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The PlayStation Phone
It's hard to believe that what we're looking at is real -- but we assure you, the picture above is in fact the PlayStation Phone you've long been waiting for. As we reported back in August, the device you see is headed into the market soon, likely boasting Android 3.0 (aka Gingerbread), along with a custom Sony Marketplace which will allow you to purchase and download games designed for the new platform. The device snapped up top (and in our gallery below) is sporting a 1GHz Qualcomm MSM8655 (a chip similar to the one found in the G2, but 200MHz faster), 512MB of RAM, 1GB of ROM, and the screen is in the range of 3.7 to 4.1 inches. Looking almost identical to the mockup we hit you with this summer, the handset does indeed have a long touchpad in the center which is apparently multitouch, and you can see in the photos that it's still bearing those familiar PlayStation shoulder buttons. For Sony buffs, you'll be interested to know that there's no Memory Stick slot here, but there is support for microSD cards. The particular model in these shots is still in prototyping mode. As such, the unit doesn't have a custom skin (not even SE's Timescape design seen on the Xperia devices), and is said to be rather buggy. We're digging into more facts as we speak, but it's likely that much of what we reported earlier is still accurate, and though the device could still be headed for a 2010 release, 2011 is looking much more realistic. Still, there's a lot of time between now and the holidays... so keep your fingers crossed! %Gallery-106052% %Gallery-106050%
PSP Go drops to $199 in US [update: price drops in UK too]
Sony has announced price cuts for the PSP Go in both Japan and the US. Originally launched at ¥26,800 ($332), the tiny, UMD-free system will retail for ¥16,800 ($208) in Japan starting tomorrow. In America (according to Reuters), the system will drop somewhat less dramatically, from $249 to $199. This matches information we received from a retailer -- though it's happening a bit later than that retail leak predicted. Of course, Amazon shoppers have had a "preview" of that price for several months, as have others thanks to retail discounts. The Japanese price drop makes both the PSP Go and the PSP 3000 the same price in that region -- your decision is now based on whether or not you want to be limited to PlayStation Store releases. Update: Eurogamer reports that the price will drop to £159.99 in the UK starting November 1.
PSP Go price cut to $200 in the US and Japan
Sony just slashed ¥10k off the price of the PSP Go in Japan (effective starting Tuesday). That brings the price down to ¥16,800 or right around $200 -- a more reasonable price point Sony has been toying with in the US for awhile. A quick search online shows a $199 listing on Amazon and Gamestop while Sony's US PlayStation site still has it listed at $249.99. That'll likely change any minute now. Update: US price cut confirmed.
Rumor: PSP Go drops price to $200 this Friday in North America
Due to our strict silk pants-only policy, the PSP Go (and, really, any other handheld) has been a hard sell -- sure, the $250 asking price isn't helping, but that may be changing in the near future. A dutiful tipster sent us the above image from his AAFES-based store of employment, indicating a $50 North American price drop to $200 for the digital-only handheld. Oddly, Sony has kept mum on the possibility, not even offering a "We don't comment on rumor and speculation" to our repeated attempts at contact. Our friends in other retailers have yet to uncover any news of the price drop, but Sony's silence gives us the impression something's up. Perhaps you have something to share? Don't hesitate to drop us a line!
New Gametech Bear peripheral sticks your DualShock 3 to a PSP Go
Did you know that the PSP Go allows you to tether a PS3 controller to the handheld, effectively doing away with the portable nature of the device but arguably improving the feel of its controls? Maybe you didn't, largely because using a separate controller for a handheld device would be ... weird. Peripheral manufacturer Gametech Bear has come up with a way around this phenomenon -- it's created a device which physically adheres the PSP Go to a DualShock 3. Gametech plans to release the peripheral by the end of the year in Japan at a price point of 2,980 yen (or $36). Though it actually attaches the controller to the handheld, you still have to use a Bluetooth connection to tether the two devices. Here's hoping it doesn't interfere with your DualShock 3's Bluetooth connection to your top-of-the-line FutureToaster.
