Sony's new PSP is slimmer, includes video output

It's not quite the PSP 2 some might've hoped for, but Sony is giving its handheld console a serious refresh in the form of a slimmer, lighter and faster "updated" PSP. The new unit still includes the 4.3-inch LCD and UMD, but is 33 percent lighter, 19 percent slimmer, has sped up game load times and improved battery life. The only real "new" features is a video output capability to allow you to play your PSP games on a big screen TV. You can score one in September in the original Piano Black, a new Ice Silver color, and a Star Wars Battlefront special edition. The latter two PSPs come in $199 bundles with related games and a 1GB Memory Stick in the case of Ice Silver. More pics after the break.

Update: Also worth noting is the fact that this new model "is equipped with enhanced feature to temporarily store game data from UMD, reducing load time during game play." No complaints about that!

[Georgi @ Jul 11th 2007 3:03PM]

Price?

[Frankenstein Black @ Jul 11th 2007 3:12PM]

Exactly! Make it a "reasonable" price point release the camera here in the US add Skype and, well, SOLD!

[Frankenstein Black @ Jul 11th 2007 3:54PM]

From Joystiq:
"The system will also come in two new colors which are also part of two new packs. First is the Ice Silver, part of the $199.99 Entertainment Pack that comes with a 1GB Memory Stick, Daxter, and the Family Guy Frickin' Sweet Collection on UMD. Also is a new, white Star Wars-themed PSP that will retail in October for $199.99 packed with Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron. These release plans are for North America, announcements for Japan and Europe are forthcoming."
SWEEEET!!

[Cash @ Jul 11th 2007 9:49PM]

Wait... so they reduced the size and weight by switching to newer tech and thus reducing their costs to produce and ship the unit, but they are still going to charge the same price?

Are we supposed to celebrating Sony's move to increase their profit margin on a less then top-selling handheld, or the TV-Out feature they threw in as an afterthought? I'm confused. I honestly don't mind a company reowrking things to make more money as long it's done legally, but don't go putting on a song and dance show and try to convince me that this has anything to do with better serving the consumer. If you wanted to impress me, you'd have fixed those crummy controls we've been complaining about since the thing first shipped, or at least install an HDD so we can better make use of it in the only capacity it's really worth a damn in: playing videos on the go.

The ironic thing is, of all the 'how would you change the PSP' threads I've read, I can't seem to recall the PSP's size or lack of TV hookup ability ever being mentioned.

[Tuan X @ Jul 22nd 2007 12:05PM]

THE PRICE IS NOT JUST $199!!

THE TWO BUNDLES (THE SILVER PSP & STAR WARS BUNDLES) ARE $199.

THE BLACK UPGRADED PSP WILL COME OUT A FEW WEEKS LATER AT $169, THE PRICE OF THE CURRENT PSP, WITH JUST THE SYSTEM, COMPONENT CABLE AND CHARGING PLUG.

JUST AS SONY IS PHASING OUT THE 60GB PS3 THEY WILL ALSO BE PHASING OUT THE ORIGINAL PSP NEAR THE UPGRADED PSP'S LAUNCH.

ALSO WHAT THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT MENTION IS THAT THE UPGRADED PSP HAS A NEW TRAY FOR THE UMD'S. INSTEAD OF A SPRING LOADED TRAY, THE NEW TRAY OPENS UP, YOU HAVE TO PLACE THE UMD ON IT AND THEN CLOSE IT, SIMILAR TO CLASSIC CASSETTE PLAYERS.

[RawEdge @ Aug 2nd 2007 7:34PM]

Cash, you're dumB. When you switch to newer tech, you don't reduce the production cost, you increase it; Sony's spending more money. The only units that are going to cost more than the current $169 model are going to be the silver and white bundles that include games and bigger memory cards, for $30 that's a pretty good deal. So do explain how any of what Sony's doing as being illegal, please. And as it goes for the HDD, WTF do you think the Memory Sticks are for, what are they up to now, 8GB and growing. If you want to be thought of as an intellectual, say something intellectual, though I'd rather not.

