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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.
Commence rampant PSP part deux speculation!
We've already had a fair share of PSP revision B speculation (flash memory, hard drive, mini form factor], and the weeks leading up to the annual gaming gala known as E3 will only bring more. We have here the first two entrants: The reputable Shacknews claims the PSP follow up is "a successor rather than a redesign of the current system" while acknowledging recent rumors of a redesign. They're saying hard drive is in, UMD is out, and the system is known simply as the "PSP 2." Oh yeah, they say it "may" appear "in the next three years." While this may be accurate information, that's like saying we're pretty sure there's gonna be a PlayStation 4.The much more dubious source of New Tech Spy claims a shamelessly DS-esque touchscreen PSP (or PSi, for interactive, get it?) will introduce a smaller form factor, a bevy of wireless capabilities (WiFi, WiBro, UMTS, EVDO, WiMax), and maybe even some transmutational powers to turn that pesky lead into shiny, shiny gold. Yeah, we're skeptical.[Thanks, SuicidalMuskrat and boots]Read - New "PSP 2" in the Works [Shacknews]Read - Sony's new "Smaller" PSP with Touch-Screen [New Tech Spy]
Rumor: New PSP to get a built-in camera and 4GB of flash
According to PSPworld, "[t]he next version of Sony's PSP will sport an integrated digital video camera that will allow users to stream live video to the PlayStation 3" as a Wi-Fi way of chatting with friends.The new model (which obviously won't go by the nickname "PSpee") will come in black, silver, and white, and it will also have a quarter of an inch shaved off its thickness. 4GB of NAND flash storage will reputedly be included as well, saving gamers a whole lot of money on memory sticks for media and other applications--playing with homebrew, for instance.Word of an integrated camera may be the most interesting news, however, with a stock camera used in Sony Ericsson phones to be placed directly in the PSP logo below the portable's screen to take photos and record video. All of the video-streaming capabilities are supposed to be tied in to the rumored PlayStation HUB service, bringing one more media expression to Sony's next-gen convergence device (if this rumors pans out, of course).[Thanks, TIP; also via Engadget & PSP Fanboy]See also: PS3 Live-killer titled PlayStation HUB, PS3 in September
