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PSP-3000 unboxing and hands-on
We know they're hitting the streets, and we've already seen some unboxing pics and a nasty gutting, but we felt we needed to give Sony's new PSP-3000 the proper Engadget treatment. As you can tell by the photos, there's not much new here, though as you should know, the guts are where it's all going down (new screen, built-in microphone). Still it never hurts to take a close look at a shiny new toy... so enjoy yourselves in the gallery.%Gallery-34893%
Sony pushes out firmware 5.0 for PSP
"Soon-ish" has turned to "now-ish." PSP owners eager to get their minds into the PlayStation Network (and thus, the PS Store) right on their handheld can now do so... right after they suck down the freshly released firmware 5.0, of course. Aside from the obvious changes, the PlayStation format software can now be output in full-screen size on a connected device, the sleep timer feature can now be used under [Music], the system automatically reverts to USB mode when a USB cable is connected and the [Original] theme has been redesigned. Get it while the gettin's good.
Sony's PSP-3000 now available across North America
Given that a PSP-3000 Ratchet & Clank Entertainment Pack managed to sneak out a few days back (and, you know, being that today's the official launch day and all), you shouldn't be too floored to hear that the altogether brighter PlayStation Portable is now available across North America. 'Course, you'll have to fork over $199.99 for the aforementioned bundle if you want it today -- the less-frills black PSP-3000 kit (with just a 4GB Memory Stick) should be around next month.
Sony PSP 5.00 and PS3 2.50 firmware updates available soon-ish
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) has put the word out on those PS3 and PSP updates we hepped you to yesterday. The big news is that the PS3 browser now supports Flash 9. Otherwise, things are pretty much as we thought: support for your SOCOM Bluetooth Headset's High Quality mode, advanced voice chat features, screen capture (for future titles), a video scene search, power save mode and changes to the Trophy system and Information Board. The PSP 5.00 firmware gives the handheld WiFi access to the PlayStation store, a full size on-screen keyboard and a sleep timer (just like your old clock radio). According to SCEE, the updates should see the light of day on October 15 (at least in Europe) but there's no word yet on a Stateside release. You'll know as soon as we do.
PS3 2.50 and PSP 5.00 firmware coming soon, PSP WiFi store included
Sony's firmware elves haven't gotten a break since the last round of console updates -- PS3 2.50 and PSP 5.00 have just been announced on the PlayStation Blog. Nothing terrifically major for the PS3 apart from support for the SOCOM Bluetooth Headset's High Quality mode, as well as some trophy tweaks and power management options, but the PSP gets a WiFi version of the PlayStation Store, with downloadable games, trailers, and demos. No word on when these will actually become available, but we'd guess it'll be relatively soon.
Sony sorts out the UK PSP-3000 release situation
Fear not, UK friends, you will be getting the eye-pleasing, battery-draining PSP-3000 just like everyone else, but it seems you won't be getting quite as many bundle options as others in Europe. According to GamesIndustry.biz, the silver PSP-3000 bundle with Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters and the black PSP-3000 bundle with a 4GB Memory Stick won't be making it to the UK, at least initially, leaving you with only the Go! communication, FIFA, Harry Potter, and Buzz! Master Quiz bundles to choose from. That, as you may have noticed, doesn't include a stand-alone PSP-3000 option, but Sony assures us that'll be arriving as well sometime after the bundles are released.[Via PSP Fanboy]
Unspectacular PSP-3001 outed by the FCC
We expect a lot when Sony makes a full point update from the PSP-2001. Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case as we thumb through the FCC filing for Sony's newest PSP. Then again, it's being pretty tight-lipped with most of the juicy docs well hidden in support of Sony's request for confidentiality. We can tell you that the FCC's tests were all focused on the 2.4GHz spectrum for the PSP-3001's stated use of 802.11b WiFi (nothing new there) -- no GPS, no 802.11 Draft-n, no Bluetooth. In fact, the schematic used to demonstrate the FCC ID placement looks identical to the existing PSP slim -- no evidence of that rumored mic or redesigned Home button. Guess we'll have to wait for this one to walk through the system a bit. Nevertheless, fanboys rejoice, PSP-3001 is real and this close to a formal announcement. See the label placement pic after the break.
