Sony mag reveals PSP-style phone in development.

[nintenho]

http://www.psxextreme.com/psp-news/1162.html

There have been plenty of PSP rumors swirling about, and one of them that erratically pops up here and there is the PSP Phone theory. There has been evidence of Sony's plans for such a unit, but Sony has never officially confirmed anything. However, an eagle-eyed reader has noticed something quite telling in the latest issue of Sony magazine.

As you can see in this photo, the proof is clear- "A new PSP-STYLE PHONE is apparently in development. There are even suggestion that it could be in the shops as early as February." (source-Engadget) Some time ago, we had heard about this possibility from Sony's Jim Ryan, when he said a PSP Phone is "definitely plausible." Many are now starting to wonder if this could be a major announcement at next week's Game Developers Conference, and they're further speculating that this special little unit might actually arrive some time later this year. We'd love to hear something concrete, but hey, we'd like to think Sony Magazine is semi-official to begin with.

This has quickly become one of the primary things we'll be looking for at GDC 2008, so if Sony decides to step forward with their plans for a PSP Phone next week, we'll tell ya immediately.

some pics of it:
http://www.pspworld.com/sony-psp/images/pspphone1.jpg
IMG:http://www.pspworld.com/sony-psp/images/pspphone2.jpg
IMG:http://www.pspworld.com/sony-psp/images/pspphone3.jpg

I'm guessing it'll probably be a normal Ericson with an option for psp d-pad and buttons. I don't know, maybe the psp cpu and gpu could get into something that small with the newer psp slims?

I hope they reveal stuff like the form of storage (mem sticks?), price, and technical capabilities at gdc so that we can start to guess psp-psphone games.

 

[patsu]

I believe the rumor has been debunked by a Sony exec some time ago. I do not have the link.

I also have a gadget magazine that published the same PSP Phone mockup photo. In the article, it mentioned that the mockup is created by the magazine (not Sony). The same magazine also showed a mocked up Mac Tablet, and other cool gadget concepts for 2008.

We might want to take this rumor with a healthy serving of salt in the mean time. Back in October/November, I delayed my cell phone purchase for a month just to see if someone could confirm the rumor, but no dice.

 

[nintenho]

oh god damn crap, I'm going to need a new phone soon so I was hyped for this. If we hear nothing at GDC then there's probably no truth to this. I just saw it on another forum and had no idea that it was just a concept.

 

[sevanig]

If it has 16-32 gig storage with a standard 3.5mm headphone jack and maybe a touchscreen and gps I'm in...
Or else I will just get an Iphone

 

[Versatil]

Although the design is pretty nice.

 

[sevanig]

http://www.unwiredview.com/2008/03/06/another-take-on-psp-phone-or-sony-ericssons-own-iphone-patent/

If they do downloads from a PSN store on the phone, and possibly launch with Gran turismo mobile :O

And also use their UIQ4 touchscreen interface for the phone, and XMB for media and psp

They have a Iphone killer!!!
Especially with the back catalog of psp games too...

I wonder how the haptic feedback will be like

 

[one]

It's logical that PSP2 has a touch screen as Sony now has a technology like
http://gizmodo.com/336166/sony-makes-optical-multitouch-screen-of-their-own
but this particular screen currently supports only 5 points, supporting all of PSP buttons on a touch screen seems difficult, let alone the analogue nub.

 

[Npl]

... supporting all of PSP buttons on a touch screen seems difficult, let alone the analogue nub.

Not to mention controlling games would be downright ackward if you dont feel the buttons with your fingers. Those weird rumors never die.

 

[sevanig]

I'm sure they have some sort of haptic feedback in the works for their OLED screen technology
But well see, I dont think we will see it this year though

 

[Daozang]

If that actually happens, then I'm all in for a PSP!
The only reason I don't have one is that it's not a phone...
Of course they should do something about the size... Iphone size should be perfect!