Sony PSP News and Tips

The new Sony PSP Go

Move aside, Nintendo DSi. You're not the only handheld that releases new models and new packaging for every batch of upgrades. And you're most definitely not the only handheld that has a knack for obnoxious names.

The Sony Playstation Portable has likewise evolved, and the Sony Playstation Portable has likewise assumed an uncanny but memorable name -- the PSP Go! and we have all the scoop regarding this new device.

As of this writing, only one website has revealed Sony's plans to reintroduce the Playstation Portable as the PSP Go! 1up.com was given a scoop by Sony representatives themselves, a scoop which became the basis of an article that was inadvertently published way too early (earlier than Sony's planned announcement about the PSP Go) !

Regardless of whether or not such a mess up will change Sony's plans of and cause a rebranding of the new Playstation Portable, the fact remains that right now, as of this writing, the new Playstation Portable is called the PSP Go! and it will boast of the following improvements:

- A slide-in feature that will allow for a bigger screen for the Playstation Portable. Indeed, you think that the current widescreen LCD of the Playstation Portable is big enough? Wait until you see the new PSP Go!

- No more UMD support. The cartridge slot at the back has been removed to give way to the slide-in feature. Games will now be downloaded digitally. For those who don't have access to internet or WiFi connections, download kiosks will be established in popular destinations so that players can conveniently get their gaming fix.

- Flip-in/flip-out controllers to allow the outer layer screen to slide in.

- 16 GB of built-in memory. Wow! Say goodbye to those 4GB memory cards.

- An extra analog stick: finally!

- A series of add-ons under the Go! brand. There will be Go! 1.3 mega pixel cameras, aptly entitled the Go!Cam. There will be Go!View which is a movie download service. And there are other Go! products being planned as we speak.

- An improved online download service. The Playstation Store will be restructured specifically for the PSP Go!

What brought about Sony's decision to manufacture and release a new Playstation Portable? Well, their flagship handheld has to change with the times. Nintendo has released the aforementioned DSi which adds more functionality to the DS. The iPhone is quickly emerging as a powerful handheld gaming console (an application can actually play the World of Warcraft on an iPhone 3g). The Playstation Portable must follow suit if it wants to compete with the portable gaming platforms of today.

Sony is scheduled to reveal the PSP Go! on E3 come this month...can't wait to see it!