Sony said it will offer an SDK enabling developers to write apps for PlayStation Certified smartphones and tablets later this year.

The company is making available an open beta next month, following an earlier closed beta with selected partners in Japan, the US and the UK. It said that the beta “incorporates their feedback and will dramatically enhance convenience and efficiency of the content development environment.”

Sony will release a final version, with an annual US$99 charge, later this year, allowing content to be sold through the PlayStation Store on a commercial basis.

The electronics giant is planning to augment its PlayStation Suite content in Japan, the US, Canada, the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Spain and Australia. This will also include “improving” the presence of PlayStation Suite content on the portal.

So far, a number of PlayStation Certified devices have been offered by Sony Ericsson – now Sony Mobile – and tablets from Sony. The company said that it will “continue to further accelerate the expansion of PlayStation Certified devices.”