Sony "planning" to bring Skype to PSP

We won't call it "official" just yet, but it looks all but certain that Sony will indeed bring Skype to its famed PlayStation Portable. According to Reuters, Sony is "planning to add an internet phone function" (that'd be Skype) to its PSP in order to "stir up demand," which wouldn't be a half bad idea considering how the DS seems to be hogging the limelight of late. Purportedly, the software could become available "as early as this month," and while Sony spokesman Satoshi Fukuoka declined to comment on the rumblings, he did note that the company was "studying ways to add value to the PSP." Are you thinking what we're thinking?

[Peppaz @ Jan 5th 2008 2:35AM]

Definitely would not mind having Skype on my psp. Now I'm just waiting for the iPhone version, official or not.

[roflercopterer @ Jan 5th 2008 3:09AM]

That depends, engadget. Are you thinking that that 2008 feels eerily similar to 2007?

[Alexander @ Jan 5th 2008 3:18AM]

Is there a mic on my psp I'm unaware of?

[Flashpoint @ Jan 5th 2008 11:05AM]

Most likely you will end up using the same headset you use for SOCOM.

PSP should have had this technology a long time ago - but, naturaly, things take time to get moving. considering PSP only costs around $200 (loaded) and already comes with wifi, media playing abilities, a web browser and a great game platform, this might be the most worthwhile all around VoIP device on the market for the next 5 years.

[Lokizilla @ Jan 5th 2008 10:29PM]

Supposing I don't have said game, and therefore said headset?

[sam @ Jan 5th 2008 3:19AM]

WTF? Wasn't this posted 3 days ago? This is like the ultimate double post fail.

[Ed @ Jan 5th 2008 8:10AM]

Before, it had only showed up on one of sony's sites. Now, it's in cool cryptic PR-Speak form! Cool!

[Jamesology @ Jan 5th 2008 3:21AM]

Though I love my PSP, this function is pretty useless to me since I don't know anyone who uses Skype. But if it does make use of the Camera then I'm in. I wish they brought the GPS to North America. The Japanese version is pretty useless since I know my area pretty well.

[Wwhat @ Jan 5th 2008 12:03PM]

Won't you know tons of people with skype once they added it to the PSP?

[Ed @ Jan 5th 2008 3:40AM]

AND........ shortly thereafter somebody will hack the new firmware and provide this new capability to the REAL PSP users :)

[moe @ Jan 5th 2008 4:16AM]

this and sony book reader would be perfect

[Adrian Williams @ Jan 5th 2008 7:09AM]

Pete meet Repeat

[Aythamie @ Jan 5th 2008 8:34AM]

FOR GOD SAKE!!!

I MAILED YOU THE NEWS A COUPLE DAYS AGO, IT HAS BEEN kinda CONFIRMED BY SONY:

look into his webpage for the CES show: http://www.sony.com/ces/index.html

i've even made you a screenshot:

[IMG]http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w262/Aythamie/PSPSkypeconfirmed-1.jpg[/IMG]

[ryan @ Jan 5th 2008 10:11AM]

They posted that a few days ago. Get with the program.

[Aythamie @ Jan 5th 2008 12:47PM]

Nope, mate. look at the title: Sony "planning" to bring Skype to PSP

here at engadget, they still aren't sure.

ah no problem, you'll hear it from Sony itself in a couple of days

[Aythamie @ Jan 5th 2008 8:35AM]

hmm image parse isn't working here, try this:

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w262/Aythamie/PSPSkypeconfirmed-1.jpg

[theMediaman @ Jan 5th 2008 8:55AM]

Add that it's only going to be available on the PSP-2000's. Kind of disappointed that they're "adding value" to their newest product only.

Other than adding PC Playstation Network access, and features for PS3 owners, they haven't added much to PSP-1000 users for about a year.

[huh @ Jan 5th 2008 10:11AM]

Too bad people are all hyped up about the proprietary skype when SIP setups (gizmo, etc) are so much more flexible.

[Karl Viklund @ Jan 5th 2008 10:47AM]

And include some DRM-Rootkits with it.

[required @ Jan 5th 2008 11:40AM]

you said, "they haven't added much to PSP-1000 users..." fact is both have the exact same firmware. also, they have added a lot of new features over the past year.

[Wwhat @ Jan 5th 2008 12:02PM]

Why don't my comments show up dammit, people need my wisdom surely. :x

[Jehanzeb @ Jan 5th 2008 3:20PM]

Sony should support multiple formats audios and videos for the demand to increase. Currently it does not support many video formats.