Details of Sony's PSP Redesign

[monkeysuit]

Back in March, we brought word of a new and improved PlayStation Portable. But what good are the rumblings of new hardware without some of the details? Today, thanks to several sources close to Sony, we bring you that nitty gritty as the redesigned Playstation Portable nears completion.

Keep in mind this isn't Playstation Portable 2, but rather a redesign of the original, so it will be sporting the same internal hardware. But that's about the only thing that hasn't changed. The new Playstation Portable will have a much slimmer design, thanks mostly to a new LED screen that will deliver an ultra-crisp image but take up far less space. That LED also helps pump up the battery life of this sexy new model, which can last as much as four times longer than the original PSP. While the new PSP still makes use of the UMD drive, it will be a faster version and to help speed up loadtimes and gameplay, the portable will come packed with 8GBs of internal flash memory. Finally, the PSP's much maligned buttons have been revamped and the D-Pad has gotten a major overhaul, giving portable gamers something more like a Playstation 3 D-pad to play with.

The company is still trying to decide whether or not they want to include a built-in camera, as they weigh whether the cost of adding the device will be worth the benefit to gamers. Our money is on no camera because of the competitive price issues. Those of you holding out for a touchscreen are, unfortunately, going to have to wait, though word has it that it will most like make an appearance in Sony's next portable gaming device. While the new PSP will remain black, Sony is still trying to decide whether it will have a glossy or matte finish.

The final price for this new PSP hasn't been set, but Sony is hoping to sell it for under $170 or so. Manufacturing should commence in the upcoming weeks, and the product is going to be officially unveiled at this year's E3. The sale date being tossed around is August, but don't be surprised if it's pushed back to September. What's this reworked PSP called? It doesn't have a name as of yet, but may we suggest "PSP Slim"?

Sony Computer Entertainment of America declined to comment on "rumor or speculation."Brian Ashcraft

The funny thing about this article, is that I was just about to head over to the local GameStop and pick up a PSP. I had heard rumblings of a redesign being unveiled at E3 but chose to ignore the rumor and go ahead and purchase one. I guess I'll wait and see what Sony has to offer come July!

[VACRMH]

The funny thing about this article, is that I was just about to head over to the local GameStop and pick up a PSP. I had heard rumblings of a redesign being unveiled at E3 but chose to ignore the rumor and go ahead and purchase one. I guess I'll wait and see what Sony has to offer come July!

I'm in the same boat, I was going to cave when Castlevania came out but I think I can wait a little bit longer :)

[skaar]

This year's E3? I apparently missed the memo... thought E3 was toast.

[Oobgarm]

This year's E3? I apparently missed the memo... thought E3 was toast.

In it's past form, yes. It's a more 'intimate' gathering now, only open to select members of the industry and press.

[heybtbm]

Looks kind of dumb...

http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/2271/pspphone2278screenxe0.jpg

[djbeatmongrel]

it looks like i'll be selling my psp once this comes out.

[bangtango]

So no news on what happens to the price of the original design? I'd just opt for that one if the price drops far enough below the redesigned version. Somehow I doubt it, since it went down $30 already to $169.99. Still, it'd be nice to know.

[monkeysuit]

Looks kind of dumb...

http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/2271/pspphone2278screenxe0.jpg

That's a concept design for a new Sony Ericsson phone I believe. As far as I know there images of the supposed "redesign" haven't been released yet. We'll probably have to wait until E3 to see anything.

[Daria]

Tempting... I hardly use my PSP. I've played a grand total of two games on it, but the analog stick is already wonky. If I use it and stop everything starts moving slowly to the left and I have to run around in circles until it unsticks. Annoying.

[Damaramu]

Nice! I'm glad I held out and picked up a DS Lite instead. Looks like I'll probably get this new PSP. Can't wait.

[norkusa]

If it's going to use the same internal hardware, that means it'll probably still be easy to install the custom firmware on. Count me in for one if that's the case.

[monkeysuit]

If it's going to use the same internal hardware, that means it'll probably still be easy to install the custom firmware on. Count me in for one if that's the case.

No doubt. All of that custom firmware and homebrew combined with 8gb of internal flash memory? Count me in.

[SegaAges]

I want a psp, but I am in the boat of waiting to see if the original design comes down in price at all (probably not, but I can hope).

