Sony PSP Go announced -- $249, no UMD

Just as expected, Sony just announced the PSP Go at E3 just now -- Haz Kirai called it the "worst kept secret at E3." The slider handheld has a 3.8-inch LCD, built-in Bluetooth and 16GB of internal storage, all in a case 50 percent smaller and 40 percent lighter than the original PSP-1000 -- a weight savings we're guessing is directly attributable to the loss of the UMD drive. That's right, the Go doesn't have a UMD drive -- games will instead load in through the Memory Stick Micro slot or over PlayStation Network. That's not the end of the classic PSP, though -- Sony says it will "live on." New PSP titles will be distributed through both UMD at retail and online simultaneously -- Sony's beefing up the desktop client and renaming it Media Go for easier access and syncing with Playstation Network media, but you'll be able to get PSN content directly from the Go as well. The PSP's music features have also been beefed up with a new auto-playlist feature called Sense Me, which sounds a lot like Pandora or iTunes Genius playlists, and there's a new video delivery service being rolled out.

Don't expect the loss of UMD to lower the price, though: the Go will be $249 when it launches on October 1 in North America and Europe and November 1 in Japan. Sony's showing demo videos with both black and white versions, but that's not confirmed yet -- we'll let you know.

Update: Check the full PR here.

Update 2: Sony has just blasted out the detailed specifications. Here are the highlights:

• Approx. 128 x 16.5 x 69 mm (width x height x depth)
• Weight: 5.6 ounces (including batter)
• CPU: 333MHz
  
• 64MB memory
• 3.8-inch display (480 x 272 resolution)
• Built-in stereo speakers and microphone
• 802.11b WiFi
• Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
• USB 2.0
• Memory Stick Micro slot
• Analog video out
• 16GB storage

[Jamma @ Jun 2nd 2009 2:38PM]

Memory Stick Micro? 16GB or not, with UMD's topping 1GB each, downloadable games being similar i'm guessing, there's not gonna much room for space, and M2 cards are expensive!!

FAIL

[iLoveApple @ Jun 2nd 2009 2:44PM]

That's what he said. Yes, he.

[Broo @ Jun 2nd 2009 2:51PM]

...and $80 more than a regular PSP?

Double-Fail!

[bot @ Jun 2nd 2009 2:55PM]

Well if you compare it to the older PSPs, if you have just 1 UMD with you then you have 1 game with you. Even if you don't use the addon storage you'll be able to have multiple games without carrying anything extra. Seems like a better deal to me. Shame they chose a lame memory card standard though.

[Skrying @ Jun 2nd 2009 3:05PM]

They went with a lame memory card standard because it is their own lame memory card standard. Typical in Sony fashion, a proprietary solution that hurts their products. The PSP Go would be much more interesting if it didn't cost more than the normal PSP. Hell, just a $20 premium would be fine with me... but nope.

[kjb434 @ Jun 2nd 2009 3:05PM]

bot,

Sony will never use standard memory or any add-on.

[Geir E @ Jun 2nd 2009 3:08PM]

Nintendo have DSi and they did have several version of GBA without anyone complaining.

Sony Ericsson plans to only use SD and many Sony products support SD or CF, like the alpha range.

[tekdroid @ Jun 2nd 2009 3:12PM]

it's quite amazing... everything I hate to see in a PSP is included!
Embedded flash, no UMD games support, silly sliding form-factor. The only advantage I see is far more compact size (which is a great move, all said). Though I may have reservations about the smaller screen (or not).

The controls look more uncomfortable, though I reserve to right to change my mind about those after playing with one.

Hrm. Can't say I would appreciate this. I also wonder how the old-skool accessories (GPS, camera) would fit to this. I'd say they're gone too, if the UMD is gone. No UMD was the biggest surprise. The vocal anti-UMD whiners have won this round :)

We'll see how she sells.

[darkstar @ Jun 2nd 2009 3:15PM]

and it'll prolly take another year to hack this to run emus

epic fail!

[Aaron Martin-Colby @ Jun 2nd 2009 3:30PM]

The disc supports up to 1GB, but coming from a man who has pirated more than his fair share of PSP games, most of them don't break the 500MB mark. I'd say the average size is closer to 250MB. As long as they aren't too draconian about allowing you store game files on some form of external storage, this isn't a big deal.

