Skype Coming To PSVita Tomorrow for FREE

DiscostewSM · Apr 24, 2012

masterchan777 said:
The Skype app for PS Vita also features a “background mode,” which allows you to run Skype while you are playing a game or using other apps, so you never miss a call.

So I assume that the Vita isn't using all of it's resources towards games (and home) to ensure that it can run this in the background?

Foxi4 · Apr 24, 2012

DiscostewSM said:
masterchan777 said:

The Skype app for PS Vita also features a “background mode,” which allows you to run Skype while you are playing a game or using other apps, so you never miss a call.

Click to expand...

So I assume that the Vita isn't using all of it's resources towards games (and home) to ensure that it can run this in the background?

With a quad-core CPU it can afford to multitask quite efficiently.

By the way, background processes do not mean that the system restricts resources in applications - all it means is that the system is capable of multitasking via whatever means.

DiscostewSM · Apr 24, 2012

Foxi4 said:
DiscostewSM said:

masterchan777 said:

The Skype app for PS Vita also features a “background mode,” which allows you to run Skype while you are playing a game or using other apps, so you never miss a call.

Click to expand...

So I assume that the Vita isn't using all of it's resources towards games (and home) to ensure that it can run this in the background?

Click to expand...

With a quad-core CPU it can afford to multitask quite efficiently.

By the way, background processes do not mean that the system restricts resources in applications - all it means is that the system is capable of multitasking via whatever means.

I would assume the system does restrict resources. It would have to in a case like this of running more than one application at a time. Unlike a computer, the Vita does not have anything to fall back on should resource usage reach its limit. Take RAM for instance. When a computer is unable to hold all of its active (and inactive) programs in RAM, it relies on virtual memory for management. The Vita has no setup like that, and the only logical approach for this I can think of would be to do something like the 3DS does. Allocate enough RAM for just the OS and other background programs as one section, and games take the rest. How much for the OS? I don't know, but enough for its needs. If Skype doesn't take from the OS allocation, then it is taking from the game allocation, to which complications could arise. If it is taking from neither, then there is a separate allocation section of memory tied directly to such programs, not used by the OS or games, so limits are placed on each.

As far as the CPU is concerned, while technically it'll handle multi-tasking just fine, it'll have the same problem that computers do when the load is too much. Slowdown. I would assume they went with their PS3 approach, and have one SPE (or in the Vita's case, a core) specifically for the OS and such programs like Skype so that they won't interfere with the games.

Restrictions of resources.

Foxi4 · Apr 24, 2012

DiscostewSM said:
I would assume the system does restrict resources. It would have to in a case like this of running more than one application at a time. Unlike a computer, the Vita does not have anything to fall back on should resource usage reach its limit. Take RAM for instance. When a computer is unable to hold all of its active (and inactive) programs in RAM, it relies on virtual memory for management. The Vita has no setup like that, and the only logical approach for this I can think of would be to do something like the 3DS does. Allocate enough RAM for just the OS and other background programs as one section, and games take the rest. How much for the OS? I don't know, but enough for its needs. If Skype doesn't take from the OS allocation, then it is taking from the game allocation, to which complications could arise. If it is taking from neither, then there is a separate allocation section of memory tied directly to such programs, not used by the OS or games, so limits are placed on each.

As far as the CPU is concerned, while technically it'll handle multi-tasking just fine, it'll have the same problem that computers do when the load is too much. Slowdown. I would assume they went with their PS3 approach, and have one SPE (or in the Vita's case, a core) specifically for the OS and such programs like Skype so that they won't interfere with the games.

Restrictions of resources.

Obviously the area of memory used by the system is not accessible via User Mode, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the amount of memory dedicated for background applications has to be *fixed*, the OS may simply request allocation of memory and said amount of space in RAM will be allocated for it, similarily to how the PS3 handles it - memory allocation between levels can fluctuate. As for the amount of calculations background processes require, this also does not have to be fixed or dedicated to any specific core.

We don't really know how the OS of the Vita works as of today but my guess is similar to yours - that they went for the easy way of handling things and dedicated a single core for the OS simply because the Vita does *a lot of stuff* in the background as it is.

The way I see it, one core is dedicated for the OS, no matter how intensively it is used, RAM is allocated dynamically and the remaining three cores work in a Performance on Demand scheme to prevent draining the battery even quicker than it already drains. Sounds about right?

DiscostewSM · Apr 24, 2012

Foxi4 said:
DiscostewSM said:

I would assume the system does restrict resources. It would have to in a case like this of running more than one application at a time. Unlike a computer, the Vita does not have anything to fall back on should resource usage reach its limit. Take RAM for instance. When a computer is unable to hold all of its active (and inactive) programs in RAM, it relies on virtual memory for management. The Vita has no setup like that, and the only logical approach for this I can think of would be to do something like the 3DS does. Allocate enough RAM for just the OS and other background programs as one section, and games take the rest. How much for the OS? I don't know, but enough for its needs. If Skype doesn't take from the OS allocation, then it is taking from the game allocation, to which complications could arise. If it is taking from neither, then there is a separate allocation section of memory tied directly to such programs, not used by the OS or games, so limits are placed on each.

