May 28, 2009 8:57 AM PDT
PSP Go! and PS3 Slim: Latest rumors
Artist's rendition of the PSP Go.
(Credit: 1Up.com)In advance of E3 next week, rumors continue to circulate around the possibility of a new PSP and a new, slimmer PS3. Here are the latest:
- Ars Technica is reporting that the next-gen, UMD-free PSP Go! is "indeed real," according to a "trusty inside source" and should be announced at E3.
- The same Sony "mole" claims that the new PSP will be "lighter than its UMD-sporting predecessor, along with lower power consumption and possibly a lower price."
- The new PSP will be sold alongside the older version of the PSP (PSP-3000), according to the Ars report.
- The alleged source says, "A good number of titles will be released with both retail releases and digital downloads, with some games like Unbound Saga forgoing a retail release altogether."
- As for the slimmed-down PS3, it, too, is real, according to the mole--but Sony won't begin selling the new PS3 until stock dwindles on the PS3 currently on store shelves. The source is targeting August or September for possible launch dates.
- There's no word on if Sony plans to strip any features out of the alleged PS3 Slim or if it will cost less than the current model.
- The mole claims that Sony isn't expected to announce a price cut on the current PS3 to clear inventory, "but the possibility is certainly there." (This obviously has the biggest no-duh quotient of any of the statements.)
As always, feel free to comment and make your own predictions.
(Source: Ars Technica via Gizmodo)
Hunkered down in New York City, Executive Editor David Carnoy covers the gamut of gadgets and writes his Fully Equipped column, which carries the tag line "The electronics you lust for." He's also the author of "Knife Music," a novel. E-mail David. Follow David on Twitter. 
I guess the new PSP Go! Will be the version for people who don't like packaged media. UMD may not be popular, but resale value is important to many gamers. The success of the PSP Go! will depend upon its digital library of games and we haven't seen much of that yet. I'll reserve judgement until I see what the thing looks like. Honk if you want dual analog sticks!
That said, while I'd also love to see a price drop (I might pick up another one to serve out games and such)... I think the emphasis on it is overblown. The current PS3 is quite competitive when you look at what you're getting and its overall value. It would be like if a Chevy Cobalt was $15000, but you could pick up a BMW 3 series for $20000. Sure the BMW costs more... but look at how much more you're getting for it.
I think Nintendo dodged a bullet this generation. They have a younger fanbase and their parents DON'T want their kids playing online. That's why Nintendo's online gaming is so crap. And since the Wii is so last-gen, they'll be coming out with a new console well before Sony does. We'll see if they spend their Wii $$$ on better tech next-gen, but my guess is they won't bother. It's more profitable to pander to the lowest common denominator.
I think the Wii has its place, it just isn't really a competitor with the Xbox or PS3. It is, as you say, a last-gen system with a very innovative UI. I can related to the parents you speak of.... the Xbox and PS3 have largely become fairly adult gaming systems. The games aren't really aimed at kids (well, marketed to them, but not really for them). With a young child who will one day want to play... I would like to see both have more titles for kids (and see game devs stop throwing in graphic violence and sex just to get the rating they know will attract the kiddies who think such things are cool). So, I don't really even talk about the Wii when comparing Xbox to PS3. Again... not to put it down... it is a neat system and concept, and it selling like hot-cakes, but just not in the same league.
I disagree with the PSP Go!: it will be the versions for everyone that craves a PSP, as soon as the firmware gets cracked and you can play pirated games, dot.
As for the PSP Go, I am already planning to buy mine when it comes out. I still have my original PSP that I bought the first weekend it was available and love it. I use it just as much for media (movies, TV shows, music videos, etc.) that I dowload onto the memory stick as much as I do for games. I do wonder if they will provide previous PSP owners a way to move our games over to the new system without having to re-purchase everything as a download. Probably not, which will give Sony another black eye from a customer appreciation standpoint.
A price drop would be great.... but I think the PS3 is pretty competitively priced at the moment. I'm not sure stripping it down (to make it more like Xbox) would necessarily be a good idea. It make a lower entry point... but I think people get sick of getting taken on all the 'additions' they charge way to much for. If you make an Xbox similar to a PS3, it actually costs more (and still isn't equivalent in gaming power).
Also, reintroducing BC after having removed it from the vast majority of PS3s would be a huge insult to consumers. Just pick up a PS2. It's only $99 for chrisakes!
Do we play a lot of PS(1-2) games - no.
Can we - YES.
And a PS2 game looks better on a PS3.
I want a keyboard on the PSP - have since I got one.
I have a PSP and it's just collecting dust. I also am not willing to spend $40/game.
If sony should release a new PSP, it should have a 2nd analog stick, and have the ability to buy games from the Sony store (save it in the memory card) and for around $20 per title. A store like itunes would rock.
As for the PS3, making one that's "slimmer" but sells for the same price would not get me to buy one.