As it goes for the rest of you haters; THIS IS NOT PSP2. When the mini PS1 came out did you all go, "what a lame PS2"? When the Slim PS2 came out did you all go, "what a lame PS3"? It's a revamping of a system that needs to happen every once in a while. As technology improves, so does the product it's placed in. I thought all you nintendo lovers would've realized that what with the half dozen revampings of their handheld.

[Gustavo Tellez @ Jul 11th 2007 3:05PM]

Did you guys notice the speakers are not on the bottom anymore. They are right next to the screen. This should increase the sound volume a bit.

[Kichigai Mentat @ Jul 13th 2007 12:44AM]

Those speaker notches on the front were always there.

[Aaron @ Jul 17th 2007 9:51PM]

Kichigai:

Those "notches" are on the old PSP, but they're plugged up. I'm not sure why they're there at all. The sound comes from two holes on the bottom, which was stupid. It looks like they've fixed that.

[SeditioN VII @ Jul 11th 2007 3:07PM]

Still no right thumb stick ...still no purchase for me:(

[T H @ Jul 11th 2007 3:08PM]

Price??

[Tyk @ Jul 11th 2007 3:08PM]

See MS.. if you're going to do an sku based on a game.. you include the FREAKIN GAME on which the theme is based on!

[tiuk @ Jul 11th 2007 3:10PM]

Once the new PSP is mod-able, I'm in.

[ddosen @ Jul 11th 2007 5:58PM]

How difficult would it have been to inlcude a right analog stick?

[Alan Partridge @ Jul 11th 2007 5:25PM]

You know you can get video out on the current psp through the usb + homebrew. A little more complicated but still...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW3yl_hg4sQ

[required @ Jul 11th 2007 3:19PM]

I wish it was September.

[Jimmy @ Jul 11th 2007 3:22PM]

For those comments asking, the price is $199

[ryanworrell @ Jul 11th 2007 3:23PM]

Where did you find that info?

[Georgi @ Jul 11th 2007 3:36PM]

Price is $199 according to Gizmodo.

[Andrew @ Sep 5th 2007 2:43PM]

$199 for the BUNDLES. Game Informer magazine also confirms this.

[Steve @ Jul 11th 2007 3:24PM]

It Looks So... So... Simillar?

Seriously, I don't even think it looks better than the DS Lite.

Nice Try Sony, but I think I'll stick with the one I've already got, how about you make some games now?

[Michael @ Jul 12th 2007 4:54AM]

That's the point.

[Levar @ Jul 11th 2007 3:38PM]

they said it during the conference @ ryanrworrell

[XSportSeeker @ Jul 11th 2007 3:38PM]

Video Out is nice... I wish my DS had one, for the top screen or something.
Still, what I'd like to see the most in both portables is support for a browser with full capabilities, just like the one I use in my PC.
Tabs, Flash, Java and fast browsing included. Specially fast browsing, which would probably require faster processor speeds.
But I guess I'm asking for too much... meh.

[LiQuiD_FuSioN @ Jul 11th 2007 3:38PM]

1) Is the screen brighter?
2) Are there side shots of the new PSP to illustrate how thin it really is?
3) From observing the current shots, are the holes at the top of the PSP supposed to be speakers?

To be honest, I was expecting more from Sony. Look how dramatically the Nintendo DS changed going from a bulky gaming device to a extremely slim and attractive-looking one.

If this "PSP 2" doesn't have a brighter screen at least, then this is a waste of time; especially for $199 when you can get the same thing for $169.

[Jonathan West @ Jul 11th 2007 3:44PM]

I agree. I am a PSP fan (although I do own and play a DS), but I was very disappointed. He pulled the new system out and I said "Ok, that's the old one. Now for the new one right?"..... "right?".... And thus the disappointment hit me. I wanted them to release a PSP that was cool enough to make me want it even though I already have the old PSP. Instead, I just kinda feel like I have to buy it (to have the latest model), but I don't really want it.

[brainofjtd @ Jul 12th 2007 7:49PM]

And Sony continues to profit off suckers. :)

[Jay @ Jul 11th 2007 3:51PM]

What a missed opportunity. Very disappointing.

I'm still holding out for the PSP2.

