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Besides Apple's WWDC 2011 making all the headlines, Sony also had a keynote at the E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) in Los Angeles. Sony confirmed its next-generation gaming device, (codenamed the Next Generation Portable, NGP) formally named the PlayStation Vita (PSVita), featuring a 5-inch OLED touchscreen and front and rear touch pads will cost $250 when it arrives in the U.S. later this year.

Late last year, Sony gaming boss Kazuo Hirai hinted that the next generation of the company's PlayStation portable handheld gaming device would learn from Apple's success with touch-based controls and casual gaming.

Sony's upcoming PlayStation Vita will have a price of $250 for Wi-Fi only version and $300 for 3G version (partnered with AT&T in the States). The price is a direct compete to Nintendo's 3DS ($250), and it is a bit higher than Apple's popular iPod touch ($229).

Sony has lost considerable share to Apple in the mobile gaming market. In 2009, Apple achieved a 19 percent share of U.S. mobile gaming market revenue, compared to 11 percent from Sony, according to Flurry Analytics. In 2010, iOS and Android took 34 percent of revenue, while the PlayStation portable shrunk to 9 percent.

Sony Ericsson recently launched the Xperia Play, an Android-based PlayStation phone meant to compete with the iPhone for smartphone gaming. In April, Sony revealed plans to launch an Android-compatible PlayStation Suite content platform that will offer PlayStation Portable and PlayStation 1 gaming titles.

news sources:
Sony makes PlayStation Vita official at a low $250 price (electronista)
Sony's next-gen PlayStation Vita priced to compete with Apple's iPod touch (AppleInsider)

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