Take this for what
you will, but PSPworld has it from an "anonymous source" that the next version of Sony's PSP (the PSP2, if
you will, or perhaps it'll be the PSPtwo?) will feature a new video chat service via a tiny integrated camera which
will allow users to stream live video to the PlayStation 3 via WiFi before linking up with that
HUB PlayStation service. The
off-the-shelf video camera is said to be located directly below the PSP's screen (where the logo is currently) and
presumably of the
Motion
Eye variety already available in some Sony Ericsson phones and
Vaio laptops. Oh, and
that
8GB of
NAND storage rumor -- not gonna happen according to this source. It'll still be NAND but of the 4GB variety
instead. We should also see about 1/4-inch whittled off the current PSP choice of black,
white, and
silver. We're not in a position to vouch or validify any of these rumors, however, so if it doesn't happen, not our
deal (but if it turns out to be true, you heard it here first -- hopefully)!
[Via
TGDaily]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
xbox360dsPSP @ Feb 24th 2006 8:17AM
How about some new games that don't feel like I'm playing on a PS2 four years ago?
A new version of the handheld is the worst thing that Sony can do. They should just bundle it with a 4GB memory stick duo and call it day for now.
mike @ Feb 24th 2006 8:36AM
please.. that they're actually talking about the next version already.. amazing..
that's just brutal...
the DS hasn't even started to hit its stride.. Metroid online will be amazing.. FF3.. in 3D.. all the RPGs... *droools
Luis D. @ Feb 24th 2006 8:42AM
Nintendo is releasing a new version of the DS soon and it's being met with great anticipation yet if Sony decides to release a new version of the PSP then it's a disaster? What gives?
Baxter Madu @ Feb 24th 2006 8:50AM
Luis,
because it hasn't been a year since the PSP's introduction, a lot of the owners will, rightly, be very annoyed. Sony hasn't done alot to get their customers decent games on the thing, and they wait, with something that cost 250+.
On the other hand, the original DS has good games, but is ugly. The new one looks very good, and is much more reasonable price wise to upgrade to.
Pata @ Feb 24th 2006 8:54AM
@ Luis D.
"Nintendo is releasing a new version of the DS soon and it's being met with great anticipation yet if Sony decides to release a new version of the PSP then it's a disaster? What gives?"
The difference is that the DS Lite is simply a design adjustment with a better screen. This new PSP, however, is adding new features to the PSP. It could mean that certain games or services will be unavaliable to inital adopters of the original PSP. Maybe original PSPs won't be able to stream certain content from Sony HUB, or in the worst case scenerio, there may even be games that have a "Only for PSPtwo" label on it.
It's not nice to screw over your customers.
saboola @ Feb 24th 2006 8:56AM
Maybe they should call this PSP the PSP N-Gage edition? Sony are doing everything wrong with the PSP and nothing right. Adding to the PSP all these features (web browser, RSS reader, video streamer) and now hardware additions, not to mention that it is "cheese you can play outside". Does this thing even play games anymore? I originally bought my DS to tide me over till I got my PSP. My PSP battery at this point has been dead for six months, I have not even bothered to recharge it. I dont need to mention however that my DS does in fact get play time. Sad, but true.
streetstealth @ Feb 24th 2006 9:03AM
Open firmware!
I can dream.
Oh, and by the way, it's "validate," dude. Just had to shout it out.
Phil @ Feb 24th 2006 9:04AM
It looks like Sony are supporting the homebrew community with the storage they need for multiple emulators, versions of linux, assorted homebrew software and craploads of ROM goodness. Not to mention pirated music and films. The PSP == PMP? And it seems they to want to make it into a WIFI videophone too. Maybe they should do what makes sense with a portable gaming device and concentate on improving the GAMES, otherwise they'd do best sodding off back to the portable media player market.
Besides- Converging multiple devices into one gadget with todays battery technology is just asking for trouble. I much prefer a spate of SD card supporting devices which all excel in their own particular market. I'm no fanboy... but as far as the PSP goes; meh, Sony are trying too hard.
I think I'll stick with my DS for games, my phone for.. you know... phone calls, my GP2X for emulation and my over-active imagination for music. Or just read a good book on the bus.
