Why is Sony targeting the iPhone instead of the DS?

[E6600]

Another PSP ad and another attack by Sony on the iPhone, but why? It seems to me the DS is what they should be going after instead. Did Sony give up all hope against the DS? Going after Apple is not wise. Many don't consider iOS devices to be serious contenders in portable gaming (e.g. PirateThom) but this gives some validity to Apple's effort, Sony is surely taking it seriously to run ads against it. Sony tries to down play the platform by claiming the games are simple/immature, but if it was so then why run ads against it instead of Nintendo? Doesn't make much sense to me.

YouTube - Marcus Meets Kevin

YouTube - Marcus Don't Play That #1

Viddler.com - PSP Step Your Game Up <-- latest ad

BTW, did they stop marketing the Go? It is always a PSP-3000 in those ads.

[PirateThom]

Sony Ericsson/PlayStation branded phone coming soon.

[lol_pc]

The DS is pretty much untouchable right now so it makes sense.

[E6600]

It occurred to me that Sony is playing to its base. Early tweens who wont consider an iPhone anyway and would like to feel better about the PSP.

Just shows how much Sony failed, they went from "Gonna destroy Nintendo" to "Don't play on the iPhone". They are the biggest loser in this handheld war.

[downphoenix]

They know Nintendo can't be beat, and they know they can stand a chance against Apple if they go Android and release a PSPhone and also eventually open up the market for other Androids to play the games.

[PirateThom]

Why is PSP so popular in Japan?

Has anyone figured this out yet? Even when there's no games it still sells.

[E6600]

Originally Posted by downphoenix

They know Nintendo can't be beat, and they know they can stand a chance against Apple if they go Android and release a PSPhone and also eventually open up the market for other Androids to play the games.

But with the Android PSPhone all their attacks against the iPhone will be moot, plus it wont be buyable by the majority of current PSP user-base.

Originally Posted by PirateThom

Why is PSP so popular in Japan?

When I went to Tokyo everyone on the subway was playing a DS with no PSP in sight, but back at school here in Sendai, all the students play a PSP during launch break and can't spot a DS. Can't figure it out.

But probably it is because Japan is a mobile culture where people spend a lot of time on bus/train so the PSP makes sense for those who want home console experience but away from home, I guess. The DS makes sense for when on the train, while the PSP makes sense during launch break, guessing but no clue.

[Fyrus]

I think the DS would be a better lunch break console, because a train ride would fuck up your scribbling skills.

[rbbdrooger]

The PSP isn't a bad device by any means, it just fills a very small gap in the market. It brings console type games to a handheld.

The problem is, not a lot of people feel the need to play these type of games on their handheld. They play the slick looking shooters on their console, and they play the casual 5-minute-waiting-for-the-train-to-arrive games on their phone or DS.

[Olorin]

Originally Posted by Fyrus

I think the DS would be a better lunch break console, because a train ride would fuck up your scribbling skills.

What kind of crappy trains do you use?