The $250 price? That's a big deal.

[Solid Gray Fox @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:41PM]

Jamma, as a Leeds United fan I guess you would know all about FAILing

[Mizzike @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:51PM]

$249. LOLROFLBBQLMAO

Cmon sony, at least make people want to buy your products

[AndrewNoNumbers @ Jun 2nd 2009 6:21PM]

Brand new PSP-2000s (which if you remember don't have the 3000s' screen issues) have now stooped to $129 (not officially), go get 'em!

[THEODORE @ Jun 3rd 2009 6:49AM]

IM WAITING FOR THE PSP GO N2000 BECAUSE THE PSP GO NOW I THINK IS OK AND PRETTTTY COOL BUT NEEDS SOME WORK. I MEAN WHO WOULD BUY IT. SMALLER SCREEN,THE START AND SELECT KEYS! IT COULD BE A LITTLE THINNER AND THE SCREEN COULD BE BIGGER BECAUSE THEY HAVE MORE SPACE ON THE FRONT AND ALSO THERE NEEDS TO BE A NEW USER-INTERFACE.

[iphonerulez @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:32PM]

For a brand new device, it seems a somewhat underpowered. Yet Sony claims they can run Gran Turismo on this PSPGo. That quite an accomplishment for a 333 Mhz processor. Sony should upgrade the software on the PSP Slim so I could run Gran Turismo on that even if I have to buy more memory for it.

[Gikero @ Jun 3rd 2009 12:00AM]

@ Jamma,

UMDs cap at 1.8GBs.

But I think 16GBs is pretty good. I mean, I've yet to see games that use the full capacity of UMDs. The biggest game I have is FFVII: Crisis Core, I think its 1.5GBs. I don't think that its worth the $250.00 though. No more ram upgrade? It could have been used for web browsing. This 10 year idea is not a good one IMO. I personally want a more powerfull system.

Does anyone know what the capacity cap for M2 is currently?

[AttractedRhyme @ Jun 2nd 2009 9:23PM]

what about the survey they conducted?

apart from UMD less, no new feature is added...

- dual sticks
- OLED/touch screens

i'm so disappointed :'(

[lee @ Jun 3rd 2009 10:59AM]

EPIC FAIL! I don't get it. Why not have better graphics? why are they putting out the same device 4 times already. Make it better at least. Just give me GT Mobile already!!!!! That's what a want not another device that is essentially the same and actually looks like poor button placement to me

[Mr.Ironic @ Jun 16th 2009 12:15AM]

@tekdroid - the UMD was the worse thing about the PSP, I always said. Not surprising to me at all that it's gone. Why use a mechanical loading system in a portable? One that feels flimsy and can break easier. And having to mess around with discs in a world of digital content. They do need a way of letting people with umd disc to download a fresh copy for the GO at no charge, maybe scanning a barcode or something from the disc.

Otherwise it is what it is. I don't think it's a fail, it's a mid point between PSP 1 and the next PSP2 but that in itself maybe the disappointing fact. It doesn't need to be a phone, or media player, or touch screen - it just needs to play games well - that should be its focus. Admittedly with that in mind it should also be cheaper.

As for second nubs, just thought they could tick one somehow in the middle of those buttons on the right, or have some kind of screw-in nub or flip panel..something to think for the next one.

[Templarian @ Jun 2nd 2009 2:39PM]

It really don't look as bad since it's so much smaller.

[Templarian @ Jun 2nd 2009 2:40PM]

doesn't*

[Bitsbite @ Jun 2nd 2009 3:22PM]

Seriously? It makes me feel a little sick...
Also, the new joystick placement will make it impossible for a human to use together with the directional keys, making some games pretty much unplayable... FAIL

[Lars @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:41PM]

It's basically the GBA to GBA SP move all over again. Cramped friggin controls. Of course Nintendo forced you to buy it anyways because you couldn't see the damn GBA screen without a flashlight.

At least this is optional, because I'm sure most of the new "PSP Go!" features are going to be a firmware update for the old PSP's (video store). Though bluetooth would be nice to have... but not enough to warrant a new purchase. I see there's no wired headset option anymore (and no TV-out). That's weak. If they upgraded the wireless to 802.11G or faster then I might consider trading mine in though.

