July 10, 2007 9:40 AM PDT

PSP redesign: Fact or fiction?

by John P. Falcone
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PSP Mini mock-up

One fan's vision of a possible--but completely fictional--PSP redesign

(Credit: Kotaku)

Google PSP redesign or PSP2, and you'll get tens of thousands of results (and even a few interesting homemade Photoshop jobs, such as the "PSP Mini" shown above)--a testament to the fact that many gamers, it seems, were never quite comfortable with the design of Sony's first handheld gaming system. To be sure, the PSP has its share of issues, not the least of which is the UMD format--the proprietary optical disc format is hobbled with slow load times, and the moving parts sap the PSP's battery life. Controls have always been suspect, too, with most gamers lusting for a second analog stick to better mimic the home PlayStation DualShock controller. And the dearth of onboard storage limits the device's media functions to the comparatively paltry storage of removeable Memory Stick Duo flash memory cards. At the same time, rumors of the PSP's demise have been greatly exaggerated--while it hasn't knocked dethroned Nintendo from handheld gaming's top spot, the PSP has sold well by any other measure, with a worldwide install base estimated at more than 24 million and a growing library of great games.

But hardware refreshes are par for the course in the gaming world, and the PSP--which originally hit Japan in the fall of 2004--is due for a makeover. Citing anonymous "highly placed" sources, Kotaku provided a laundry list of improvements in an alleged PSP redesign--all the way back in March 2007. And rumors of a PSP phone continue to persist as well. Whether or not Sony will unveil a PSP redesign at this week's E3 conference in Santa Monica is anybody's guess--we'll know by mid-afternoon on Wednesday. In the meantime, though, it's open season: let us know how you'd improve the PSP.

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John P. Falcone covers home theater and network entertainment products. He's been writing for CNET since 2002.
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The Nintendo DS is a better handheld
by hardrockguru July 10, 2007 11:10 AM PDT
And with far better games and battery life. The PSP is another Sony flop along with the PS3.
Reply to this comment
Some needed features...
by whizkid454 July 10, 2007 11:23 AM PDT
1) Built-in storage. At least 4GB of storage is welcome if not more. Buying MS Duo cards are expensive and a hassle.

2) More internal RAM. This is needed for the Web browser since the 4MB of RAM sometimes isn't enough to view certain large Web pages.

3) Multitasking. We want to be able to listen to music while viewing photos or browsing the Web.

4) A built-in camera that is capable of at least 2MP stills and video.

5)Support for downloading PS1 games without having to use a PS3.

6) Touchscreen. It would be much easier to enter text than the method used now. It takes 2 minutes just to type a sentence like "Rob, I hope you can come and visit us sometime."

7) More PDA-like apps. Such as a document viewer, contacts, calendar, and a few built-in mini-games just for fun.

I know this is a lot to ask, but it would make the PSP2 a big hit.
Reply to this comment
The Fan Photo is a Good Start
by Renegade Knight July 10, 2007 11:40 AM PDT
The Flip top screen would allow for a bigger screen. A DS style touchpad of a second screen and a second analog stick would help a lot.

Storage is a major problem. This device has so much potential but somehow misses the mark that a few tweaks are needed.

MY DS is used more for games just becaus "they work" while the PSP has prettier games but they don't get played as much because the interface doesn't quite work right without that second thumb stick.

