Sony working on direct-to-PSP download store

Now that PSP owners in the US can finally access the Playstation store without a PS3, it looks like Sony's getting ready to take the next logical step and cut the computer out of the equation as well. Speaking to MTV's Multiplayer blog, Playstation Network operations chief Eric Lempel said PSP downloads were "Something we're thinking about. With the capability of the PSP it's something that should be possible...it's just a matter of priorities and some technology that we need to make it all work right and make sure the content is delivered securely, just to protect some of our [intellectual properties]." Lempel went on to say that Sony is also working on an iTunes-like syncing functionality for the PSP, and that Mac support will be forthcoming. All in all, it seems like interesting times are ahead for Sony's newly-revived little gamer.

[Via The Boy Genius Report]

[superfresh @ Dec 6th 2007 12:34PM]

Oh, but to dream of a day where downloads would be possible...

C'mon Sony. I'll give you the downloading direct from the device, but you should have had a PC store ready from PSP launch. Even iTunes had video by that point. Instead, you have us UMD.

Your empty promises are why I sold my PSP. Thanks for showing a PSP with a GPS peripheral at the trade shows prior to the launch. I hope you spent my $300 bucks well.

[KC @ Dec 6th 2007 12:50PM]

Sony should also consider direct music purchase for the PS3. I'm not talking about just regular music, but also for "surround" or SACD type music. The PS3 is already connected to some 5.1 or 7.1 receiver for bluray movies for this.

[NHAnimator @ Dec 6th 2007 1:05PM]

I'll give Sony a little love here. They could have just given up on the PSP when it didn't sell like the DS. Instead, they HAVE made an effort to expand its functionality. Not as quickly as I would have liked. But have expanded it nonetheless.

[superfresh @ Dec 6th 2007 4:53PM]

In my opinion, you're reaching. Sony's M.O. is unrealized potential. The PSP should have been so much more some time ago.

[silverblackvoid @ Dec 6th 2007 1:22PM]

suck on this DS

[StrangeBum @ Dec 6th 2007 2:42PM]

Nintendo also just revealed that they have a download site in the works. Does it eliminate the PC no, but still your comment is not all that viable. The DS has done so much better than PSP commercially and are offering nearly all of the same features.

[directive0 @ Dec 6th 2007 3:19PM]

To the millions of casuals who bought the DS, this will mean absolutely NOTHING. But if you want to spin your fanboy wheels about it, thats cool.

[Noshino @ Dec 6th 2007 3:16PM]

Wow StrangeBum, you went a bit too far, yes, the DS is trying to catch up to all of the features that the PSP has to offer, but I don't see it happening that soon...

Internet browser, yes you can use opera...but is not built in...stupid cartridge

music/video player? cartridge...

and let's not talk about all the other features that the PSP offers that DS doesn't....

the PSP offers much more than the DS does...yes, the DS is doing much better, but to say that it offers nearly all of the features that the PSP offers is a bit too much...

[Matthew Hilario @ Dec 6th 2007 5:02PM]

@noshino
but still the same pattern is seen with the ps3.
yea it plays blu-ray, yea the graphics are top tier.
but sales? will more features really drive the psp economy up?
i believe its all about the price.

[Ayle @ Dec 6th 2007 2:49PM]

cant you already do that? I mean you can download demos directly from the sony website on the psp... I'm surprised it took them so long to launch direct game downloading...

[NHAnimator @ Dec 6th 2007 3:43PM]

Demos, yes. Non-homebrew games, no. If you want to download PSP/PS1 games direct from the net, you need to use the Playstation Network Downloader. I expect that this is their way of locking the game to that particular PSP.

In fact, it looks like it is almost a direct connection between the store and your PSP:

https://store.playstation.com/store/instructions.vm

[modified @ Dec 6th 2007 7:27PM]

Get rid of the UMD drive and add a flash hdd, then I would consider one. Why doesn't Sony do some more innovating like they did with the SixAxis controller and make the PSP screen a touchscreen?

[Kspraydad @ Dec 6th 2007 7:34PM]

I and EVERYONE else that bought a PSP to this point did so without a store in existence. So this is a very welcome ADDITIIONAL feature that I will be able to enjoy.

To Superfresh ... if you didn't like the feature set before you bought the PSP you should have not bought it. Sony didn't break ANY promises to you.

As for the GPS...it was never announced for the North American market so again, when and if it comes, bonus.

As for direct to PSP music downloads...you can already do this on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/MP3-Music-Download/b/ref=sa_menu_dmusic2?ie=UTF8&node=163856011&pf_rd_p=328655101&pf_rd_s=left-nav-1&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=507846&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1V77VB3KXESG83GG0CC0

[Jazzy Jeff @ Dec 7th 2007 6:05PM]

and why not let us North American PSP folks have a DTV tuner for a change. I'm sure there'd be an FCC tussle or two in terms of doing that, but just take the plunge won't you please.