New "PSP Go!" to Show at E3 2009?
Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: sony, playstation, portable, psp2, go | Themes: Digital Entertainment
PSP2 to be called PSP Go!?
We’ve been swimming in PSP2 rumors for months now, and while we don’t have any more concrete information, E3 is approaching – and that would be a perfect place for Sony to show off new PSP hardware.
According to 1UP’s sources, the PSP2 will be named PSP Go! – keeping in line with the rest of the “Go!” branded products available in the European market.
Like earlier rumors, 1UP has heard that the new hardware will ditch the UMD drive in favor of going strictly with built-in flash memory. The report says that the new PSP Go! will be available in either 8 GB or 16 GB of built-in flash memory. A release is supposedly set in Japan this September with a U.S. debut coming in either late October or early November.
Taking a page from the Nintendo DSi (and taking away the UMD drive), Sony will be distributing its games online with more than 100 titles to be available at launch. Gran Turismo Mobile is said to be one of the premier launch titles.
In terms of hardware design, 1UP’s rumors fall in line with speculation of a ‘slider’ design, though going against other rumors is that it will not incorporate a second analog thumb stick – instead keeping the current control layout.
Again, these are all rumors but we should know more as time goes on, and hopefully it’ll all be official and clear during E3 in early June.
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Some next gen handhelds at long last?
"Taking a page from the DSi" ?! I've been able 2 download games directly 2 my PSP from the PlayStation Network 4 a while now. SONY was doing it before Nintendo's DSi.
If Gran Turismo is said to be one of the launch titles then it's gotta be fake..remember the other one on the first psp? oh wait...
thundercleese
This is probably written by someone who hasn't read a PSP spec sheet since the release of the PSP 1000 and is just echoing something he/she read in a blog somewhere (or worst yet twitter).
I do look forward to a PSP2. As a happy owner of a PSP 2000, I enjoy having the "power" of my PS3 web browser where ever there is wifi, in a smaller package than a netbook. I wont say cheaper because of the ps3 cost, but the combo makes for a very useful, quick, and powerful experience for those of us without smart phones.
Also note, the PSP had this ability before the iTouch was released which can essentially do all of this without a base computer somewhere.
Poor UMD format. Seemed like a good idea, but reality was not kind to it
. I guess that will be about it for UMD, especially since I can't think of anything other than the PSP that can use the format.
gran turismo as a launch title huh? just like it was for the ps3...
UMD could have been a contender...lol. It actually was pretty good for it's time. Problem is, flash memory far surpasses it now. It was probably not very battery friendly or cheap to integrate but was great to protect digital content for awhile. Pretty obvious that it had to go. The psp really needs a "killer app" I used mine recently at my wife's doctors appt to watch a movie, play a game, and listen to music. I think it needs a touch screen and a good camera. Loose the UMD, and improve the layout so an adult man can use it without getting cramped thumbs in the first 5 minutes. One other thing, the internal battery keeps dying, loosing time/date. Why is this?
Listen Sony.
If PSP2 will not have mobile phone features and GPS, I'm not getting it :-).
Listen Sony.If PSP2 will not have mobile phone features and GPS, I'm not getting it :-).
They should have one SKU with phone and one SKU with out. While I agree that a built-in phone would be great, I don't think it's for everybody.
At first I got a bulky DS then the PSP came out so I get that and trash my bulky DS on auction. Later on, I sold my PSP because it lacks of AAA title and buy a DSi. Now I got a bit tired of DSi because I miss the PSP game graphic. If only we have more title for PSP then it's a win win for everyone. I have to admit that PSP is a powerhouse in portable gaming but developer seem to ignore it. Sony isn't the one to blame, it's the developer that is to blame for the lack of game. I can only dream that a full port of Final Fantasy game to be available.
"Why does a lot of people complain so much about the 2nd Nub?" This is a portable machine not a PS2 controller! I can see that it's useful for FPS game but nothing else make it worth while.
Also developer hated the UMD format noted by some article some time ago. It's hard for developer to do game on it so that maybe one of the thing that the PSP fail at. Maybe this new format will make the PSP more livelier for developer.?
It's not like it's a big effort to put the 2nd nub on the PSP. Maybe they should have designed it like a controller with a screen in the middle. Would make holding it for prolonged sessions much easier on the hands.
I bought a PSP for Gran Tourismo. Once I figured out it was just a scam I sold my PSP. The fact that it hurt my hands when I played it didn't help either.
I bought a 360 for Forza 2. It took them 4 months longer than I expected but at least I have it.
If they come out with a GOOD gran tourismo on this new PSP I'll probably buy it, but I'm certainly not buying the system UNTIL GT is released. I'll no longer be swayed into buying something based on hype. Sony scamed me once, they won't do it again.
what does PSP stand for? I was thinking Play Station Portable. So the new system is Play Station Portable Go? And the next generation will be Play Station Portable Go Small? After that it is anyones guess as to which synonym for portable they will add to the name.
"Taking a page from the DSi" ?! I've been able 2 download games directly 2 my PSP from the PlayStation Network 4 a while now. SONY was doing it before Nintendo's DSi.
They mean it will be taking a page from the DSi in that it's removing a media slot (UMD) just like the DSi lost GBA support.
If this Gran Turismo is fake, PSP-Go-Bye-Bye
No more umd/cartridge/disc based games might be a good thing. Many video games prices dropped like a rock a few months after the game is released because those games are sold at up to 1/4 of its price at the used game market. It also save money on the game media cost.
Downloadable...is the way to go. No box, no manuals, no shipping. Its lean and hey...its "green". And by and large it "seems" to allow vendors to charge more reasonable prices. Hopefully as this gets more popular it will be common practice to include demo versions of pretty much all titles available.
As for "PSP GO" ... it for some reason triggers a scene in my head of a person in a power ranger type outfit striking some jacked up martial pose and yelling P S P... GO!
I think I watch too much anime sometimes...
PSP GO is a lame name.
If it had practical business application, I would definitely buy it to have some cool portable gaming on my downtime.
While I agree that the UMD format really wasn't a good idea, I still think it's much better than downloadable only. As someone who actually "pays" for their games, I appreciate the fact that I can go buy just about any game I want used for just a few dollars online. Also, if I don't like a game, I can sell it at a minimal loss. If sony goes downloadable only, then I'm forced to pay full price all the time, with no way to sell the games I don't like. Maybe once it's 5+ years old they will release it for $20.00 as a "Greatest Hits" title. This is still way more than I usually pay for games.
For me, if Sony takes away UMD, then I'll probably ditch my PSP. These games just aren't worth $40+ dollars in my opinion. Or maybe Somalia won't be the only ones resorting to piracy. ;-)
UMD flushes battery, thats why flash memory is the way.
How to sell games, well thats a good question if we spect 4+ gig quality games hardly downloadable.
Like other posts I'm not so happy that the trade-in aspect of my psp titles is being erased along with the UMD format. I, like most people, have a certain amount to spent on games across a few different platforms. I like the idea that I can let new release titles 'cool' a little or wait and pick them up cheaper pre-owned. So the rumoured new psp has a 16gb Flashdrive? Great! 100 downloadable games at launch? Fantastic. But then again might we see Sony's answer to an itunes styled DRM? How free will you be to move your downloaded titles from drive to a memory stick to keep or share, to set on fire or give away to a mate like you can with a UMD? Even if that is the case I still like walking into my local game shop with a handful of finished discs and carts and trading them towards something new, it's part of what I like about gaming, the trade culture. I think this move towards downloads only on 'Psp Go!' and beyond will kill this aspect of gaming and artifically control the high pricing of games in the future.