What we heard: Though Sony competitor Microsoft recently purchased Skype for $8.5 billion and plans to incorporate it into Xbox Live, that might not stop the Japanese technology giant from offering Skype functionality for its newest portable, the PlayStation Vita.
Is Skype coming to the Vita? Image credit: GameGeneration.
An image from a Sony presentation given in the Brazilian city shows a range of logos, including ones for the PlayStation Network and Wi-Fi. Another company logo is shown, and it is for big-time Internet calling service Skype.
During Sony's E3 2011 media briefing, the company named its portable the Vita (formerly known as the NGP) and announced prices for the Wi-Fi and 3G models, but it did not say anything about Skype compatibility. However, the Vita's predecessor--the PSP--does offer Skype support.
Skype is the leading provider in the consumer voice over IP space, with 170 million users worldwide. Services include free standard and video calls between Skype users on home computers, the ability to call any phone number from Skype for a fee, and the ability to generate a phone number that can be reached from a standard phone.
The official story: As of press time, neither Sony nor Microsoft has responded to GameSpot's requests for comment or clarification on the matter.
Bogus or not bogus?: Looking not bogus. Given that the original PSP supported Skype, it would stand to reason that Sony would want to continue offering that functionality to its users. Further, when Microsoft purchased Skype, it said it would continue to "invest in and support Skype clients on non-Microsoft platforms," which could potentially include the Vita.
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