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An artist's rendition of the reported new PSP.  (Source: 1up.com)
1Up claims the new PSP will abandon UMD and will have a sliding screen.

Rumors of a new Playstation Portable have continued surface this year as the PSP has struggled stay relevant in the portable gaming market against the Nintendo DSi and the iPhone. Multiple sites have reported significant hardware changes are in store for the new PSP, unlike past iterations. In a recent article video game blog 1Up.com has provided more details about the new PSP.

1Up.com is reporting Sony plans to reveal the new PSP at this year’s E3 conference in June. There is speculation the new PSP will be named the PSP Go! in order to be consistent with other add-ons in the European market such as the Go!View and the Go!Cam.

As rumored the UMD disc format will be abandoned and will be replaced by built-in flash memory. 1Up reports there will be two versions of the new PSP one with 8GB of capacity and another with 16GB. Cnet has released a second report backing the claims, and it further claims a memory card expansion slot will be included.

In order to deliver games via flash drive, Sony reportedly plans to have 100 PSP games ready for download at launch. The source claims the system is set for release in Japan this September and will be released in the United States in late October or early November.

As speculated in the past, sources claim another significant change to the hardware is also in store -- the implementation of a sliding screen that will be able to hide the D-pad, one of the analog sticks, and the buttons. Past speculation discussed the possibility of a second analog stick but it appears Sony plans to implement the same control configuration as current PSPs.

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I'm not sure about some word choices...
By Carl B on 5/1/2009 9:03:12 AM , Rating: 5
Don't know if 'staying relevant' is really a concern in the tone implied by the author at the start of the article since PSP sales have been on par with DS in Japan for some time now, and certainly not bad in the least in the US or Europe.

This isn't to start any cross-system post chain, simply to point out that a lot of the language often used in setting context in articles around here is often needlessly dramatic.




RE: I'm not sure about some word choices...
By afkrotch on 5/1/2009 9:27:49 AM , Rating: 2
I wouldn't see the need to replace the PSP-3000. Maybe add built-in memory or more downloadable games. The Japanese Playstation Store has quite a number of games for download, while the US is left with a very meager offering.

Also the games take up a good chunk of space, so flash based games for the PSP would cut into the profit margin. To make good money would be downloadable games, but not everyone will download.

I haven't tried the PC PSN software or whatever it is they have on PC, but I've used the PS3 PSN for downloads. It's kind of annoying that the downloads are tied into whatever acct you're using. This translates over to the PSP, cept the PSP doesn't have different accts. You have to reconnect back up to the PS3 and reactivate the game under the other acct.


RE: I'm not sure about some word choices...
By BansheeX on 5/1/2009 11:41:44 AM , Rating: 2
This is definitely a move in the right direction. UMD was pretty lame, this might convince me to buy one. They need to expand their PS1 titles, though. So many good friggin games for that system, it makes the ho hum PSP library moot.


By BansheeX on 5/1/2009 11:47:58 AM , Rating: 2
Also, I wish the system was more open to homebrew apps and development at a higher price. The PSP is incredible hardware, way faster than the DS and a much larger screen. I don't think they'll do this, though, they're too afraid of piracy. But the reason Windows has so much marketshare is because it doesn't lock you into certain apps. The PSP would generate some serious noise if they made the system open.


By afkrotch on 5/1/2009 12:36:21 PM , Rating: 2
I don't think they have to remove UMD, just start increasing the amount of games we can download. Then maybe phase in some games on memory stick duo.


RE: I'm not sure about some word choices...
By Lord 666 on 5/1/2009 9:39:48 AM , Rating: 5
It appears that DT intentionally hams it up so more people would comment thus creating more site traffic/page clicks. How do you think DT is funded?


RE: I'm not sure about some word choices...
By callmeroy on 5/1/2009 9:57:04 AM , Rating: 2
Maybe but to be blunt what do I care? If I like the site for any reason shallow or real -- the assumption would then be I want the site to stick around there for I then would like to think they keep getting funding to be able to do so.


RE: I'm not sure about some word choices...
By Carl B on 5/1/2009 10:01:41 AM , Rating: 5
Or you could wish that DT would help to elevate the level of 'new' journalism on the Internet rather than go for the provocative phrasing cash-grabs. Since I assure you that DT has a readership base that would allow it to "stick around" whether it went with the baiting or not, I don't see why you would wish for the lesser product.


By invidious on 5/1/2009 10:27:44 AM , Rating: 1
quote:
Or you could wish that DT would help to elevate the level of 'new' journalism on the Internet


you made me chuckle


By Parhel on 5/1/2009 10:50:12 AM , Rating: 2
I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for that.


