Sony has continued the expansion of its PlayStation Network user experience by releasing an official, native messaging app for smartphone and tablet owners on iOS and Android. The multi-platform app, given the title PlayStation Messages, is essentially a very simple messaging tool that allows gamers to communicate with one another through a simple, familiar looking chat interface that offers all of the features which you would expect from a communication tool of this nature.
PlayStation Messages is essentially a PS branded WhatsApp style app for gamers who prefer Sony’s PlayStation 4 to handle their console needs. The app is being billed as a tool which allows gamers to stay connected with friends and connections on the PlayStation Network, even when they are away from or not in close proximity to the PS4 system. Stay connected, talk about the games they love to play, see who is online, and check what that individual is playing right at that moment.
The simple, but very functional, user-interface of the app does exactly what it needs to do by bundling in a very core set of features that make communication amongst PSN connections a lot simpler and more efficient. Users of the app are able to instantly check a Friends List pulled directly from PSN to see who is online at any given time and what game they are playing at that moment. There’s also a quick-access Favorites list where group messages can be stored for easy access at any time.
Of course, in addition to the simple-to-use interface, and the ability to pull in and view Friends Lists, there’s also the core functionality of the app to enjoy; rich messaging. Users of PlayStation Messages can send text or voice messages over the tool, as well as photographs and game themed stickers that makes the messaging experience a lot more personalized and enjoyable.
The app certainly isn’t going to be shortlisted by Apple for any 2015 Design Award nominations, but as a free tool, aimed at a very specific niche to perform a very specific job, it’s a great addition to the PlayStation experience.
(Download: PlayStation Messages for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch from the App Store)
(Download: PlayStation Messages for Android from Google Play)
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