Here's what YOU WON'T be able to do with your PlayStation 4

It's not that it can't do it...

Sony just chooses not to... there's a big difference.

It's looking more and more like I'll be sticking with my PC this round. I'll upgrade once GSYNC capable monitors come out and forget this whole console nonsense.

Will keep the PS3 though. Hell of a media device and blu-ray player.

IB

Won't Play CD's or MP3s?????

Plus it only comes in black? This really is too much. It's the end of the world.

Wouldn't Buy Either

Well this is pretty disappointing info. Pretty much killed buying either one for me. I have two PS3 systems now.

Sony Bricks

PS4's should be seen in your local landfill soon! Not content with their recent reported loss Sony appears to have decided that it was not large enough. They're unable to connect in more ways than just video displays or external hard drives.

Costs

Perhaps all the features that are left out are to reduce costs. In the past when consoles were launched they cost more than they retailed (note 1). Only over time did the costs come down as manufacturing was changed and component prices dropped. Adding extra hardware for analogue TV support. and licensing for the software algorithms (e.g. MP3) may just be an attempt to reduce costs. Surely minimising cost (maybe minimising the power requirements too) would drive the choice of a 500MB, 5400rpm hard disk.

Whether these cost-based decisions (my conjecture), ultimately pay-off only time will tell.

Note 1 - iSuppli wrote on 11 Dec 2009:

"The new PlayStation 3 with 120GByte HDD model is priced at $299 in the United States—which means Sony sells each PlayStation 3 in the United States for $37.27 less than its materials and manufacturing cost.”

Source: http://www.isuppli.com/Teardowns/News/Pages/Sony-Gets-One-Step-Closer-to-Breakeven-Point-with-Latest-PlayStation-3-Design.aspx

CDs fair enough, but not compatible with PS3 games?

I can get the lack of support for CD's and old TVs - fair enough.

But not being able to run PS3 games or use PS3 hardware (controllers etc) sounds like a massive backward step alienating all the users who bought the previous product and would be more likely to be PS4 games and controller customers IMO,

Good

none of that matters, no consoles nowdays are really backwards compatible Sony tried it but realized it was a waste of cash with the ps3 and dropped the emotion chip that hardware emulated the ps2 and 360 backwards compatibility was terrible.

As to cd's and mp3s it's a games console. Unlike the xbox one which apparently is a machine for watching the superbowl. It isn't a media center. Most modern games wouldn't even work on a crt screen nowdays so who cares about that, also when it comes to a huge 330mb patch (so fuck all) oh nooooooooooooooo

HOWEVER

There is a real reason to feel a kick in the cock about the ps4, the whores at EA have evidently been bought out by MS so TitanFall arguably the best looking new game is a Microsoft Permanent exclusive.

Let the PS4 do the gaming

So that Sony can sell you a smart TV to do the rest

Dealbreaker

This just killed my console buzz, ps4 was looking like the way I wanted to go but no dlna is a killer for me, I stream movies from PC all the time instead of having to search through my physical discs to find the one I want. I will wait to purchase until they add this or I guess may look at buying an xb1 (seems underpowered if it can't run launch titles in native 1080p) or just wait a while for the dust to settle.

So its a games console and nothing else ?

Good luck with that then Sony, it was nice knowing you

Sod it I'll buy another Wii instead

blatant lies

Sony are full of crap if they suggest not playing MP3 or audio discs is an oversight, it's a blatant attempt to force ps4 users into subscribing to the ps4's music streaming service.