[Simon @ Jul 11th 2007 4:01PM]

"More pics after the break." ???

[Guyver03 @ Jul 11th 2007 4:02PM]

What about LCD lag? Didn't see any place make mention what that yet.

[Aaron @ Jul 11th 2007 4:08PM]

Looks good to me. I'll probably upgrade just for the video out. Better battery life and faster load times sweeten the pie.

Not really interested in the Entertainment Packs but to play the games I like on the big screen and maybe scoop up some of those UMD movies they keep having on sale make the difference for me.

@ Everyone who keeps crying a second analog nub, NO! It will be a useless upgrade since none of the previous games support it and new game developers have obviously found a way around it. If that is the only reason you won't buy a PSP because it lacks a second nub then keep your money and stop sqauwking about it.

But I am eternally grateful Sony didn't cave to the misinformed and "me-too" crowd who kept wanting a touch screen on the PSP. If you like the touch screen concept ala the DS, get a DS for crying out loud (and stop sqauwking about it).

[donuts @ Aug 31st 2007 10:59PM]

for all the retards that want a second analog, just think about it for a moment, WERE THE F*** WOULD YOU PUT IT!?!?!?!?!? the psp is smaller than your ps2s controller, here lets see if you retards can do any better than sony, your challenge? trying to fit a tv, speakers, ps2 controller, a ps2 system, and a battery into a box 6.7 x .9 x 2.9 in. ... go ahead try it. for sonys first try at a hand held gaming system i think they did extremely well, and this new system is just an improvement to an already great system, it's just like those updates you keep getting to update your firmware, it's small but it's still an improvement, one step closer to a perfect hand held gaming, well complete entertainment system...

[Charles @ Jul 11th 2007 4:10PM]

Videos available, too! http://www.t3.co.uk/news/247/games/psp/psp-2-thin-and-lite

[Abi @ Jul 11th 2007 4:11PM]

harpreet - watch your language.

[Chew Chew Chew ME @ Jul 11th 2007 4:13PM]

What kind of video out? Is it via an adapter? Anyone know the specs?

Also what media codecs will be supportedd?

[Paul @ Jul 11th 2007 4:17PM]

When the GBA came out, people bought it and liked it and all was well.
When the GBA SP came out, tons of people bought it, and loved it, and the people that already owned a GBA bought it and loved it, and all was great.

When the DS came out, people bought it, and liked it, and all was well.
When the DS Lite came out, people bought it, and loved it, and the people that already owned a DS bought it and loved it, and all was great.

When the PSP came out, people bought it and thought it was ok, but were largely disappointed.
When the "new" PSP was announced, EVERYONE was disappointed.

[Billster @ Jul 11th 2007 6:10PM]

I don't have a DS, so I can't comment on it. But the original Game Boy Advance was EXTREMELY flawed. Most notably, the screen was so dark that it was barely visible. The GBA SP fixed that problem (sort of), but required an adapter to use headphones.

The PSP was (and is) a well designed machine. The game library is just a little lacking.

[RawEdge @ Aug 2nd 2007 7:18PM]

GBA and DS appeal to kids who like kids games, or well immature adults who like kids games.

[Adam Zey @ Jul 11th 2007 4:20PM]

So, they say it's 19% slimmer, but they didn't bother to show us a side view. Riiiight...

When Apple announces a new handheld product, Steve usually takes a minute to show us all the angles (you know, to see how thick it is).

[harpreet @ Jul 11th 2007 4:22PM]

sorry dude didn't mean to hurt you

[rodsky @ Jul 11th 2007 4:26PM]

dumb dumb dumb
make games for it
make it easier to convert video to it
make it actually useful

not prettier

[Rob @ Jul 11th 2007 4:30PM]

I'm glad they've done some upgrades to the PSP. But, weight was never an issue for me. Sure it feels a bit heavy. But, I keep mine in a MadCatz metal case. So, that in itself makes it even heavier. I love the "video out" feature. I've been hoping for that. Moving the speakers to the top doesn't make a difference to me. But, I don't fault them for that. I'm sure it brings the audio closer to the ears height making it a bit louder.

