PlayStation Vita Gets Box Design, Core Apps Description

Sony has just unveiled the retail box design of its upcoming PlayStation Vita handheld console, while describing the core applications that will help users take full advantage of the variety of features that are included in the portable device.

The PlayStation Vita will be released on December 17, in its native Japan, and next year, in North America and Europe, so, you can imagine that Sony wants to make sure potential customers know everything they can about the device and make an informed decision.

The most recent step in helping them has been taken by the company, which presented the retail box design for the PlayStation Vita. As you can see above, the Vita will have the same design no matter the version, the only distinctive thing being the Wi-Fi/3G inscriptions on the box.

Besides the box, Sony also released the first official details on the various core applications that are included in the Vita's main menu screen, from the Welcome Park, which is a series of mini-games that highlight the main features of the console, to the already familiar PlayStation Store, so check out all their descriptions below. 

• Welcome Park – We invite you to the Welcome Park to explore and discover all of the brilliant features packed into PS Vita through a series of mini-games.
• Party – Fancy a chat while you’re gaming? Speak with your friends anytime you like with Party. The voice and text chat application allows you to talk to up to eight party members, no matter what you’re doing. Party also allows you to set up and jump in multiplayer games and chat with Friends while you play different games, bringing cross-game chat to PS Vita.
• PlayStation Store – A direct link to PlayStation Store where you will be able to download all PS Vita games, trailers, DLC and apps.
• Group Messaging – Another great way to contact your PlayStation Network friends is with a PSN Message. Send them an update or even a picture you’ve taken with your PS Vita to let them know what’s going on. You can message your friends on PSP and PS3, and you can have conversations with multiple people at once.
• Photos – PS Vita allows you to capture photos and this is the direct link to the camera and also the photo viewer application.
• Near – An exclusive location based gaming network for PS Vita. With near you can stay connected to all of your PlayStation Network friends and make new ones by sharing information about yourself, based on your location. Press the Update button and find new people based on where you are, challenge them to games or play cooperatively and enjoy a completely unique gaming experience on PS Vita. You can even send and receive new levels, unlocks and in-game items to enhance the way you play – everywhere you go will hold new surprises. You can view your friends’ game preferences, see how many trophies they’ve earned and compare your stats to see who the better player is.
• Trophies – PS Vita games will support Trophies and this app will store and track your Trophies earned on both PS Vita and PS3. It also allows you to compare your Trophies with your friends.
• Music – A music player that will allow you to play your own tunes transferred to PS Vita via a computer or PS3.
• Friends – Your Friends List will allow you to search and keep in touch with your PSN Friends. Click on a friend’s profile to see what game they are playing on either PS Vita or PlayStation 3. You can join their game, take a look at what you’ve played together recently or compare your trophy collections. You can also see your friend’s recent gaming activity and what they are doing now. In your profile you can share information about yourself. Choose an avatar that represents you best, add your friends and let the world know what you are playing.
• Internet Browser – With the 5″ OLED Touchscreen, PS Vita will offer a great web browsing experience over Wi-Fi and 3G.

Expect more details about the PlayStation Vita to appear in the near future.

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