Lilbits: PlayStation Portal Gains Cloud Gaming, Vectrex Mini Launches, and Fairphone Expands Toward the US
Fairphone Enters the US Market
Fairphone has built a reputation by producing smartphones made from ethically sourced materials for more than a decade. In recent years, the company has focused on building repairable and sustainable devices, some of which can even be upgraded over time. Until now, Fairphone’s products were sold exclusively in Europe.
Although some Fairphone models reached US customers through the /e/ Foundation, these versions were sold at higher prices and came with the Google-free /e/OS. The company’s CEO, Raymond van Eck, told Reuters that Fairphone is finally entering the US market — starting not with a phone, but with a pair of repairable headphones.
“It’s a pair of repairable headphones. That could be the first step on the road to eventually selling repairable, sustainable smartphones directly to US customers though.” — Raymond van Eck, CEO of Fairphone
This move marks a gradual expansion strategy for Fairphone, potentially paving the way for a future lineup of eco-friendly smartphones available directly in the US.
Sony Expands PlayStation Portal Capabilities
Sony has announced the addition of cloud game streaming to its PlayStation Portal handheld. Originally positioned as a local-network device for PS5 game streaming, it now supports full cloud play without requiring a console. This feature had been in beta testing since last year.
Vectrex Mini Hits Kickstarter
Retro gaming enthusiasts now have a reason to celebrate as the Vectrex Mini, a compact version of the classic vector-display console, has officially launched on Kickstarter. The updated design aims to preserve the nostalgia of the original while integrating modern features for today’s players.
Key Highlights
- Fairphone launches its first US product with repairable headphones.
- Sony’s PlayStation Portal gains cloud gaming support, no PS5 required.
- Vectrex Mini brings vintage gaming back via Kickstarter.
Sources
Source: Liliputing, Reuters, PlayStation Blog
Author’s summary: Ethical tech meets innovation as Fairphone takes its first US step, Sony redefines portable gaming, and retro fans get a modern Vectrex revival.