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Sony's PlayTV for PS3 gets shown off, still only for Europe
Sony's been relatively mum on its Slingbox-like PlayTV add-on for the PlayStation 3 since it announced it last fall, but it's now finally starting to show it off for all to see and, thanks to the BBC's dot.life blog, we now have a pretty good idea of what European PS3 users can expect. As you can see in the video after the break, the PlayTV software appears to be straightforward enough, and includes the usual program guide, and options to pause and rewind live Freeview TV, as well as the ability to record one channel while watching another (thanks to the dual tuners in the device itself). Also on display is the PlayTV's ability to work with your PlayStation Portable via Remote Play, which'll let you watch live TV (or recorded programming) from anywhere with a WiFi connection. One of the few things it can't do, it seems, is record programming in the background while you're playing a game, although the developers are apparently "working hard" to add that feature. Still no word on a price or exact release date though, so you have a bit longer to be spared the inevitable bragging from your European friends.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
IGN fans the flames of PSP vs. DS debate
Ah, fanboy debate. Nothing quite motivates those lurking in the darkest corners of the internet to pounce from their hiding places like some really intense debate over which handheld is the best. And, now IGN has just sounded the equivalent to a dinner bell, asking one and all to come and help them decide which is the better, the Nintendo DS or Sony PSP.How do they decide this? Well, through the games.
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?
Skype coming to Sony's PSP?
Guess what babies? All your wildest dreams are about to come true (provided they don't get too wild). That's right, according to new PR for Sony's upcoming CES showing, Skype is apparently coming to the PSP. Details are scarce at the moment (i.e., nonexistent), but the company makes clear mention of a Skype client for the handheld game system on its CES 2008 promo site, which is pretty official -- though we're gonna hold our breath a little till we see a press release. Obviously, we'll be hearing a lot more about this when the big show kicks off this month, but until then at least we can all sleep a little better at night knowing the PSP is about to get yet another succulent function. Just hit the read link and click on the controller icon, all you need to know is listed in the sidebar.Update: Thanks to some sleuthing by the crew over at UberGizmo, a perverse and exciting little easter egg has been found in the PSP promo video which accompanies this new info. For literally one frame, Sony all but confirms Skype on the handheld with a nearly-subliminal image that reads "Make calls with Skype." Check the image after the break and see for yourself.[Thanks, Jorge H]
Star Tribune: DS is easy to pick over the PSP
Ah, mainstream media. How we love your misinformed nature and incredible ability to point out the obvious. Like, how the DS is way better than the PSP. You've really showed your clairvoyance, Miss Cleo.We will agree that choosing between the DS and PSP is a lot easier than choosing between the current generation of consoles, however. In terms of price, it's a smaller commitment and it's easier to decide between two, rather than three. But one thing the DS has (like its console cousin, the Wii) is an appeal to people of all ages and all walks of life.What are some other things you love about the DS? Why do you think it's better than the PSP (we have a feeling you're going to say "the games")? Or, don't you, and you're merely reading DSF to learn more about your enemy for the impending battle between fanboy armies?
PlayStation Store for PSP goes live in the US
The online Playstation Store for the PSP just quietly went live on our side of the world with two downloadable PSP titles, 16 PSone titles, and a handful of themes, wallpapers, and videos. Wipeout Pure and Syphon Filter: Combat Ops are the first two $10 PSP games out of the gate, and highlights of the PSone list include Twisted Metal 2, Crash Bandicoot, and Tekken 2, all for $6. The store requires the download of a Windows-only loader app to transfer files to your PSP -- and now, after waiting all this time for PS3-free downloads, we're kinda wondering why we can't sync up over WiFi. Eh, don't let our grumpy whining bother you -- go get your game on and let us know how things are working for you in comments.[Via Gamebrink]
PSP modded for internal camera, speakers
While many of the PSP mods we've seen have been of questionable utility, at best, this latest creation from Acid Mods member Rex and his R&D team looks to be considerably more practical, although it's far from a simple hack. Not only did Rex add some presumably improved speakers, but he managed to squeeze in an internal camera that, judging from the video after the break, appears to work remarkably well. Unfortunately, that came at the expense of the PSP's UMD slot, although Rex says he's now working on a PSP slim version that'll keep the UMD in place. While there's no tutorial for building your own just yet, that is apparently coming "soon."