Phantasy Star Portable 2's digital release delayed in Europe
PSP Go owners living in Europe who've been anticipating the launch of Phantasy Star Portable 2 will have to stick tight for a little bit longer -- Sega has announced the game's digital version won't launch in Europe until October 6. We'll save some rare drops for you guys!
Sony's Peter Dille discusses PlayStation's 15-year legacy
Peter Dille is quite possibly one of the most qualified people to speak about PlayStation's 15 year legacy. Minus a stint at THQ, SCEA's senior vice president has been working with Sony since the PS1 launch, returning for the PS3 era. Not only did we get to speak with him about the past 15 years, but we had a chance to talk about the future and the growing importance of the Network in Sony's vision of gaming's future. Joystiq: This is a difficult first question, but what in your mind is PlayStation's single greatest contribution to the industry since its introduction 15 years ago? Peter Dille: I think PlayStation changed the business in a way that made gaming popular and accessible to a much bigger audience than had been the case. When we introduced PlayStation back in 1995, we were competing against Sega and Nintendo -- two very successful companies. Largely, folks regarded gaming as something kids did, that something kids would grow out of it once they came to their senses. What PlayStation proved was that gaming was a legitimate form of entertainment, and the combination of the Sony brand and the PlayStation product and brand identity resonated with folks who were teenagers, but also people who were 35 years old. And the proof is: in 1995, the business was $2.5 billion, and today it's a $20 billion business. We helped grow this business in a way that I think speaks for itself.
Sony's PSP Go post-mortem continues, Kaz Hirai concedes 'pricing is perhaps an issue'
We're still perplexed by the PSP Go's failure. Who doesn't want to pay more for a device that lacks the hardware to play UMD games, only compatible with downloadable versions that release days or weeks later and then cost more to boot? Sony's Andrew House stepped up in June to put a positive spin on the situation, saying the PSP Go helped them "learn more about what the consumer wanted" -- something they obviously didn't do before shipping the thing. Now Sony Computer Entertainment President Kaz Hirai is giving a similar angle in an interview with MCV, addressing concerns of both price and content availability: ...we did get a lot of feedback, both good and bad. I think we need to make sure we have as many titles available to download as possible, to make the experience as easy as possible. But also pricing is perhaps an issue. If nothing else the PSP Go has certainly generated a lot of consumer feedback, and encouragingly it seems like Sony is actually listening.
Kaz Hirai: Price 'perhaps' an issue with PSP Go
In what can only be described as a triumph of understatement, PlayStation boss Kaz Hirai has admitted to MCV that the $250 pricing could "perhaps" be blamed for the PSP Go's unimpressive sales thus far. "I think we need to make sure we have as many titles available to download as possible, to make the experience as easy as possible. But also pricing is perhaps an issue. Because of the cost reductions we've been able to do over the years, the traditional PSP has benefited. But the PSP Go is a completely different design, so the cost trend is different." To put it another way, when Sony took out the part that makes it play all the PSP games you already own, it made it very expensive. Or to put it even simpler: They only hit you because they love you so much. If Sony really wanted to capture the situation, it'd make an ad where Kevin Butler puts a PSP Go in a slingshot, fires it out a window at a passing explosion and says, "Win some, lose some, I guess." We understand why this level of corporate honesty is not an option, but can we at least get something better than "perhaps"? Like ... say ... a price cut?
Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep not coming to PSN
Late last year, we heard a pretty troubling rumor about Square Enix's first keybladed outing on the PSP, Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep -- that the game wouldn't get a downloadable version on the PSN, thereby preventing any PSP Go owners from getting their hands on it. It's almost nine months later, and Square has finally commented on the rumor, confirming to IGN that "Square Enix, Inc. currently has no plans to release Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep through the PlayStation Store." Considering Birth By Sleep is one of the highest-profile releases on the platform in some time, this is an awfully disheartening turn of events for owners of the download-only handheld. We've contacted Sony and Square Enix to find out the reason behind the title's absence from the PSN. [Thanks, Guts!]
