The PSP Go Thread

[Robin]

Apparently the tech group which previously worked on the graphics processor for the PSP has entered a new deal with a 'major electronics manufacturer' rumoured to be Sony. Having said this Imagination Technologies have also done the graphics in the iPhone so maybe we will be seeing an Apple portable console!

I think its most likely true thats its Sony and that some work, however early, is being done on the PSP's successor or maybe the Sony Ericsson PSP. When Sony said they would support it for the next 6 years they didnt have to mean in its current state (which has already changed like 3 times). I would hope that they can up the graphics for new titles and also support old ones, and sort out dual analogue sticks!

Thoughts?

Robin.

 

[ExigeEvan]

PSPhone?

Everyone else seems to be combining anything and everything, though imagine price wuld be far, far steeper.

 

[LaBounti]

What I want out of a new generation psp is.

Faster loading time
Dual precise ananub pads and 4 shoulder buttons
USB wireless broadband compatible
Powerful webrowser
Keep it under $300.

imagine downloading PSN, PS1, PSP, PSP2 games directly to the system?

 

[nk4e]

PSPhone?

Everyone else seems to be combining anything and everything, though imagine price wuld be far, far steeper.

N-gage anyone?

 

[Robin]

PSPhone?

Yeah, Sony filed a patent a while back for a PSP gaming phone...

I personally would rather just have a new PSP rather than phone integration, I alreadly have too many phones! I hope the new one can output at least real PS2 graphics if not higher. It would be great if you could transfer/copy PS2 games to the PSP via the PS3.

Robin.

 

[Legendary]

They just made a sony gaming phone...

I would like a PSP2 very much, maybe bundles with GT:M, thats a big ask i know...

 

[ExigeEvan]

N-gage anyone?

I take it back, it's a horrible idea!

 

[MagpieRacer]

Would be nice it could be compatible with downloadasble ps2 games.

 

[GBWH1991]

If we got a PSPhone, this is the one I would like, it's the only one I've seen...
The design Robin posted looks too chunky for my likings, and they would prob release a slim version after 8 months...


As for PSP2, I would like it to have the following:
-Internal memory, about 4gig, also still have expandable memory as well
-High Definition - I'm wishing a bit here...
-Possibly a way of connecting to a computer, with software to copy your PS1 games to the internal memory, with that being able to transfer to the PS3 (Gran Turismo 2 - Legally anyone???)
-Better web browser, bigger cache to view sites with more pictures
-Video playback of more files, like the PS3 can play almost all the AVI videos I have
-Two analoge(sp?) sticks - also acting as R3 and L3, and maybe R2 and L2 buttons to resemble the console pads
-Intergrated support for those CTF style themes - some look brilliant
-Maybe a giftcard with each purchase f the PSP2 for the Playstation Store, like £10 of downloads

There are more, but the list will be far too long, and probably seem like more of a complaint...

 

[boiltheocean]

Thats much nicer looking than what Robin posted!

 

[[empty space]]

i just want more ps1/ps2 games (ffvii and ffix), a touch screen, built in support for msn and other internet instant messagers, and a big cache as its impossible to surf any forum with any user posted pictures on it.

and, if im going to reach a little, built in g3 connection so i can surf the internet and listen to internet radio *everywhere*.

as you can see, i use my psp as a mp3 player, mobile internet (cheaper to replace than a laptop and smaller) and gaming.

 

[Robin]

Thats much nicer looking than what Robin posted!

Yeah that concept posted by GBWH is really quite amazing and if it looked like that I would buy it because its got all the style of Sony Ericsson.

The pic I posted is the real patent filed image however most products never end up looking like the early patent images! Its just a simplifed drawing to show what functionality and features they want to patent and is in no way an accurate represenatation of what its going to look like.

Robin.

 

[FoolKiller]

Apparently the tech group which previously worked on the graphics processor for the PSP has entered a new deal with a 'major electronics manufacturer' rumoured to be Sony.

