Sony has today confirmed that the open beta of the PlayStation Suite SDK (software development kit) to developers will be released in a phased rollout from April 2012. The official SDK launch will happen at some time later in 2012 and will cost developers $99. This will allow game developers to have their content distributed through the PlayStation Store.
This open beta launch follows a closed beta of the PS Suite that commenced in November 2011 and was open to developers in Japan, United States and the United Kingdom. The new open beta will be open to more countries and will incorporate the feedback from the closed beta to “enhance convenience and efficiency of the content development environment”.
So what does all of this mean to the average consumer? Well it means that Sony is (slowly) gearing up for the official release of the PlayStation Suite. Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) confirmed that it will be adding content for the PS Suite in a number of countries including Japan, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Australia. Sony has been vague when this will formally launch but they said a phased rollout will start later in 2012. This will include new PS Suite content through the PlayStation Store.
As things stand there are a number of PlayStation Certified Xperia devices including the Xperia PLAY, Xperia S, Xperia ion and in Japan the Xperia arc, Xperia acro and Xperia acro HD. The Sony Tablet S and Tablet P are also PlayStation Certified devices.