Verizon to launch $200 Xperia Play in US on May 26
Comes with seven games pre-loaded
With game sales to date reportedly less than impressive, let alone any mention of hardware sales, Sony Ericsson will be keen to give Xperia Play the kick it needs with the handset's US launch.
As such, news that Verizon – the largest carrier in the region, with 104 million subscribers – has opted to pick up the phone in the US will act as a big boost to the device as it looks to make its mark in the Android arena.
Games to goVerizon plans to begin accepting pre-orders for the handset via the firm's website on May 19, with a view to a full launch one week later on May 26.
The handset will come pre-loaded with seven games in the US - Madden NFL 11, Bruce Lee Dragon Warrior, Asphalt 6: Adrenaline, The Sims 3, Star Battalion, Crash Bandicoot and Tetris – and be offered on a $199.99 two year contract.
Verizon has already proved the power it has in the smartphone market – iPhone 4 sales reportedly massively boosted when the handset launched on the network back in February – and it's also committed to selling games for the platform via its marketplace, V CAST Apps.
"The gaming experience can only get better as additional games are being created," the two parties said in a statement detailing the handset's launch.
"Developers have the flexibility to focus on content and not worry about binary file sizes when submitting apps to V CAST Apps."
[source: Engadget]