***I Know It's Long But Just Give It A Read

Out of all of the articles I've read, this is by far one of the worst. When I look up information on something I'm interested in, I'm not looking for an article with a TON of bias, negativity, and blatant disrespect for whatever it is. And nobody should be. Who cares if the PS4 won't support certain media. It's a video game console, which is why I'm buying it, to play VIDEO GAMES. Cool the launch line-up doesn't meet your expectations, so wait until better games come out from developers like Naughty Dog or whoever else you prefer. Nit-picking about the color available at launch, seriously?! What does that have to do with playing video games? Pointing out it won't compatible with old T.V.s? It's a NEXT GEN console and if you can afford a PS4, you should be able to afford an HDTV. Newsflash, some brands aren't all that expensive. 4K? That's not even close to becoming mainstream yet, so why support it? Maybe after this gen, then I'd say yes for sure. 3D technology? Games are crap when trying to play in 3D; all it gives you is a headache. And games may support it later down the road. Complaining about the type of hard drive needed to replace it and that it won't support external hard drives? Solution: buy a 1 TB hard drive that meets those specifications (which isn't even a problem like you're insinuating) and that should be plenty of memory. If that's not enough, stop wasting your money on digital copies of things. Why would you need your PS4 to stream things from a computer to your TV? If it's a laptop, simple solution: use an HDMI cable from your TV to your laptop, I do it all the time. If it's a desktop, watch it on your monitor. If that's not big enough for you to watch things on (which is ridiculous in itself), use a TV as the computer monitor, I have family who do that and it's actually pretty sweet. Not being able to play your "sweet tunes" or load up your '90's Cds to the PS4? Isn't that what a stereo system or iTunes is for? Besides, Sony can always add an update in the future that will allow that kind of media. 300 MB update to include things like DVD and Blu Ray support being massive? That is .06% of the total hard drive and I downloaded the Uncharted 3 map packs the other day, and each one was over 300 MB; that doesn't look so "massive" now does it? I don't understand why it's a huge problem that the PS4 isn't backwards compatible. Isn't that what a PS1, 2, and 3 are designed to do, play their respective games? If you still have those older games, play it on those systems. Don't be lazy, plug that older console in and enjoy your favorite games from the past. And if you don't have the system anymore and only the games, I have no idea why you have those games in the first place. Complaining about PS3 "doodads" not working with the PS4? I understand the issue with bluetooth headsets (hopefully a future update will fix that, which I'm counting on) but the dualshock 3, bluetooth remote (which does the same thing as a controller can do) and even a mouse? Really? It's designed to use the DS4, obviously and why would you need a mouse on a console? That was the most ridiculous thing I've ever read about the PS4. Why constantly nit-pick the PS4 to death about things it can't do (yet) and not focus on ANYTHING that it can do? It's not only this article, but many others. I don't see Microsoft posting an FAQ about their console, probably because it would reveal information worse than what Sony has revealed (granted I don't think they revealed anything that bad even). Posting something like that shows a lot of confidence and pride in their work. There really are no secrets about their console anymore, which is what consumers want right? No secrets from a company? It's mind boggling how pessimistic everyone is about this. I can guarantee the Xbox One won't be any less restrictive (but they won't reveal ALL of their info so we won't know until launch). Just enjoy the thing and use it for what it's meant to be used for, again, which is VIDEO GAMES.

The game recording would be useful for debugging, maybe?

If you're a dev trying to track down that illusive bug, that one a thousand rarely get.

I won't be buying either console, not until the dust settles anyway. The Steam box and controller look more fun and probably with cheaper games and discounts. Although I use Steam in my fast PC and just bought Crysis Warhammer for a fiver, and of course keyboard and mouse are the best control system for first person games - with what else can you look instantly in any direction? The Steam controller still looks a bit fiddly.

Meh, *shrugs shoulders and wanders off*

I don't think I'll bother.

The only question is, when PSN goes paid, what happens to PS3 online games?

How will we possibly survive!!

- It only comes in black. OH NO WHAT WILL WE DO!!

- You can't plug it in TV's that haven't been made in decades. GOOD GRIEF SONY HOW DARE YOU NOT MAKE TECHNOLOGY THAT IS HISTORICALLY VIABLE.

