Sony Interactive Entertainment manages the whole PlayStation line of products and services. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, with global functions in California, London, and Tokyo, and game development studios around the world as part of PlayStation Studios. Sony Interactive Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation.
The company just announced its latest software roadmap, and announced PlayStation Portal (originally Project Q), a dedicated device launching later in 2023 that enables users to play any PlayStation 5 compatible game - installed in a PS5 console - using Remote Play over Wi-Fi. With an 8-inch LCD screen capable of up to 1080p resolution at 60fps, the device doesnt run the game itself, but acts as a remote interface that delivers crisp visuals and smooth gameplay streamed from the PS5 when users are not close to a TV. All of the buttons and features of the DualSense wireless controller, including adaptive triggers and haptic feedback, are featured on the device.
With the PlayStation Portal Sony Interactive Entertainment also announced its first-ever official wireless earbuds, which also have connectivity to smartphones via Bluetooth, together with the new Pulse Elite headset, which use planar magnetic drivers from Audeze. Launching later in 2023, the TWS earbuds and the Elite headset will also feature a new proprietary wireless technology developed by SIE, that will deliver lossless audio with low latency for a high-quality audio and gaming experience. More technical details about the PlayStation Link wireless technology will be revealed later.
Defeating the current limitations of Bluetooth audio that have been frustrating the whole consumer electronics and audio industry, PlayStation Link allows the PS5 console, PlayStation Portal, Pulse Explore wireless earbuds, and Pulse Elite headset to achieve low-latency, lossless audio. The vision is to enable players to bounce between devices at home, freely swapping between their PS5 and PlayStation Portal to play games and bringing their audio devices along for the jump.
Both the Pulse Explore wireless earbuds and Pulse Elite headset come with a PlayStation Link USB transmitter adapter, which plugs into the PS5 or a PC for low latency, lossless audio. Both the Pulse Explore and Pulse Elite also support Bluetooth audio, allowing users to enjoy a rich audio experience with a wide range of devices, but the PlayStation Portal device only works with PlayStation Link wireless audio (not Bluetooth).
Based in Santa Ana (Orange County), California, Audeze is highly recognized for its planar headphones used in professional audio, audiophile, and gaming markets. These headphones use Audeze’s patented technologies and unique planar magnetic drivers to deliver an outstanding sound experience for consumers as well as recording professionals. Audeze designs and manufactures all its planar magnetic drivers and professional headphones in its California facility.
“Audeze is a premier brand for headphones, and this acquisition highlights Sony Interactive’s focus on innovation and providing the best audio experience to PlayStation players," says Hideaki Nishino, Senior Vice President, Platform Experience at Sony Interactive Entertainment. "We’re excited to bring Audeze's expertise into the PlayStation ecosystem, building on the great strides we’ve made with PlayStation 5’s Tempest 3D AudioTech and the Pulse 3D wireless headset."
"Sony Interactive provides Audeze with a unique opportunity to scale our business, as we continue with our mission to deliver best-in-class headphones to recording professionals, audiophiles, and gamers," says Sankar Thiagasamudram, founder and CEO of Audeze. "We’re also looking forward to contributing to Sony Interactive’s efforts to take PlayStation audio experiences to the next level."
Sankar Thiagasamudram has already reached out to all Audeze users to confirm that the company is "very excited about future possibilities," and that it will continue to focus on professional audio and the high audio markets.
Terms of this transaction, including the acquisition cost, are not disclosed due to contractual commitments.
www.audeze.com
www.playstation.com
www.sonyinteractive.com