Now, considering that I have a PSP (1) would they be making some sort of "USB-Video Out" adapter? It'd be nice.

But, one of my main concerns with the PSP is the low refreshing rate of the screen. It's a bit slow for video content. And please, don't tell me "it's a machine to play video games, not movies..." If Sony wasn't thinking of the PSP as a PMP and video games unit, they would've never released their movies in UMD.

Price? I'm glad they kept the prices at the same level. I'm sure they're going to include the version without the games for $169. They'd probably allow the old ones to go lower a couple of Hamiltons, allowing retailers to sell them all out, and then fill the market with the PSP2.

I wouldn't mind picking up one when it comes out.

[brainofjtd @ Jul 12th 2007 7:48PM]

Right. They invested in movies to distract you from the crummy games. :) Still failed though. Many stores don't even care UMD anymore.

[James @ Jul 11th 2007 4:32PM]

I remember a few days back somebody from Sony making a big deal that UMD was not dying... maybe this is what they had in mind? Since day 1 I've been saying that UMD movies are worthless if you have to buy a separate DVD to watch it at home -- now, if I can get a UMD for the same price as a DVD, and one works on my PSP *and* home theater... well, that might change things.

Of course, I already have a PSP, and there's basically no chance of me ever buying one of these PSP 1.1's (PSP 2 is a bit much, no?) So what I guess I'm saying is that UMD may die more slowly if everybody who buys a PSP starting next year has video out, but they really should have included it from the beginning.

[flamindonuts @ Aug 31st 2007 11:00PM]

you can just get a location free player so you can watch your dvds on you psp, as long as you have a wi-fi connection, location free also works with laptops, you can also use it to watch tv on your psp from ANYWHERE as long as you have wi-fi

[Mat Brady @ Jul 11th 2007 4:37PM]

For such a sexy design I think the PSP has captured what a handheld should look like, and be like, but ironically the flaws of the psp come from core design decisions. No second thumb stick - which ostricises it from its parent product immediately, and proprietary format UMD - which further ostricises it and we've all seen the support for that bottom out. I was hoping for a broadening of what the psp could actually *do* from this update, if only to match it's wonderful design, but this is potential lost. Sadly disappointed. If only Sony would have listened to all the people who contributed to the many "what I would like to see in the next psp" threads. Tut, tut, tut...

[St. Stephen @ Jul 11th 2007 4:38PM]

I love my PSP, like quite a bit. But that being said I'm a custom firmware user, so playing Resident Evil games, Final Fantasy's, and a few other classic games are what I mostly use it for. Some of the UMD games have been good, but overall it's very similar to the N64, some good, most bad. I would've preferred a real update to the PSP not just size/weight ratios. I have to say that I am quite disappointed. I think that I will keep my old schooler model myself. Too bad Sony, you could've had another $200 from me.

[Dan.mchugh @ Jul 11th 2007 4:39PM]

So let me get this straight:
PSP dimensions:
= 6.7 x .9 x 2.9 in.
= 17 x 2.3 x 7.4 cm

19% thinner = 1.86 cm thick
= less than half a cm...

Not exactly earth shattering, wont be upgrading just for that.

[CK @ Jul 11th 2007 4:40PM]

No hard drive? Crap..

[Michael @ Jul 11th 2007 4:42PM]

@Adam Zey - read the posts above yours or else take a look at: http://www.t3.co.uk/news/247/games/psp/psp-2-thin-and-lite

This is awesome. The new hardware is certainly better (though of course not revolutionary) and it's nice for new customers to have a choice ('value' 1.0 or sleeker and more expensive 1.1) It's no PSP 2 but it also doesn't break existing games ore hardware. Instead it just adds to the PSP 'ecosystem.'

As for the ppl excited about video out - man, what kid of 'big' TVs do you guys have? UMDs are gonna look like poop on a 50" 1080p plasma or LCD given how pixelated the video will be. If you own a big screen - why on Earth would you want to watch such a low-res source as UMD movies? As for PSP games on a big screen - I guess I'll have to see just how bad they will look. But again - if you own a quality 1080p TV - get a PS3 and enjoy HD gaming...
Michael