The PS4 will feature a cloud-based service for streaming current-gen backwards compatible games, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Rumors have suggested that neither the next Xbox or PlayStation would support software from last-gen hardware. The service, created by former game streaming service Gaikai, would technically allow users access to the extended PlayStation catalog, while circumventing the need for Sony to outfit the console for playing PS3-era Blu-Ray discs.
According to the report, Sony is "investing heavily" in Gaikai, which the console-maker purchased for a reported $380 million in 2012.
Sony is expected to unveil the next PlayStation at a press conference in New York on Wednesday, February 20th. Recent photos of a console dev kit–shown above–have shown the console's controller, which features a front-facing touch-pad and motion-control bar. According WSJ, Sony will also unveil a new version of the camera used to power the PlayStation Move, which will support the motion-based functionality of the controller.
It's widely expected that Sony plans to launch the next PlayStation in late 2013.
