PlayStation Vita: 5 Important Things You Should Know

By Staff Reporter | May 16, 2012 01:28 PM EDT

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Sony’s PlayStation Vita (PS Vita) has been called the future of hand held gaming. Unlike the PSX DVR, PSP and PlayStation 3, the PlayStation Vita does not use the XrossMediaBar interface. Instead it uses a touchscreen-based UI dubbed LiveArea, which includes various social networking features via the PlayStation Network.

However, there are a few things that you should keep in mind for your hand held that could help you when you are facing a problem with it. Here are the five things you should remember.

Problematic Ananlog Sticks: Sometimes the hand held’s analog stick refuses to respond and gets stuck at a certain point. When this happens, check if the application supports Analog Stick operation because not all support the dual Analog Sticks. Also remember to check if the Dual Analog Sticks are calibrated and if you are rotating the sticks in a circular motion where Dual Analog Sticks are enabled. The analog sticks will now be reset and adjusted to their optimal condition.

Game Card: Often the PS Vita fails to read the game card and creates unwanted problem. To fix that, try turning the system off by pressing and holding the power button for about two seconds and then tap "Power Off". Next, remove the Game Card and make sure that it has been inserted correctly before reinserting it and turning on the system. However, sometimes even this doesn't help. If that’s the case then you might need to update the System Software. You can download the update here.

PC/Mac Identification: Connecting your PS Vita to a PC or a Mac can be a cause of real headache at times. However, to connect your PS Vita to a PC or Mac for operations such as copying data, you will have to install Content Manager Assistant for PlayStation on your PC or Mac. Nonetheless, if you already have Content Manager Assistant installed and still can't connect, try downloading Content Manager Assistant for PC or Mac here and follow the instructions. Remember to make sure that the PC is connected to the net as well (see that the PS logo is facing upward when connecting the cable to the PS Vita system).

When the device has been recognized, you can carry on with the normal content copying via the Content Manager.

3G Verification: It is important that you note that a 3G connection on your PS Vita is needed to get the most out of your console. But even if you have a 3G connection, the device, at times, fails to detect the 3G services or you are unable to use it. If this happens then make sure that the SIM card and the network provider support 3G services for mobile data. Check with the service provider to ensure the plan being used is supported for PS Vita.

Picking Random Motions: Has your PS Vita been picking up random motions? If that is the problem then make sure that the PS Vita isn't on top of a conductive object (example: a metal plate). Also remember that if the system is placed on an easy electricity conducting material, the touchscreen may not work as expected. Lastly, make sure that you're only using your fingertips and that the screen is clean or free from any obstructions that might restrict conductivity.