This sounds interesting. It will be a hard sell if they don't have more quality games though.

Having said this Imagination Technologies have also done the graphics in the iPhone so maybe we will be seeing an Apple portable console!

iPhone is their portable gaming console. Its specs are nearly equal to the PSP and DS. Apple has even said that the iPhone is the future if portable gaming. This is the problem Sony needs to overcome. Casual gamers with iPhones are going crazy and the PSP is looking like it could be passed up in another one or two generations of iPhones (which happen almost yearly).

I think its most likely true thats its Sony and that some work, however early, is being done on the PSP's successor or maybe the Sony Ericsson PSP.

If they want to have a PSP2 in the next three to five years then they must get started now.

When Sony said they would support it for the next 6 years they didnt have to mean in its current state (which has already changed like 3 times).

Well, they support their consoles for 10 years, even though they put out a new one every five. They could easily put out a PSP2 tomorrow and still support the PSP.

I would hope that they can up the graphics for new titles and also support old ones, and sort out dual analogue sticks!

Graphics I am OK on. They already knock on the PS2's door. It already cannot run games to a TV without a component cable. Everything else I completely agree with.

Now, if they do up the graphics I hope they can get it where its Remote Play features can work on more PS3 games.

Yeah, Sony filed a patent a while back for a PSP gaming phone...

If we got a PSPhone, this is the one I would like, it's the only one I've seen...
The design Robin posted looks too chunky for my likings, and they would prob release a slim version after 8 months...

Yes, that patent was filed, along with a dozen other versions, including the one that became the PSP Phone prototype pictured above. But then not long after the Ericsson part of Sony Ericsson said no.

This kind of makes sense as they are trying to push their Walkman phones, and it would ruin the cell businesses DLC stuff if you can get games on UMD, not have to buy their proprietary mini MS cards, and whatnot.

I think this kind of integration will be a long way down the road, and then they cannot pull an iPhone and make it exclusive to one service provider. Now, if they wanted PSP tech in a phone that could work well and would take on the iPhone, but it cannot be a direct descendant of the PSP. Some PSP owners do not want their gaming system to require a phone plan. I replace phones every two years, not gaming systems.

As for PSP2, I would like it to have the following:
-Internal memory, about 4gig, also still have expandable memory as well
-High Definition - I'm wishing a bit here...

I agree. HD would be nice, even if it is a wish.

-Possibly a way of connecting to a computer, with software to copy your PS1 games to the internal memory, with that being able to transfer to the PS3 (Gran Turismo 2 - Legally anyone???)

Better yet, make the PS3 copy them to the hard drive and then copy to the PSP.

-Better web browser, bigger cache to view sites with more pictures
-Video playback of more files, like the PS3 can play almost all the AVI videos I have
-Two analoge(sp?) sticks - also acting as R3 and L3, and maybe R2 and L2 buttons to resemble the console pads
-Intergrated support for those CTF style themes - some look brilliant
-Maybe a giftcard with each purchase f the PSP2 for the Playstation Store, like £10 of downloads

All good ideas.

and, if im going to reach a little, built in g3 connection so i can surf the internet and listen to internet radio *everywhere*.

See, this I do not like, and is why I think a PSP phone will never work. To get that connection I will have to pay or an additional service. If I was fine with that I would own a 360. Plus, I have almost never seen a device with a good 3g connection that also included WiFi. Those connections require a service provider and those providers will not agree to having an option that means not using them.

Besides, are you having trouble finding a WiFi connection? even McDonald's has them now. When I have doctor's appointments I can tap into the hospital's WiFi and check my work email with it. Yes, I have done work from my PSP.

as you can see, i use my psp as a mp3 player, mobile internet (cheaper to replace than a laptop and smaller) and gaming.

If I didn't have so much iPod stuff I would do this too. But if you remove MP3 player you have mine.



My main concern with the future of the PSP is: GPS unit for the US.