Sony takes aim at iPhone gaming in new PSP ad
Well, it looks like Nintendo isn't the only gaming company that thinks Apple is the "enemy of the future" -- Sony has now also taken aim at iPhone gaming in a new PSP ad featuring Kevin Butler's pint-sized counterpart, Marcus Rivers. In it, Marcus reminds viewers that the iPhone is built for things like "texting your grandma and calling your girl," while the PSP is "built for big boy games," some of which can be had for as little as $9.99. See the whole thing for yourself after the break.
Exclusive: Sony Ericsson to introduce Android 3.0 gaming platform and PSP Go-like smartphone
There's no question that gaming on the Android platform has heretofore been relatively underwhelming, but that looks like it's all about to change. It seems that Sony Ericsson -- a company that has yet to even introduce an Android 2.0 device -- is at work on a project to redefine gaming on Google's mobile platform. We now know (via a trusted source) that the company is actively and heavily developing a brand new gaming platform, ecosystem, and device (possibly alongside Google) which are already in the late stages of planning. And we've got the goods on it.
Engadget: Sony Ericsson making PlayStation-branded Android 3.0 'gaming phone'
Our sister blog Engadget has been told by "a trusted source" that Sony Ericsson will introduce a cross between the PSP Go and an Android phone later this year. The handset (which is mocked up above -- not the actual product) is supposed to be a "landscape slider," but instead of a QWERTY keyboard like a mobile phone or regular game controls like the PSP, it will have PlayStation buttons, a d-pad and a "long touch pad" to mimic dual analog input. Sony Ericsson's device will run Android 3.0, and games will be made available through a special section of the Android Market, with versions of God of War, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and LittleBigPlanet reportedly used as examples of what sort of lineup we could expect. Additionally, games that meet certain requirements might be made available to other Android handset users and, eventually, titles might embrace other smartphone features such as augmented reality. The phone is reportedly set to be introduced sometime this October. With the actual PSP already experimenting with phone-like functions like Skype, it's not a stretch to see Sony try and bring some of its gaming know-how to the mobile phone space in a PSP-like package.
EyePet PSP and Invizimals may not support PSP Go in North America
The upcoming camera-enabled launches of EyePet and Invizimals in North America may not be available to PSP Go owners at all. PlayStation.Blog's Sid Shuman accurately admits that the upcoming PSP camera was "designed for pre-Go models only," and the "current camera will only fit onto the larger PSP model." Shuman suggests there are "no workarounds," suggesting he has forgotten about the rarely-seen PSP Go "converter cable," introduced at Tokyo Game Show last year. Whether or not the attachment will ever find a Stateside release is still up in the air. "We don't have any information yet on a peripheral attachment for the Go," a Sony rep told us, neither confirming nor denying the possibility. Of course, should SCEA choose not to ship the cables, there's another solution: importing from Japan.%Gallery-73857%
Sony's Andrew House: PSP Go launched in part to 'learn more about what the consumer wanted'
Sony's certainly been fairly candid when discussing the PSP Go in the past, but SCEE CEO Andrew House went quite a bit further than usual in discussing the download-only handheld with MCV recently. When asked if he considered the PSP Go to be a success, he responded by saying that it was "introduced in a mature lifecycle to learn more about what the consumer wanted," and that Sony has "definitely learned a lot," adding that "one of the reasons we launched PSP Go was to understand where that consumer behavior was going." He further went on to say that Sony was "getting signals from consumers that this was the kind of device that they wanted," but says that Sony needs to "recognize that consumers like their packaged media library." Does that mean a return to physical media for the eventual PSP 2? House unsurprisingly wouldn't say, but we have a feeling Sony will be getting plenty of questions about it at E3 next week.