Microsoft exec discusses the handheld game, Nintendo's strengths
Neil Thompson, Microsot's senior regional director for the UK and Ireland at Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices division, sat down with GamesIndustry.biz to discuss all things Microsoft. While we could care less about that, he does offer some insight as to why Microsoft didn't enter the handheld gaming space and some of the challenges that Sony faced in trying to be competitive with Nintendo.Thomspon says "The DS has been a great success for, and I think the interesting thing that case writers looking back at Nintendo in the last two or three years will look at, is the simplicity somewhat of the technology. They may argue it's a complex technology, but in a lot of ways it's actually quite a simple technology." While that's a good thought, isn't Thomspon overlooking the fact that a system is only so good as its games?
Neo's new PSP motion sensor
Apparently, a PSP peripheral manufacturer called Neo has come up with a novel -- if somewhat useless (currently, at least) -- add-on for the handheld game system: a motion sensor. It's unclear right now what the possible uses for the sensor might be, and frankly, if it's something like an accelerometer, or a light sensor, or some other, cooler, more funky sensor we haven't thought of yet. There is one thing we can tell you for sure: it won't work on your PSP slim. Apparently, the device is aimed at home-brewers and DIY'ers -- and we're pretty sure they'll find something interesting to do with the thing. The company says it's available now, but we couldn't locate the little guy, or its price... so good luck.[Via MAXCONSOLE]
PSP Fanboy and Joystiq are all over the PSP Slim
Now that the PSP Slim is in the wild, we know you're aching to see what it's like up close, and Joystiq and PSP Fanboy have got you covered with an in-depth three-part series that should answer virtually every question you might have -- and them some -- about Sony's littlest console. Check it out!Read -- Part 1: Firmware, Video-out, button responseRead -- Part 2: Load times, size comparisons, pricingRead -- Part 3: Cables, cases, battery charging, battery life
PSP wireless heartbeat sensor hack
It's amazing what homebrew coders for the PSP are able to come up with, especially when you consider that the "solutions" don't really solve anything. If you've ever hankered for a heartbeat recognition ability for your portable gaming machine, then here it is. One guy called Art simply soldered a coiled copper wire across the microphone input, which allows it to pick up the signal from a wireless heartbeat sensor. The result isn't visually impressive -- he hasn't coded a graphical readout yet -- but it should definitely inspire confidence in the homebrew community's ingenuity. PSP pull-ups anyone?[Thanks, Wraggster]
"Pandora's Battery" hack promises to unbrick all bricked PSPs
The PSP has seen plenty of hacks in its still relatively short lifespan, but it looks like this latest one from the folks at N00bz could well be one of the biggest, with it promising to do nothing short of unbricking all bricked PSPs. The key to that daunting task, it seems, was to turn an ordinary PSP battery into a so-called "service mode trigger battery," resulting in something N00bz has appropriately dubbed "Pandora's Battery." To make one of your own, you'll of course need a spare battery, as well as a working homebrew-enabled PSP to set things up with. After running a few programs on it and your PC, you should then have a battery/memory stick combo that'll let you get any PSP back up and running with the v1.5 firmware. Those looking to give it a shot can hit up the link below for the full instructions and necessary downloads.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Sony extends PSP capabilites with Go!Messenger and Go!Explore
In case you missed it in all the hubbub earlier, we thought we'd take a minute to flesh out the details on Sony's newly announced Go!Messenger service for the PSP, as well as its also just-announced Go!Explore GPS package. Set to be released in January of next year, Go!Messenger will apparently be pushed out as part of a firmware update (which, of course, means it's free) and will sit on the XMB for easy access. From there you can get in some VoIP voice chat or, with the help of a Go!Cam, some video chat as well. What's more, the app will also boast a "new and intuitive on-screen keyboard" for some IM action. On the non-free front, Sony's trotted its Go!Explore GPS package, which was developed in collaboration with Tele Atlas and NavNGo. While the price doesn't appear to have been specified, the package will include both the GPS add-on for the PSP and a UMD loaded with your chosen maps. According to Sony, the system will be equally at home as a pedestrian or in-car GPS, and you'll most everything you'd expect from a dedicated GPS system, including 3D maps, 11 unique audio languages, and plenty of POIs. Look for it to launch "in the New Year," with seven different geographic versions set to be available for various parts of Europe.Read - Sony Go!Messenger Press ReleaseRead - Sony Go!Explore Press Release
Sony announces Go! PSP video download service for Europe
Among the wealth of Sony news coming out of Europe today are some more details on the previously announced PSP video download service, which is now officially known as the Go! Video Download Service. As we knew before, Britain's Sky Broadcasting is Sony's key partner here, with it providing a range of content from its own channels, as well as from some unspecified third-party channels and content owners it plans to work with. Apparently among the content set to be on offer are the "very latest premier movies and high profile sporting events," which will be available on a pay-per-view basis (no word if there'll be any freebies for other content). According to Sony, PSP users will be able to both download content directly using a WiFi connection, or transfer content they've downloaded using their PC. Look for the service to launch in "early 2008."
