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Gadgets Skype Now Available for PSP Slim & Lite
Marcus Yam (Blog) - January 30, 2008 5:48 PM
Print E-mail del.icio.us 22 comment(s) - last by stburke.. on Jan 31 at 12:24 PM

Skype has been added as a feature under Network  (Source: SCEA)
Talk on Skype through the new PlayStation Portable

Making good on a promise made earlier this month, Skype is finally available on the PlayStation Portable through the latest system software update. Users interested in adding Skype and other latest features for the PSP will have to perform a network update to obtain the 3.90 firmware.

The new Skype feature is only available for owners of the slimmer, lighter PSP-2000 model. The original PSP-1000 model is unable to run Skype due to insufficient RAM specifications.

PSP-2000 owners will be able to use all the main features of the Skype software, such as free voice calls between Skype users, calls to phones using SkypeOut and receiving calls with SkypeIn.

Those already with Skype accounts will be able to access their existing contact lists, as well as add new contacts using the PSP’s interface. New Skype users will also be able to sign up for the service directly on the PSP.

The only other change to firmware 3.90 is added support for PlayStation Network titles. Full details and a download link to the update may be found at the official site.

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Now for the next step...
By daftrok on 1/30/08, Rating: 0
RE: Now for the next step...
By TerranMagistrate on 1/30/2008 7:38:03 PM , Rating: 3
...and then you wake up.

I think the PSP is awesome as it is. With +30 million units sold to date, it is the only portable gaming system that was and is able to compete with Nintendo. And with games like Final Fantasy VII: CC coming up, it will only get even better.


RE: Now for the next step...
By feelingshorter on 1/30/08, Rating: 0
RE: Now for the next step...
By mushi799 on 1/30/2008 11:55:44 PM , Rating: 3
PSP 30+million is the only handheld to remotely challenge nintendo. What part of that do you don't find interesting? Sega fiasco was a disaster.

I buy a handheld for entertainment on the road. Whether it's watching a movie, games, listening to music. PSP fits all of that.


RE: Now for the next step...
By XPguy on 1/30/08, Rating: -1
RE: Now for the next step...
By omnicronx on 1/31/2008 11:32:53 AM , Rating: 2
Hold your horses, it still requires a wifi connection to use skype. Personally i do not even use wifi on my psp, as any situation i use my psp, (vacation etc..) I am nowhere near a wifi connection, and if i was, i probably would have computer access.

This is not a replacement for a cell phone.


RE: Now for the next step...
By MrSmurf on 1/30/2008 7:54:21 PM , Rating: 2
wow, way to cut and paste the exact same comment from the earlier announcement.


RE: Now for the next step...
By f1r3s1d3 on 1/30/2008 10:20:36 PM , Rating: 2
PSP already has 802.11b/g :). It also has a memory stick pro duo slot as well.

Adding all those buttons would make the thing too big though. It's perfect now. Adding phone capability and a TOUCH SCREEN on the other hand, and selling it for $299 & $399? Iphone killer?


By Master Kenobi (blog) on 1/31/2008 10:07:52 AM , Rating: 2
Actually the last time I checked the PSP only supported 802.11B not G. Has this changed?


RE: Now for the next step...
By afkrotch on 1/31/2008 5:21:13 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
Give it bluetooth and 802.11b/g, phone capabilities, second analog stick that can be pushed down (L3, R3), R2 and L2 buttons, an OLED screen (or LED backlit, whichever takes less power), and a Memory stick pro duo slot so you can transfer downloaded games (legally of course) onto your PSP...and sell it for $199 with a free game...and let us choose the cell phone provider.


The reason it only has one analog stick, is because of how stable it would be while using 2 analog sticks. It dramatically increases the chances of someone dropping their PSP. Now they could include attachments to make the PSP feel more like a PS/PS2/PS3 controller and that would resolve that issue. Just makes the PSP bulkier.

Everything you would want, can be added to current PSPs. That's what the usb port is for. You can already add mics, gps, and cameras. Does suck that Skype doesn't work on old PSPs. Well, wanted a new PSP anyways.


RE: Now for the next step...
By daftrok on 1/31/2008 10:27:14 AM , Rating: 2
Ummm...how is having a second thumb on the second analog stick make you more susceptible to falling? If that's the case they can take the Wii route and give it a tether you can put around your hand.


and yet...
By stburke on 1/30/2008 9:20:47 PM , Rating: 1
...I still despise my PSP. The PSP is the jack of all trades, master of none.




RE: and yet...
By TerranMagistrate on 1/30/2008 11:33:48 PM , Rating: 2
Just try and find a portable gaming console with better graphics. And IMO, PSP games are more mature themed mostly and thus cater to a different audience than the DS. While the DS is more "kiddie" in a way.


RE: and yet...
By AlphaVirus on 1/31/2008 9:38:43 AM , Rating: 3
And that is bad how? You are trying to bash the PSP but you make no sense.
Lets do some comparing.
The PSP plays movies.
iPod, Zune, iphone, portable dvd players, and some cell phones can play movies. How is the PSP any less great?

The PSP plays music.
Once again, iPod, Zune, iphone, portable cd players, mp3 players in general, cell phones. And once again, how is the PSP any less in quality?

The PSP plays games.
Nintendo is the only other portable gaming creator that I can think of, oh and some cell phones play decent games. As far as quality of graphics PSP is 1st bar-none. Gameplay is all in opinion so thats up to the user. Portability, well they both are small.

The PSP has functionality
WiFi, pictures, movies, games, music, and now skype. If it had bluetooth built in it would be an iphone killer, honestly.

At a $200 price point, this thing is a steal.

Oh yeah, before you go about spewing random bashing, please find the slightest way to back your crap up.


RE: and yet...
By TerranMagistrate on 1/31/2008 11:55:08 AM , Rating: 2
Exactly.

I think I may pick up a core for $169.99 due to all the awesome titles debuting on it this year.


RE: and yet...
By stburke on 1/31/2008 12:24:52 PM , Rating: 2
Movies. With the addition of of costly memory stick Duos, for 2Gbs it's around $50 bucks more. How about UMD's. Oh thats right there's between jack and sh*t for movies on UMD.

Music. Like I said for 2GB's it's $50 bux more.

Games. Graphics, yes they are outstanding. Gameplay, like you said depends on the user. Control layout, not friendly for those of us with large paws.

Functionality. the browser is lethargic, contstantly at the mercy of there not being enough memory; which I still have no idea about. Connection with the PS3 is shoddy and useless unless you want to play old games. Oh and Piss poor battery life.

At the $200 price point plus the $50 for 2GB of storage. $50 on any new games, ~$30 on another battery. Hmmm.


NICE!
By JackBurton on 1/30/2008 9:26:00 PM , Rating: 2
NICE! Downloading now...




RE: NICE!
By BucDan on 1/30/2008 10:09:26 PM , Rating: 2
Yea that is a really great idea really, especially when it just can use the mic set and wireless net. nice...only if i had the new psp tho. still have the original


Why does Skype only support the slim?
By AnnihilatorX on 1/31/2008 5:58:38 AM , Rating: 2
Any technical reasons?




By killerroach on 1/31/2008 8:07:23 AM , Rating: 2
It's a RAM issue... the extra 32MB on the Slim are what makes it run on the Slim but not on the original.


Neat
By Murst on 1/30/2008 6:01:38 PM , Rating: 2
I'll definately take advantage of this.

My dad lives in New Zeland while my mom is in Germany (I'm in the US), so we use Skype a lot to talk.




Yawn...
By jadeskye on 1/30/08, Rating: -1
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