UK PSPs come web-enabled

With American owners of PSP having to download the latest version of the PSP system software or firmware (firmwave version 2.0), the good news for expectant UK and European PSP owners is that their devices will come with the software pre-installed.

Firmwave 2.0 means you’ll be able to browse the Internet on your PSP - always assuming you’re in range of a wi-fi hotspot such as those found at Starbucks, or if you’re lucky, at home assuming you have a wireless broadband connection. The browser will be pretty basic however and at this stage won’t be able to handle website using Flash animations and the like.

Additional options available within firmware v2 include better playback for video files encoded using the standard streaming MPEG4 (also called MP4) compression technology. You’ll also be able to customise your PSP screen just as you would on your PC with a silly picture of your pet dog or favourite movie star thanks to the PSP wallpaper option. Other improvements include the ability to show high resolution TIFF files for the first time, as well as the option to beam your photos to your mates’ PSP using the same adhoc wi-fi mode you use to play multiplayer games.

PSP will launch in the UK with the standard value pack of PSP, headphones, 32 MB Memory Stick Duo, slip cover and power supply costing £179 with games costing around £35. Pricing for UMD movies is expected to range from £15-£20.