After testing the PlayStation Suite SDK with the PS VITA for a few days we ran into a few very annoying problems which I will explain below:
The VITA is very unflexible to code with PSS. Especially as SONY stripped compilers and features from the actual MONO framework which are important for decent development.
One good example is the modified SNC compiler. Native functions like opening the web browser or drawing pictures work without DllImport.
Sadly but common on mobile devices P/Invoke is not allowed which strips the range of .NET libraries which can be used a lot.
The SNC compiler is not following the standards like the .Net/gmcs compiler. F.ex. native functions, that are provided by SONY don't require a dllimport and are just declared as external symbols, while all others require a dllimport but are forbidden cause P/Invoke is not supported on the PSS.
Of course it is understandable, that the PSS is utilizing security sandboxing, but it total hinders the development of great applications!
Even if PSS is still in beta stage, some basic features in the UI Composer (it's still a cool thing) are missing. SONY, please take a look at Nokia's Qt or UIKit from iOS or iOS in general and improve it to enhance the quality for UI's in the upcoming PSS Store. Keyword: HTML widget! As far as we know not even the native SDK allows to use a HTML display in the app and as well opens the web browser app. C'mon *****?
Calling the external web browser through the shell is not of any use. As long as PSS is not providing a Webkit context, there is no way in developing things like HTML widgets or other applications in need of a HTML rendering/layout engine. This is also very frustrating, as the Vita is using Webkit for the native browser.
The most annoying thing we noticed is the license check every few hours. If you are not online with your VITA, you have to re-setup a network due development time --> very bad.
The client on the PS VITA is ok but it would be nice if you can delete projects directly via the client without uninstalling the whole app.
To debug applications we missed direct access to the applications folder on the VITA from PC. Surely you can write your own TCP socket on VITA to view and modify the application folder but that's just too much work for simple tests.
All in all the PSS is a nice BASIC concept but lacks a lot features. Luckily theres enough time for SONY to add all required API's until autumn like:
1) Improved UI Widgets (html, video, etc. --> look at Qt, iOS/UIKit)
2) Improved System access to necessary features (NP functions, more HW access, etc)
3) Improved debugging (file browser PC<->VITA)
4) Allow P/Invoke to some extend
5) etc etc etc.
Kind regards and happy restricted devin'!
- International Couch Entertainment LLC
