One of the most recurrent industry rumours of the past few month is
that Sony is readying the launch of a new, redesigned PSP. While we've
already
had a go
at anticipating the areas Sony could be improving for a PSP 2, we're
being led to believe that the updated handheld will in fact be more of
a 1.5.
In fact, if we're correct, the key thing to change doesn't involve
faster load times, a better screen, new analogue sticks, improved
buttons or even built-in flash memory, but, rather mundanely, a slimmer
casing.
Like us, you're probably wondering how Sony can make the PSP much
thinner than it already is, but look what it did to the PS2. Their
tech-wizards managed to cram all the chips into a casing that was a
fraction of the weight and size of the original - and add a built-in
Ethernet slot.
The PSP redesign might necessitate the need for a flash drive and
reconsidered button placement of course, and there's always the
possibility of building in add-ons like the camera attachment (released
in the UK last week) and the GPS device we're promised later in the
year. In fact, it's possible Sony has decided to wait to integrate this
function into the new PSP rather than as an add-on. After all, even the
Gizmondo managed that.
Given the Slimline PSP will still use the UMD, it's going to have to be
slightly thicker than 4mm but that allows for similar dimensions to the
30 Gb video iPod's 11mm. Which is pretty sexy compared to the old PSP's
bulbous 22mm. Look forward to a press release to confirm this in the
near future or we'll eat our PSPs.
GamesRadar Staff
May 29, 2007
Source:
GamesRadar