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Tech Report: A Look At The Playstation Vita

LOS ANGELES (KCBS/ AP) -- Sony Corp. will soon sell a next generation portable gaming machine, which it is calling PlayStation Vita - the news comes shortly after competitor Nintendo unveiled the new Wii.

The device will allow gamers to be connected with each other over cellphone networks and Wi-Fi hotspots, and use GPS location-tracking technology. In the U.S., Sony is partnering exclusively with AT&T for cellphone service.

Larry Magid said that Sony is taking a cue from its big competitor, Apple.

The handheld has front and back cameras, a touchscreen in front, a touch pad on the back and two knob-like joysticks. Gamers will be able to play against people using PlayStation 3 consoles over the Internet-based PlayStation Network. The hardware comes with an accelerometer, which means it will also react to being held at different angles and being moved through the air.

KCBS Technology Analyst Larry Magid:

The device was unveiled at the Electronic Entertainment Expo, the video game industry's annual convention, where Nintendo also rolled out its new version of the popular Wii system.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services may have contributed to this report.)

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