[zenstylejunglist @ Jun 2nd 2009 2:40PM]

ZOMG! I never heard of this!

[iLoveApple @ Jun 2nd 2009 2:41PM]

Kiss me through the phone.

[djmanoloco @ Jun 2nd 2009 2:52PM]

I see you are a 13 year old girl if you made that reference. My 13 year old female cousin listens to that crap. Shameful. *Breaks out Midnight Marauders* That's better.

[iLoveApple @ Jun 2nd 2009 2:56PM]

That's what she said.

[Joe @ Jun 2nd 2009 3:05PM]

The Low End Theory was better.

[Stevo @ Jun 2nd 2009 3:34PM]

FAIL

[OptimusPrimeRib @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:25PM]

Any ATCQ album is good even though I was just listening to Lyrics to Go.

[Giroro @ Jun 2nd 2009 2:42PM]

$250

BULLSHIT. This is what I call fail.

[Jon Acheson @ Jun 2nd 2009 2:43PM]

Agreed.

Sony: "We have learned nothing."

[Superevil @ Jun 2nd 2009 2:44PM]

Where'd you get that figure? I don't see it in the article.

[Broo @ Jun 2nd 2009 2:53PM]

Superevil: It's in the live E3 coverage:

The PSP Go will be available in stores in North America for $249 and 249 Euros, the same price the original PSP launched. In Japan, it's ¥268,268 (??)

[The Walrus @ Jun 2nd 2009 2:54PM]

The second to last line

[Neil @ Jun 2nd 2009 3:01PM]

A 16gb iPod Touch cost more than that so I don't think the price is as messed up as you're making it seem.

[Crim @ Jun 2nd 2009 3:21PM]

This is exactly what I thought, why the f*ck would I spend $80 more when it won't DO more than Bluetooth. You can grab 8GB MemStickDuoPros for cheap these days and while they might not be as cheap, it'll sure do the job you're looking for it to do. Sony should have launched at $199

[Frogboy @ Jun 2nd 2009 4:12PM]

I guess we know why they aren't dumping the PSP 3000 now, at least.

[Nouman @ Jun 2nd 2009 2:42PM]

Long live:
http://www.techdigest.tv/psp2-concept2.jpg there's always a next time?

[Dead_Rebel @ Jun 2nd 2009 2:44PM]

+1 dude. That concept was boss.

[Dubb @ Jun 2nd 2009 3:17PM]

I really don't see how they can't incorporate at least some of that into this.

For example, move the start/select buttons above the analog stick and then add a second analog stick where the buttons used to be.

[naz @ Jun 2nd 2009 3:27PM]

sooo much better

[Mr. 14 @ Jun 2nd 2009 4:21PM]

-1, because that concept would be the most uncomfortable GAMING device EVER. If you seriously think that that concept would've been "boss", then you don't want a portable gaming system; you want an Archos 5 with buttons for gaming.

[maveric101 @ Jun 2nd 2009 4:58PM]

that concept is incredible, but for portable gaming systems i would definitely go with a clam shell design. it leaves more room for the controls (you don't have to stick them at the bottom edge). my ideal portable gaming system: take the Pandora, remove the keyboard and redo the controls, slim it down, and give it the sexy from that render.

also, the Go isn't really a PSP2, it's just another revision of the PSP.

[fikhl @ Jun 2nd 2009 6:55PM]

Great concept, but I don't think it's gonna happen anytime soon.

[Badger_badger_badger @ Jun 2nd 2009 2:44PM]

No dual analog, no touchscreen, no sexy? Maybe next year..

[Andrew @ Jun 2nd 2009 3:05PM]

no dual analog because it runs standard PSP games, not new games specifically for the Go.

but TBH, as long as it's got a WVGA screen it will do amazingly in the PMP market because it's small enough to be pocket sized but has a big enough and high enough resolution screen for movies to be watchable.

also GT for PSP looks amazing.

[Vinhchenzo @ Jun 2nd 2009 2:44PM]

so... what happens with our old UMD games?

[Giles @ Jun 2nd 2009 2:48PM]

Simple, you use them on your current PSP. So don't trade-in your PSP for a Go! if you want to use them...

[Chip @ Jun 2nd 2009 2:49PM]

Same as your old memory sticks - You can only play them on your old PSP.

There's nothing Sony loves more than making people buy the same shit over and over again.