#2
Sure, the DS is recieving an update... but it needs one. It could benefit greatly from an improved image and a little surplus bulk shaved off here and there, not to mention some brighter screens. Sure it's taking steps toward the silly fashion accessory image of the PSP, but they're not compromising functionality. I don't see Nintendo shoving in more superfluous features and storage just to try and sell something which is "supposed" to be a games console. Where have the simpler times gone? When a phone was a phone, a walkman played only music, a gameboy played games and you could always tell who the evil guy was because he wore a dapper suit, a sweeping cloak, carried a silver tipped cane and laughed manically!
distantbody @ Feb 24th 2006 9:06AM
...That UMD drive is some serious baggage...
/
Let us wish hemorrhoids upon the sony decision-makers
Jack Blackwell @ Feb 24th 2006 9:11AM
Why are they thinking of making a PSP2 there aren't even any good games out for the PSP! i am not going tp buy it if it comes out!
Dave @ Feb 24th 2006 9:16AM
Sony's got some SERIOUS management problems, but I just can't believe that they'd do anything quite this dumb.
Here's a quiz, Sony... are you:
A. Screwing your early adopters, those of us who actually made your console viable.
B. Totally not understanding the market. The DS is ugly as SIN (though not for much longer) and yet it sells like hotcakes. Why? Gee, uh, I don't know Sony...
C. Dumb as hell for putting so much emphasis on multimedia which is inherantly crippled by system restrictions?
D. All of the above.
I'll give you a hint. It's D.
Mike @ Feb 24th 2006 9:17AM
How on earth are they going to make the unit any smaller unless they reduce the size of the buttons or the screen?
Further, how much will the thing cost with 4gig of flash in-tow? It'd have to be AT LEAST $350, IMHO.
matt @ Feb 24th 2006 9:18AM
Jack, i agree with you totally, they could make the thing a cell phone put a dv camera in it, make it a toaster, there aren't any decent games out on it. My psp sits in my closet most of the time while i play advanced wars on my ds ... so sad...
Luis D. @ Feb 24th 2006 9:19AM
And let's not forget that these are just rumours from an 'anonymous' source, nothing is set in stone, you guys seem to be reacting to all this news as if it was coming from Sony's mouth.
Eric @ Feb 24th 2006 9:21AM
PSPtwo can't be right. The PS1 didn't become the PS1two, the PS2 didn't become the PS2two. Following the naming convention would make the new PSP the PSPee.
Hacp @ Feb 24th 2006 9:35AM
mike, they are probably going to shave the depth of the PSP, like the Ipod did with its Ipod with Video version. Also, the PSP does have a little room(very little but still room) height wise to slim down.
David I. @ Feb 24th 2006 9:46AM
Well, look on the bright side... at least now they will stop releasing new firmware versions (maybe) for the PSP.
Black Guy @ Feb 24th 2006 10:01AM
This shit happens iWill NEVER buy another Sony product again. iBought the damn PSP believing it would be hot and that Nintendo will finally have some viable competition.
Sony has not delivered & they r in no position to update the PSP w/ so many features when they haven't even addressed the drought of good games. Didn't Sega start playing around like this and ultimately lost consumers' trust?
This happens; never again.
Jerome @ Feb 24th 2006 10:10AM
I don't believe this PSP2 shit!
Rumors!
Q @ Feb 24th 2006 10:18AM
I hate Sony. Apparently there are about 14 different versions of the PS2. And the latest version (which happened to be the one I bought) doesn't work with several PS2 games! Seriously, here's a list from Sony:
http://www.us.playstation.com/ConsumerAlerts.aspx?id=softwareTitles_75001.html
What kind of company would have their latest version not capable of playing it's own format of games? 2005 games even? Now they are just going to start screwing PSP owners as well. I guess they do think the PSP is an iPod.
Jared @ Feb 24th 2006 11:19AM
Sony is taking a huge risk if it releases a PSP with any amount of on-board RAM. It'll eat into memory stick, game, and already-sagging UMD sales as the pirates/homebrewers have a field day with it.
#5, that cheese commercial is infinitely worse than even Nintendo's lame Super Mario Sunshine one. At least I could point and laugh at the SMS commercial, but this one is just sad.
Kamalot @ Feb 24th 2006 11:21AM
Gawd, I hope they get the PSP 1.5 right. It needs a screen that does not ghost. It needs better battery life. It needs faster loading times. It needs a better analog nub. It needs buttons that aren't misaligned.
Having said all that, the hardware is plenty powerful. What it needs above all is excellent games for the system. Adding a few gigs to play some music won't make people give up their iPod Nano. It won't make anyone who has the first PSP happy. Most of all, it sure as hell won't fix the sorry-ass GAME situation.
If the biggest problem is the lack of compelling software, throwing more hardware at the problem won't fix anything.