Sony bigwig hints at GPS-enabled PSP games
Only John Koller knows how serious John Koller, Sony's senior marketing manager for PSP, was when mentioning that GPS-enabled games could eventually hit the PSP, but he definitely threw it out there. Speaking about the forthcoming GPS add-on for the PlayStation Portable, Koller stated that said module "changes the dynamics of GPS but also changes the way developers think about games on PSP, because you can start integrating GPS into it." He continued on by mentioning that Sony's own first-party studios were "already looking at a number of things [involving GPS in games]," and concluded by asserting that a GPS game could land on the system as early as next year. Considering just how long we've been waiting for the add-on, we're not holding our breath on the titles.[Via PSP Fanboy]
Sony said to be prepping PSP-3000 with built-in mic
There may not have been any word of a new PSP out of E3 as some had suspected, but it looks Sony may have a bit of a late surprise for us, at least if these tantalizing pics from PSPChina are to be believed. Apparently, this new PSP-3000 model remains mostly unchanged from the current PSP-2000, with the notable addition of a built-in microphone and a somewhat less notable PlayStation button in place of the usual Home button. As you can see in the picture after the break, the signature steel ring on the back of the PSP also appears to have been trimmed a bit (there's a pic of the inside of the case as well, for the curious). Not exactly the DS Lite sort of upgrade that'd make everyone ditch their old PSPs to be sure but, as we've seen with the PSP-2000, it would be about par for the course for Sony.[Via Joystiq, Khattab]
PSP firmware 4.05 goes live with new visualizers
Sony's official blog says PSP firmware 4.05, out now, contains "other features" in addition to a couple new music visualizers, but it's not clear what they are, apart from a slightly tweaked XMB animation if you've got a wallpaper set up. Go forth and download -- let us know if there's anything earth-shattering in there, won't you?[Via Joystiq]
Sony applies for "tactile pixel" haptic touchscreen patent
It's never clear how a company plans on implementing a given patent, but Sony's patent application for a haptic touchscreen composed of "tactile pixels" lists former Sony Computer Entertainment chief Phil Harrison as the inventor and makes several references to potential use in "a game device" and to "game events," so it's a safe bet that it was at least developed with the PSP in mind. The patent app describes a sophisticated haptic feedback system that goes well beyond the basic rumble of today's device -- the pixels themselves are able to move up and down between two positions, providing direct feedback to user actions. That's certainly an interesting idea, but like all patent news, we're not going to hold out hope for it to surface in a consumer device anytime soon -- but we're willing to be surprised, you know?[Via PSP Fanboy]
Sony unveils "Life with Playstation" PS3 service
Kaz Hirai took to a Tokyo stage today to give us a peek at the Playstation's future, and he let slip a couple of interesting tidbits. First, Sony will be launching a new program called "Life with Playstation" that will give users real time news and weather, using a globe metaphor reminiscent of the Wii's News Channel. Of course, since the PS3 has considerably more horsepower under the hood, the globe is a rendered weather satellite image showing cloud patterns, and it also supports geo-tagged photos and other content. Kaz also previewed the video-download service set to launch next month at E3, which will allow you to download or stream video to the PS3 and PSP. The store looks a lot like the current PlayStation Store, and it looks like HD rentals will run around $6 while SD purchases will clock in around $13 when it launches in the States this summer. We'll learn a lot more at E3, presumably, but for now we'll just settle for a decent screen shot of that globe interface.[Via PS3 Fanboy]
Sony Europe president talks PSP piracy, promises clampdown
Sony Europe president David Reeves has never been one to shy away from making bold statements in the past, and he's now come out and weighed in on another touchy subject, with him flatly telling attendees at the DevStation conference in London that "there is a piracy problem on the PSP." What's more, Reeves went so far as to admit that it "sometimes fuels the growth of hardware sales, but that "on balance", Sony is "not happy about it." To that end, Reeves says that Sony will soon be unveiling new ways to combat piracy on the handheld, although he unsurprisingly isn't getting a whole lot more specific than that at the moment.[Via PSP Fanboy]
PSP firmware 4.00 due "soon," adds Google search to XMB
There's no indication of an exact release date just yet, but word just dropped on the official PlayStation blog that the PSP will be getting a boost to firmware version 4.00 "soon." That'll bring with it the addition of Google search directly form the XMB interface, which Sony says "replicates the Google Internet search experience." Apart from that somewhat notable upgrade, the only other new feature they're talking about at the moment is the ability to change the viewing speed during playback of videos stored on a Memory Stick. Not exactly the upgrade we would have guessed for a milestone like 4.00, but we can always hope Sony has a couple of surprises up its sleeve.
