I just posted an article yesterday about my thoughts on the Xbox One, so it would seem fitting to post something on the PS4 as well.
I firmly believe that although people are tempted to buy the PS4 with it’s lower price, that the Xbox one could easily prove to be a equal or better value. Toms Hardware posted the can and cannot’s of the PS4 that really just confirms my suspicion that maybe Sony is not approaching the PS4 the right way.
Here are a list of things that the PS4 cannot do:
- Stream music from another device, including your PC or media server
- Play CD’s, or MP3s whether coming from another device or stored on your PS4
- Does not support 4K HD
- You can’t play DVDS or Bluray until you’ve activated online (problem if you can’t hook it up to the internet)
- Limited free online play
- Limited video recording fro gameplay
I can give Sony a free pass on the gameplay recording, a limitation here may not prove to be a fatal mistake. But the limitations on media playback, as well as lack of 4k HD could prove to be a real drawback for the tech giant. There are massive amounts of people who want to be able to stream their music from other devices, especially PCs. Since most people have their music stored in MP3 format, why wouldn’t you support it? You’re not doing anyone any favors by not allowing that playback.
What really gets me, especially with a next generation console, is the lack of 4K HD support. Although it is an expensive technology now, within the next 2-3 years 4k HD will pretty well be ubiquitous. Meaning, lack of support for it is just downright stupid in a console that could go for another 6-8 years before being replaced.
A large launch game library might help for the first couple of months, but I worry about the future of Sony in the console wars if they cannot produce a console with less limitations.