New PSP Debuts

Sony unveiled the latest iteration of the PlayStation Portable at the Leipzig Games Convention in Germany yesterday.

Dubbed the PSP 3000, the new device will double as a cheaper Internet handset with a built-in microphone for VoIP. Sony has bundled Skype with its PSP firmware for some time and the new mic may negate the need for an additional headset, depending on the quality of the mic. Sony also says the new mic will be compatible for in-game chat.

The 3000 will also have an anti-reflective screen that Sony claims will provide better colors and will be easier to see in well-lit places and outdoors. Sony also said the high-resolution PSP screen will be "dramatically enhanced."

Perhaps the best upgrade, though, is a new video output that can display a resolution of up to 480i on any TV screen that can interface with a composite or S-cable. Video output has been a bone of contention with the PSP. Customers have been clamoring for video output for the device from day one, but Sony decided against it. When the PSP 2000 came out, we finally saw a video output, and the recent announcement is a significant upgrade in resolution quality. An output resolution of 480i is not quite hi-res, but it's getting pretty close.

Sony has apparently not committed to a price, although in Europe it's US$294, which seems a bit high for North American sales. I can't believe anyone would pay $294 for a PSP; it seems more likely Sony will stick with the $199 bundle price point that has been standard in the U.S. for awhile. The PSP 3000 will come in black, white and silver.

I have criticized the PSP and Sony's support for it before, but finally the PSP is getting a lot of attention from the powers that be. At E3, Sony announced the PlayStation Video Store, which means you can finally get some worthwhile video for the device. This is especially great since UMDs have been a big bust. Put this together with the newest upgrades and Sony's intermittent improvements to the firmware, and one day the world may finally realize that the PSP is by far the best portable gaming device out there.

Comments

Post a comment Post a comment

0 / 1000 max characters