Spotify to launch in US

Award winning social music service, Spotify is finally heading state side.  The announcement has been highly expected  after the company completed a $100MM round of funding and secured music rights deals with EMI and SONY in recent months.

The service provides streaming music on consumers’ PC’s and mobile devices in a radio-like fashion while at the same time integrating social elements.  Spotify already has 10MM users in Europe (1MM of which are paid subscriptions).  In addition, the company is rumored to be working on a streaming music deal with Facebook.

“We have updated our landing page in advance of launch. Still no specifics on the launch I’m afraid, just We’re working hard to launch the service in the US as soon as possible. All we can say right now is watch this space!” said a Spotify representative according to Mashable.com

Sony’s new Vita handheld exclusively on AT&T

Playstation announced the name for their NGP handheld gaming device at their press conference at E3 this evening. The device, named Playstation Vita will be priced at $250 (Wifi only) and their exclusive US carrier will be AT&T wireless.

SONY’s new SmartAR Technology

SONY has announced they are working on a new f integrated Augmented Reality (AR)   technolgy called “SmartAR.”  The technology allows everything from text, virtual objects and images to be displayed through your  smartphone camera without the requirement of  special markers such as 2D bar codes.   The main difference in how this tech differers from existing AR applications is it’s s ability to display images to users in the 3D space.  Check out the video above.

3Net’s First 3D “Sportumentary,” Bullproof

A first-ever 3D “sportumentary” series, Bullproof debuts this Thursday at 9p on 3net, the joint 24/7 3D network from Sony, Discovery and IMAX.  Bullproof is a one-hour weekly series chronicling a group of professional bullfighters who risk their lives to save cowboys competing in the Championship Bull Riding (CBR) circuit.  Wildeyes Productions and Digital Revolution Studios produce the series.

via Cynopsis

For those unfamiliar with the network, check out their sizzle reel below.

Related Articles

• February 13: 3net, World’s First 24/7 3D Television Network, Debuts On DirecTV (crunchgear.com)

SONY Announces New PSP, Tentatively called NGP

Image via Engadget

This morning SONY announced their next-generation PSP device tentatively called NGP.  The device will revolve around 5 key concept areas:

1. Revolutionary User Interface
2. Social Connectivity
3. Location-based Entertainment
4. Converging Real and Virtual (augmented Reality)
5. Compatibility with PlayStation Suite (PSP and content from the  PlayStation Store)

Feature Highlights Include:

• Quad-core ARM Cortex A9 processor
• 5″ touchscreen OLED display with 960×544 resolution
• Dual analog sticks
• 3G, WiFi, GPS
• A rear mounted touchpad
• Front & back cameras

Don’t worry you have time to save up for it.  It’s not available until Christmas!

Related Articles

• Boom! Sony’s NGP (tentative) handheld is a PS3 in your pocket (dvice.com)
• Sony’s next PSP (codename NGP): a closer look (engadget.com)