The Sony PlayStation 4 is about to ship in a few weeks and Sony is already paving the way for their latest generation console by making sure that all the necessary things are in place before the big event. One such item on Sony’s checklist is the PS Vita, which will play a big role once the PS4 hits the shelves.

Yesterday, the company has pushed an update to the PS Vita that will allow the device to connect to the PS4 for Remote Play and second screen purposes in a feature called PS4 Link. Other notable changes brought about by the update include added parental controls, a panoramic photo setting to the PS Vita options, and an improved Friends app in anticipation of the PS4’s newly expanded friends list.

The Group Messaging and Party app have also been revamped with a slightly redesigned icon, new names and new functionalities, which now allow users to send messages to smartphones via the PlayStation app and the ability to voice and text chat with other PS4 users. The PS Vita can now connect to PS3 consoles through the Content Manager app that works over Wi-Fi.

PS4 trophies can also now be viewed within the PS Vita, while system updates can now be downloaded automatically.

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Sony has announced this week that it will be shipping the next-generation PS Vita by October 10^th.

The PS Vita PCH-2000 is said to be 15 percent lighter, 20 percent thinner and runs an hour longer than its predecessor. The console will initially be sold in Japan for around $190 (Wi-Fi only) and will be available in a number of colour options including black, blue, grey, lime green and yellow.

The package will include a micro-USB charger and 1GB of on-board storage. The new PS Vita will also have a LCD screen instead of an OLED display, which probably explains its more affordable price compared to the original PS Vita.

Sony will also be slashing the prices of its memory cards. From 4GB to 32GB, their prices will be reduced to $15 and $68 respectively. Moreover, the company will soon offer a 64GB Vita card for around $105.

As for the original PS Vita, the OLED Wi-Fi model will be bundled with a new “Play! Game Pack”, which comes with pre-installed games and a memory card. Sony says it plans to discontinue the OLED Wi-Fi model while the 3G/Wi-Fi OLED model will soon be included in similar discount bundles.

Sony also unveiled the PlayStation Vita TV – a set-top box that provides users with access to a range of entertainment service and PlayStation 4 cross-functionality.

For around $100, the PS Vita TV will provide access to Sony’s Music Unlimited, Video Unlimited Service and karaoke to name a few. Other services ready for the box include Twitter, Hulu and NicoNico Douga, with even more media providers signing up to offer their services in the future.

Moreover, the PS Vita TV will allow users to connect to a PS 4 for remote play, acting as a secondary terminal for gaming in case the main TV currently attached to the console is not available.

In terms of ports and other connectivity options, the PS Vita TV will include an HDMI output, space for a Vita memory card, a slot for Vita games, and other ports (USB, power, Ethernet). 

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