The Wall Street Journal reports that Sony will release a PlayStation smartphone sometime this year in collaboration with Sony Ericsson.

According to the Journal, the device is intended to compete with Apple’s iPhone, and it will allow users to download and play PlayStation games. The Journal also reports that Sony is working on another device that “blurs distinctions among a netbook, an e-reader and a PlayStation Portable”.

The Wall Street Journal piece that makes the claim, however, cites only “people familiar with the matter” as the source for the supposed devices, so it should be taken with a grain of salt at this stage.

Sony Ericsson released the Aion last year, which included Remote Play functionality just like Sony’s PlayStation Portable devices. Remote Play allows users to remotely access virtually everything on their PlayStation 3 – except for games – wherever they might be provided both devices have internet access.

N.B. The pictured device is Sony's PSPgo