Sony PlayStation 4

Sony's PlayStation 4 companion app is now available for iOS and Android devices. The PlayStation App allows anyone to browse the PlayStation Store, and gives users access to system guides, manuals, and the PlayStation blog. PS4 App users will also be able to check-in on their friends activity, compare trophies, and view their own profile or recent activity without using their console.

The next-generation PlayStation 4 console officially launches this Friday, November 15, 2013. Official launch events are taking place at over 4,000 GameStop stores across the country, and some will begin as early as 6 p.m. on November 14. The PlayStation 4 is expected to be one of the hottest and possibly hardest to find products this holiday shopping season. Pre-orders quickly sold out after the next-generation console was announced back in February, and it is unknown how many extra consoles will be available at launch.

Sony officially announced the PlayStation 4 on Wednesday February 20, 2013 in N.Y.C.. The console itself was never shown, and a vague "Holiday 2013" release date was given. But Sony did announce plans to release a "PlayStation App" for iOS and Android devices. The app will allow users to download companion maps on their iPhone or iPad to use while playing certain games. Players will also be able to download content on the go, or watch and challenge other players. The PlayStation Vita will also act as a "second screen". Much like the Wii U's GamePad controller, this will allows users to stream PS4 titles from their T.V. to play on the 5-inch PS Vita display.

While Sony never actually unveiled the actual console, they did announce the system's specs, and gave the world a glimpse of the new controller. The PS4 is powered by an eight-core x86 processor and 8GB of RAM. The Bluetooth 2.1+EDR-equipped Dualshock 4 controller looks like past PlayStation controllers, but features a share button, three color LEDs and corresponds with the PlayStation Move depth-and-motion sensor to track player movement. The share button allows users to to stream live gameplay, and upload directly to social media sites like Facebook.