Sony teams with Sky for PSP video on demand in Europe
While PSP users in Japan will soon be able to use their preferred handheld to pick up some digital broadcast TV, those in Europe will apparently be getting some new video options of a different sort, with Sony today announcing a partnership with Sky that'll see the two form a new company to offer video on demand. Details are unfortunately still pretty light at the moment, but the service (offering "a wealth of video and film content") will apparently be available in the UK and Ireland initially, with talk of further expansion in Europe reportedly still "ongoing." According to GamesIndustry.biz, the two will have plenty more to say about it at the Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany on August 22nd.
Custom-made God of War PSP up for auction
While it may not be to everyone's taste, this one-of-a-kind God of War PSP is certainly an impressive bit of console modding, boasting not just a spiffy paint job, but a few additions that dig into the PSP itself. Those include a red acrylic window on the rear of the unit that'll let you see the UMD spinning, as well as some red LEDs that light up the PSP's two shoulder buttons (head on over after the break for some more pics). Only the most die hard God of War fans need apply here though, as last we checked the bidding was around the $1,200 mark. On the upside, 15% of the final sale price will go to the Child's Play charity, and you'll also get that classy velvet-lined case to display your new prized possession in.[Via PSP Fanboy]
Japan gets the PSP lite in three additional colors
Showing a little love for the home crowd, Sony announced today that in addition to the three "basic" colors of black, silver, and white, Japanese PSP fans will also be getting the PSP lite in three metallic pastel shades: Rose Pink, Lavender Purple, and, um, Blue. No word on if we'll ever see these officially make it Stateside, but seeing as the original PSP was unlocked, you can bet some eager graymarketer is getting ready to cash in.PS. You know Sony should've given the new model an official name when even PSP Fanboy is calling it the "PSP lite."[Via PSP Fanboy]
Sony announces PSP 1seg TV tuner
It looks like Sony's finally deemed it necessary to offer an updated version of Sega's Game Gear TV tuner, with the company today announcing its 1seg TV tuner for the PlayStation Portable. That technological distinction of course means that the device won't be making its way to North America (at least in its current form), but PSP users in Japan will soon be able to pick up some digital TV signals for the not unreasonable price of ¥6,980 (or about $57). There is a catch, however, in that the device is apparently only compatible with the new, slimmer PSP -- hopefully not a sign of further things to come from Sony. If that's not a deal-breaker for ya, you'll be able to grab one on September 20th.[Via PS3Forums, thanks Stan]
Old PSP model to be phased out
Not that we weren't assuming this anyway, but Sony has gone on record to say that when the new PSP starts shipping in September, it will completely replace the original, 19 percent fatter PSP model. Sony definitely ain't no Nintendo, which continues to sell GameBoy Advance models alongside the DS. We've got to wonder how likely it is that the PSP will suffer from a kind of Osbourne effect until September: would you pick up a PSP knowing that a thinner, faster version of the same device is just around the corner?[Via PSP Fanboy]
PSP modder extraordinare Dark Alex calls it quits
After nearly a year of playing cat-and-mouse with Sony's legal and dev teams, it looks like the heat was too much for Dark-AleX, the modder behind a couple (in)famous PSP cracks, including the "run any PSX ISO" 3.02 firmware and the bust-it-wide 3.10 "Open Edition." In a terse posting on his website, the cracker says the effort was not only taking up too much of his time, but that Sony's recent "menaces" to PS3 modders left him unwilling to continue. We can see why he'd drop out, but we're sad to see him go -- the PSP homebrew community owes him a great deal.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
