VoIP Comes to the PSP in the UK
Posted by Emru Townsend | Thursday, May 24, 2007 9:39 AM PT
Last August I commented that Sony's
mylo communicator looked like a miniature PSP. Now British Telecom (BT) and Sony are working to reverse that, in a way.
In the UK, BT will be making a version of its
Softphone VoIP application available for the PSP, enabling owners of the handheld to make calls to other Softphone users as well as mobile phones and landlines from any wireless hotspot. The price (which hasn't yet been determined) will also include a headset.
I'm still of the opinion that the PSP is a great idea (several great ideas, actually) that's been criminally under-exploited. Like Microsoft's Zune, the built-in Wi-Fi alone should be a springboard to much more, and instead there's an astonishing lack of initiative to actually use it. VoIP capability is a start, and I'd certainly like to see a PSP version of Skype over here. But how long do you think it will take for Sony (or anyone else) to act on even that simple idea?
Yes!! I would love to see Skype on the PSP, and if they only released the camera in the US that would be the way to go instead of having a cell phone. :) Also, if anyone knows of a version of Linux that works nicely with the PSP I would appreciate it.
I can't tell you how frustrated I am with Sony's ability to produce an AMAZING product and then absolutely fail to support it. VOIP is brilliant for this machine! Here's another frustration: WHERE ARE THE MOVIE DOWNLOADS? HELLO!!!! SONY!!!! You own a movie production company!!!! The DVD format wars are completely pushing the UMD format into the background, not that there were a lot to begin with, so the PSP is in even more danger of becoming obsolete when it's way ahead of its competitors technologically. I am happy to use my DVD ripper and transfer that way, but it would be nice to be able to download as well. SONY you have a great product, don't be ashamed of it! Let's get moving!!!!