it work as an extra controller, but I'm sure there are practical benefits to the extra drive.   That should also boost sales of PS4 and PS5 physical games, especially on the second-hand market, as folk...

Mini-LED screens would brighten up the Switch 2's day

Despite bullshit headlines like "Nintendo Switch Pro Alleged Secret Weapon Could Challenge PS5, Xbox Series X" there's good reason to hope that a second-generation Switch could ship with a decent display technology like mini-LED (not micro-LED) to make more of a consumer and user impression. 


Given that Nintendo isn't a hardware whore when it comes to console features, there's no guarantee that they will. But, if Mini-LED is affordable, and Nintendo want to make waves beyond a processor and GPU uptick, Mini-LED is making a big noise in screen tech, with Apple products supposedly getting in on the act for a 2021 iPad. 

Mini LEDs improve on current screens by using thousands of individual tiny backlights rather than a few lamps around the edge of the screen. These create zones that can be individually tuned for a better-looking display and output, offering higher contrast ratios and brightness, better black tones, are more power efficient for better battery life and are inorganic so shouldn't fade like an OLED, although my 8 year old Vita still makes the Switch look crappy...


A better screen gives Nintendo's marketing bunnies something to shout about while Sony and Microsoft wave their GHz and silly storage ideas around, but won't have much of an effect on people who buy Nintendo for the games. And as long as it doesn't push the cost up too much (pretty sure they'll stick with a cheaper LED version option), Nintendo gets to stay relevant, maybe with 4K output from the dock, and a few other gimmicks. 

The source for all this gossip comes from Taiwan and the Economic Daily News suggesting that Innolux Corporation and Nintendo are partnering to obtain the screens, to break away from its current Japanese suppliers (which are likely more expensive), ready for a spring 2021 launch, four years after the original Switch hit.

Currently playing on my Vita/PS3/PS4/PS5


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