Sony PSP2

Its been six years since the PSP was released first in Japan, and people say the PSP has had its time. And its now time for a successor. Also since Sony’s attempts to stop piracy on the PSP have all but failed and the PSP Go isn’t selling as good as Sony would have hoped.

Is it all pointing towards a new PSP? Well more rumors that have just come to light are pointing to Sony announcing the Playstation Portable 2 aka PSP2 at this years E3 come June. Its also noted that Nintendo will be announcing their new portable gaming device.

So interesting times to come, I really do hope Sony have done their homework on the PSP2 and have at taken into account what us gamers want in the new PSP. Dual analog sticks is a must, better battery life and even PS2 game support would be great. I guess we will just have to see what E3 this year brings.

And here’s the rumor that suggests E3 will be Sony’s time to announce the PSP2.

Shane is most well known for his work in Electronic Gaming Monthly and is currently the Director of Business Development at Ignition Entertainment.

In the podcast Shane let slip about seeing PSP2 and a new Nintendo portable at this years E3 convention in June.

“I think the big story of E3 is DS 2 and PSP 2. I’m really excited to see that,” he further commented that the”DS and PSP both existed in completely different sides [...] if those two put out similar products at the same time, it really evens the playing field.”

We will see just how accurate Shane is when E3 rolls around this June or before knowing Sony’s ability to keep a secret. In the mean time, what do you think of Shane’s claim of a new PSP2 at E3?

Source: Playstation lifestyle

PSP2: Sliding touchscreen & dual analogue sticks ?

Some fresh new rumors have come out for April 2009 and no there not April fools jokes. Not this one via Chris James @ Pocket Gamer

There’s also been a lot of talk about how Sony might react to the competition on offer from the phenomenal success of Apple’s iPhone and iPod touch.

Unsurprisingly the console manufacturer has been comparatively mute in both cases, denying the existence of a PSP sequel and any threat from Apple. However, having spoken to an insider source – who’s not Dave Perry, but is a developer working on the new hardware – we can reveal that the new handheld will arrive before Christmas and will be far more similar to the iPhone than the current device.

Like Apple’s newcomer, the PSP 2 will be a compact device with a large touchscreen. However, where Sony’s machine has the edge is when the touchscreen is slid open as it reveals familiar buttons, D-pads and – praise the Lord of Handhelds – dual analogue controls.

This new format should allow for both existing hardcore console titles as well as simpler touchscreen games along the lines of those currently available in the App Store. And like the App Store, (and in the absence of UMD), the games will all be available for digital download via the PlayStation Store.

Although this hasn’t been confirmed, our speculation is that Sony’s initial plans for a small upgrade to a PSP 4000 model have since been accelerated by the success of the iPhone and arrival of Nintendo DSi.

As yet those are all the details we have, but we understand the full specs and pricing will be unveiled at E3 in June.

I guess we just have to wait till E3 to see if Sony will announce the PSP2 or just a lame PSP-4000 revision….Stay tuned.

PSP2 already underway?

Word is Sony are currently working on the PSP2. Apparently Sony struck a deal with electronics Imagination Technologies to use PowerVR tech in the “PSP2″. The next generation PSP will reportedly use the yet to be officially announced SGX55x graphics processing core by Imagination Technologies.

Imagination themselves only mentioned that they signed a deal with a “major international consumer electronics company” Not mentioning who of course. But who else would it be..I mean really who else ??

Imagination’s PowerVR technology is also used in the current iPhone.

Source: EETimes

What do you think. A new PSP? Or maybe its for a new Sony Phone?

Sony PSP2

Here is some made up but realistic specs for the new system, that I think might just be introduced:

• Mini Blu Ray drive. (Mini Blu ray discs are now out – 15 GB DL max data capacity) seems viable and the only option to still have UMD compatibility)- Backwards compatibity with PSP UMD games and movies.
• Wifi A/G/N spec
• Bulit in 2-3.2 Megapixel webcam for GO! Messanger / Skype video support. And cellphone like photos and videos.
• Dual analog sticks
• No touch screen. To costly for production and not needed. (Too much like a DS)
• PS1 and PS2 emulator bulit-in / PSnetwork downloads for games (Like the PSP).
• Longer improved battery consumption. More power saving features?
• 1Ghz+ low power consuming processor and 128Mb of SDRam or more
• No built in Flash drive, too costly for production. (Besides Sony wants us to buy Mirco Memory sticks or MMS Duos of 16gb etc)
• Divx and other major codec support from day 1.

What are your thoughts? Feel free to add your comments.