I'd use it for a MP3 player as well, or movie viewer but I can't get them on the device with it's limited space.
Reply to this comment
Eh, Just add a hard-drive and I'm sold
by subindie July 10, 2007 12:22 PM PDT
I don't like it. In fact I really like the current form factor. As soon as they add a
hard-disk (60G+) I'll be headed to the store to replace my 3G iPod with a PSP...
because I'm sick and tired of waiting for a wide screen iPod to come out (ie the
Phoneless iPhone).
Reply to this comment
PSP= Multimedia Device at Heart
by Starfires July 11, 2007 5:50 AM PDT
I have a DS and was never tuned on by the bland selection of PSP games, which is a shame, given it's technical prowess. Like the PS3, this means that even if it is too high-priced to catch on as a games console, it is great for multi-media playback- all that's missing is the hard drive. Currently, without one, it is pretty much hobbled, as it may never catch on as a games machine. Sorry Sony, but people don't want to pay so much for consoles, as they aren't seen as an 'investment'. But they will pay for ipods that have hard drives- and by having wide-screen video you could beat Apple to the punch!
Reply to this comment
I like the original psp.
by strykernyc July 11, 2007 11:12 AM PDT
I love the psp. I have the ds, the wii, the ps3,the psp and the 360.
who doesn't love the psp, is much much much more than just a gaming machine. And who doesn't love the beautiful psp screen.
I have a 8GB memory stick and I love watching my recorder shows on the go.
The only thing a person who is (not a typical user) will ask for on the next psp would be a nice HD building but easy to replace like the PS3 and ofcourse more ram. The current cpu is is fast enough.
It is so cool that I can login to my pc from work using my psp at a starbucks or any hot spot and download and upload files :)
Reply to this comment
Ds is better
by deadly55 July 11, 2007 5:03 PM PDT
You can get a a cartridge that allows the nintendo ds to play music,movies, and pictures and you can get a web browser, all the features of the psp with better battery life!
Reply to this comment
by modthocn July 9, 2008 2:23 AM PDT
I've found a website which can be used to get access to thousands of free psp games and movies and other stuff. Here's it's address: PSP Game Downloads
Reply to this comment
by Crimrec July 16, 2008 3:50 AM PDT
Yeah good stuff. The psp design is absolutely awesome. I wish they could bring a smaller option for people catching public transport and stuff. Like they do with psp game downloads.
Reply to this comment
by Game_Sanders July 17, 2008 8:08 PM PDT
I like the redesign, but i think they should leave the current version out as well so people have more of a choice. There are some people posting here about psp game downloads but you should read this first before downloading any psp games
Reply to this comment
by ohmamamia September 25, 2008 10:00 PM PDT
I guess the redesign is ok, but I really don't understand why Sony decided to go that route, especially given the fact that it wasn't long after they released the original PSP that they decided to give it a new look. Was this an answer to Nintendo's redesign of the DS. Was it Sony's way of trying to take away attention from the incredible success the DS was having? I really don't know. By the way, for those that were interested in <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/computer-games-articles/free-psp-downloads-best-places-to-download-free-psp-games-578093.html">Free Psp Downloads</a>
, I also managed to find a resource. Just check out that link.

Anyways, the PSP has been out for awhile now, and to be honest, I don't think that redesign really helped Sony, if at all. I personally have both the PSP and DS, and I have to say I almost never touch my PSP, but I'm always using my DS.

Looks can only last for so long. Once that novelty wears off, it's all about the content. Peace.
Reply to this comment
by ohmamamia September 25, 2008 10:09 PM PDT
I apologize for the broken link above. Let me try this again.
You can go here: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/computer-games-articles/free-psp-downloads-best-places-to-download-free-psp-games-578093.html">Free Psp Downloads</a>
If that doesn't work, then you can go here:
http://www.articlesbase.com/computer-games-articles/free-psp-downloads-best-places-to-download-free-psp-games-578093.html

I apologize for the long url. Peace.
by pspthemes June 27, 2009 10:10 PM PDT
I've found a website which can be used to get access to thousands of free psp themes. Here's it's address:[URL="http://www.pspthemes.us"]PSP Themes Downloads[/URL]
Reply to this comment
by mmarinalobo27 November 12, 2009 9:31 PM PST
Try the new axe instinct online game its addictive and its has 5 good looking girls to choos from before you start the game..Natalie, Kelley, Tanya, Linda and Simran.
at the end of the game the girls meet you seperately and obey your commands that you type in!!

Oh! and you can also win a Sony psp :)

Check this link out!

http://www.axeplay.zapak.com/
Reply to this comment
by mmarinalobo27 November 12, 2009 9:31 PM PST
Try the new axe instinct online game its addictive and its has 5 good looking girls to choos from before you start the game..Natalie, Kelley, Tanya, Linda and Simran.
at the end of the game the girls meet you seperately and obey your commands that you type in!!

Oh! and you can also win a Sony psp :)

Check this link out!

http://www.axeplay.zapak.com/
Reply to this comment
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