In this day and age of digital video streaming, YouTube has become a barometer of what's hot and what's not in any field of human interest. This is even true for video games, wherein the hottest titles receive the most views in the web's most popular video streaming site.

Sony PSP videos are often uploaded in YouTube. If you want to know what the hottest games are for the said system, all you need to do is to check out how many "views" a particular Sony PSP video has received.

Which Sony PSP videos are reigning supreme over at YouTube.com?

1. Fat Princess. The PSN game is coming to the Sony PSP. Shrouded in mystery, many people are wondering what the game looks like and how well it will play. Hence, game play Sony PSP videos of the title are garnering an amazing number of hits as of this writing.

2. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. Hideo Kojima's famed series is coming back to the PSP. This time, however, there will be no card mechanics nor turn-based game play. MGS: Peace Walker will feature the same game play as the console installments in the series. Also, MGS: Peace Walker will be an integral part of the series as it will bridge the gap between MGS 3: Snake Eater and the other games in the franchise. As with everything Metal Gear Solid-related, interest about the game is always high, resulting in many views for this Sony PSP video.

3. Resident Evil Portable. Testament to the strength of the brand, the Sony PSP video about the recently announced Resident Evil Portable features, as of this writing, a mere logo of the title, yet the said YouTube video has commanded close to 2 million views already.

4. Little Big Planet PSP. Indeed, Little Big Planet is coming to the Sony Playstation Portable. The number one question in many people's minds is: will LBP PSP feature the same fantastic graphics as LBP for the PS3? Only A Sony PSP video running the said game would sufficiently answer that question. And YouTube videos of the game in action would reveal that LBP PSP is everything that fans can expect from the franchise, and so much more.

5. Sony PSP Go! Believe it or not, one of the most watched Sony PSP videos doesn't even feature a Playstation Portable game. Rather, it features footage of what the Sony PSP GO!, the next incarnation of the Playstation Portable, looks like in action. The Sony PSP Go! is said to be 40% smaller and 50% lighter than the original PSP, and will feature a slide in, slide out technology to maximize space. It also features two analog sticks which will make shooters easier to control. All these changes have stirred up a lot of intrigue about the Sony PSP Go! and videos of the same are one of the most downloaded over at YouTube.com.

The same is true for the Sony Playstation Portable (PSP). There are a slew of Sony PSP demos today. In fact, that a Sony PSP game would be released without a Sony PSP demo would seem like the exception instead of the general rule.

Game companies realize the fact that with the convenience provided by digital delivery over the internet, offering Sony PSP demos will be a great way to entice gamers -- especially those who are quite unsure about the products -- to try out their games. In a study conducted by Gamer's Choice, Inc., it was revealed that by releasing a demo, a gaming company increases its conversion rate by 27%. This number is big, and it can spell the difference between a flop and a blockbuster.

As a consumer, you will be better served if you'd take time to study a Sony PSP demo before buying the actual title.

Trying out a Sony PSP demo is quite easy. You can download a slew of trial games on the internet. The best place where you can find a complete collection of Sony PSP demos is via the Sony Playstation Store. If you own a Sony Playstation 3 (PS3), you can access the store via your dashboard. You can also download Sony PSP demos (and even Sony PS3 demos if you want) to your PS3's hard drive. Simply attach your PSP to the PS3 via USB cable and you can automatically transfer and install the Sony PSP demos on your Playstation Portable unit.

You can also access the Playstation Store directly from your PSP, for as long as it is connected to the web.

If you don't have a Sony PS3 and if your PSP cannot access the web directly, you can go to the Playstation Store by visiting store.playstation.com. Go to the PSP section, then to the Demos section, and download your pick.

If choosing the PC download option, you will have to transfer the Sony PSP demo from your PC to your unit. You will need a USB cable for this. If the Sony PSP demos are in .zip format, unzip them. You should have a folder that contains a .pbp and a .drm file. Simply copy and paste the entire folder to F:PSPGAME location, then turn on your unit and load up the newly installed Sony PSP demos.

Sounds confusing?

Let's take a closer look at the subject at hand.

Sony often releases PSP updates that upgrade the firmware of the system. Firmware must be updated regularly so that the PSP unit itself will be able to cope up with the demands of newer games: demands which become more and more complicated as the years go by.

Sony, however, also uses these PSP updates to install security checks in the system. The company deems this as necessary because of the way PSP piracy is carried out, i.e. reducing UMDs into digital files that can be stored in memory cards and read by the PSP unit as it would read a downloaded demo.

Hence, if official PSP updates are installed in the unit, that unit will not be able to play pirated games.