As far as the CPU is concerned, while technically it'll handle multi-tasking just fine, it'll have the same problem that computers do when the load is too much. Slowdown. I would assume they went with their PS3 approach, and have one SPE (or in the Vita's case, a core) specifically for the OS and such programs like Skype so that they won't interfere with the games.

Restrictions of resources.

Click to expand...

Obviously the area of memory used by the system is not accessible via User Mode, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the amount of memory dedicated for background applications has to be *fixed*, the OS may simply request allocation of memory and said amount of space in RAM will be allocated for it, similarily to how the PS3 handles it - memory allocation between levels can fluctuate. As for the amount of calculations background processes require, this also does not have to be fixed or dedicated to any specific core.

We don't really know how the OS of the Vita works as of today but my guess is similar to yours - that they went for the easy way of handling things and dedicated a single core for the OS simply because the Vita does *a lot of stuff* in the background as it is.

The way I see it, one core is dedicated for the OS, no matter how intensively it is used, RAM is allocated dynamically and the remaining three cores work in a Performance on Demand scheme to prevent draining the battery even quicker than it already drains. Sounds about right?

I made mention of the RAM allocation because of possible conflicts if both OS and games dynamically adjusted their usage from the total, as both could possibly require a lot at the same time, that when combined would be more than the Vita has, and a war would start. The 3DS has 32MB of the 128MB allocated for the OS and all its minor apps, with the remaining 96MB for just games. That is my assumption for the Vita as well in terms of allocation.

Deleted_171835 · Apr 24, 2012

prowler said:
and this is the part where you try to prove to us that you're not.

nobody knows why skype isn't for 3ds and i'm pretty sure skimping isn't a reason.

if i had to take a guess, it would be because it would be half-assed and people would just complain either way. it would probably take a full work around to get it to run in the background (what's the point having the app if you can only receive calls when you've got the app open?) while a game is running and then you'd have to give some notification instead of obnoxious light to know that someone is calling you and im pretty sure that the 3ds can't display notifications in-game like the Vita can.

If Skype could run on the PSP (2000+) with 64MB and a worse CPU, I'm pretty sure it can run on the 3DS. Just saying.

And yes, I know it probably wouldn't be as good as the Vita version, but w/e.

prowler · Apr 24, 2012

we've learnt from the ps3 that sony does not allocate 'just enough' ram for the os

soulx said:
If Skype could run on the PSP (2000+) with 64MB and a worse CPU, I'm pretty sure it can run on the 3DS. Just saying.

And yes, I know it probably wouldn't be as good as the Vita version, but w/e.

Re-read my post. I'm not saying it can't run.

DiscostewSM · Apr 24, 2012

I could see Skype actively running in the background of the 3DS, but that isn't without potential problems with how the 3DS currently does things. On-screen notifications aren't a concern, as I feel that can be done with an OS update if it can't do something like that already (nothing says the displays are locked to the games while they are active even though that is all we see). The question is how it would be integrated with the OS, as it would have to deal with needing cycles from the 2nd CPU/core, allocation from the 32MB of OS RAM, and whether it would conflict with the current OS mini apps.

But you know, this is a thread for the Vita, so perhaps we should move back into that discussion.

MakiManPR · Apr 24, 2012

Foxi4 said:
MakiManPR said:

Then why the 3DS doesn't have it?

Click to expand...

Pretty sure that the browser fares well enough with it that Nintendo thought it's just not necessary, alternatively it's in the works - who knows.

The Vita, Android, IOS have browsers and also the Facebook app.

shakirmoledina · Apr 24, 2012

thats the whole point with sony in contrast to nintendo.

sony seems to be joining many normally known and used features much earlier than nintendo. nintendo took their time with facebook. it should have been a launch app or something.

with this, it seems sony is not going for partnership with the big guns. a very safe strategy.

Devin · Apr 24, 2012

Trying it out now. I'm glad I don't have to worry about chatting with people on the computer, while playing the Vita. ^-^

Few quirks.

Can't use Sony Microphone. (Basically you're muted unless you use the built in mic.)
Incoming video is a bit choppy, but good. (My friend said that the broadcasting video was great.)

That's about it.

Gahars · Apr 24, 2012

Well, hey, that's a nice add on. Not really essential, but I'm not going to start complaining about it either.

DiscostewSM · Apr 25, 2012

People who complain about free stuff are dumb. This doesn't affect anyone negatively that don't use it, but is positive to those that do.

gokujr1000 · Apr 25, 2012

Wasn't Skype originally free on the PSP anyway?

Janthran · Apr 25, 2012

This would be great if I had a Vita

Guild McCommunist · Apr 25, 2012

Devin said:
Can't use Sony Microphone. (Basically you're muted unless you use the built in mic.)

There's a built in mic on the system?

Well, I never knew.