Cem @ Feb 24th 2006 11:24AM
I hear lots of people complaining, but why is the PSP still selling so well? ;-) Maybe the DS is more succesful, but the PSP sales are also pretty good I think.
Simon @ Jul 18th 2007 9:17PM
The PSP sells well mainly because many of the adults that purchase them use them for gamnes, but for music & video.
Simply put its cost effective & easy to set it up in your car at a fraction of the cost of a complete dvd/mp3 pull down monitor unit.
I have had mine for 1 year, and find it to be very good. I own maybe 1 game.
Jimmy @ Feb 24th 2006 11:29AM
That's the most moronic thing ever, why put the camera there? WE'RE NOT GIRLS WE DON'T WANT TO TAKE PICTURES OF OURSELFS 24/7! God! All I want is a PSP camera so I can take pictures of stuff but then they go and put it facing the wrong way!
Dave @ Feb 24th 2006 11:32AM
PSP sales are OK, but they're nowhere near the DS sales. And regardless of HOW well it sells, where the hell are the games?
Steve @ Feb 24th 2006 11:35AM
I held off getting a PSP so far and after these rumors I am glad. I can agree with everyone here about them not putting out any good games. That is the main reason I haven't ran out to buy one.
This is the kind of stuff that makes me question the PS3.
Will it really be all they're hyping it up to be?
Will there be any good games at launch?
How many bugs will the early consoles have?
I'll tell you one thing. I've lost alot of confidence in Sony over the last few years and I have alot of Sony products. (TV, Laptop, Camcorder, DVD Player, etc.) They have there hands in to many things.
Oh and Blue Ray... Let me just say.... Mini Disc, Beta, UMD and whatever other media they try to shove down our throats have usually failed.
Darren Tilley @ Feb 24th 2006 11:42AM
This just isn't happening. I don't know why everyone is getting so uptight about it.
Jimmy @ Feb 24th 2006 11:43AM
If Sony really releases this thing, I'm never buying another playstation product again (they don't seem to be screwing anyone over w/ tvs). It'll prolly save me a crapton of money ($800 for a PS3?) Haha. I just hope more people will do what I do and not buy the new PSP if it does come out.
Jeff @ Feb 24th 2006 11:45AM
"I hear lots of people complaining, but why is the PSP still selling so well? ;-)"
It's not selling as well as Sony had expected. And it's selling pretty horribly in its home country of Japan, where it's being absolutely trounced by the DS (not so much the last couple weeks as everybody waits for the DS Lite, but ignoring that, it's about a 5:1 ratio recently).
I also remember when one of the big stock analysts (Gartner or whatever) predicted that Sony would be pulling away by now. Well, surprise, they aren't. The DS is neck and neck with the PSP in North America and totally smothering the PSP in Japan. And these analyst predictions generally come mainly from manufacturer sales projections.
But the main problem for me with the PSP has always been price. When I thought about which handheld to buy, I thought "I can pay $130, or I can pay $250." Given that their game libraries are of similar quality, which do you think I chose?
I suspect a lot of other people are in that same boat. Sure, I love my DS, and all of its features, but you know, if both machines cost $130, it would have been a much harder decision. Then I would have really been weighing the DS's touch screen and stylus-based gameplay with Sony's more traditional controls but with added media features. If you ask me, they both do new and different things that no mass-market handheld game system has done before. The difference is one costs $130 and the other costs $250.
Sony doesn't need to add more features. They need to lower the price.
Dave @ Feb 24th 2006 11:46AM
Steve, Mini Disc is wildly popular in China / Japan, and has survived in the USA for a very long time with good sales. It's been alive for more than 10 years! That's remarkable, if you think about it.
Beta, while being a commercial failure, is used by Video professionals for low-cost good quality recording. It is still used in the industry, to some degree.
The Sony of olde wasn't that bad with media formats. Sure, Beta could have done better, but it was by no means a UMD sized failure.
Frank Black (a.k.a. Frankenstein Black) @ Feb 24th 2006 11:52AM
Get over it already! This type of stuff is happening all around us constantly. Car manufacturers have been doing it for years. First the regular model, then the turbo, then the convertible. And cars costs thousands and thousands of dollars!
So what do you do if you rushed in to buy that early model and a few months later your friend pulls up in the turbo? You grit your teeth in envy or you go get one yourself? At least in this PSP/PSP2 scenario it does not cost thousands of dollars in depreciation value. Its just business plain and simple.
