Near is a core PS Vita feature composed of location-based services, that utilize PlayStation Network. Near, developed specifically for this service and the network , will be pre-installed in the system to let users find out what their friends in the vicinity are playing now or what they were playing recently.

Users can meet their friends and new players virtually, regardless of what games they are playing, simply by sharing their game information across different dimensions of time and distance.

Users can enjoy Near using Wi-Fi, but to enjoy further what Near offers, 3G connection is preferred. Users will be able to obtain more information and encounter new players in real time by using 3G connection.

PS Vita is equipped with the storage media slot so that users can choose what memory capacity they want to utilize depending on their use.

PS Vita memory cards are available in three sizes and will be priced at the following:

• 4Gb Memory Card – €19.99/£17.99/$26.95 AUD/$34.95 NZD
• 8Gb Memory Card – €34.99/£31.99/$44.95 AUD/$59.95 NZD
• 16Gb Memory Card – €49.99/£44.99/$64.95 AUD/$84.95 NZD

No. Users cannot use a PS3 wireless controller on the PS Vita.

No. Users cannot use commercially available Bluetooth keyboard / mouse or a PS3 wireless controller on the PS Vita.

Commercially available Bluetooth headsets will work, however, it may function differently depending on the device specifications.

The PlayStation Vita screen is:

• 5 inches (16:9)
• 960×544 pixels
• Approx. 16,770,000 colors displayed

Yes, PlayStation Store will be able to be accessed from both 3G and Wi-Fi. However, speed of connection via 3G will depend on location and signal strength.

The PS Vita will utilize the new game medium – a small flash memory based card. Taking advantage of the flash memory feature, this innovative card can store add-on game content or the game save directly on the card. By adopting flash memory based card, SCE will be able to provide game cards with higher capacity in the future, allowing developers to store more game data to deliver rich, immersive games. We will announce the official name at a later date.

PS Vita flash-based memory card summary:

1. It can not only store the full software titles but also save data as well as additional game content data. Therefore, the game title can be concluded with one piece of card.
2. Users can play games by just inserting the game medium into PS Vita. (a separate storage media is not required.)

You can download PS Vita games and other content from PlayStation Store to a storage media via the Internet or buy the new game medium at retailers.

No. Users can enjoy PS Vita using only Wi-Fi (even if you have the 3G version).