Mostly I use Skype for text chats and the occasional voice chat but I'll probably just stick to the computer for that. Maybe I'll use it when I'm at a job since "a job" usually means me sitting alone in a small room for a couple of hours, aiming cameras at boring board representatives as they blab on about how we're blowing our school budget on iPads.

BUT I DIGRESS.

Devin · Apr 25, 2012

^Yes it does. It's what allows you to talk in Parties, and use the application in Welcome Park.

Pablo3DS · Apr 25, 2012

Foxi4 said:
Pablo3DS said:

Foxi4 said:

Pablo3DS said:

WOW , Very Nice !! Point for Sony !! Now, the PS Vita is to a Phone *.*

Click to expand...

No honey plums, the PSVita is a portable console with dual analog sticks, 3G connectivity, video chat, voice chat and voIP-to-phone chat built-in now. Y'know, a console with all those things the one in your nick doesn't have built-in? Well, except the second analog - that was fixed by attaching a tumour to it.

Click to expand...

Tastes not discussed.

Click to expand...

Facts are not tastes. When the Vita has something and the 3DS doesn't, it's not a taste, it's cold facts. I can just as well say that the Vita hasn't got a 3D screen because it hasn't got one. It's called being objective.

You're the one who called the Vita a phone and you lecture me about not discussing about tastes? C'mon.

Praising a product does not mean that I am discussing tastes. Please respect my opinions, that you began to discussion, I'm burying it here.

Foxi4 · Apr 25, 2012

Pablo3DS said:
Foxi4 said:

Pablo3DS said:

Foxi4 said:

Pablo3DS said:

WOW , Very Nice !! Point for Sony !! Now, the PS Vita is to a Phone *.*

Click to expand...

No honey plums, the PSVita is a portable console with dual analog sticks, 3G connectivity, video chat, voice chat and voIP-to-phone chat built-in now. Y'know, a console with all those things the one in your nick doesn't have built-in? Well, except the second analog - that was fixed by attaching a tumour to it.

Click to expand...

Tastes not discussed.

Click to expand...

Facts are not tastes. When the Vita has something and the 3DS doesn't, it's not a taste, it's cold facts. I can just as well say that the Vita hasn't got a 3D screen because it hasn't got one. It's called being objective.

You're the one who called the Vita a phone and you lecture me about not discussing about tastes? C'mon.

Click to expand...

Praising a product does not mean that I am discussing tastes. Please respect my opinions, that you began to discussion, I'm burying it here.

There is a huge difference between praising one product and bashing another. You will not succeed in convincing me that your comment about the Vita had no negative connotation dear Pablo3DS, the moment you cross this line, whatever you say is no longer an opinion that deserves respect. If you choose to use an actually useful yet optional feature to undermine the position of a product you clearly dislike, you are being a fanboy. Your nick alone is a testament of your objectivity, don't you complain when people poke at your hardly clever remarks when you bring nothing but poison into the discussion.

I don't even mean to be rude now, not at all, but don't hide behind the cover of personal opinion because it is not bulletproof.

Pablo3DS · Apr 25, 2012

Foxi4 said:
Pablo3DS said:

Foxi4 said:

Pablo3DS said:

Foxi4 said:

Pablo3DS said:

WOW , Very Nice !! Point for Sony !! Now, the PS Vita is to a Phone *.*

Click to expand...

No honey plums, the PSVita is a portable console with dual analog sticks, 3G connectivity, video chat, voice chat and voIP-to-phone chat built-in now. Y'know, a console with all those things the one in your nick doesn't have built-in? Well, except the second analog - that was fixed by attaching a tumour to it.

Click to expand...

Tastes not discussed.

Click to expand...

Facts are not tastes. When the Vita has something and the 3DS doesn't, it's not a taste, it's cold facts. I can just as well say that the Vita hasn't got a 3D screen because it hasn't got one. It's called being objective.

You're the one who called the Vita a phone and you lecture me about not discussing about tastes? C'mon.

Click to expand...

Praising a product does not mean that I am discussing tastes. Please respect my opinions, that you began to discussion, I'm burying it here.

Click to expand...

There is a huge difference between praising one product and bashing another. You will not succeed in convincing me that your comment about the Vita had no negative connotation dear Pablo3DS, the moment you cross this line, whatever you say is no longer an opinion that deserves respect. If you choose to use an actually useful yet optional feature to undermine the position of a product you clearly dislike, you are being a fanboy. Your nick alone is a testament of your objectivity, don't you complain when people poke at your hardly clever remarks when you bring nothing but poison into the discussion.

I don't even mean to be rude now, not at all, but don't hide behind the cover of personal opinion because it is not bulletproof.

My God what drama you're doing because of my name, since I said I do not like PSVita?? I put Pablo3DS because I have one, and always enjoyed giving Nintendo more than Sony, what I said was not poison, it was praise, I was happy that the technology isadvancing. Now, do a favor? Get that pigeon poop out of your head, okay ?

Skype Coming To PSVita Tomorrow for FREE

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