The only way I'll buy a PS3 is if Sony throws in 2 controllers, hdmi cable and a game (Killzone 2) for $300. Otherwise, I'll continue to play with my 360 and my PC.
As of now, to get a PS3:
PS3 = $400
Game = $60
hdmi = $20
---------------
Total $480 before tax.
No thanks Sony.
1.) Console w/hard drive (60gb): $365 (amazon.com)
2.) Wirless adaptor: $100
3.) HDMI: $20
4.) X-Box Live: $50 A YEAR
------------
Total before tax: $535
Umm, what's your point here douggdangger? Your asking price for a 2 controllered game included hdmi included PS3 sonds ludicrous.
Its fine for you to stick with your xbox. the fact of the matter as (Kendokill ) so very well states is the following.
American people, specially old people try to be savvy buyers and go for the lowest upfront price they think its going to get them to a level ie. want an iphone? get a samsung F480, want a bravia? get a nirvania etc. A lot of will be buyers will also go to a walmart where the prices are a few pennies lower, ditch their local store and drive miles away to the nearest (relativelively speaking) walmart wasting galons of gasoline to get there and (in their mind) think they got the best deal.
the fact is cookies (walmart)[.89](nearby store)[1.09] transportation (walmart)[5.39](nearby store)[0.00]
same goes for the ps3-360 (and note i have both) i got the 360 from my college roommate whom after 3 RROD and no warranty ditched it and i ended up just paying the repair and keeping it. the ps3 is not more expensive, its just more complete. assemble a 360 to the way the ps3 is and you'll see that its not cheaper, its actually more expensive and even then it is still not (technological) superior to the ps3. the only reason those pieces for the 360 are so expensive is.............................. Microsoft.
although Microsoft deals with the majority of computer vendors they decided to not make their 360 universally compatible. that means that a bluetooth that you could get for 5 dollars on ebay cost you arround 50, just because microsoft sells it, and ahhhhhh he forgot to mention.
Remember that a blue-ray sits inside the ps3 which makes this case even more interresting lets see.
x-box 360:
1.) Console w/hard drive (60gb): $365 (amazon.com)
2.) Wirless adaptor: $100
3.) HDMI: $20
4.) X-Box Live: $50 A YEAR
and still you are missing something, BLUE-RAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
yeah, how about getting that discontinued hd-dvd whichs according to microsoft was the equivalent to a blue-ray
stack up those 199 for that (when it was available) and now you have a 735 before tax machine thats not even worth half of it. with that money you get your hdmi and your controller plus a couple of games.
Im not a sony fan, i love the competition but this is microsoft ripping mentally challenged and ill informed consumers. the ps3 is superior to any console of this gen, sales do not represent superiority and you could see this by mac:pc sales or by Hyundai and Ferrari sales. do apples to apples not to oranges or in this case, rotten tomatoes. Enjoy your supcription and prepare to invest again in the next year or so, the ps3 still has a couple of more years to live
(WWWWWXXXDDDD) AC, they day humans open their eyes,
Game -$60
Xbox Live 12mth - $39.88 (walmart)
Ethernet Cord -$10 to $25
Equals $408 -$423 plus tax
PS3 with 80 gb hd plus one game and a controller -$399
Game -$60
Blu Ray Remote -$19.82
Equals= $478.82 plus tax
So the 360 is cheaper, has the better selection of games (although the ps3 has some awesome games), it has arguably better graphics with most of it's games plus it is centered and built for online play while including games with awesome story lines.
TFT LCD ?
Wi-Fi 3G?
Cell Phone?
Windows Mobile?
Internal GPS?
Camera x.x pixels?
I hope got all this and more, then the "new" psp will replace all my junk into one, otherwise what's the point?
PSP2 to be announced and then released within the year?
Hah.
Maybe PSP2 announced, but not released.
Sounds like a bad source to me.
And they haven't announced a "PSP2", it's the PSP Go! No more UMD drive, but other than that, who knows what it will and won't have.
moumou @ http://www.aboutpspgo.com
PSP: Nice, now just throw in some decent internal memory (i.e. in the order of GBs, not MBs), sell it at a different price (i.e. not more than ?250), and crackers will take care of the rest (i.e. firmware).
? = Euros (EUR)
- by TimNP61478 July 18, 2009 11:43 PM PDT
- I'd hate to say this, but what they (Sony) needs to do is make a PSP, in which the monitor screen can do a 90 degree tilt. This is only because some games require you to tilt ur screen, in order to play it like a broader widescreen up and down ... and it's a bit difficult holding the game console in ur hands while viewing the screen from a titled angle.... ESPECIALLY with the buttons on the bottom and top of the screen... ugh. I know it sounds silly to ask for something like that when it's only like for only 2-3 games that I have in my possession
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(39 Comments)Or if anything make the game console more hand ergonomically friendly. My fingers kinda get a lil sore from the weight and the long play. Maybe this new PSP GO, will improve... we'll have to wait and see...