PSP2 in the pipeline ?

[Shifty Geezer]

KK talked of woring on a redesign for PSP before it was even launched IIRC. Thye wee aiming for a smaller model. I guess that wouldn't happen until 65nm. If 65nm is out end of this year, a smaller PSPlus in '07 is possible, maybe. Don't know how they could make it smaller and still keep the gubbins though. Depth is forced by UMD size and requirement for system durability. Any thinner and PSP woud be even more snappable!The screen size can't shrink - that's a defining characteristic of the platform and key strength as a media device. The controls on the side are in a fair position for the hands and can't really get any smaller. Placing them under the screen like GBASP would IMO ruin the styling, and make for a more cramped hold.

 

[hey69]

a smaller / redesigned psp is in the works according to some people in the business it would be revealed in the coming months (maybe E3?)

 

[rabidrabbit]

A clamshell design would be nice, but I think it'll be out of the question.
Why? Because of the coming peripherals like the camera and gps. Especially the camera that needs to be attached on topof the screen.

In a clamshell design, if they want these to be compatible with both PSP and PSPee, the screen half of the newly designed PSP would have to be quite thick, and I think it would be difficult to integrate these attachments to a clean clamshell design, especially when the device is closed.

Of course they could put these standard in the new design, integrating the camera like in the Apple laptops, but that would bring the cost up, and I don't think they are going to sell it for more than the original PSP.

I think it will have a smaller screen, or it will be just that slightly smaller and thinner. Maybe there will be an iPod style "clickwheel" in place of the analog slider and cross-pad, and the right hand buttons would also be more flush with the surface, the shoulder buttons also more flush... a few millimeters off form dimensions and it would already appear much sliimer version without having to make the screen smaller.

 

[mckmas8808]

A clamshell to me would be horrible. It completly defeats the purpose. That nice big screen. OMG!

 

[akira888]

Why couldn't Sony just extend the size of the clamshell outwards to accommodate the screen?

 

[mckmas8808]

Why couldn't Sony just extend the size of the clamshell outwards to accommodate the screen?

I don't know. It would just seem weird.

 

[akira888]

IMO it wouldn't be weird at all. Just imagine something similiar to the form factor of the DS, but without the screen on "bottom."

 

[mckmas8808]

IMO it wouldn't be weird at all. Just imagine something similiar to the form factor of the DS, but without the screen on "bottom."

It wouldn't be bad if they made the PSP more skinny/sleeker. Like cut the thickness down in half.

 

[expletive]

a smaller / redesigned psp is in the works according to some people in the business it would be revealed in the coming months (maybe E3?)

Do you think that Sony would ever replace the UMD drive with a HD in the next revision? Seems an awful waste of space now and the PSP's storage is one of its real glaring weaknesses. Of course this would mean the end of the UMD but it seems like its on its way out anyway.

 

[mckmas8808]

Do you think that Sony would ever replace the UMD drive with a HD in the next revision? Seems an awful waste of space now and the PSP's storage is one of its real glaring weaknesses. Of course this would mean the end of the UMD but it seems like its on its way out anyway.

I personally think they will make a UMD 2. Sort of like a revision, that can handle more data. Hopefully at least 7 GBs worth. But I hope that for the PSP2 they can focus more on downloadable movies instead of UMD2 movies.

Since the prices will never come down and the movie studios don't know how to bring out the correct movies, I see this as being the best for all parties. And hopefully when you download those movies they look as good as the UMD movies look today.

If that happens I'm happy.

 

[ban25]

Not unless the PSP ceases to become a game machine. Flash is getting cheaper, but it's not *that* cheap.

Do you think that Sony would ever replace the UMD drive with a HD in the next revision? Seems an awful waste of space now and the PSP's storage is one of its real glaring weaknesses. Of course this would mean the end of the UMD but it seems like its on its way out anyway.

 

[Sinistar]

You would not need to use flash memory for games. Sony has Duo rom sticks.

As an example: http://www.memorystick.com/en/msnews/msupdate/29_4.html

 

[expletive]

I personally think they will make a UMD 2. Sort of like a revision, that can handle more data. Hopefully at least 7 GBs worth. But I hope that for the PSP2 they can focus more on downloadable movies instead of UMD2 movies.

Since the prices will never come down and the movie studios don't know how to bring out the correct movies, I see this as being the best for all parties. And hopefully when you download those movies they look as good as the UMD movies look today.

If that happens I'm happy.

I dont think UMD's problem is capacity though. UMDs are PSPs problem imo becuase the drive takes up a lot of real estate in that case that could be used for a HD, which is tons more useful in a multimedia device.

Not unless the PSP ceases to become a game machine. Flash is getting cheaper, but it's not *that* cheap.