Sony: PSP Go 'experiment' revealed consumers' love of physical media
Speaking to MCV, SCEE CEO Andrew House categorized the digital-only PSP Go as an experiment of sorts. "One of the reasons we launched PSP Go was to understand where that consumer behavior was going," House said. "We were getting signals from consumers that this was the kind of device that they wanted. But we need to recognize that consumers like their packaged media library." Of course, House is omitting most of the reasons that the PSP Go isn't the best value proposition. Sure, people like to collect and display game cases and other retail bonuses. But they also like buying games on their release dates, rather than several weeks later -- or not at all -- as is the case with many digital versions of PSP games. They also like having the choice between digital and packaged versions of games, as is possible with every version of the PSP hardware but the Go. What they don't like is paying an $80 premium for the privilege of being limited only to digital releases. We admit, we haven't commissioned as much research into consumer behavior as Sony has -- but we think we have a handle on this particular phenomenon.
Sony announces $10 PSP games, PSP Go deal
Following the announcement of Sony Europe's PSP Essentials line, Sony is introducing a line of super-cheap $10 PSP games to North America. The "PSP Favorites" line, launching today, includes first-party hits like LocoRoco 2, Patapon 2, PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe and Twisted Metal: Head On; as well as third-party games like Silent HIll: Origins, Justice League Heroes and others. The full launch list of "PSP Favorites" titles is posted after the break. In addition, four games have been added to the slightly-more-expensive Greatest Hits collection: Gran Turismo, LittleBigPlanet, Resistance: Retribution and Secret Agent Clank. Each is priced at $20. But wait, there's more! Sony has also announced a voucher for three games with the purchase of a PSP Go system from now through March 31. Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters, LittleBigPlanet and SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 3 are now free with the purchase of a system. With those games costing a combined $80 at retail, that means the PSP Go is basically the same price as a PSP 3000 right now -- at least, if you were going to buy all three of those games.
New PSP Go owners living in UK get free game download
Once more, with feeling! In an attempt to shore up consumer interest in the PSP Go, Sony is offering an attractive promotion to folks living in the UK: Anyone who buys the handheld, or has registered said handheld online after April 1, can download one of ten free noteworthy titles for the platform. All you have to do is download a "Promotion Theme" from the PlayStation Store before September 30 (and, um, live in the UK), and you'll be able to grab one of the following for free: Gran Turismo MotorStorm: Arctic Edge LittleBigPlanet Wipeout Pure Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice FIFA World Cup Need For Speed: Shift Avatar GTA Vice City Stories Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines
Sony looks to boost PSP Go sales with ten free games -- in the UK, at least
We're not sure if this is the "relaunch" that we've been hearing about, but it looks like PSP Go buyers in the UK will soon have one big new reason to consider the UMD-less handheld -- Sony says that it'll be throwing in a whopping ten free game downloads with each system. That deal will apparently also apply to at least some existing PSP Go customers (those that registered their system after April 1st), and it looks like you'll get a surprisingly solid lineup of games, including titles like Little Big Planet, Gran Turismo, Wipout Pure, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, and Need for Speed Shift, to name a few. Unfortunately, there's no indication on when or if the promotion will launch over here, with SCE's UK sales director Mark Howsen only confirming that it will be rolling out in the UK "next month."
PSP Go on sale for $189 from Dell
If you've stubbornly held off on purchasing a PSP Go until it's available at a slightly more reasonable price, you may want to turn your attention to Dell's current discount on the handheld. If you purchase a Go on Dell's site right now, you'll get an instant $60 rebate, knocking the total cost down to $189. Shipping is free as well, so you won't concern yourself with any pesky weight and distance estimations. As the salespeople on TV would say, you just set it, and forget it. Then, in three to five business days, it'll show up, and you'll be all like, "Oh, neat. Someone bought me a PSP Go."
