Highlights
- Sony has filed a patent for a touchscreen peripheral that can attach to the PS5 DualSense controller, potentially allowing players to stream content and control the controller through the display.
- This additional screen could be a more affordable option for players who want to play away from the TV without buying the expensive PlayStation Portal controller.
- While it's unclear if Sony will actually release this product, the filing suggests that Sony is looking to expand its PlayStation product range to appeal to more players.
Sony has filed a patent for a touchscreen peripheral that can attach to the PS5 DualSense Wireless controller. Since its release in 2020, Sony has steadily grown the latest console's user base, with 2023 being the most profitable year for PlayStation 5.
Earlier in the year, Sony confirmed the release of the PlayStation Portal Remote Player Controller, which takes the technology found in the DualSense and combines it with an 8-inch display with 1080p and 60hz output that allows players to stream PS5 games from the console straight to the controller. With the PS Portal due for release in November, Sony is exploring further technologies that could complement the PlayStation ecosystem.
The uncovered patent shows a secondary input device that connects to the PlayStation DualSense controller. According to the filling, this "secondary unit" will give players the ability to stream content to the standard DualSense, as well as incorporating touchscreen capabilities. When the screen is combined with a PS5 controller, this would effectively give players a makeshift PlayStation Portal Controller, including touchpad inputs that are controlled directly through the display.
A separate screen for the PlayStation 5 would be a welcome middle ground for players who want the ability to play away from the TV without having to spend $199 on the PlayStation Portal. This will be especially useful for gamers who have opted for the DualSense Edge Controller which was released at the beginning of 2023. This device allows players control over almost every aspect of their controllers including mappable buttons and swappable analog sticks, something that the PlayStation Portal is missing.
The filing, which was recently released to the public, doesn’t include detailed information such as a potential release date or price, and could well be the case that Sony is only exploring the prospect of expanding the PlayStation product range. Prior to the filling for a touchscreen add-on to the DualSense, Sony also filled patents surrounding the possibility of incorporating smells into PS5 games with a detachable accessory. This smell-o-matic type product seemingly attaches to the controller to produce certain scents in an effort to provide a more immersive experience.
It remains to be seen if Sony will release a standalone screen that attaches to the PlayStation 5 DualSense controller as not all patents result in a tangible product. Given the interest surrounding both the PlayStation Portal and the wider rollout of the DualSense Edge controller, it does seem like Sony is considering this approach to appeal to more PS5 players.