I too have a PSP that have been relegated to sometimes surfing the web, sometimes streaming music from my PC, and that is partially because the games overall have not been that compelling. If however, they make what is suggested above (thinner, 4gb, streaming video, PS3 interactivity, etc.) I will, well, go get one.
How cool would it be to unload a round in a friends toon during a heated SOCOM exchange and ACTUALLY WATCHING THE LOOK ON HIS FACE? PRICELESS!!
Jimmy @ Feb 24th 2006 11:53AM
#24 - Haha I like the way you think
#25 - Good point!
Jimmy @ Feb 24th 2006 11:55AM
Wait I meant #26 - good point
Jimmy @ Feb 24th 2006 11:59AM
#28, you're prolly a guy with a job that can afford a new PSP every 6 months, I'm 14, I don't have a job, all I do is save up, and everyone at school will be bragging about their new PSP. I mean, you've got somewhat of a point, you don't always have to have the latest model of things. But some of us WANT to have the latest model of things, and I think if we want to have the latest model of the PSP, we should be able to. But we're not able to because we cannot afford it because Sony is going to release a new model every year.
Xlinze @ Feb 24th 2006 12:04PM
anonymous source my ass. sony isnt coming out with a new psp. they just inflated one RUMOR about the 8GB Flash thing. Fact is, they're not going to use it in the PSP but in the WALKMAN PHONES
Stormy Dragon @ Feb 24th 2006 12:22PM
While they're at it, can they PLEASE add a second analog nub? So many of the games would work much better with a second nub for camera control.
Lockman @ Feb 24th 2006 12:23PM
Personally, I'm looking forward to this. I agree somewhat with whats already been said but the PSP has been more than a gaming machine from the start. Complaining that it does other things and acts as a multifunction device is stupid. It was desgined and marketed as all these things. Giving it onboard memory in addition to the memory stick is a great move. Eventually, I bet Sony will release a video chat program. Even cooler would be a partnership with Skype to act as a WiFi phone. Stream/download podcasts or vidcast via RSS? That'd be easy to do.
The PSP, while sporting the annoying UMD format and lacking on the gaming front, is a device with a lot of potential. If Sony released a dev kit (i know they won't) this would become the ultimate handheld.
Frangible @ Feb 24th 2006 12:36PM
I've owned pretty much every major handheld gaming system. The PSP's biggest problem is the lack of quality games. This does not address the core problem of the PSP.
Homebrew, web browser, RSS, music, videos... yeah those are ok but are a minor secondary thing at best. The hardware isn't perfect but it's pretty good.
Bottomline-- it's expensive and the game selection sucks. RSS feeds, flash memory, a crappy camera aren't going to do squat.
When it comes to actually playing game content, the GBA micro/SP still are uber alles over the "next gen" systems.
Bleh.
Dave @ Feb 24th 2006 12:57PM
Geez Jimmy, I really don't think that things work that way. Just because you want the latest model of a PSP, it in no way means you should be able to get it. That's just a very juvenille way to think about the world. Just a tip for you... don't buy an iPod if you think this way.
Vagabond1 @ Feb 24th 2006 12:59PM
Well, first off, the games are coming. I do not know where the assumptions that the PSP has no games are coming from. The problem is that the PSP does not have a glut of mega-titles that appeal to a huge segment. The PSP has the most filled and bountiful lineup of any other system this year, and the lineup has only been announced up to the beginning of the summer.
If whatever additions Sony makes to the system help the system to sell more, which it probably will, more and more developers will look to the PSP for a platform to develop on. There's no way to ignore a platform that all of a sudden gets an unexpected burst in sales. Look at the DS: It has gotten a burst in sales, and third parties are now jumping on it.
I think that a new PSP revision would be going about it the wrong way though. Basically, every supposed addition to the PSP can be made with an already-shown device, and any software enchancements are definitely possible through firmware. Camera? A PSP camera attachment with a swivel lens has already been shown. Not only that, but for all the 'tards who don't know what a camera system can do for gaming, look up 'EyeToy', 'Augmented Reality', and 'Game Boy Camera'.
As far as NAND memory? Sony would not ditch it's popular Memstick format for something they would especially have to pay excessively out of pocket for. At most, they would offer lower-priced 4GB and 8GB memsticks for bundle or separate sale. I actually expect them to do so, as Memstick prices continue dropping like a rock (1GB for $50 and 2GB for $100 are a reality now, and the 4GB has a launch radius of spring, so I expect $150-175 for it, but it will drop to $125 pretty quickly).
