Here it is, the Sony PS Vita. Sure it looks similar to the good ol' PSPs, but it packs a handful of cool new features:

• 4 Core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore Processor
• 4 Core SGX543MP4+ GPU
• 512 MB RAM + 128 MB VRAM
• 5" OLED Touchscreen running 24-bit color, 960 x 544 pixel qHD display and rear capacitive multi-touch pad
• Front and Rear 0.3 MP VGA cameras
• Two analog joysticks

The front holds the usual diamond of shape-coded buttons, a D-Pad, and two analog sticks. If that's not enough for you, don't forget the two bumper buttons, the three smaller buttons parked just below the analog sticks and, of course, the touchscreen.

The bottom side of the PS Vita is left relatively bare and is occupied by the charging port, headphone jack, and the memory card door.

The top of the PS Vita is adorned with the volume button, power button, game card slot, and an accessory slot.

• Your accessories may have more function and may not be as gaudy.

When we turn the Vita over, we are instantly thrilled to see a secret code!

• It appears to be a cheat code. We postulate that pressing all of the action buttons in order, starting with the triangle and rotating clockwise -- roughly 410 times -- will give you unlimited lives, moneys, manas, likes, whatever!
• Apparently the hidden cheat code does more than make your team in NFL Blitz 12 into a pack of running hotdogs. For the first time, this handheld device actually has a rear capacitive multi-touch pad. Curious how it could be used? Check out this demonstration!

Above the rear touchpad lies the first camera ever seen in a handheld PlayStation device.

It's time to play "Which card will work in my PS Vita?"! We'll give you a hint: it's the one labeled "Sony PS Vita."

Don't be fooled by the size and shape of the PS Vita's memory card. While it looks similar to the microSD cards surrounding it, there is no cross compatibility. That's right, if you want more memory, you've got to buy Sony's proprietary cards.

• The same rule applies to the game cards. They look similar to SD cards, but the pinouts and shape differ in such a way that makes cross-compatibility impossible. Sorry hackers.

The 3G version of the PS Vita can connect to the internet via Wi-Fi or the AT&T 3G network with a SIM card stored right in the side of the device.

• Currently, Sony only offers data plans as a month-to-month service through AT&T.

Common Phillips #00 screws hold the case halves together. All are easily accessible, though two are cleverly hidden under the accessory port cover.

• 10 points to Gryffindor!

We remove all the screws, but the case halves hold fast. Oh well, what fun is a teardown if the device just opens itself up for us? We prefer a bit of a challenge.

Our plastic opening tool easily levers the case in twain to reveal a sea of tightly packed electronics.

The battery is secured to the back case with a pair of Phillips #00 screws and... well that's it. There's no adhesive!

The Vita's battery runs at a standard 3.7 V and packs an impressive 2210 mAh punch.

We're confident that between the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G, 5" qHD display and two touch pads, every bit of capacity in the battery will be put to good use.