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Sony to announce PSP2 at January 27th Tokyo meeting?
Sony has a January 27th meeting in Tokyo to discuss "business [overview] and strategy." That much is true (and confirmed by Joystiq to Sony). What we don't know is whether MCV and VG247's sources are worth their weight in Lucida Grande. Both sites claim to have heard this meeting will be the launch platform for the PSP2. (VG247, for its part, has previously published pictures of an apparent PSP2 dev kit.) No major trade show debut, just a Tokyo meeting of unknown spectacle... then again, 3DS' unveil was a random press release, so stranger things have happened. We'd wager on another PlayStation Phone non-confirmation at the very least, but we'll have to wait and see.
Rumor: PSP2 unveiling in Tokyo this month at Sony 'business meeting'
MCV reports that "trade sources" have "confirmed" that the so-called PSP2 will be unveiled at a January 27 press event, hosted by Sony in Tokyo. A VG247 source has described the event as a "business overview and strategy meeting," with "very select press" in attendance, and corroborated the supposed PSP2 reveal there. Thus far, Sony has declined to comment on the event. Supposed images of a "PSP2" prototype (pictured) were leaked in November, followed in December by the detailing of alleged hardware specs. The PSP successor is assumed to be in development alongside the PlayStation Phone, and Sony has already acknowledged the challenge of differentiating two such devices in the consumer market. Coming out and announcing them already would probably be a good start. Update: Sony has confirmed to Joystiq that the company will hold an event in Tokyo on Jan. 27. "We will be sharing business [overview] and strategy," said a representative, "but there is nothing we can comment on further at this time."
Sony's Kaz Hirai talks up virtues of touch controls, weighs in on PlayStation phone
The PlayStation phone keeps popping up time and again, and still no one at Sony is going to flat-out admit anything -- but that hasn't stopped playful speculation. Even SCE chief Kaz Hirai is joining in the fun. "We don't want gamers to be asking, what's the difference between that [a PS phone] and a PSP... we have to come up with a message that users will understand," he told The New York Times. "It would have to be a product that keeps the PlayStation's strengths intact." So that's the issue, then, differentiating a new PSP and a variant with phone capabilities -- nothing a good marketing campaign can't fix, if you ask us. But enough about the phone, what of the PlayStation's portable brand in general? Hirai seems to fancy touch controls, actually. "Depending on the game, there are ones where you can play perfectly well with a touch panel," he said, adding that "immersive games" -- the ones he think are Sony's focus, vs. the more casual fare offered by Apple and Android -- do well with physical buttons, and that some games work well with the two. We can't help but notice he said touch panel and not touch screen, which reminds us of the touchpad we saw on the PS phone leaks, but we wouldn't want to harp too much.
Sony's Hirai on the challenges of differentiating a PlayStation Phone and PSP 2
Based on the rumors circulating on this here internet, Sony supposedly intends to release two handheld devices in 2011: the PlayStation Phone and the PSP2. Although both are multi-function gaming devices, the two seem to be taking very different approaches, which have many confused about the direction Sony intends on going. Even PlayStation's Kazuo Hirai admits this is a challenge, telling the New York Times that ''we don't want gamers to be asking, what's the difference between that and a PSP ... We have to come up with a message that users will understand." Of course, "that" being the rumored PlayStation Phone (Xperia Play?). While Hirai didn't offer an official confirmation of its existence, he did add that "it would have to be a product that keeps the PlayStation's strengths intact." The chat also touched upon the successor to the PSP, and Hirai's candid comments seem to give light to what Sony has planned for its next-generation device. Most importantly, and unsurprisingly, it seems a touch mechanic will be implemented with Hirai admitting that "there are [games] where you can play perfectly well with a touch panel. But you can definitely play immersive games better with physical buttons and pads. I think there could be games where you're able to use both in combination.'' Earlier rumors suggested that PSP2 would feature some kind of touch-based "trackpad," and Hirai's comments seem to further cement that possibility. Could the next system really offer "early PS3 graphics"? And if so, what will the slogan be? "It Only Does Everything on the Go ... Except Make Calls, Which is What the PlayStation Phone Does Instead"?