 

[Robin]

I still believe though that in a world with the iPhone the PSP will still be a major player...

Firstly people can relate to the Playstation brand which is thier biggest hand... when people hear that name they know they are going to get an excellent (or rather proper) gaming experience compared to phones with games. Plus they will get integration with the PS3.

Secondly as has been said people change thier phones so often and not thier consoles... having the PSP remain an independant device makes sense (however cool a SE PSP phone looks). I wouldnt want to pay extra for the phone component only to want to upgrade it after 2 years... look at how much the iPhone has already changed.

I never knew the iPhone had the same graphical power as the PSP but the lack of buttons is going to hinder it from being a proper gaming device... it will just feel like another phone with games tacked on. That might be great for the casual market but for others they will want a device specifically designed for gaming.

Sony will have to get a move on because the good times of being the dominant portable device with console comparable graphics are over, Apple has this hold on people which is likely to lure many people and Sony can't keep making money with the PSP in its current state... just getting thinner and lighter... it needs a major overhaul!

Robin.

 

[[empty space]]

Besides, are you having trouble finding a WiFi connection? even McDonald's has them now. When I have doctor's appointments I can tap into the hospital's WiFi and check my work email with it. Yes, I have done work from my PSP.

the only place ive access to wi-fi is at school. ive no internet at work and my internet at home cant stream music. or if not 3g network, at least built in support for sirus xm radio. my main goal is to get either internet music or satalite radio incoperated into the psp so i can listen to that while on the go in my car or at work.

 

[FoolKiller]

I still believe though that in a world with the iPhone the PSP will still be a major player...

That's without a doubt, if for no other reason than how it can work with the PS3.

Secondly as has been said people change thier phones so often and not thier consoles... having the PSP remain an independant device makes sense (however cool a SE PSP phone looks). I wouldnt want to pay extra for the phone component only to want to upgrade it after 2 years... look at how much the iPhone has already changed.

Now, this all said, the iPod Touch is an iPhone, minus the phone.

I never knew the iPhone had the same graphical power as the PSP but the lack of buttons is going to hinder it from being a proper gaming device... it will just feel like another phone with games tacked on. That might be great for the casual market but for others they will want a device specifically designed for gaming.

I am not sure what the graphical power is but it does achieve the same resolution (720x480), and if I remember correctly it also has a 333mhz processor. I do not know about the memory though. However, I have seen some of the games and the touchscreen and tilt sensor does work well. What makes the iPhone a touch above something like the PSP is the App Store. Apple opened up the system to app developers and so things that can only be done on a PSP with custom firmware are readily available for the iPhone with the touch of a button.

If Sony were smart they would look at the apps available through custom firmware, make their own versions of those things, and sell them on the PlayStation Store. I would love PDA functionality, GPS, e-books (Sony even makes a reader), and others. Make it functional with Hulu (and iPlayer in the UK) so I can even get TV on the road.

Sony will have to get a move on because the good times of being the dominant portable device with console comparable graphics are over, Apple has this hold on people which is likely to lure many people and Sony can't keep making money with the PSP in its current state... just getting thinner and lighter... it needs a major overhaul!

At the current state it is in they will compete well if they just get better games. We need more Patapon and God of War quality games. If you want to make a Medieval game for it fine, but do it like Twisted Metal did, a new game, not a remake of an old game. I had a choice between $4.99 for Medieval for the PS1 or $14.99 for Medieval Resurrection. Considering the only difference is control layout and graphics, guess which I bought?

That $10 can go toward Super Stardust Portable.

And this brings up a major key for the PSP, PSN games are made for the PSP. Just look at them. Small, not graphically straining, good for pickup and play, and easy to learn. Sony should have every first-party PSN game have either a PSP version or remote play. And then they should push their third-party developers to do that too (I'm looking at you Capcom). Echochrome ported easily, Flow did alright, Super Stardust is getting there, rumors about Blast Factor and others are out there. Wipeout HD is just a graphical upgrade to Wipeout Pulse and Wipeout Pure (I think that is it).