RE: I'm not sure about some word choices...
By Suntan on 5/1/2009 1:14:02 PM , Rating: 3
quote:
elevate the level of 'new' journalism


Yes, yes. Sadly, 'new' journalism on the net seems to be a case of cutting and pasting an article you found somewhere else on the net, then adding a couple of sensasionalist words around it. Unfortunately, DT is one of the best in this regard. Anyone that reads this place for anything other than entertainment value is deluding themselves.

-Suntan


RE: I'm not sure about some word choices...
By geddarkstorm on 5/1/2009 4:12:24 PM , Rating: 1
When you say stuff like this, I really have to wonder why you post around here at all. I don't mean that offensively, but the psychology of it your activity is so curious to me. I guess it helps you unwind, or feel artificially superior, or something?

If you really wanted things to be different, you could start your own news site, rather than posting the same general complaints on nearly every article; but I guess that's not the point?


By Suntan on 5/1/2009 4:48:12 PM , Rating: 5
quote:
I guess it helps you unwind, or feel artificially superior, or something?


Or I just enjoy reading all the sensationalist stuff... I never said it was wrong to enjoy the site for what it is. I just don't believe it is anything close to being a "News" site.

quote:
If you really wanted things to be different, you could start your own news site, rather than posting the same general complaints on nearly every article; but I guess that's not the point?


Yeah, start my own website... ...that sounds like the only other option. And the people that constantly compalin about their government can go live on their own island... ...Here's a suggestion, if you don't like to constantly read what I post, how about *you* go start your own forum.

-Suntan


By Hiawa23 on 5/1/2009 11:55:56 AM , Rating: 2
I still have me 1001 model, & see no reason to upgrade to the 2000 or 3000 model & let me just say, that as handheld I have blown away by the PSP. It's power, it's many uses, I have alot of my DVD movies on it, music, everything about it I love other than why no 2 analog nubs?

I also owned a DS LITE & regular DS before I dumped it. Didn't care for mostly all of it's games, & the visuals were terrible for anything other than 2-d games, but I may be tempted to get this new PSP. I don't plan on dumping my original, so back compatibility isn't an issue, but It looks like Sony is moving where I had hoped they would move. Away from a disc medium, & set the PSP to just download games, so I am looking forward to the new model. My only concern this thing is going to be expensive. There is noway it is going to sell at $169, or $199 that the current models sell at. Price will be the determining factor for me.


old games?
By Alphafox78 on 5/1/2009 9:19:48 AM , Rating: 2
so what if you have a PSP and 40 games on UMD? you just chuck em? not cool...




RE: old games?
By FITCamaro on 5/1/2009 9:29:39 AM , Rating: 3
I'm wondering how 40 games would fit on one with 8GB of storage. What happens when you fill up the space? You buy tons of overpriced Sony memory sticks?


RE: old games?
By Alphafox78 on 5/1/2009 9:32:28 AM , Rating: 5
Sony: YES!!! lots of em!!


RE: old games?
By xsilver on 5/1/2009 10:57:49 AM , Rating: 2
FYI you can get microsd > memory stick duo card adapters for not much $$.
Cant comment on the speed though but micro sd's are generally 1/2 class slower than regular sd.


RE: old games?
By afkrotch on 5/1/2009 12:01:48 PM , Rating: 2
Not to mention most SD memory cards are 1/4 or more slower than a memory stick duo.


RE: old games?
By badgood on 5/1/2009 11:00:38 PM , Rating: 2
Micro SD is cheaper but slower, meanwhile memory stick duo is faster but overprice. Which one do you choose?


RE: old games?
By Hiawa23 on 5/1/2009 12:08:57 PM , Rating: 2
so what if you have a PSP and 40 games on UMD? you just chuck em? not cool...

I have 30 something games, & it seems simple to me. Don't get rid of the current model PSP that you already own. No one says you have to chuck anything. Seems some just dump eveything when something else comes out. Seems like a simple solution, or just stick with your current model. I own 6 4gig sticks, & 4 8 gig sticks so I should be fine, & memory sticks to me have become cheap. I got 4gigs for $19, 8 for $34


RE: old games?
By Helbore on 5/2/2009 4:55:48 PM , Rating: 2
That's what I was going to say! Seems like the obvious solution.


RE: old games?
By Alexstarfire on 5/4/2009 5:44:11 AM , Rating: 2
Seems like a very expensive "solution." I have yet to be impressed by anything that Sony has done in the game market since they released the PS2. The PSP and PS3 are jokes in terms of features/specs/price. They apparently want you to spend a lot of money to do things that you should already be able to do. If they change the medium on which the games are played it's not really even a PSP anymore.


