Sony's PlayStation Portal can be described as an extra screen that allows for more flexible gameplay at home or on the go. Photo: Sony Entertainment Interactive
Sony's PlayStation Portal can be described as an extra screen that allows for more flexible gameplay at home or on the go. Photo: Sony Entertainment Interactive
Sony's PlayStation Portal can be described as an extra screen that allows for more flexible gameplay at home or on the go. Photo: Sony Entertainment Interactive
Sony's PlayStation Portal can be described as an extra screen that allows for more flexible gameplay at home or on the go. Photo: Sony Entertainment Interactive

PlayStation Portal: Everything we know about Sony’s new handheld console


Faisal Salah
  • English
  • Arabic

Sony's upcoming PlayStation Portal hand-held console, which will allow gamers to enjoy PS5 titles on the go, is now available for pre-order at the PlayStation Direct online store.

The console, originally called Project Q, is being described as a “remote player”. Here's what else we know so far:

Design

The PlayStation Portal takes a lot of its cues from Nintendo’s successful hand-held console the Switch.

Consisting of a PlayStation 5 controller split in half with a screen in the middle, the design will suit those who find the controller comfortable to use.

The console features an 8-inch LCD screen capable of 1080p resolution at 60fps, which is a decent replication of the experience the PlayStation 5 provides when played on a TV.

Essentially, it functions as an extension of the PlayStation 5. It cannot function without owning a full PlayStation 5, as its primary use is to transmit games from that console to the hand-held device through Wi-Fi.

Sony says the new console is “the perfect device for gamers in households where they might need to share their living room TV or simply want to play PS5 games in another room of the house”.

The console can also support play on the PSVR2, with the use of Sony’s VR headset.

Sony's PlayStation Portal remote player will be released later this year. Photo: Sony Entertainment Interactive
Sony's PlayStation Portal remote player will be released later this year. Photo: Sony Entertainment Interactive

Games

The hand-held console will be able to play everything the PlayStation 5 can play. With a strong Wi-Fi connection, a one-to-one gaming experience can theoretically be replicated on the go.

Gamers can also tap into the PlayStation's large library of games through a PlayStation Plus subscription. Some titles will require a download while others can be streamed through the internet.

Price and release date

The new console will cost gamers a hefty $199.99, which is the same price as Nintendo’s Switch Lite.

Sony says the PlayStation Portable will be out on November 15.

Initial impressions

Sony’s previous forays into hand-held gaming range from the successful PlayStation Portable, better known as the PSP, to the underwhelming PS Vita.

The PSP was certainly ahead of its time in terms of options and capabilities, being able to play decent games – as well as the option of full-length films – on the go.

Since then, Sony has taken a back seat to Nintendo as a contender in the market.

While the PlayStation Portal remote player looks like an exciting idea, it is still hindered by having to be tethered to a PlayStation 5.

At best, it is an extra screen that allows for more flexible gameplay at home or on the go, and at worst it is an appendage to the powerful PlayStation 5, relying on it to do the heavy lifting.

Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere

Director: Scott Cooper

Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong

Rating: 4/5

About Housecall

Date started: July 2020

Founders: Omar and Humaid Alzaabi

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: HealthTech

# of staff: 10

Funding to date: Self-funded

The%20specs
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo

Power: 268hp at 5,600rpm

Torque: 380Nm at 4,800rpm

Transmission: CVT auto

Fuel consumption: 9.5L/100km

On sale: now

Price: from Dh195,000 

BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

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Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

Tamkeen's offering
  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
  • Option 2: 50% across three years
  • Option 3: 30% across five years 

GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8

Transmission: nine-speed automatic

Power: 630bhp

Torque: 900Nm

Price: Dh810,000

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

The Word for Woman is Wilderness
Abi Andrews, Serpent’s Tail

Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
  • George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
  • Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
  • Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
  • Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills. 
Hunting park to luxury living
  • Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
  • The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
  • Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds

 

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company profile

Name: Thndr

Started: October 2020

Founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: FinTech

Initial investment: pre-seed of $800,000

Funding stage: series A; $20 million

Investors: Tiger Global, Beco Capital, Prosus Ventures, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, Abdul Latif Jameel, Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Plus VC,  Rabacap and MSA Capital

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RESULT

Uruguay 3 Russia 0
Uruguay:
 Suárez (10'), Cheryshev (23' og), Cavani (90')
Russia: Smolnikov (Red card: 36')

Man of the match: Diego Godin (Uruguay)

Defending champions

World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack

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Russia's Muslim Heartlands

Dominic Rubin, Oxford

Skoda Superb Specs

Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol

Power: 190hp

Torque: 320Nm

Price: From Dh147,000

Available: Now

Updated: September 04, 2023, 8:19 AM