PlayStation reveals Vita packaging and apps

Sony PlayStation has unveiled the packaging for its new Vita handheld console and detailed ten apps that constitute its home screen, even though it won't launch outside of Japan until 2012.

The first is a Welcome Park app that introduces owners to the Vita's features, and six of the rest are easily recognizable for PlayStation 3 users.

The friends lists and trophy collections coordinate across both consoles, and there's direct access to the PlayStation Store.

Added to that there's a music player, a photo gallery that links with the Vita's cameras, a web browser and a group messaging service that works across Vita, PS3 and PSP.

New for Vita is Party's voice chat app, which lets users talk to each other regardless of whatever other app or game is running -- something that, in its absence from PS3, has been the source of much ribbing from Xbox 360 owners who enjoy a similar feature.

There's also Near, a location-based feature that, with permission, can find other Vita players nearby.

Skype, Twitter, Facebook and Foursquare are among other apps heading to Vita.

Like the Nintendo 3DS, Sony's shiny portable plaything comes with WiFi built in as standard (€249 / £229 / $249 / ¥24,980) and, like the Kindle and iPad, a WiFi + 3G model is available at a higher price (€299 / £279 / $299 / ¥29,980).

Data plans have been announced for Japan, where the Vita launches on December 17, with 20 hours of 3G access over 30 days costs ¥980 (~$13). 100 hours over 180 days are priced at ¥4,980 (~$65).