Digital distribution.

 

[mckmas8808]

I dont think UMD's problem is capacity though. UMDs are PSPs problem imo becuase the drive takes up a lot of real estate in that case that could be used for a HD, which is tons more useful in a multimedia device.
.

So if the PSP2 had only a HDD, then how would people buy their games? You don't think digital distribution as a main and only source of getting games for a handheld device is a good idea do you?

 

[Shifty Geezer]

I dont think UMD's problem is capacity though. UMDs are PSPs problem imo becuase the drive takes up a lot of real estate in that case that could be used for a HD, which is tons more useful in a multimedia device.

It's also a lot more expensive though. 8 GB of HDD is going to add $$$ to the price, eliminating entry level purchases for gaming, yet not being able to fit much by way of movies and games either (taking that as 6 UMDs worth).

 

[Megadrive1988]

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/41595

New "PSP 2" in the Works [01:54 pm]
57 Comments - Chris Remo

Shacknews has learned from a reliable source close to Sony that a new iteration of its PSP console is currently in the works. The device is a successor rather than a redesign of the current system; recent rumors have suggested that Sony is *also* working on a redesigned PSP. It is not clear if the two rumors are in fact speaking about the same project, but this new report definitely refers to a brand new system. It will have built in hard drive support from the beginning, and will not be using the UMD media format, either for games or for other content. This makes sense, since the PSP is the only device that uses UMDs, and since UMD movie sales have been falling lately, there is little reason for Sony to stick with the format. However, it does appear to rule out the possibility of backwards compatibility. It is unknown what format will be used in its stead. The device, which the source referred to only as "PSP 2," is currently in development, and may appear some time "in the next three years."

Nvidia recently announced that it has a new design contract with Sony, one which will apparently pay more than the company received for its work on the PlayStation 3's GPU. It seems fairly likely that the contract in question refers to this PSP successor, given Sony's history of working with Nvidia on game console technology.

When contacted for comment, SCEA representative Paul Murphy said, "As you know, SCEA does not comment on rumors or speculation."

so, Hard-Drive based, no UMD, Nvidia graphics, plus it seems reasonable that SCEI would *probably* use some mobile version of the CELL processor. Mini-Cell, or Micro-Cell.


pure speculation:

if PSP-2 had say, 1/5th or 1/10th the processing power of PlayStation3, that would be incredible.

 

[mckmas8808]

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/41595





so, Hard-Drive based, no UMD, Nvidia graphics, plus it seems reasonable that SCEI would *probably* use some mobile version of the CELL processor. Mini-Cell, or Micro-Cell.


pure speculation:

if PSP-2 had say, 1/5th or 1/10th the processing power of PlayStation3, that would be incredible.

I can see the PSP2 having 1/2 the power of the PS3 if a baby CELL and baby RSX is in it. Of course it would proably need at least 128 MB of RAM first. Does anybody think this is possible?

 

[Shifty Geezer]

and will not be using the UMD media format, either for games or for other content. This makes sense, since the PSP is the only device that uses UMDs, and since UMD movie sales have been falling lately, there is little reason for Sony to stick with the format.

Save for the fact UMDs are a far cheaper mass-storage system and if next-gen handheld games reach several GBs in size, you won't be able to fit many on the internal HDD.

 

[expletive]

Save for the fact UMDs are a far cheaper mass-storage system and if next-gen handheld games reach several GBs in size, you won't be able to fit many on the internal HDD.

A couple of gigs should be plenty for a handheld system. Even at that portable players today have 60G of storage which would mean 20 games plus 20G free for multimedia.

How many games do people REALLY need with them at all times. How many UMDs do people carry around with them at a time today? 2? 3?

Games would be downloadable and there would likely be some software to manage all the media currently on your drive including which games of your library you currently have loaded.

Mass storage is far more sensible for this type of device. Right now the UMD drive is a total waste of sapce on the PSP. If it hada 40G drive there now it would be a far superior device IMO. I use about 22G for music and some movies today on my ipod, thats inconcevable on the PSPeven with aftermarket stuff. AS i see it the UMD drive is a crutch for the platform going forward.

 

[mckmas8808]

AGames would be downloadable and there would likely be some software to manage all the media currently on your drive including which games of your library you currently have loaded.

Mass storage is far more sensible for this type of device. Right now the UMD drive is a total waste of sapce on the PSP. If it hada 40G drive there now it would be a far superior device IMO. I use about 22G for music and some movies today on my ipod, thats inconcevable on the PSPeven with aftermarket stuff. AS i see it the UMD drive is a crutch for the platform going forward.

1. If I don't have an internet connection how do I buy/play the games?

2. If I do have an internet connection at home, yet I don't have a credit card how do I buy/play the game?