If only pirated games were affected, then everything will be alright. Unfortunately, official PSP updates also read -- and consider -- homebrewed programs as pirated games, hence blocking the PSP from playing them. Homebrewed programs are games and utilities developed by players, like you and me, who have mastered or are learning to master programming for the Sony PSP. Homebrews are perfectly legal as they don't trample on anyone's intellectual property rights. Homebrews, in fact, extend the value of the Sony PSP by adding -- for free -- some functions that it wasn't even designed to perform.

Sadly, official Sony PSP updates treat homebrews as illegal, much like pirated games.

Enter custom PSP updates, or custom firmware as they are more popularly known.

Custom PSP updates mimic official PSP firmware, without the layers of security checks. Hence, when a custom PSP update is installed, your unit will be able to perform the extended functionalities made possible by the official firmware it corresponds to. However, you can still enjoy the software programs developed by the members of the PSP's dedicated homebrew community.

There is a custom firmware for every major PSP update release. Installing these custom PSP updates is very easy and detailed instructions abound on the net. These custom PSP updates even allow users to switch from custom firmware to official firmware very easily. This is necessary because while the PSP is using custom firmware, it won't be able to play UMD games.

The only downside when it comes to using custom PSP updates? Sony will not honor your warranty, assuming that your warranty is still valid.

But the console can be improved with the aid of some Sony PSP accessories. These Sony PSP accessories can lengthen the lifespan and extend the functionality of the Playstation Portable.

Below is a list of 5 Sony PSP accessories that are very much worth your hard earned cash:

1. LCD screen protector. Scratches and dead pixels... you wouldn't want these on your Sony PSP's gorgeous LCD screen. Hence, you will need an LCD screen protector, an acrylic plastic sticker that you can spread on the surface of your unit's LCD screen to prevent those nasty scratches and minimize the development of unsightly dead pixels. LCD screen protectors should be the primary Sony PSP accessories you should consider purchasing.

2. Sony PSP faceplate. Faceplates are often seen as decorative components that customize the look of a PSP unit to make it stand out from other handheld consoles. Faceplates, however, are not just aesthetic Sony PSP accessories. They will also protect the surface of your unit from breakage in case of falls and other similar accidents.

3. USB cable and/or a memory card reader. The Sony PSP is a multimedia monster. As such, you should expect to upload a lot of files to its internal memory or to the expanded storage provided by a memory card. To be able to upload such files, you will need a USB cable or a memory card reader. Both are quite cheap Sony PSP accessories which can be purchased for less than $10. Both, however, are essential Sony PSP accessories if you want to get the most out of your unit.

4. Microfiber cleaning cloth. Ask any piano black Sony PSP owner, and they'll be in unison when they tell you that the number one problem that plagues their units isn't about disc-reading errors or hardware malfunctions or networking issues. The Sony PSP excels in all those areas. The number one problem that plagues their units is the ease by which their surfaces retain thumb prints and the difficulty in removing them. This, of course, can be remedied by using a microfiber cleaning cloth which is specifically designed for such a purpose. Looking for Sony PSP accessories. This piece of cloth may look simple, but it is something very, very essential if your Sony PSP is painted piano black.

5. Headphones. Carrying a Sony PSP and an iPod or an iPhone? Too bulky for your pocket. Your Sony PSP, being the multimedia monster that it is, can serve as an MP3 player as well. Simply upload your favorite MP3 files to your Sony PSP via USB cable or via memory card, and voila, you're all set to go. Oh wait. Naturally, you'd want to make the enjoyment of your music selection a personal and intimate experience. This is the reason why headphones are one of the better selling Sony PSP accessories in the market today.

Of all these types of media files, PSP movies are the most exciting. After all, that 4.3 inches of widescreen goodness won't realize its full potentials if it won't be able to play some video files. PSP movies make the Playstation Portable a handheld theater that will entertain you wherever you go, whatever time of the day it may be.

Now, here's the thing. The Sony PSP cannot play each and every video file out there. PSP movies must be in the MPEG-4 format, the same type of video file that the iPhone can play. The Sony PSP cannot play popular video formats like .avi, .mpeg or .wmv.

What you can do to ensure that the video files on your computer can be transported and played on your Sony PSP is to convert these video files into PSP movies. There are a variety of universal video file converters out there. Some of them you have to pay for, others you can procure for free.

Once converted to MP4 format, you can then transfer your PSP movies to your PSP unit. MP4 versions of PSP movies, assuming the films last less than 2 hours, would be 200 to 350 megabytes in size. Make sure that your memory card has enough space for the PSP movies you want to bring with you.

