PSP NEWS
PSP 2 coming pre-Christmas will be an iPhone beater
Sony's new compact handheld console will feature sliding touchscreen and dual analogue sticks |
Whether it's labelled the PSP 4000 or the PSP 2, there's been a lot of rumour recently about
an imminent successor to Sony's handheld console. There's also been a lot of talk about how Sony might react to the competition on offer from the phenomenal success of Apple's iPhone and iPod touch.
Unsurprisingly the console manufacturer has been comparatively mute in both cases, denying the existence of a PSP sequel and any threat from Apple. However, having spoken to an insider source – who's not Dave Perry, but is a developer working on the new hardware – we can reveal that the new handheld will arrive before Christmas and will be far more similar to the iPhone than the current device.
Like Apple's newcomer, the PSP 2 will be a compact device with a large touchscreen. However, where Sony's machine has the edge is when the touchscreen is slid open as it reveals familiar buttons, D-pads and – praise the Lord of Handhelds – dual analogue controls.
This new format should allow for both existing hardcore console titles as well as simpler touchscreen games along the lines of those currently available in the App Store. And like the App Store, (and in the absence of UMD), the games will all be available for digital download via the PlayStation Store.
Although this hasn't been confirmed, our speculation is that Sony's initial plans for a small upgrade to a PSP 4000 model have since been accelerated by the success of the iPhone and arrival of Nintendo DSi.
As yet those are all the details we have, but we understand the full specs and pricing will be unveiled at E3 in June.
AJ | 7 April 2009
Can't wait if true.
E3 is in June btw.
joao | 7 April 2009
Oops - fixed. Thanks, AJ.
JoblessPunk | 7 April 2009
those pix have been circling the internet for years....
Xpro | 7 April 2009
Sony has announced like 15 games for PSP 1 in 09.They are not gonna piss all over those amd announce a brand new PSP(PSP2).They might announce PSP 4000 but not a PSP2 at least for another year.
WitWolfyZA | 7 April 2009
all your saying is just hear say. Why would Sony keep on denying something that they know could blow the iphone and ds out of the water
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Because of the Osbourne Effect: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osborne_effect
JetarR | 7 April 2009
I highly doubt that Sony will make two thumbsticks, it would DESTROY backwards compatability for games (w/PSP1000/2000/3000), the same goes for the touchscreen, there's no reason to eliminate the current costumerbase, is there?!
Also the whole: games on HDD and no UMD?! No way, I highly doubt that Sony has any interest in cutting the retailer out of the cycle seeing as how sales on PSN are in no way impressive.
Botch this as rumors, hopes and dreams.
I do really hope that sony goes for a slide mechanic for the 4000, that fan-render (though it is old) looks AWESOME.
Fraser | 7 April 2009
I can't wait to see this, but it's the software end I'm more interested in. As far as I am concerned, the iPhone has put an end to spending more than £6 on portable games for me.
Of course there will be exceptions from time to time (Little Big Planet PSP will be a day one purchase for me) but largely, I'm generally not looking for a full console experience on handhelds these days - I scarcely have the time to play all the home console games I'd like to.
If the next PSP is to be a success, Sony needs to think about opening up development for it in the same way Apple has with the iPhone SDK. That would mean more games and better prices.
It probably won't happen, but at least the new interface methods are a step in the right direction.
Geoff | 7 April 2009
Going to a servicing issue nightmare if it looks like that, cracked bent and broken screens aplenty. At least my PSP original is pretty immune to lugging around. Hopefully Logitech can produce an armour case with a slot for the screen????
Bobz | 7 April 2009
JetarR, I think the point about backwards compatability is a little moot. At some point they're going to have to make a break so why not now? Or do the PS1 and 2 support PS3 games?
Also, it's perfectly easy to see there being two tiers of games as with DSi - some Dsiware titles that take advantage of touchscreen and are PSP2 only and others that work across all the systems.