They need to do more of this, negotiate for the third parties to work on it, and keep it going strong. And definitely more of this PS3 integration like Resistance is doing, but I would prefer playing games on my TV screen with a DS3 not require a $60 game, just a $2.99-$4.99 downloadable app.

See, if they did more of this stuff any PS3 owner looking for a portable gaming device would pass up on the iPhone because of all the stuff their PS3 will allow a PSP to do. And these are just thoughts based on what I have seen the system already do.


EDIT:

the only place ive access to wi-fi is at school. ive no internet at work and my internet at home cant stream music. or if not 3g network, at least built in support for sirus xm radio. my main goal is to get either internet music or satalite radio incoperated into the psp so i can listen to that while on the go in my car or at work.

Satellite radio would be nice. Of course I would need a satellite capable attachment in the US first....

Still though, a cheap 1GB card will give you plenty of music.

I see where you are coming from but as I rarely use the radio for music anymore I don't see the need.

 

[[empty space]]

not when youve closer to 20gb's of music, plus internet/satalite radio is the only way ive to hear new metal/rock bands as whats played on normal radio is ... not rock or is over played classic rock.

+1 to needing better games. theres only two future releases im looking forward to and thats patapon 2 and final fantasy disidia(sp) ... and im not even sure if thats going to have a stateside release

 

[FoolKiller]

not when youve closer to 20gb's of music, plus internet/satalite radio is the only way ive to hear new metal/rock bands as whats played on normal radio is ... not rock or is over played classic rock.

Well, while I think a lot of classic rock cannot be overplayed, I do have to agree on the new radio stuff sucking.

Find some music podcasts. I knew of Lacuna Coil a couple of years ago and occasionally stumble on some good up and coming bands.

 

[Thiele]

I don't like the idea of a PSP combined with an Ipod/Iphone ONE BIT. That would completely screw Sony up.

 

[Tornado]

Apple has even said that the iPhone is the future if portable gaming.

Apple says similar things about all of their products. I don't think Nintendo or Sony have to worry too much.

 

[FoolKiller]

I don't like the idea of a PSP combined with an Ipod/Iphone ONE BIT. That would completely screw Sony up.

Well, technically it is already like an iPod. Put in an 8GB or 16GB Memory Stick and you have a Nano. Only your screen is bigger, you can output to a TV and it will play real games.

On second thought, you're right. It is nothing like an iPod and shouldn't be. It does it all and better.

Apple says similar things about all of their products. I don't think Nintendo or Sony have to worry too much.

Yeah, but the fact that I have seen Crash Bandicoot games on them tells me that they are attempting to actually encroach on that market.

Honestly, I think their comment is designed for the casual gamers. I know guys with iPhones that rarely played games until they started showing up on the App Store.

That is why I think that Sony should contact the custom firmware app designers and sign them on. They obviously already have the expertise and skills necessary. If Sony did that they could pull in at least iPod Touch users because it is cheaper, the games are higher quality, and it has other uses as well.

 

[Kryz11]

Touch screen or not.. I don't wanna play games by pressing the screen..
1 My fingers are in the way so I cant see 100% of screen.. same with DS My PEN thingy is always on screen.. 100% of screen is not visible...
2 I want double STICKS like the PS3 controller..

 

[[empty space]]

i want a touch screen to make typing easier.

 

[GBWH1991]

I'd hate a touch screen, as I have never been a fan of having to put fingers on the screen... Maybe just for typing, but nothing else...

 

[Kryz11]

Yeah typing would be good to have touch screen. But do not force Games to use this feature..
Anyone with pictures or when will it come out? Late 09?

 

[FoolKiller]

Yeah typing would be good to have touch screen. But do not force Games to use this feature..
Anyone with pictures or when will it come out? Late 09?

No, it is all just rumor and speculation.

However, I do like the PSPFanboy mock up.

 

[Robin]

No, it is all just rumor and speculation.