PSP2 rumor points to PS3 ports, 'early' PS3-level graphics
IGN is the latest outlet to claim an inside source with hands-on experience handling Sony's latest rumored handheld, the so-called PSP2. While IGN's source doesn't contribute much to the overall impression we've assembled so far, it lends further credence to the rumored featureset (and also corroborated the previously leaked image, seen above): dual analog sliders, a UMD-less PSP Go-style slider design, a rear-mounted touch panel, a "slightly larger touch-enabled display" and both front- and rear-facing cameras. What is new from this particular source are impressions of the portable's power. IGN reports that the processor is "just over half as powerful as the PS3" and should be capable of producing "graphics comparable to early PlayStation 3 titles." The lower resolution screen will surely help minimize the quality gap between the PS3's beefy innards and whatever's powering the PSP2 so then, the question is how Sony distinguishes its gaming lineup if both consoles are graphically competitive. IGN says, "It seems that Sony aims to allow developers to port or custom-tailor PlayStation 3 titles for use on the handheld, potentially to create a ubiquitous gameplay experience that could sync seamlessly between the console and the handheld." This, of course, leads to the long-imagined "start a game at home and take it with you" model that executives, and some particularly obsessed gamers, have long dreamt about (remember the Dreamcast VMU?). Better technology was never enough to put the original PSP at the top of the handheld gaming charts and with competition from the 3DS and, more notably, smartphone platforms like the iPhone, Android, Windows Phone 7 and even the also-rumored PlayStation Phone, it raises the obvious question: Does anyone want a PS3 in their pocket? %Poll-56778%
Sony files series of patents for two-finger touch devices
Akihabara News has discovered a series of patent applications from Sony Computer Entertainment America, all dealing with touch interfaces. One (#20100299595), for example, specifies an interface that uses "two-fingered touch" gestures for data manipulation, and even specifies that the touch interface may be separate from the main display -- like the "trackpad" thing on the back of the rumored PSP2. Other suggested layouts in that application include a hypothetical design "wherein the first and second case portions are slidably connected to each other" and one "wherein the visual display and touch pad are disposed on the same side of the case." In fact, Sony covered its bases, listing every possible combination of screen and touch interface as a possibility. Other patents deal with specifying a "buffer" region on the touch interface between active input areas, using touch on one input to activate zoom on the screen, and highlighting information on one screen in response to a touch, in order to disambiguate. It sounds like Sony is most interested in using touchscreen input to affect a separate display, which would suggest the rear-touchpad interface from that purported PSP2.
Sony fires barrage of touchscreen patent applications, only one points at new PSP
Lawyers for Sony Computer Entertainment America must have been mighty busy last October, hatching the wild scheme that came to light this week -- a series of eight intertwining patent applications all describing a single device with an intriguing touchscreen interface. Though it's hard to tell what form the final device might take -- the apps suggest sliders, clamshells and slates -- a few distinct ideas bubble to the surface, and we'll knock them out one by one. First, the inventors seem to be rather particular about having a touchpad that's separate from the main screen -- perhaps even on its back like the rumored PSP2 -- and Sony's trying to patent a way to manipulate objects through the screen as well. Second, there's a lot of mumbo-jumbo about being able to "enhance" or "transform" the user interface in response to different forms of input, which seems to boil down to this: Sony's trying to get some multitouch up in there, especially pinch-to-zoom. Last but not least, the company's looking to cordon off a section of touchscreen buttons, including a 'paste' command, and patent a "prediction engine" that would dynamically change the onscreen layout based on your past behavior. If most of these ideas sound more at home in a new tablet computer rather than a gaming handheld, then great minds think alike. Still, SCEA is Sony's gaming division -- forlorn Linux computing aside -- so consider us stumped for now.
Early PSP2 dev kit in the wild?
Well, this is interesting. VG247 has published what it says are pics from an early Sony PSP2 development kit. There isn't much to go by in terms of back story, and in many ways it looks more like a KIRF from Mr. Blurrycam's vintage collection than something for software testing, but let's hear what the site has to say: HD screen, two cameras (front and rear), microphone, two thumbsticks, and a rear "trackpad" of sorts, presumably akin to what we've seen on the PS Phone leak. VG247 later updated to say that a source claims it's an earlier version of the kit and that a revision has since been developed without a sliding screen -- a move to perhaps deal with (also rumored) overheating concerns. We know a PSP2 exists in some form, so this can go one of two ways -- either cleaner shots will be found, or an entirely different leak will surface later. Given the suspect Fall 2011 debut, we have plenty of time to wait around and see. [Thanks, Ross M -- no relation]
Rumor: PSP2 prototype images leaked
VG247 claims to have obtained two images of a PSP2 development prototype -- pictures that appear to have been taken with a Barbie Video Girl-quality camera. The images depict a "slider" style device with the familiar PlayStation button layout, two thumbsticks, a microphone, two cameras, and a trackpad on the back. See the other picture after the break. The site notes that the development kit "isn't the console's final form factor" -- and then, in an update, mentions that, according to a source, Sony has already replaced this version of the dev hardware with a non-sliding version, designed to rectify an overheating problem. Which means that even if this thing is real (and we're not at all convinced it is, considering, for example, that it lacks the distinctive segmented PlayStation D-pad), it doesn't look anything like whatever the final hardware will be. [Update 5:15pm ET: We've got some more truth gasoline to add to this rumor fire ... or something. After running the images, IGN updated its post with the following: "A development source confirmed to IGN these photos are legitimate." So, best case scenario: this is what the PSP2 dev kit looks like and a rough idea of its feature set, though the hardware (including the PSP Go-style slider) is still at the prototype phase. Either that or both VG247 and IGN's sources are wrong.]
