Sony unveils new handheld device

Sony Corp unveiled the pricing of its new PlayStation Vita handheld games device at a flashy Los Angeles event and immediately ran into criticism the gadget was too expensive. The show featured appearances by sports and rock stars and was a bid by the electronics giant to move on from the computer hacking attacks that forced it to shut down its videogames network for almost a month.
The new device is aimed at competing with the likes of Apple's iPod Touch and the plethora of smartphones and tablets on the market. After the device was first unveiled in January, the show on Monday revealed other details, including the name and basic price. It will go on sale for $249, or $299 for a 3G mobile version, in time for year-end holidays, the Japanese electronics giant's No 2 executive Kazuo Hirai told reporters. The prices in Japan will be 24,980 yen and 29,980 yen, while in the eurozone the gadgets will cost 249 euros or 299 euros.