Report: Sony Developing PlayStation Phone and iPad Competitor

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Sony is developing at least two new portable devices: a cell-phone capable of playing "PlayStation" games and a competitor to Apple's upcoming iPad, which the WSJ says "blurs distinctions among a netbook, an e-reader and a PlayStation Portable."

Both devices are supposedly slated for release this year along with Sony's online media platform, launching later this month in the United States and aimed at competing with Apple's iTunes.

Interestingly enough, the WSJ is claiming that much of the gaming content to be available on both devices will come mostly from the original PlayStation. Though unconfirmed, the tech to run PSOne games would be easier to fit into a cellphone and convergence device. If true, it will be interesting to see if the amount of available PSOne games increases over the digital downloads currently available to PlayStation 3 and PSP owners.

Sony's mobile divisions are hurting with Sony Ericsson reporting a 41% drop in shipments in 2009 compared to 2008. In February, Sony also reduced shipment forecasts for the PSP. As for the iPad, Apple will launch the initial models in late March.