If you've got a PSP-2000 and a hankering for some VoIP on the run, Sony has finally brought its Skype-friendly PSP headset to US retail. Unfortunately, it won't work with those original fatty PSPs, and at $30 you've gotta ask yourself how much you'll really be using it for -- the original price was set at $20. That said, it's undoubtedly the easiest way to get up and running with Skype and in-game voice chat on the PSP, since it used to require two separate accessories to pull it off. Oh, and if you're Skype curious, be sure to check out the how-to guide over at PSP Fanboy.

See that PSP case floating in our tears of ennui? What do you think it's called? If you said fat steaming turd of hyperconsumption... ding ding ding, you'd be right. Otherwise known as the overpriced pouch of fermented rat bile, this PSP sack of festering nipple sores from Cyber Gadgets costs ¥1280 or about $12.35. Ziplock baggie, 7 cents.

[Via PSP Fanboy, thanks Penny]

We're still trying to piece together why in the world Sony would choose matte bronze as the color for its latest PSP Slim, but now that it's out, we're focusing our attention on just how long it takes these so-called limited edition units to actually sell out. The Value Pack it comes bundled in includes a Japanese version of the handheld, 32MB memory stick, cleaning cloth, a case, AC adapter, battery pack and an AV cable for good measure -- unfortunately, a can of black spray paint actually isn't in the box. A last minute exclusion due to shipping regulations, we're sure. Grab one if you're into it for $278.97.

[Via DCEMU]

The last round of PSP firmware updates brought Skype support, but it looks like 3.95 isn't nearly as exciting: Sony's added in reconfigurable button mapping to PS1 emulation, and made it so that you can choose to either shut down your PS3 or leave it running when you're done with a remote play session. That's about it, but we know you're all compulsively checking for the update now anyway.

[Via Boy Genius]

Now we're talking Sony, this is the type of integration we expect to see on the heels of your promise to cash in on portable video after losing the audio battle to Apple. As a Blu-ray recorder, the BDZ-A70 features all the in/outs you'd expect and recording to a 320GB (the new BDZ-T90 offers 500GB) disk or dual-layer BD-RE media from a host of analog and digital tuners. Great, but what's most notable here is the new one-touch video transfer to Sony's PSP, select mobile phones including NTT DoCoMo's FOMA 905i, and video Walkmans like Sony's new NW-A820. As you may have noticed, those last two are Japanese products. Appropriate given the Japan-only launch of these players in April for about ¥170,000 ($1,658). Still, we're pretty sure they'll go global soon enough. Quickie demonstration video after the break.

[Via Impress]

Been longing for a second analog stick on your PSP? Modder LordNico's got you covered with the Razor X (seriously, where do these guys come up with their names?), a user-installable analog stick that appears to mimic the functions of your standard four button pad. (In other words, getting the games to take advantage of the controls is another matter entirely.) Apparently details of the mod will be released soon enough for those brave enough to consider relocating their power switch to the start button -- yikes.

There's depressing gaming stories, and then there are outright travesties. Unfortunately, this case falls squarely into the latter category, as a 7-year old cancer patient had his beloved PlayStation Portable swiped -- right along with his medical records, a backpack full of medication, his games and even his homework -- while en route to a chemotherapy treatment for a tumor in his brain. Apparently the boy's family had stopped at a restaurant while traveling from Oklahoma to Texas, and while inside, thieves had their way with what was left inside the vehicle. Thankfully, authorities from the Dallas police department came to the rescue by purchasing a brand new PSP and raising over $1,000 to repurchase the goods that were lost, and as for the crooks, we'll just trust karma to handle the rest.

[Via PSPFanboy, image courtesy of Flickr]

It's only just turned three, but it looks like the PlayStation Portable is now at the center of new rumor mill concerning yet another possible revision, with this one sparked by Sony itself, no less. It doesn't come from an over-talkative exec or anything, however, but rather a curious placeholder image that was turned up on Sony's online instruction manual site. As PSP Fanboy reports, not only are there the expected images for the original PSP-1000 series and the slimmer PSP-2000 series, but there is one for a hereto unheard of 3000 series as well (no 4000 series, though). Of course, it's entirely possible that the image is nothing more than a mistake or the work of someone trying to be a little too prepared, but we have a sneaking suspicion that won't stop the speculation from spinning out of control.

Look, who could blame you for wanting to personalize your PSP a little. At the moment you can wait around for limited edition models like the God of War or get your kitchen-beige or month-old-mint models from a friendly, price-gouging, Japanese importer. Else, why not hold out until April 14th when ColorWare plans to unveil its new PSP colorization service. Although nothing has been announced, it's probably safe to assume the same level of "buy new" or "send in" service ColorWare already offers for the DS Lite.

[Thanks, Andreu]

Whoa, has it really been three years since the PSP had its glittery North American debut? It seems like just yesterday we were watching UMD movies on our chubby first-gen unit -- and now here we are, with the PSP Slim all grown up, multicolored, and in a serious relationship with the PS3. (All we're missing is built-in storage.) You know the crew at PSP Fanboy's doing it up right, hit the read link to join the fun.

If PCWorld is correct, then it looks like Sony's pending, PS3 2.20 firmware will have at least one little surprise for movie buffs. As if the inclusion of Blu-ray's BD-Live interactivity and the removal of the 2GB DivX and WMV file-size cap wasn't enough, PCWorld says that you can also expect the introduction of portable copy. With it, users will be able to copy a PSP formatted (and DRM'd) version of the film directly to their PSP -- no UMD required. Right, just like we saw demonstrated live back at CES in January.

Update: There's a rumor that Sony's portable copy would transcode any Blu-ray film into a PSP version. That's not how we understand it. The firmware update would just allow the PS3 to "see" the portable copy already burned into some Blu-ray discs and then make it available for transfer to your PSP. Think Digital Copy for Sony's gear, not Apple's.

Update 2: Sony just pinged us to say that Portable Copy won't be coming with the 2.20 release -- bummer. We'll be waiting, guys.

[Via QJ.net]

It's been a while since the PSP Slim got all up on your TV, but Sony wasn't going to leave you hanging forever without a slick docking solution -- say hola to the new PSP Cradle. Apart from some of that old-time Sony design flair, there's not much else to it: you dock your PSP, images show up on your TV, and you control things with the included remote. On sale April 24th in Japan for ¥4,800 ($46), or ¥6,500 ($62) bundled with a D Terminal AV cable.

Look, we understand that different people have different tastes, but bronze and gold gadgets have have always been a novelty and never sold that well -- so we're totally confused by Sony's decision to release a limited-edition "matte bronze" PSP. That's right, it's not even shiny, it's basically beige -- like, aggressive, 1950s-kitchen beige. Only 60,000 of these abominations are set to be released in Japan, for ¥23,800 ($230), and the bundle includes a TV-out cable for the first time. Of course, we recommend that you pop the extra $29 or whatever to pick up that cable separately and buy a PSP that doesn't immediately call to mind the phrase "nude hose," but if you gotta do it, we'll still be here for you. Just, you know, not when anyone else can see us around that thing.