Once the original has dropped in price, I will end up getting that. I only want a psp for battlefront 2. I love battlefront, and online/portable battlefront makes me happy in a special kind of way.

[Anthony1]

If it doesn't have a second analog nub on the right side, they can kiss my ass.

[neuropolitique]

If it doesn't have a second analog nub on the right side, they can kiss my ass.

As it is the same, functionally, as the OG you can bet it won't.

Hopefully it drives down the price of the OG. I may finally get my grubby little hands on one.

[Ponyone]

As it is the same, functionally, as the OG you can bet it won't.

Hopefully it drives down the price of the OG. I may finally get my grubby little hands on one.

They may. Modders have done it. Who snows.

[Anthony1]

As it is the same, functionally, as the OG you can bet it won't.

Hopefully it drives down the price of the OG. I may finally get my grubby little hands on one.


I don't see what that has to do with it. It can still play all the original PSP games just fine. The second analog nub would have nothing to do with that. And even new games would have to have two seperate control schemes. The default control scheme would be for the original PSP design with the one nub, but some games would allow for a special extra control mode with the second nub, thus making FPS actually playable on that system.

[Hwj_Chim]

This is good news I will most likely be getting one now sooner than later

[slip81]

I don't see what that has to do with it. It can still play all the original PSP games just fine. The second analog nub would have nothing to do with that. And even new games would have to have two seperate control schemes. The default control scheme would be for the original PSP design with the one nub, but some games would allow for a special extra control mode with the second nub, thus making FPS actually playable on that system.

they'll obviously never do that since doing so would push up developing costs for games.

this is just going to be a slightly revamped model with better brattery life and d-pad, since those are the two suckiest features of the old design.

though, the d-pad won't be that much better. PRO TIP: SONY, PUT A STANDARD D-PAD ON YOUR SYSTEMS INSTEAD OF THOSE SHITTY FOUR BUTTON HACK JOBS FOR ONCE!

[neuropolitique]

I don't see what that has to do with it. It can still play all the original PSP games just fine. The second analog nub would have nothing to do with that. And even new games would have to have two seperate control schemes. The default control scheme would be for the original PSP design with the one nub, but some games would allow for a special extra control mode with the second nub, thus making FPS actually playable on that system.

I agree that it would be nice, and easily implemented. However, by the wording of things, I still say it ain't gonna happen.

[chrisbid]

how can the battery life improve that much if it is still using optical media? will games load directly to flash memory?

[Captain Wrong]

People, you do realize adding a second nub would makes new games incompatable with the current PSP? Ain't gonna happen.

[meancode]

As crazy as this sounds, I have been wanting to get a second PSP for a while now, mainly to have a system for homebrew. At least we finally got a sliver of news on it.

[Anthony1]

People, you do realize adding a second nub would makes new games incompatable with the current PSP? Ain't gonna happen.



Whuh? Why? New games would simply default to the control scheme used with original PSP systems, and for people that own PSP version 2, they can go into the option menu, and enable 2nd analog stick control. I don't see any problem at all. Certainly, they can't design their games around that second analog nub, cause 20 million PSP's won't have that, but they can still improve the controls for people that do have the new version. Sony just has to be forcefull in the requirements for the new software. The software has to be designed with the original PSP in mind, and the 2nd analog stick control has to simply be an extra option, and the games can't be built around that. I'm guessing the software companies would be smart enough to know not to base the entire games control around the 2nd analog nub considering 20 million people don't have it, lol.

[Trebuken]

I'm thinking they would discontinue the old model for manufacturing reasons, but it would be nice of they continued to provide it as a 'core' version at a lower price.

I don't think it needs more buttons, but better ones would be nice...

[RugalSizzler]

I could only guess it will come with a.......

Touch Screen.
Wireless video phone ( this means a a built in camera ).
Built in Rumble.

Maybe even.........

Cart slot for cart games threw mini memory cards.
A double screen.
You can fold it like a SP.


I wonder if they are going to make use of the paper flat display panel they made.

Maybe the PSP will act as a wireless controller.

[swlovinist]

It sounds good, and I am glad they are doing a redesign. Things I expect are:

longer battery life, faster load times

Things I hope for are:

same screen size, $169 or less, better control pad