To transfer your PSP movies to your PSP unit, you will need a USB cable that will connect your PSP to your computer. Alternatively, you may also use a memory card reader and insert the memory card specially formatted for your Sony PSP to an empty slot. Once both terminals are synched, look for the MP_ROOT folder on the memory card. If none exists, make one. Inside the MP_ROOT folder, there should be a folder named 101MNV01. If none exists, make one. This is the folder destination for your PSP movies in MP4 format.

Once uploaded, you can disconnect your Sony PSP from the PC and turn it on. On the dashboard, go to VIDEOS then MEMORY CARD then select among the PSP movies you have uploaded the video you want to play.

Easy, right?

PSP movies make the Sony PSP a true multimedia machine. This video playback ability is one of the best features of the Sony PSP, and it distinguishes the portable console from its more limited competition.

But the Nintendo DS and the Sony PSP have also evolved.

Enter the new Nintendo DSi, the third iteration of the company's flagship portable gaming system. The Nintendo DSi, released in April of 2009, boasts of fantastic features the merits a new release (or re-release as some quarters say). These features include dual cam, a sleeker and more lightweight design, better audio playback, improved WiFi connectivity, an additional level of brightness, a dedicated DSi digital store, and so much more. Some of the games in development are specifically being made for the Nintendo DSi.

Nintendo deemed the release of the DSi as a necessity given the edge that its competitor, the Sony PSP, enjoys over the previous iterations of the unit. The Sony PSP is simply more powerful with two 333MHz processors, and has better multimedia functions. The games for the Sony PSP are more comprehensive given these advantages.

The Nintendo DSi is intended to compete directly with the Sony PSP.

But Sony has smartened up.

Instead of following the 10 year lifespan they have promised for the Sony PSP, they are now on the verge of releasing an upgraded version of their handheld system. Codenamed the PSP Go!, the new Playstation Portable is taking some chances on a few unique innovations which include "digital distribution only" policy in selling games. The PSP Go! will no longer have the UMD slot. Instead, software can be purchased on the internet or on Sony PSP Go! kiosks that will be strategically positioned in well populated areas. Additionally, the entire design of the PSP will be changed. The PSP Go! will feature a slide-in casing and an additional analog stick. It will also have 16GB of internal memory. Also, the PSP Go! has been engineered to accommodate a seemingly endless variety of Go! branded add-ons that will increase the functionality of the handheld.

Exciting times, indeed!

The question in many gamers' minds is this: should one buy the Nintendo DS today, or wait until the latter part of 2009 or the early part of 2010 for the Sony PSP Go!?

Let's put things into perspective.

The Nintendo DSi and the Sony PSP Go! will still play the same games that their current iterations are supporting. In terms of game experience, nothing will change.

So, Nintendo DSi or the Sony PSP GO!?

To answer that question, you have to ask yourself which systems' games will you get to enjoy better?

And the battle for gaming handheld supremacy rages on. Gamers on the go are in a quandary as to what system they should purchase: the Nintendo DS from a company with a solid record when it comes to portable gaming consoles, or the Sony Playstation Portable (PSP) from a company with a solid history in the field of home video game consoles?

Let us tackle the merits of both the Sony PSP and the Nintendo DS based on some points that are important for the avid video gamer.

1. Which handheld console has a bigger game library? More third party developers are signed up for the Nintendo DS, given the fact that it's easier to design games for the said portable. Also, Nintendo's image as a company for kids gives the impression that it can tap into a greater audience, something that developer gravitate to. The Sony PSP doesn't have such luxuries. They have a limited number of developers committed to the system, and their in-house development teams are working overtime to provide the games that PSP owners wants. However, the Sony PSP does have the more prolific developers in its lineup. For this round, we have to choose quantity though. WINNER: Nintendo DS.

2. Which handheld console has more exclusives? Nintendo is a company that's built on exclusive properties: Mario, Luigi, Donkey Kong, Legend of Zelda, Animal Crossing, Pokemon, Metroid, and the likes are just some of the titles that can only be found on Nintendo gaming systems. The Sony PSP has its own exclusives as well: God of War, Resistance, Patapon, Pixel Junkie, Dax, Ratchet and Clank, and others. Unfortunately, they do not have the same pull as Nintendo's cast of merry characters. WINNER: Nintendo DS.

3. Which handheld console can boast of more functionality? The Nintendo DS has touch screen functionality. The new Nintendo DSi has dual cam. But the Sony PSP is a multimedia monster. It can store and play all sorts of audio and video files. It can display pictures easily and conveniently. With the addition of some peripherals, the Sony PSP can even become a digital camera, a portable television set, and an AM/FM radio. Plus, you can surf the net with a Sony PSP, something which you cannot conveniently do with the DS. WINNER: Sony PSP.

4. Which handheld console is more powerful? The Sony PSP is the runaway winner in this category. When it comes to processing power, onboard RAM, and graphic capabilities, the Sony PSP simply owns the Nintendo DS. WINNER: Sony PSP.