- You can't plug it in a 4K TV set yet. OH MY GOD SONY I LITERALLY CAN'T PLUG THIS INTO A TV THAT I CAN'T EVEN BUY YET.

- Nobody has made 3D games yet. DEAR GOD THERE WERE ONLY 3D GAMES MADE FOR THE OLD CONSOLE, HOW DARE YOU EVEN THINK THAT THEY WILL MAKE THEM IN TIME FOR THE NEW ONE, I MEAN COME ON!

- You can actually swap your hard drive for a bigger one if you want BUT HOLY BATBALLS SONY HOW DARE YOU MAKE IT HAVE TO BE ONE THAT ACTUALLY FITS INTO YOUR MACHINE.

- Sony hasn't done you any favours by making it a general purpose digital device. I MEAN SONY HOW DARE YOU NOT MAKE A GAMING MACHINE DO EVERYTHING. IT LITERALLY ONLY PLAYS NETFLIX ON YOUR TV FFS. AND DVDs. AND BLU-RAYS.

- It doesn't play audio CDs. I MEAN COME ON NOW SONY HOW CAN YOU NOT PLAY THINGS THAT HIGH STREET SHOPS ARE GOING OUT OF BUSINESS BECAUSE NO ONE BUYS THEM ANY MORE.

- You can only play music from Sony on it. HOW DARE YOU SONY. HOW DARE YOU TRY TO GET PEOPLE TO SPEND MONEY WITH YOU ON YOUR CONSOLE. WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE, APPLE?

- It doesn't play previous consoles games. GOOD GRACIOUS SONY I MEAN HOW DO YOU EXPECT TO MAKE NEW TECHNOLOGY THAT WON'T WORK WITH STUFF THAT'S YEARS OLD. IF ONLY THE PEOPLE THAT HAD THE OLD GAMES ALSO HAD BOUGHT THE OLD CONSOLE. OR IF ONLY YOU HAD ANNOUNCED THAT YOU WERE ACTUALLY BRINGING OUT A SERVICE THAT ALLOWED YOU TO DO THIS.

- Why would other hardware manufacturers ever want to make their stuff work with yours instead of you doing it for them. DISGRACEFUL SONY, YOU SHOULD BE DOING OTHER PEOPLE'S WORK FOR THEM. I MEAN DO YOU THINK THEY WOULD WANT TO MAKE THEIR STUFF WORK WITH YOURS TO MAKE MONEY OR SOMETHING. RIDICULOUS.

- The PS4 is always recording the last 15 mins of your gameplay and you can't stop it. OH. MY. GOD. IF ONLY THERE WAS A WAY FOR THIS NOT TO MATTER IN THE SLIGHTEST. LIKE, I DUNNO, MAYBE NEVER EVER SHARING IT OR SOMETHING.

- You can only share your gameplay on Facebook. I MEAN COME ON NOW SONY, ONLY MAKING THE LARGEST SOCIAL NETWORK ON THE INTERNET AVAILABLE IS JUST SHOCKING. SHOCKING I TELL YOU.

- Not everything will work immediately, it will be phased in. THIS LITERALLY NEVER EVER HAPPENS WITH ANY NEW TECHNOLOGY LIKE COMPUTERS OR OTHER GAMING SYSTEMS. EVER. NEVER EVER EVER.

sony ps4

Having now seen and heard about the ps4 I have decided not to go next gen simply due to cost reasons and such. I am sticking with ps3 and any games which some I have GTA 5 battlefield 4 and call of duty ghosts. If my ps3 dies then that's it for me and consoles as there getting expensive especially the games alone.

Music Unlimited and Video Unlimited

Who wants to bet that this will only be available in the US, Canada, and maybe three European countries. Anywhere else, I expect you'll just be shit out of luck.

Homework

PS3 also was limited to only Bluray discs for games. No games were ever released on DVD for it.

Also, Music Unlimited and Video Unlimited were launched years ago. They're not at all new and aren't launching alongside the PS4.