Screen Brightness? The PSP already has another level of screen brightness unlockable by plugging it in and pressing the screen button a few times. It also seems to have another one 'in reserve'. Battery life? They have released enhanced batteries for separate sale. Firmware revisions are available via download for extra features, and thinnness is not especially a boon.
For those who doubt it's lineup, you have more than a few big games lined up for March-May, and that's BEFORE E3 even. Tekken, GT4p, Syphon Filter, killzone, etc will be hot.
Zenigata8o8 @ Feb 24th 2006 1:17PM
blasphemy to all that !!! lol i say..WHERE IS THE SECOND ANALONG "NUB"..if this "psp2" doesn't come with one, it's SO not gonna be worth another 250+ bundle nonsense..
strider_mt2k @ Feb 24th 2006 1:44PM
Fun wins over cool.
Next question?
Shogoki @ Feb 24th 2006 2:35PM
The figures often cited regarding PSP, where it's tied with the DS in the US are referring to shipped units, not units sold, although i know i have seen some sold figures around, i cant find them. Also, Sony loses money with every PSP sold, they dont make any money back unless they sell a certain amount of games and movies, and that's not happening, they are just sinking money at this point, and hope title sales pick up with the PSP2.
raindog @ Feb 24th 2006 5:37PM
I have a DS (actually a couple, due to a launch-day screwup.) But I really expected the PSP to completely own the DS. Once GTA:LCS came out, it would be all over for Nintendo. Buh bye, thanks for playing.
And then it didn't happen.
So I don't think it's going to happen with GT4, Killzone, Tekken or Syphon Filter either. The truth is, in the US, the kind of people who play those games are not the kind of people who want to be seen in public playing what most people will STILL assume is a "Gameboy", even if it's black. (People think the DS is a "Gameboy" too, but those of us who are willing to play Animal Crossing in public just don't care.)
And in Japan.... well.... the DS is the new pet rock, or Tamagotchi or whatever. By the time sales level off, it'll be too late for the PSP to catch up even if it does add a tiny Eyetoy and more space for pr0n. Maybe if they added a touch screen it might help, but Sony would lose too much face doing so at this point.
Sony will try again, but they won't release anything this year that will alienate existing PSP owners. I don't think the PSP is doing badly enough for them to put out a PSP2 next year, either. So we're looking at 2008, and I fully expect a "DS2" to launch around the same time.
Chat @ Feb 24th 2006 6:21PM
was anyone else EXTREMELY upset with the lack of FPS due to the only 1 joystick and on the wrong side?
Baxter Madu @ Feb 24th 2006 9:26PM
" Tekken, GT4p, Syphon Filter, killzone, etc will be hot."
lol ok, paris hilton. i thought maybe you'd conclude your post with a nice list of original and fun games and then you throw in these.. the same lame game ports that just keep coming. have fun!
only game i want for psp would be roco loco, that game looks super fun. ds port please!
Vagabond01 @ Feb 25th 2006 1:08AM
Loco Roco is developed by Sony, so give up hope for a DS port.
The PSP, albeit not having a holiday sales season that the DS had, is only ~150K behind the DS in the US in sales, and each month it seems to be gaining traction. It recently beat out the GBA again for the first time since it's launch months.
BTW: Sorry that games that are sequels or franchise games cannot be fun or good. I guess Final Fantasy I was the peak, and the rest after it sucked. The original arcade Mario was awesome, but the rest stunk then because it wasn't original and new enough for ya.
Jimmy Dean @ Feb 25th 2006 2:47AM
What I dont get is the MAJOR hypocrisy here...
nintendo released the GBA with NO BACKLIGHT screen and NO RECHARGEABLE battery (making it useless 99% of the time because of bad lighting) and people ate it up....
then 1 yr later... they release the SP WITH a battery and a light screen and the nintendo fanboys claim its innovative... gimme a break... all previous handhelds had those features.. Nintendo was the last one to do it..
If sony pulled that stunt you guys would all file complaint after complaint to sony..
also the DSlite is a joke.. its just another ploy by nintendo to get you to rebuy another piece of outdated hardware (1993 games anyone???)..
if sony pulled some of the stuff that nintendo gets away with alot of you would be pissed off.. but if its nintendo its ok.. gimme a break..
BTW: im not even going to get into what a disaster the GC was...
Jim @ Feb 25th 2006 4:22AM
#11: I also don't understand how UMDs sell, they're more expensive, have less features than DVD and it's a Sony format - which is by definition crippled by stupid restrictions.
Sony hasn't learned anything, they always try to push something into the market BY THEIR rules. It just works the other way around - what customers want is important!