Report: PlayStation 4 to launch in U.S. by end of 2013; PS4 to have redesigned controller

Edge-online revealed specs, features, a redesigned controller and an expected release for the PlayStation 4 today. With all of the recent false reports going around to call out journalism, every detail must be taken with a grain of salt, but none of the things stated in the article are far-fetched. As a matter of fact, I can see everything stated being true.

While Edge-online doesn't say who their source is, they did mention that they have "development sources with working knowledge of both next generation consoles." Earlier today, Sony announced February 20th as a day to "see the future." The Edge article says this is when Sony is going to reveal the next PlayStation. It will supposedly be more powerful than the next Xbox, will ship with a redesigned controller and will launch by the end of the year in Japan and the U.S. while Europe will see a launch in early 2014.

So what did Edge-online's sources say about what to expect from the PlayStation 4?

The Controller

The redesigned controller will be the same size as the current DualShock. However, instead of the existing Select, Start and PS buttons, there will be a small touchpad in their place. The touchpad is based on the PS Vita's rear touchpad and will be similarly responsive. There is also a new Share button on the controller that will launch a new feature that allows screenshots and video to be shared online when pressed. According to this, the PS4 will continually record the most recent 15 minutes of action with no negative effects on processing, and then allow users to edit and share it online.

The Launch

The PS4 will launch in Japan and the United States by this Christmas, with Europe seeing a launch sometime in early 2014. There will also be an improved version of the PlayStation Eye peripheral and will still be compatible with the PlayStation Move controller. The Move will be available at launch, but there's no word on whether there will be a bundle.

Specs

The hardware in the PS4 is much more PC-like in its makeup than the PS3 was. Thus, it's more developer-friendly. Edge-online has confirmed with sources that the recent leaked specs are accurate. The final PS4 RAM should match up to Microsoft's 8GB by launch. Right now, Orbis' 4GB is less than the 8GB of DDR3 RAM in the Durango devkits, but Sony's GDDR5 solution moves data at 176 gigabytes per second.

Both of the consoles are powered by eight-core AMD CPUs clocked at 1.6GHz, with Sony utilizing a more capable solution in AMD's R10XX architecture and the "Liverpool" system-on-chip, while Microsoft opted for D3D11.x GPU from an unknown source. On paper, the PlayStation 4 will outperform Microsoft's next gaming console, with the source saying that Sony's console is "slightly more powerful" and "very simple to work with."

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So that's the report. We'll undoubtedly learn more come February 20th, when Sony shows us the future of PlayStation. It sounds like there will be a push towards sharing gaming footage with the PlayStation community and online, so maybe Sony buying the streaming game service Gaikai in July will be in the forefront of their next console.

What do you think of Edge-Online's reports of the PlayStation 4? Do you like what you're hearing?

You can follow Senior Editor Lance Liebl on Twitter @Lance_GZ. He likes talking sports, video games, movies, and the stupidity of celebrities. Email at LLiebl@GameZone.com

[Edge-Online]