PSP hacked for use with DualShock controller
It's not the first time we've seen a controller hacked for use with the PSP, but this mod by Acidmods member Blizzrad takes things a bit further than most, with it relying entirely on hardware modifications in order to work, meaning it can be done on any PSP regardless of the firmware. It's also one of the cleanest-looking mods we've seen to date, with the only evidence of tampering on the PSP itself being a discreetly placed controller connector right above the power switch. Of course, that also means it's considerably more difficult for most of us to do ourselves, but we can at least get a glimpse of what's possible courtesy of the video after the break.
Sony announces metallic blue Madden NFL 09 PSP bundle
It looks like Sony is aiming to put ColorWare out of business with all the new, brightly-colored PSP models it's introduced as of late, a streak that continues with the company's just-announced metallic blue model. This one is available exclusively in a new Madden NFL 09 bundle, which includes said game, along with a 1GB Memory Stick, the NFL: In Just One Play video on UMD, and a PSN voucher that'll let you download the Beats rhythm game free of charge. Look for it land on August 12th with the usual bundle price tag of $199.99.[Via Joystiq]
PSP firmware 3.95 hits the tubes
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]
PSP-3000 reference turns up on Sony's website, don't get too excited
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.
iPhone guns for PSP and DS market share as Gameloft commits, Id too
While Apple continues to market the iPhone as a 3-in-1 device -- web, phone, and iPod -- it's clear that Jobs has a 4th market clearly in his sights. It's no accident that EA and Sega were both selected to demonstrate their skills with the iPhone SDK during last week's press event. Now Gameloft, the worldwide number one mobile game publisher in terms of revenues -- has committed to developing games for the iPhone. "Over 15 titles" are expected in 2008, in fact. Oh iPhone, is there anything you can't do with your 3D processor, multi-touch display, and 3-axis accelerometer? Oh right, GPS, 3G data, corporate Exchange, A2DP Bluetooth audio, MMS, ... you get the idea. Update: John Carmack -- co-founder of Id Software -- just commented that, "We (Id) have put in our application like everybody else." So yeah, it'll play Doom... officially this time.
Sony announces $499 Metal Gear Solid PS3 bundle, God of War PSP pack
It's no surprise that Sony has had some sort of new PS3 SKU in the works, but the company has now finally gotten official with it, and thrown in another surprise to boot. On that former front, Sony's announced the Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots PS3 Bundle, which includes said game, an 80GB PS3 and a DualShock 3 wireless controller (also available separately), all for the usual $500 price tag. Look for it to coincide with the launch of MGS4 in the second quarter of this year. As if that wasn't enough, Sony's also taken the wraps off its new God of War PSP Entertainment Pack, which includes a spiffy red Kratos-approved PSP, the God of War: Chains of Olympus game, Superbad on UMD, and a voucher to download Syphon Filter: Combat Ops for free. $200 and it's yours this June.
