Detailed within a recent Sony press release, consumers that purchase the PlayStation 4 at launch next week will have access to eleven, third party streaming video applications that include popular apps such as Netflix, Hulu Plus and VUDU. In addition to first party applications Sony Music Unlimited and Video Unlimited, other apps that have made the launch list include Amazon Instant Video, Crackle, Crunchyroll, EPIX, YuppTV and Redbox Instant by Verizon as well as sports-related applications that include NBA Game Time and NHL GameCenter Live.
However, there’s a number of popular applications that didn’t make the launch list such as HBO GO, YouTube, Pandora, MLB.TV, VidZone, Best Buy’s CinemaNow, Flixster, Dailymotion, ESPN or Slacker Radio. While it’s likely that Sony is working with these third parties to secure PS4 versions of the applications for a future release, Microsoft may have a slight edge on the Xbox One with HBO GO and YouTube support as well as a deep partnership with the NFL.
Microsoft hasn’t specifically identified what streaming video applications will be available on the Xbox One, but it’s likely that the list will be similar to the apps currently available on the Xbox 360. Since the E3 press conference, Microsoft has focused on featuring the Xbox One as a central entertainment hub within the home theater, thus it’s likely third party support will be strong at launch. However, access to these third party applications will require a paid subscription to Xbox Live.
Also relevant to video support, Sony recently announced that the PlayStation 4 won’t support DLNA at launch, unlike the PlayStation 3. In addition, the new console won’t support external storage devices, thus you won’t be able to play stored video and audio files. However, it’s possible that Sony could update the PS4 to support DLNA in the future. Sony Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida recently tweeted that the development team was looking into that possibility.