However, I do like the PSPFanboy mock up.

Hahaha its a Cybershot, PSP, Vaio and iPhone all rolled into one.

But it looks nice and clean and isnt all that crazy because a slide up screen with keypad underneath is nothing new. The real limiting factor with the PSP is the size of the UMD. If they did away with that and did the software on Memory Stick it could be as compact as you like! But Sony is not going to do that and I wouldnt want them to either.

Robin.

 

[FoolKiller]

The real limiting factor with the PSP is the size of the UMD. If they did away with that and did the software on Memory Stick it could be as compact as you like! But Sony is not going to do that and I wouldnt want them to either.

It would also create a backwards compatibility issue as well. This could be solved with a copy to Memory Stick option.

And then if they upgrade the system's graphics the games will easily exceed 1GB and the cost of a Memory Stick could get expensive.

They could also go the digital distribution route, but then I won't be buying. It is one thing to have an option, but until DRM finds a way to not require me to allow a friend to borrow my PSP in order to borrow a game I am not buying. Small download only games are one thing, but $40 games are not.

Plus, my 1mb Internet connection does not like 1+GB game downloads on a regular basis.

 

[Robin]

It would also create a backwards compatibility issue as well. This could be solved with a copy to Memory Stick option.

And then if they upgrade the system's graphics the games will easily exceed 1GB and the cost of a Memory Stick could get expensive.

They could also go the digital distribution route, but then I won't be buying. It is one thing to have an option, but until DRM finds a way to not require me to allow a friend to borrow my PSP in order to borrow a game I am not buying. Small download only games are one thing, but $40 games are not.

Plus, my 1mb Internet connection does not like 1+GB game downloads on a regular basis.

Yeah, ive never being one for buying 'air' either! I want the physical game in a physical box and I want to use it on as many machines as I want forever!

If Sony did the games on memory stick im sure they would subsidise the cost of them as they did with UMD. If they were the standard size ones and not duo that could also bring the cost down.

BC in that case would require the user to have an old PSP in order to copy the games across to memory stick. If they already sold it but still have the games and want to use them on a new machine they would be buggered! Like the DSi crowd with advance games.

Sony wont abandon UMD, they have been pushing it for so long and would loose face if they did (they already did when the movie part of UMD didnt take off). Personally I think its a neat technology buliding on the Mini Disc but it really can't compete anymore in the solid state world today compared to when the PSP first came out.

Blu Ray UMD FTW!

Robin.

 

[FoolKiller]

Blu Ray UMD FTW!

Robin.

And you probably just hit it on the head. Sony may be waiting for this technology. And with Pioneer's new 16 layer 400GB BD technology imagine how that can be applied to a BD UMD. Imagine up to 50GB on a UMD. That would be ridiculous, but possible. I doubt it would break 10-20GB.

PSP2: UMD BD - BC with UMD, Cell processor, 720p (possibly 1080p) screen, portable HD movies, wifi, PSN access, more interoperability with PS3, HDMI video/audio out, built-in Skype, microphone, 5.1 audio output via HDMI, internal flash storage of 16GB, expandable Memory Stick slot, and two analog sticks.

This would be true next-gen portable gaming.

The games would be in some form of HD, and the UMD size could allow for games with PS3 quality graphics with a shorter gameplay experience, like PSN games. Or they will be PS2 graphics, but full-length games. Imagine a full featured GT4, or God of War 1 and 2 in full versions.

Developers could jump on this because they could port over their PS2 games, opening a new source of revenue on old franchises with minimal development costs. All PSN downloadable titles could be compatible with it. So Gran Turismo 5: Prologue becomes Gran Turismo 5: Portable. Then you could have a choice between a 700+ car GT4 or a 70 car GT5P.



Ah, a nice wish list. It would be an expensive gadget early on, but it would also take a huge chunk away from the DS and iPhone, especially if PSN titles were compatible. No one could ever say that there aren't any good games for it.