Controller
By Insomniator on 5/1/2009 9:13:04 AM , Rating: 2
I don't have a PSP, only used one a few times but I really don't see how they could not include a second stick. Isn't that what people have been clamoring for for... since the PSP came out?

I mean.. just to make it easier for PS3, PS2, and PS1 games/ports/emulation... somehow include all of the buttons of a normal controller.

Yes original PSP owners would be left out in the cold but.. I think many would purchase a new one for this feature.




RE: Controller
By afkrotch on 5/1/2009 9:33:36 AM , Rating: 2
Sony's reason for not having a 2nd analog stick is stability. They say it becomes easier to drop if it did have a 2nd analog stick.

I don't see this, if the game happens to be a 3rd person shoot, fps, or racing game. You'd probably have a couple fingers on the shoulder buttons.

But any games that used 2 analog sticks, but don't use the shoulder buttons could be a problem. So my guess, just eliminate that possible issue.


RE: Controller
By the goat on 5/1/2009 9:42:21 AM , Rating: 2
Yes the PSP needs the same button number/layout as the original dual shock for PSX (that means add a right side analog stick and add a second shoulder button to each side.

Also open up the system to limited home brew applications. (No I'm not talking about pirating games.)

I've always thought the PSP looked like a cool device. But the missing buttons and the overly restrictive firmware/OS are total deal breakers.


How would you hold that?
By FranksAndBeans on 5/1/2009 9:03:55 AM , Rating: 3
I realize it is just a rendition, but you couldn't play that thing for more than a couple minutes (assuming you have human hands) with that control configuration.

Just sayin'.




RE: How would you hold that?
By aegisofrime on 5/1/2009 9:26:32 AM , Rating: 2
Yes the placement of the shoulder buttons on that rendition is definitely off. Otherwise, it looks great to me.


By Captin Crunch on 5/2/2009 5:24:34 AM , Rating: 2
What ever happened to the TouchScreen? the psp Net browser is basically a gimic atm, but with a touch screen QWERTY it could be really functional. Also it could add some more innovative game play like the iPhone & DS.

Sony have once again made modifications of no real use. (ala psp 2000,3000) I agree that removing the UMD is a good idea, but I don't see enough innovation here to upgrade from my PSP 1. I can already download games and if need be buy more flash memory, and hiding the D-pad still won't make it as portable as an iPhone etc (though more portable is better)

Here is a list of what i think are most important innovations to least important:

1. Second Stick (I have never dropped a D-pad. I doubt I would drop the psp if it had a second Stick)

2. Touch Screen (this would add a lot more functionality)

3. Remove UMD

4. Design smaller form factor (ie hide d-pad etc)

5. Add accelerometer capabilities

I still have my fingers crossed!




Old Ones vs. New Ones
By blueboy09 on 5/3/2009 1:49:06 AM , Rating: 2
Yeah, my brother got one of these and even I have to admit that the disc loading time was extremely long, but on the other hand, it was a great portable console. But seeing this, I have to admit that this is actually a plus for Sony mainly for two reasons: 1) loading will be short on memory stick when games are downloaded, and 2) much better battery life cause it uses the memory stick. Those are the main reason why I would buy a new one. Other than that, the other add-ons they are rumoring are just that. Hopefully well see the final prototype for the PSP and the saying GO! is damn stupid, IMO. Hello, we already know its portable!! - BLUEBOY




Please.....
By samoak54 on 5/3/2009 11:07:05 PM , Rating: 2
Please oh lords at Sony, we the people implore you. Include 2 analogue sticks and you will forever hold our hearts. No more shall we consider the DS a worthy alternative. :P




DSi
By gigarath on 5/8/2009 10:19:41 AM , Rating: 2
I just bought a DSi, and I love it. What Sony needs to do is convince the Nintendo gamers out there (like myself) why in the hell we should pony up $200 for any of their products.




Bring on the clearance sales
By Ozziedogg on 5/1/2009 5:01:04 PM , Rating: 1
Rather than be annoyed at the death of UMD, im just looking forward to buying a heap of games on the cheap.

... If it aint broken, why fix/replace it?




sliding screen = more breaking
By Screwballl on 5/1/09, Rating: -1
By afkrotch on 5/1/2009 12:06:02 PM , Rating: 1
Usually a cellphone breaking is due to the consumer being a moron.

My old Samsung sliding phone has been good for 2 years. I don't own it anymore, but it's working for my co-worker. No issues with it.

I prefer a flip phone though, as it covers the screen and buttons. No accidental hit of a button or scratching of the screen. Rather see a PSP that flips up, over a sliding one.

Course I really don't care atm. Got my new Vibrant Blue PSP-3000.


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