You can use SATA3 drives as well, they'll just operate at Sata2 speeds.

History repeating itself?

Is this a bit like the PS3 and the 360? Everyone loved the 100% backwards compatibility for PS2 games, and yet it turned out that the 360 probably had at least as much BC in practice. It just feels a bit like MS make all the gaffes, but respond to feedback and end up with a good product.

I know they're both good, but you know what I mean - MS with the 360 delivered a better product than promised; Sony probably a worse one.

that settles it

I think gaming shall be solely done on PC form now on

PS3 was a fab media center (very little gaming), and that will remain as is

Newell, play your cards right, and my gaming wallet is yours !

Have PS3, wont be getting PS4

PS4 will be too restrictive so I will have to decline.

Hell, if I had known they were going to pull Linux support I wouldn't have gotten a PS3.

I sure hope Sony know what they are doing. Im hard pressed to think of a long-run successful technology that started out open and which subsequently got more restrictive.

Music Unlimited and Video Unlimited already exist

... as anyone with a Sony mobile device can tell you. They're not bad, streaming quality is good, Video Unlimited suffers from not having as big a selection as, say, Netflix. Prices are similar to Apple, so you can definitely buy cheaper elsewhere.

However I'm surprised PS4 isn't coming with PS4 equivalent versions of the Sony Mobile apps - Album/PlayMemories, Movies and Walkman ... somehow I suspect it will.

On my Xperia I can have local music/video playing in the appropriate app, or I can tap Devices and select my home DLNA server and stream content form my NAS box. Provided the stream source is in a format the Sony app understands (which can cause frustration) it just starts playing it. I fail to see why Sony wouldn't include this functionality in the PS4. If the PS4 is willing to be my DLNA server, so much the better.

Also what's to stop Netflix from writing a PS4 Netflix program downloadable from PSN? Nothing AFAIK.

Sony smart TVs have tight integration between the Xperia apps and their own software, allowing me to throw content playing on my Xperia to the TV. I don't see any reason why Sony wouldn't put the same technology into the PS4 to offer Xperia users who don't have a Sony TV similar functionality - ultimately they'd love you to have Sony everything so why wouldn't they gear the equipment to do that.

Lack of USB connectivity and a small HD are annoying. HDMI has been the standard video/audio connector for ten years or so I have no problem with that decision. There's any number of adaptors to break and HDMI stream out into DVI and AC3 (for example), both of which can be converted to analogue if you really need them to be run through your SCART plug - good luck with the resolutions though.

No backwards compatibility with existing kit is irritating for previous fans. New adopters won't care.

As for the 300Mb patch - have you used an Xbox 360 recently. Every time I turn it on the bleeding thing seems to be downloading an update. Some are tiny, some are huge. Most seem to add more Sky content to my homepage urging me to pay Rupert Murdoch for his substandard football service and nothing else.

Wow

I'm actually amazed. What Sony really seem to be forgetting is there's a massive installed base of PS3s already in the market, which will be good for games for a few years to come yet and work brilliantly as as an entertainment hub. As far as I can see, those with a PS3 are likely to simply stick with it and not toss away their investment which means Sony is going to have to go after first time buyers who are just as likely to buy a PS3. There will always be those who have to have the latest console to play the latest games, but I'm pretty sure those people don't represent the vast majority of their market, I'd wager most are like me who wanted to play some games but also use it as an all round entertainment center, so for people like me there's actually no point whatsoever in getting the new console in its current form.

Ah but wait a minute - you have to buy all-new, expensive accessories for it, It's not compatible with the rest of the universe, you can only play what they let you play and they have a locked-in ecosystem where they reap money from the applications developed for it.... They're going after the iPhone market!!

My Amiga is better than your ST

Also, my C64 is better than your Spectrum, my Megadrive is better than your SNES and my Gamecube is better than your PS2.

Basically the same argument for 30 years...