Sony unveils minor PSP upgrade

The 'ice silver' PSP is one of a trio of new PSP versions available.

(Credit: GameSpot)

Those rumors about a PSP redesign turned out to be true--sorta. Demoed onstage at the Santa Monica E3 show by Sony's Kaz Hirai, the new PSP doesn't look all that different on the outside, but it's said to be 33 percent lighter, 19 percent slimmer, offer better battery life, faster game load times, and video output to TVs.

Separately, the company will also bow PSPs in two new colors: "ice silver" and a Star Wars-themed white PSP emblazoned with Darth Vader's visage. Both the colored PSPs will be available in "Entertainment Pack" versions for $200 each--the silver model will include Daxter, a Family Guy "Freakin' Sweet" UMD video collection, and a 1GB Memory Stick Duo, while the Star Wars version will include the new Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron game.

And...that's it. Looks like anyone waiting for a more robust PSP upgrade (with oft-requested additions such as onboard flash storage, a second analog stick, or a touch screen, for instance) will have to wait until 2008 or beyond. That said--the promise of faster load times and video output may mean a lot of older PSPs may soon be finding their way to eBay.

[Daileyp13]

Older psp compatability?

I was wondering if the video output could, in any way, support older psp systems. I have had mine since it was released, love it, and have homebrew firmware on it. the only reason I use homebrew is because of gps (sony really needs to officially release it in the US) and video output through the usb connection. Maybe if sony does these things i might go back to using their standard firmware. Until then, homebrew is the way to go, sadly.

[Kev50027]

Awesome! I can't wait!

I have had a PSP since the day they came out, and this sounds like a small, but exciting update, and I will most certainly be getting another PSP for the updates. Honestly, I am surprised the PSP hasn't done as well as the Nintendo DS. I find DS games too childish and boring, so I gave my DS to my girlfriend (ha!).

Now all I need to know is WHEN?!?? I want this new PSP now, when can I get it?

[make_or_break]

That's simple

The reason why the DS (specifically the Lite version) has done so well is that it's a natural update from the Gameboy lines. There's a lot of pre-existing gaming software that's compatible with the DS series of players, and since the DS Lite's introduction, the smaller form-factor has been an extremely popular and almost natural upgrade from the Gameboy Advance/Advance SP. And it also didn't hurt that for the longest time the DS has been considerably [i]cheaper[/i] than the PSP.

[make_or_break]

(Yawn)......

Frankly, for these 1.5G-like updates I can't seem myself replacing [i]my[/i] original PSP, especially for a [i]more expensive unit[/i]. Typical Sony...going the WRONG way with pricing, even if there are a couple of pack-ins. Like I couldn't just [i]reuse[/i] my old [b]4GB[/b] memory stick pro duo?

I never thought the 1G PSP was all that heavy to begin with and while a vid out is a nice feature, for me it doesn't fit with how I use my PSP as a [i]portable[/i] device though the battery upgrade would be much appreciated. Now, had SNE added built-in NAND storage...that would've floated MY boat.

[Rod Roddy]

WHY?!??!?!?

Why would Sony put any more time, effort, and most importantly money into this device? It's painfully obvious to Sony that they are again on the losing team (PS3) when it comes to portable gaming. Sony's mistake the first go-around, was its decision to use UMD's (the failed mini disc in disguise) to play games and movies on. Sony needs to reevaluate its strategy in the "take no prisoners" world of gaming.

[kei 9]

screen quality under sunlight??

the said that it got an improved screen...i hope they said IMPROVE on glare.....but battery storage is the ain problem i think.....

[c.Lake]

To sum up in one word...

WEAK. Absolutely weak.

This would be the THIRD rendition of the freakin' PSP, inside of 2 years and all
they have to show for it is Black, White, and Silver??? Please! News-Flash
People, Black and White are NOT colors (either is grey). From Art/Design/
Colorest stand point, a color consist of a pigment (example: Red, Green, Blue
these are colors) -- but I digress.

The Larger point is... Sony get your head out of your ASS!! STOP re-enventing
the F**king egg. Anybody that wants a PSP probably already has one, myself
included. So... what, I'm I really going to buy another one when the first work
perfectly fine?? Talk about a botched job on releasing (and re-releasing) a
hand held GAMING machine.

It's NOT an iPod
It's NOT a TV
It's NOT a Pocket PC
Nor a freaking Blackberry.
What it IS is a video game hand held -- which is what I bought it for.

However, I think the "Darth Varder" thing is REALLY going to work to sag in a
larger female buying audience. Because that last time I checked girls totally
dig Star Wars, and don't think it's for children and guys with no sex lives.
Also, girls like the (non) color Silver -- ever single freaking electronic device
in the world is Silver or Black. So if there was a choice between something
that's same ole' Silver (with Darth Varder on it) or something that was say
pink or blue, or white with a camera on it. Most girls WOULD buy the one
with Darth Varder on it, so they can totally look like dorks.

Excellent business model Sony, good job. HOPE it all works out for you.


/Rant OVER

[mongoos150]

Seems pointless.

Seems that perhaps Sony is quite desperate for PSP sales?! Slimmer is great, but not much new functionality. The "ice" version looks hideous also...