EA VP admits access to PSP2, but won't talk about it
At this point, we can probably all safely believe that developers are already working on games for the next generation of Sony handhelds, much like we can be pretty confident that a PlayStation mobile phone device is real. The Mortal Kombat team has already claimed to have a PSP2 development system, and EA senior vice president Patrick Soderlund recently told CVG that EA has had contact with the as-yet unannounced device as well. "Well, obviously as a developer we have had that" -- referring to "exposure" with the PSP2 -- "but I'm not allowed to talk about it." He refused to offer anything more specific, saying that "We can't talk about it because of our relationship with Sony obviously, which is ... That's just the way it is." Not that we're complaining, but we're pretty sure Sony wouldn't want Soderlund blithely acknowledging the existence of something he's not supposed to talk about.
Sony to announce 'new PSP product' when 'the timing is right,' VP says
Is the PSP Phone real? Sony isn't directly commenting on it right now, but a recent earnings call reveals one of the strangest non-denials we've ever seen. "As for the new PSP product, as mentioned, I know that you are not asking me to tell you when we will be coming out with a new product, but there is a gaming market based on [the] cellphones," a Sony VP (presumably CFO Masaru Kato) stated during the call. "It's not that we are not looking into those markets as well. We will look into those markets in trying to develop strategy for the future." Essentially, Sony isn't not making a gaming phone. Although the Sony representative repeats that he cannot talk about specific products in development, he does note that the planning and development of the "new product ... we are making right now" would come from under a single Sony "umbrella" that combines various branches of the company -- like Ericsson and SCE. But when will we find out more about this mysterious device? "When the timing is right we can probably announce [to] you about the new product that we have." For Sony's sake, we hope the "timing" is before Engadget gets another scoop on this not not in development phone.
PlayStation Phone leak reveals prototype device, platform details
Could this be it? The long-rumored PlayStation Phone appears to have taken a giant leap towards being real, thanks to these incredible pictures sent to Engadget. Although the slide-out D-Pad and PlayStation face buttons make it look very similar to a PSP Go, the Android-loaded device is considerably more powerful, sporting a 1GHz Qualcomm MSM8655 chip and 512MB of RAM. (The PSP, by comparison, has a 333MHz processor with 32MB of RAM.) You can also see what looks to be the PS button underneath the D-Pad (with placeholder marking) and the big, rounded rectangle in the middle is reportedly a touch-sensitive strip capable of mimicking dual-analog input. This prototype device certainly looks like the real deal, but the lack of a custom Android skin and any obvious PSP branding raises even more questions. When will this device be ready, let alone announced? How much will it be? Maybe most importantly, what kind of games will be compatible with it?
More details emerge of supposed PSP2 with backside touch controls, HD screen, hot personality
About a month before this year's Tokyo Game Show we started hearing new reports of the PSP2, a device that's been rumored since roughly the dawn of time (which could explain the prehistoric creatures on the concept render above). These rumors, however, were different, specifically the mention of a touchpad on the back of the device. Alas that device didn't make an appearance to the press at TGS, but supposedly Sony was showing it off to some developers. Kotaku has learned a few more things, most notable being a display an inch larger than the current PSP's and having a high-def resolution -- a detail that should surprise none. According to the report Sony is still tweaking the internal hardware, trying to mitigate overheating issues ahead of a release sometime in the fall of 2011. That would likely mean an unveiling at the 2011 E3, the same place the original unit was first shown in the flesh eight whole years earlier.
