Hacking the PSP Blog

Sony downplays PSP-phone rumors

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Sony Ericsson has filed a U.S. patent application for a mobile device with video game features, but said on Monday it is not poised to launch a phone based on its PlayStation Portable (PSP) video game brand.

Sony Ericsson, a venture of Sony Corp. (6758.T: Quote, Profile, Research) and Ericsson (ERICb.ST: Quote, Profile, Research), filed a patent application dated May 31 with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office related to a mobile device with gaming functionality that originated from employees in Japan.

The fourth-biggest cell phone maker did not rule out the development of a device combining its phone technology with Sony's portable video game technology, but said it was not ready to announce any products.

"We're continually evaluating other propositions but they have to be credible propositions. We're not interested in sticking parts on phones that destroy the brand equity that's been built up by Sony," Sony Ericsson spokeswoman Merran Wrigley said by phone on Monday.

Read the entire article here... (source: Reuters)

Rumor: The ‘Real’ Skinny On the ‘PSP Slim’

After Kotaku ran a story a couple days ago about exclusive details concerning the much rumored 'PSP Slim,' Rumor reporter has their own set of information to share and claims that their sources are more reliable. All of these stories are purely speculation so you will have to make of it what you wish. Here's some of what Rumor Reports had to say:

Recent rumblings have started to fuel the hot topic regarding the next version of Sony’s PSP. A few days ago, Kotaku exclusively reported some details on a ‘PSP Slim’, which can be seen here:

http://kotaku.com/gaming/rumor/psp-slim-details-revealed-267108.php

Now, it’s been a few days after the report, and we still don’t have enough to confirm anything as fact. So… for the past weekend, I’ve been hesistant to post the following story until now.

Several sources have come to my attention regarding Kotaku’s original article last week. And in fact, plenty of their details about this ‘PSP Slim’ contradict the information that Kotaku has led thousands of its readers to believe already. My undisclosed sources tell me that Kotaku’s report is mainly factually inaccurate.

With that being said, these rumblings are based on my trustworthy sources, all of which have links to the actual details themselves:

- New slimmer PSP is indeed in the works. Hardware is essentially the same, and will NOT have any big speed increases.

- There’s no longer a UMD Tray, but a slot loader instead. Design is supposed to have an even “cleaner” look, much like the DS Lite.

- The screen is the exact same size, and is sidekick-esque. This means that there’s some sort of a flip-factor, making the overall system even smaller.

- The screen is still LCD, not LED. Either way, battery-life will obviously be improved.

- Sony is considering bluetooth capabilities.

Read the rest of the story here...

Source: Rumor Reports

PlayStation Trucks bring gaming to your neighborhoods

This is why a lot of people so love Sony's marketing department: PlayStation Experience is once again deploying PlayStation trucks to numerous locations across North America. Inside these big-wheeled babies are competitions, prizes, and the chance to experience first-hand playing next-gen games in the newest high-definition TVs.

If your idea of enjoying PS3 games is cooping up in your own room, just forget that and check out the PlayStation Trucks should they pass by in your neighborhood. The PlayStation Patrol now has a whopping 25 gaming stations (per truck), with 12 of them for the PlayStation 3s and 40-inch big screens. Surely, these happy trucks will beat your own room when it comes to gaming bliss.

PS2's Singstar is also now included in the fray, where rock star wannabes can belt out their tunes at their own risk (of having their neighbors jump on them for causing too much racket). PlayStation Portable (PSP) owners can also enjoy free game, music, movies, and game demo downloads.

The PlayStation LockerRoom Challenge touring vehicle will also roam around with the same gaming goodness, as well as a "thunderous sound system", which would be very ideal for playing SingStar. But like we said, play at your own risk.



Source: Playstation.com via PSPUpdates