A new handheld from Sony? The PlayStation manufacturer could be looking to present a handheld option for video gaming enthusiasts. The project is reportedly named Q-Lite. According to Insider Gaming, the new handheld will be used to play PS5 games remotely instead of being its own platform with games developed for it.
The project makes sense. It’s being talked about when Google Stadia is over and there’s enough room to look at in the Cloud gaming space. Sony appears to be hiring 22 roles related to Cloud gaming tech, including one whose job will be to “Develop and deliver the strategic vision for Cloud game streaming at PlayStation.” A Sony job posting for a Director of Product Management for Cloud Gaming reads: “Are you a ground-breaking innovator in the Cloud streaming product space? Then you likely agree that Cloud Gaming is on its way to becoming a major part of the gaming industry.”
If Q-Lite exists then it will be different from PlayStation Vita, which is a portable console. The new device will work with the Remote Play feature on the PlayStation 5
Inside Gaming claims that Q-Lite will come with an eight-inch LCD touchscreen designed for 60fps gaming at 1080p and adaptive triggers (like on the PS5’s DualSense controller). It’ll require an Internet connection at all times while gaming.
Handheld gaming received a fillip with the release of Valve’s Steam Deck last year and the success of the Nintendo Switch.