PSP2 apparently in Mortal Kombat developers' hands, said to be a 'pretty powerful machine'
We just heard last month that Sony might already be showing off some prototype PSP2 hardware (said to be roughly similar in size to the PSP-3000), and it now looks like the next-gen handheld may have found its way into some developers' hands as well. That's according to Shaun Himmerick of Netherrealm Studios, at least, who responded to a question about a new Mortal Kombat possibly heading to the PSP or 3DS by saying that while they won't be launching day one on those devices, they actually "have a PSP2 in house." He further went on to say that the PSP2 looks "like it's a pretty powerful machine," and added that they don't yet have a 3DS system but are looking to get one. No confirmation from Sony on this, as you might expect, but it certainly seems like the hardware is pretty far along -- possibly even ahead or on the same track as the 3DS? [Thanks, Aaron]
PSP2 in the hands of Mortal Kombat devs; 'It's a pretty powerful machine'
According to an interview with Netherrealm Studios executive producer Shaun Himmerick conducted by Industry Gamers, not only does the PSP2 exist, but it's already in developers' hands. When asked about the possibility of the Mortal Kombat reboot heading to PSP or 3DS, Himmerick replied, "We're not launching day one on all consoles like that. We are looking at them; we have a PSP2 in the house and we're looking at the engine, like what can it support." Wait -- the PSP2, you say? "PSP2 looks like it's a pretty powerful machine," Himmerick added, before saying that his studio doesn't have a 3DS just yet. Sony, as you might imagine, refused to comment.
Next gen PSP to have touch controls -- on the wrong side?
Touchscreen controls are nice for some applications but, until someone invents transparent fingers, they're a real bother for gaming. Many, including Apple, have toyed with the idea of putting the touch sensitive sections on the back of the device, and we have strong rumors coming out of Gamescom this week that this is the path Sony is taking for its next-generation PSP. Now, we've been hearing various rumors about this thing for just about as long as we've known about the first-gen PSP, but Sony is said to be quietly showing off a prototype unit about the size of a PSP-3000. While everyone agrees about the touch-sensitive portion 'round the back, it's unknown what (if any) physical controls will go along with it. A release date for the thing is also unclear, with some saying next year and others saying it'll be later than that. Whenever it ships we hope it'll do the right thing and finally put the UMD format out of its misery.
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.
Hardware battle looms for theoretical successors to Nintendo DS and Sony PSP
It's a sorry state of affairs when a media player like the Zune HD has more polygon-pushing power than the latest handheld videogame consoles on the market. If rumors are to be believed, Nintendo and Sony will set things straight with their next-generation portables -- at least for a little while. We've already heard that the successor to Nintendo's DS will have Tegra power, but the current speculation is that it'll be a Tegra 2 chip, promising twice the power of the current iteration. On the Sony side the PSP2 is apparently shaping up to use an offspring of the IMG PowerVR graphics found on the iPhone, said to be theoretically superior to what the DS2 will be able to achieve but costing more, being more difficult to develop for, and not shipping until sometime in 2011 -- potentially a year later than the DS2. In other words it's standard operating procedure if these rumors are to be believed, but even if there aren't any surprises in this showdown we'll be there in the front row with popcorn to watch the bloodshed.
PSP2 to be based on iPhone-esque PowerVR GPU, rival original Xbox in power?
If Sony's PSPgo was some halfhearted attempt to quell incessant PSP2 rumoring (and our favorite PSP2 mockup render, above), it certainly doesn't seem to have worked. The new rumor out and about is that the inevitable PSP2 will harbor a PowerVR GPU along the lines of what's present in the new iPhone 3GS. The SGX543MP cited has four cores, with a rating of 133 million polygons per second at the low-end 200MHz mode that seems likely for portable use. GamesIndustry.biz calls this a "ballpark match" for the original Xbox, with some additional Dreamcast rendering enhancements for avoiding wasting time on hidden elements in a scene. They also point out that Imagination Technologies calls the chip a GP-GPU, capable of handling computing tasks in addition to graphics, and potentially giving the PSP2 the power savings of not needing a separate CPU to operate. Sure, it's all a difficult to pin down rumor at the moment, but if anything these sort of specs show what's possible for a new generation of handheld gaming when the likes of Sony and Nintendo are ready to give it to us. Now about a second analog stick...[Via GamesIndustry.biz]
Rumor: PSP2 powered by Imagination Technology 'Hydra' chip
The PSP Go? It's already old news. The rumors have started afresh with details on Sony's next, next handheld console. The PSP2 is apparently already in development and, according to some inside info that Eurogamer.es has allegedly got its hands on, Imagination Technology's PowerVR tech will be an important part of the device. Without getting into too many technical specifics, the chip -- codenamed "Hydra" -- will allow for 133 million polygons per second and a fillrate of 4Gpixels per second, with higher potential chip speeds obviously allowing for even more graphical power. Digital Foundry suggests this is a "ballpark match for the original Xbox." Allegedly, the chip will act as both a GPU and CPU simultaneously, increasing power efficiency and helping in other areas of programming for the device.This is simply a rumor, for now, but if true we probably won't be hearing about the PSP2 until 2010 at the latest. It wouldn't make much sense to release an entirely new handheld just as the PSP looks like it's about to take off again. Unless it has backwards compatibility, that is. Then again, we know how that worked out last time. [Via GamesIndustry.biz]