Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. in Japan has developed a kinda cool device: a personal digital assistant that uses data from PlayStation memory cards. It us about the same size as a Tamagotchi, and can also be used to play games.

The unit will feature an LCD display and be capable of infrared communication between the PDA and other devices.

It uses PlayStation memory cards as its primary format, and software will be downloaded onto the cards via PlayStation discs (You flip the PDA up to insert it into the PlayStation memory card slot, where you can exchange data with a PlayStation game or copy a friend's data).

The scenario is that developers could make a fighting game (or RPG, or any character-based game) where the player could train his fighter using both the PlayStation at home and the PDA when he's out and about. Gamers could then plug it back into the PlayStation and duke it out with a friend's fighter in color on the big screen.

PDA stands for Personal Digital Assistant, it's a new high tech product already developed by Casio, Citizen, and Seiko. It's originally for the computers: that contains a LCD capable of displaying 14 to 16 characters of text and the infrared port allows you to download your schedule for the next two weeks, selective fax and phone numbers, a list of the best restaurants you know, your travel itinerary, and anniversary dates of your best friends. Launch: 12/23 at 3,000 yen

Technical Specifications:

CPU: ARM7T (32 bits Risc)

Memory: 2 kb SRam

Card Memory: Flash RAM 128 kb Standard Playstation

Resolution: 32x32 dot / monochrome LCD

Sound: 4 bits PCM

Pad: 5 buttons + 1 reset button

Others: com. infrared communication

ID Number

Battery backup (for the calendar)

Other: Infrared communication: done by direction, aiming the unit at another unit LED Power display

Built-in Calendar