A handheld version of the PlayStation 6 has been rumoured for so long now that it almost feels official. It isn’t, sadly, but people are now wondering if PlayStation boss Hideaki Nishino was talking around the subject in a new interview published by Famitsu.

A chunk of the article is spent discussing the PlayStation Portal and its success. Nishino explains that the PlayStation Portal was one way Sony was trying to respond to changing player lifestyles and gaming habits.

That brings Nishino to this quote: “As I said earlier, how we respond to needs as lifestyles change is a profound challenge. In the future, by using technologies that can be used in various forms and various places, and by thinking about new game-machine experiences, I think we may be able to create something interesting.”

The wording is vague and confirms absolutely nothing. Zilch. Nada. But if you squint, it does sound a bit like he’s discussing a true handheld machine. Maybe you’ll be able to play God of War: Laufey on the train, not just via streaming.

The rumours say that the handheld will be capable of playing PS5 and PS6 games. Many people believe the PS5 update to allow low-power modes in games was actually building the foundations for a handheld.

Of course, plans may have been delayed. Famitsu’s interview was conducted in May and only just published now. In that time gap, we’ve heard rumours that the PS6 may be pushed back a year. Reasons reported include a general feeling that people just aren’t ready for a new generation, and the skyrocketing prices of components. Right now, analysts are suggesting a new console could be staring down the barrel of $1000+ dollar RRP, and a handheld wouldn’t be much cheaper if it’s intended on playing PS5 games at a decent rate.

So, what do you think? Was Nishino sneakily discussing a handheld PlayStation, a true successor to the PSP and Vita? Or is it nothing? Just a bit of smoke and mirror PR speak?