Sony Playstation introduces voice and data call features to the gaming console

The hugely popular Sony Playstation portable handheld console will soon have a new feature. Playstation users will be able to make calls, both video and voice, using a wireless Internet connection.

Sony Playstation handheld console will release a camera and a microphone, using which the gamers will be able to call other PSPs and some BT phones. The software for this technology has been developed by BT and it will soon have the feature to call to other PCs, fixed line phones and mobiles too.

This new call feature will be initially available in the UK at home or on hotspots. There are almost 2000 hotspots in the UK, in airports, railway stations, hotels and fast food restaurants.

It is believed that Sony has already sold almost 8 million handheld gaming consoles in the UK itself, with almost 24 million sold worldwide. BT eventually plans to give the software to other countries too.

BT's 21 Century Network (21CN), using the Internet Protocol (IP) technology, helps the Sony console to provide this feature to its users. 21CN in eventually expected to replace all other existing networks.

Surprisingly, this is not the first of its kind as in 2005, Nintendo had launched a similar application called DSpeak but it was never commercialised.