5. Which handheld console has better connectivity with its "big brother." The Sony PSP can control the Playstation 3 remotely for as long as both systems are connected to the net. The Nintendo DS can, well, enhance the features of a handful of games. WINNER: Sony PSP.

6. Which handheld console is poised for the future? The Sony PSP is the most powerful handheld ever created. Experts even admit that the Sony PSP is more powerful than most state-of-the-art PDAs in the market today. The Nintendo DS, however, has recently updated itself by releasing a new model, the Nintendo DSi, which incorporates higher RAM, dual cam, an external storage device, and better audio playback. WINNER: Tie.

As of this writing, and with regards to the points tackled above, the Sony PSP appears to be the better purchase with a score of 4-3.

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!

There are thousands of free PSP downloads on the web. However, most of them are of the illegal variety. They involve the download of game copies that you save straight to your memory card which can be played by your PSP unit if it is updated with Dark_Alex's latest custom firmware. Some of these free PSP downloads also involve illegal copies of movies converted into MPEG-4 format which can be uploaded to a memory stick for play on a Sony PSP which should also be updated with a custom firmware. Of course, a great number of these free PSP downloads involve MP3s of popular songs.

Unless their publishers have declared them free game, these free PSP downloads are hardly legal. They violate existing intellectual property rights, and as such, they violate laws which protect copyrights. Such piracy can have a chain effect on the video game industry. Game developers will start to lose money. They will go bankrupt. And you will have fewer games to enjoy.

There are many free PSP downloads which are legal. Here are some places where you can get them:

The Playstation Store. The Playstation Store releases demos, trailers and freewares every Thursday. These are free PSP downloads you can acquire via your PSP or via your PC with the option of uploading the file to your Sony PSP at a latter time.

Homebrew websites. Most homebrew websites host free PSP downloads which are legal. Apps, themes and abadonware games are just some of the goodies that are shared in these community sites. However, you will need to update your Sony PSP to use any of these homebrew programs. Sony has warned PSP users that their units warranty will be voided if custom firmware is installed on the same.

Music websites. Most legal MP3s can be downloaded from big music websites. Singles released by popular artists to promote their albums can be downloaded legally and for free. Such would make great free PSP downloads. Also, budding artists often release MP3 versions of their songs to promote themselves. Social networking giant MySpace.com is home to many such artists who can provide free PSP downloads for your unit.

There will always be the temptation of giving in to piracy. Free PSP downloads of licensed products, after all, are everywhere. Torrent sites are filled with such files. Rapidshare and Megashare are populated with uploads of the same.

However, keeping it legit is the better way to go. Piracy, after all, is a form of theft, and you wouldn't want to be called a fraud, right? Free PSP downloads which are legal abound. It's just a matter of looking for them in the right places.

What are these PSP hacks? Here are some of the more popular exploits and modifications for your Sony PSP:

Homebrew games

The best PSP hacks are the games that are created and developed by fellow Sony PSP enthusiasts. The PSP hacks scene has been flooded with quality titles like Wagic The Homebrew (a playable spoof of -- and is eerily very similar to -- Magic The Gathering), an emulator that will play abandonware adventure games from the DOS era of computer gaming, an emulator that will play abandonware arcade games from the days of yore, emulators that will play rom files from various consoles in video game history (just make sure you own the physical version of the rom you will be downloading), and other similar PSP hacks.

Custom firmware

Sony's official firmware updates for the PSP try to kill homebrew developments with each update. Homebrews aren't illegal per se. Most of them deal with original software for the Sony PSP. To be able to install and use these homebrewed PSP hacks, you will need to go around the restrictions placed by Sony's official firmware updates. This can be done by downloading and installing custom firmware updates that will trick the Sony PSP into thinking that all checks are in place.

Improved multimedia playback

Yet, some PSP hacks attempt to improve on existing features present in the Sony PSP. One of these PSP hacks, for example, allows the Sony PSP to play .avi and .wmv video files. Another allows the Sony PSP to play .cd audio files.

Themes

One of the more popular PSP hacks are themes that custom-made by players themselves. Some of these themes are simply awe-inspiring and they can immediately transform your Sony PSP into a work of art.

Applications

Some homebrew PSP hacks add more functions for your Sony PSP. You can install applications like a calculator, a foreign currency converter, a PDF reader, a calendar/organizer, an internet phone and an instant messaging system.

The homebrew scene is a thriving community that produces amazing PSP hacks each and every day. This is one of the best things about the Sony PSP: a dedicated group of PSP lovers that use their knowledge and skills to ensure the continued enjoyment of their fellow enthusiasts.