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Rumorang: Conflicting reports on PSP redesign
It seems there's some disagreement as to which aspects of the PlayStation Portable are due for a change in its officially non-existent but chronically rumored redesign. Rumor Reporter (guess what they do?) today responded to Kotaku's earlier article on the PSP Lite, PSPetite, PSP Slim or what have you, claiming that "undisclosed sources" have labeled the initial specification changes as "mainly factually inaccurate." Rumor Reporter's Bruce Kelly, who previously outed Warhawk as a downloadable PSN title (though it's arriving on Blu-ray disc as well), asserts that his informants hold details that "contradict" those provided last week, but conveniently notes, "we still don't have enough to confirm anything as fact." These potential non-facts are offered as counter-points to those previously aired: The new PSP will still have an LCD screen (one letter different from the previously mentioned LED screen), it will not have any "big speed increases", will feature a slot-loading UMD drive and will "likely" feature only 4GB of on-board storage. Though it sounds more like a me-too take on the continuing rumors as opposed to a contradicting one, we still like to envision this as an epic battle between two musketeers using elongated balloons as swords. There's a lot of squeaking and squealing going on, but the most grievous injury can only be suffered by one's credibility. If the improved PSP is indeed on the way, we're sure to be given some sharper implements once Min-E3 is in full swing.
Rumor: PSP redesign details "revealed"
Sony PSP redesign rumors are as old as ... well, probably the PSP itself. With Nintendo's redesigned DS Lite continuing to sell like DS Lites, a redesigned PSP just seemed like, well, an inevitability. Take a look at rumors past and you'll see a frothy and intoxicating mix of analyst speculation, fanboy quarterbacking, and inside sources, all met with Sony's swift (and deadly) denial: "We don't comment on rumors or speculation."So it goes with this latest occurence of PSP redesign rumors. Rival blogging faction, Kotaku, reports that mysterious (and no doubt disguised) inside sources have donned their trusty trenchcoats and fake mustaches to reveal that the redesigned PSP will, as expected, not be a new system, rather a redesign of the current hardware. That means slimmer gear, longer battery time, internal storage (8GB of flash ... where's the 60GB hard drive?), a faster UMD drive, redesigned buttons/D-pad, and a summer release date that will be revealed in a few short weeks at E3. We contacted Sony's Dave Karraker who, not surprisingly, told us, "We don't comment on rumors or speculation." Right you are. We'll add this one with the others then.
Analyst: PSP getting a 'hardware refresh' later this year
And what, pray tell, is a "hardware refresh?" Will Sony's portable PlayStation be carted off to an exotic spa to have its shoulder buttons massaged, directional nub rubbed and its firmware exfoliated? Lazard Capital Markets analyst, Colin Sebastian, isn't as specific when he comments on upcoming PSP plans as laid out at Sony's recent San Diego Gamers Day. "[Sony] also indicated that 140 titles would launch on the PSP, while a video download service and hardware refresh are expected later this year." Having already expressed some regret regarding the lack of an online PSP Store, Sony wouldn't be out of line in expressing similar feelings about an improved PSP (not seen above), certainly not in the wake of the ludicrously popular DS Lite. Rumors of an enhanced PSP have been as varied as the awful names bloggers have come up with for the potential redesign -- "PSPetite", "PSP Lite", "PlayStation Puny" and the especially marketable "Better PSP with hard drive" -- but each one that comes up has been promptly shot down by Sony. If Sebastian is to be believed, however, Sony might just run out of ammo before year's end.[Via Engadget]
Sony shoots down PSP redesign reports
"We currently have no plans to release another version of the PSP." That's what a faceless Sony spokesperson predictably told Gameindustry.biz after having his inbox flooded with reports of a redesigned PSP arriving as early as March 2007. Understandably, Sony is far more interested in highlighting their handheld's new peripherals, namely a 1.3 Megapixel camera and GPS add-on. Both devices, along with a games lineup powered by Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, are set to be given obscenely bright spotlights and elaborate displays at the upcoming Tokyo Game Show. Is that it for the unborn PSPetite? Hardly. There's more than one way to interpret Sony's tactic of dismissal: This one's the least interesting -- there is no redesign in the works, leaving the PSP as the sole train departing the portable gaming ghetto. The folks at Sony do have plans to release a new PSP but realize that announcing an improved model, mere months before Christmas, probably isn't the greatest idea they've ever come up with (it would rank just slightly above the PSX). Amusingly, said plans may actually be unveiled tomorrow. Who could forget Nintendo's David Yarnton debunking a DS redesign? He was quoted as saying "That's been rumoured, I don't know for how long, but we haven't got any plans at the moment. Nothing I know of." The DS Lite was announced the very next day. With the PSP consistently snagging second spot in the Japanese hardware charts and the DS Lite steamrolling its way across the Earth, there's little evidence to suggest that Sony wouldn't reap the rewards of a redesigned handheld. After all, it's sure to include new firmware.
