Sony's much-anticipated PlayStation 4 will be able to stream PlayStation 3 games over the Internet, according to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

In a report, WSJ confirmed the next-generation console will "allow users to play games delivered over the internet". The report quoted people close to Sony's plans, saying: "The streaming service is designed to use current PlayStation 3 titles on the new console; the new device is also expected to play new games stored on optical discs."

The report also mentioned other enhancements meant to "bolster its [the console's] position in the market" but it did not reveal details.

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PlayStation 3 Limited Edition controller. The new dev-kit controller suggests that the controller will have higher specification PlayStation Facebook page

In June, Sony acquired Gaikai, a games-streaming company, for $380m (approximately £244m). Gaikai specialises in transferring compressed folders of games in real time. However, the publication cited sources claiming that Sony will not be using Gaikai technology to make new games available. Instead, new games for the PS4 will be stored on optical discs.

Destructoid revealed pictures of the new prototype PS4 controller, which reveals the new controller will have touchpad technology, along with a host of other changes such as motion-tracking LEDs and a re-designed D-pad. Since then, IGN has published the photographs as well, claiming confirmation from a "trusted source". However, as with Destructoid's first report, we should warn readers these are preliminary images and the controller may change by time of launch.

All should be revealed on 20 February in New York City, when Sony is expected to make an announcement about the PlayStation 4. Rumoured specifications of the latest PlayStation dev kit reveal the system will have 8GB of system memory, 2.2GB of video memory, an AMD Bulldozer eight-core processor and an AMD R10XX GPU.

Meanwhile, check out this video of the PlayStation Meeting 2013


[Video Courtesy: YouTube/sonyplaystation]

READ Sony Prepares for PlayStation 4 Announcement [VIDEO]