PlayStation 4 Release date and Features

The next generation PlayStation may arrive sooner than we think.. maybe even in 2009! But based on the past release cycles ( 6 years ), it should come out anywhere between 2011-2012, concluded from the study below -

PS1 was released in 1994
PS2 was released in 2000
PS3 was released in 2006
PS4 will be released ____ probably in 2012 ?

However, taking accelerating technology and growing demand into consideration, it's safe to assume that the PlayStation 4 console may very well be released before 2010.

The PlayStation4 could either turn out to be the state of the art All-in-one media center with Blue-Ray disk support, IP TV and direct downloads or it may be angled towards a hardcore gaming machine with much better graphics capabilities by adding more Synergistic Processing Elements (SPEs) using their Cell architecture ; And also increase the storage capacity to something like 1 Terabyte or more.

To imagine what a PS4 might be capable of we should look at what the current PS3 doesn't have or doesn't do well ..

Hardware / Software Integration

According to SCEA's CEO Jack Tretton: "The hardware guys developed the [PlayStation 3] fairly independently, then dumped it onto the software guy's lap, effectively saying 'do something with it.'"
The PlayStation4 could either incorporate multiple cell chips or increase the number of on-ship SPEs.The advantage of recycling the Cell is that Sony could retain a familiar development environment and use existing code libraries.

Technology Upgrades

Some obvious technology upgrades would include -
- 802.11n to replace the existing 802.11b/g chipset.
- An external power supply (to reduce the size of the box and to improve cooling).
- A massive hard disk.
- New graphics processor.
- Increase in the onboard memory.

The memory architecture in the PS3 splits 512MB equally between graphics and application use and this limits developer freedom. We can expect the PS4 to address this issue, giving developers more dedicated memory in which to load game levels. Although it's worth pointing out that the PS3 (and any future Cell-based consoles) can use the SPEs for maths-intensive tasks like physics.

The New Graphics Processor

The PS3 uses the NVIDIA-built RSX graphics processor.Rumours suggest that Intel is trying to sell its Larrabee to Sony for the PS4.

Blue-Ray Capability

While the PS3 was instrumental in helping Blu-ray beat off HD DVD, there's a strong argument for dropping an optical drive from the PS4 altogether.Along with the Cell processor, the Blu-ray drive is one of the PS3's most expensive components. The PS3's high price has forced it into third place behind the Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360. Sony will be keen not to price itself out of the next console battle.Console owners are already downloading gigabytes-worth of game demos, video trailers, full-length movies and TV shows. With a giant hard disk in the PS4, games could simply be piped straight to the console on release day; long install/level load times would be eliminated.

Overall Features

Will the PlayStation4 turn out to be an All-in-one media center or the console where the best games are played. The choice needs to be made as satisfying both the demands will push the PS4 's price tag much higher than its competitors , a mistake Sony Corp. may not be willing to repeat.