Video: White PSPgo hands-on

Sure, speaking with Sony's John Koller was great and all, but one of the real treats with the interview was some quiet hands-on time with a white PSP Go, unfortunately not turned on but with the same build quality and weight as its functional black model (also found tagging along to the Q&A). Our impression of the device is largely unchanged from the initial experience -- a sturdy build that's surprisingly light, although with this go around we didn't find the shoulder buttons to be more comfortable this time. Still, our interest wanes pretty dramatically when we're reminded of its $249 price tag, but enough with our chatter, hit up the break for an up-close video of all its nooks and crannies, and while you're there, stick around for more tidbits from our interview.

Koller told us battery life would be about five to six hours, on par with the 3000 model, and if that doesn't jibe with your needs, he said the company's looking into a battery boost peripheral similar to the add-ons we saw when the iPod first launched. The portable itself has been in the works "for several years," but despite the overlap, says it was designed independently of the MyLo -- we're pretty skeptical, but hey, stranger things have happened. Also, we think it goes without saying, but just to make absolute sure, we confirmed with him that it uses the same SDK as the regular PSP and hence, no exclusive Go titles.

In the closed position, as we show at the end of the video, the Go's pretty much limited to basic interaction with the left and right shoulder buttons for switching between songs / scenes, alongside the volume control on the top. We couldn't get any clear answers on the future of the PSP, whether or not they'll be revising the classic model at any point in the future or ride out the 3000 until the world at large finally says "good riddance" to the UMD format. We gotta hand it to Sony for making a pretty stylish portable, but as is the standard, it's hard looking past that cost.

[chacolla Posted Jun 5th 2009 11:54AM]

I cannot believe that they got rid of the USB port! What the hell is wrong with you, Sony? I'm guessing that proprietary connector on the bottom is what will charge the PSP as well as connect it to a computer, or PS3. That's just stupid, now that's one more cable I need to carry around with me everywhere I go if I bought one of these. Everyone has USB Mini cables in their houses, not proprietary crap! I won't be buying one of these, I'll be getting the Dell deal when the PSP-3000 drops to 120.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 5th 2009 2:12PM]

spin spin spin

[ndrwme Posted Jun 5th 2009 2:24PM]

I gotta say the PSPgo sucks, but so does the DSi. So to say, I don't like these half-refreshes. Give me some real next-gen portables, and hopefully MS will be in this time.

[Verythrax Posted Jun 5th 2009 2:25PM]

I can't forgive them for taking the miniUSB out.

[eruh Posted Jun 5th 2009 3:03PM]

it's like the psp and the mylo had a baby and the psp was taking drugs while pregnant.

[apparitionman Posted Jun 5th 2009 3:21PM]

It'll be interesting to see how the market reacts to its price point.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 5th 2009 4:42PM]

That is one ugly, generic piece of technology. Especially for Sony. A shame.

[arctic00 Posted Jun 5th 2009 5:15PM]

What about the battery? Can it be replaced/swapped out by end users or did Sony follow the iPod battery model?

[danijami23 Posted Jun 6th 2009 1:55PM]

Glitter? Really? good lord, they really spared no expense on this one did they.

[BreakingPoint0 Posted Jun 6th 2009 2:23PM]

I'm tried of everyone saying the PSP Go is an "epic failure" and Sony "dropped the ball". Sure the design isn't the greatest, but it could have been far worse. The design is growing on me and I think I like it better in white(though I would prefer silver) than black. Sure it would have been great had it had a UMD drive or another analog stick added, but they didn't. Get over it. It's not happening this time around, this is a revision to get ready for the "next generation" PSP. That's where we can see the dual analog sticks and superior processing power, if it doesn't happen you can complain.

The fact of the matter is that had they released the PS2P and then done only digital distribution there would have been a much larger backlash, and they would have gotten a TON of negative feedback from fans. By doing it this way consumers have a choice, UMD or no UMD. Through the Go they can gradually move people over to the digital format as opposed to forcing it upon everyone. Honestly, I think they did it the right way. The only thing left would be to drop the price to $199, that's the part I think they messed up on. I expect we will either see a price drop either at TGS or the next E3 and then the next year(2011) we will see the PS2P come out. I'm also guessing we're going to see bundles in the near future for the $250 price as opposed to a higher price.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 6th 2009 5:41PM]

Awesome new handheld - but will Sony be able to knock Nintendo from 1st place? People have already pointed out that it still does not offer screen protection like the DS however the decision to scrap UMDs in this version is welcomed.

http://www.pspgoguide.com

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 21st 2009 5:21PM]

AWWW THATS CUTE!!! IT HAS LITTLE SPARKLES ON IT! WTF IS THIS!!!! i wanted to get a cool smooth white one like pearl white! or Like a piano white. but noo!!! They just HAD to have the cute little sparkles making it look like it was a kindergarten class project! WHAT ARE YOU GUNNA DO NEXT?!?! SPELL PSP WITH MACARONI?!?!?! What is this?!? Noone wants so gt sparkles on their hands when they play the thing! Noone is gunna buy this maan! You just wasted a whole load of money! Sony is supposed to Make it look kool not cute like nintendo. Now you have us fans waiting for the 4000 model. If you guys are getting this, get black!!! Or wait for other colors, models, etc.