Even before it has been released anywhere outside of Japan there are plenty of rumours about Sony's intentions for the PSP. Speculation has peaked after the appearance of an apparently official test update file, which originated from a domain owned by Sony themselves. Although attempting to install the file on a PSP reportedly corrupts the system, investigations by unnamed sources has revealed some interesting insights into Sony's possible plans for their handheld gaming device.

Now before I go on, I must emphasis the less than cast-iron certainty over the veracity of this file and the claims about its content. However, those interested in the PSP will hopefully be able to treat the news with the correct does of scepticism so I'll plough on.

This firmware update updates the code that runs the PSP's basic system, adding a raft of new features which would seem to indicate that Sony has far grander designs for the machine than as a simple handheld entertainment device. According to reports, the new features include such a wide range of applications as e-mail, web browsing, voice comms, scheduling and a text-to-speech program as well as a utility that allows for the downloading and organising of music using Sony's own Sonicwave software. On top of that there are three titles which may be new online games.

And again, while this may be nothing more than an elaborate fake or the leaked conjecture of some hopeful Sony employees, if this update file is genuine it contains some solid clues about Sony's future direction with the PSP. It also seems to indicate that Sony didn't add all those ports and connectivity options to the PSP on a whim. With the addition of a mini keyboard via the USB port the PSP could be easily transformed into the kind of convergent device that is the holy grail for many consumer IT giants. Not only does this hint at the PSP being able to function as a PDA and an MP3 player but it also dangles the prospect of online gaming in front of eager gamer's eyes.

Time will tell if this is all fantasy, yet it makes perfect sense for Sony to be seriously exploring such ideas. And as the hardware that makes up the PSP is well suited to take on such an expansion of roles I'd be surprised if Christmas 2005 doesn't turn out to be a time of great interest in the PSP.

By Sam Gibson

Comments

You can use BBCode

  1. American Idiot Unregistered 3 years ago

    Dude this is sweet! Tite new fetures on a tite gaming system. I hope all this rumor stuf is tru, cuz its exciting

  2. Game On Unregistered 3 years ago

    I doubt much of this is true, some of it maybe. For instance the downloading and organsing of music using Sony Sonicwave software would make perfectly good sense. I have no doubt Sony are already exploring new ideas.

  3. BlackPanther_316 Unregistered 3 years ago

    I think USB will be put on no doubt

  4. leonard Unregistered 3 years ago

    people make so much comments about the psp and they do not tell people when is coming out.

  5. Swrdfsh 005 Unregistered 3 years ago

    Some say it's coming out March 15 ,I got reserved just a couple of day's ago .I wonder if it will be able to play movies.

  6. Game On Unregistered 3 years ago

    The PSP can play movies that have been converted to MPEG4 format and streamed from the memory stick. Well for the moment anyway, as im certain Sony will do something about this. At the very least it needs to be made easier. Movies lauched on UMD is a possibility.

  7. Game On Unregistered 3 years ago

    Leonard - I suggest you keep your eyes and ears open about this time March. Keep checking back here, im sure Ferrago will tell us the release date as soon as they get wind of it.

  8. javierval Unregistered 3 years ago

    U can already buy them at ebay for abot 350 with one game just thought u needed to know.

  9. Arianna Unregistered 3 years ago

    I just received my PSP yesterday. I got it at www.chaseandcompany.net They're selling the Standard Packs for $360

  10. kp Unregistered 3 years ago

    where can i find a go kart

  11. Game On Unregistered 3 years ago

    KP - Try typing 'Go Kart' into the Google search bar - Idiot.

    As for the eBay comments. I would NEVER be that foolish.

  12. ian Unregistered 3 years ago

    :-)THIS IS BRILL I CANT WWAAIITT :-)

  13. OOOOOOO Unregistered 3 years ago

    SWEEEEEET

  14. SONY CONFIRM!!!! Unregistered 3 years ago

    I have been looking around the internet today and UKGAMES.COM have recieved word that SONY have offically CONFIRMED THIS LEAK!!!! they have confirmed that the firmware is offical but in an unfinished state and may come as standard on the UK launch of the PSP. Launch date should also be confirmed in the next 2-3 weeks!

  15. Richard Sendama Unregistered 3 years ago

    I have waited years for a decent handheld console and finnanly its coming. The Sony Playstation Portable. Any disagrements?
    I thought so!

  16. Luffy Unregistered 3 years ago

    halo 2 rocks-

  17. Luffy Unregistered 3 years ago

    who here has xbox

  18. like whoa Unregistered 3 years ago


    I think I'm in love with the psp

  19. B man Unregistered 3 years ago

    will they have a memory card with more MB than the 32 MB

  20. mr.mr. Unregistered 3 years ago

    Any chance of a T.V. out so umd movies can be watched on the big screen?

  21. rob Unregistered 3 years ago

    how do you upgrade your psp

  22. chase Unregistered 3 years ago

    how do you upgrade your psp

  23. Maybe???? Unregistered 3 years ago

    You guys how do we know that the "sony confirmation" thing is real, some noob may have put it there.

    Also the memory stick would most likely be upgraded Im sure they could "double body" (my silly way of saying this) the memory stick to make it hold atleast double the info, but they could change the parts that could make it hold up to like 80 MB is my estimation. I tried it with a camera card and the memory rose up by a little more than double the current.

    Where you plug in the earphones there is a a little logo with headphones and microphone, this would explain why the remote control is run on 3 bars instead of 1, the remote control only needs one gold bar to work.

    Also with a double USB jack a keyboard, camera and a computer USB cable could be plugged into the USB port, have a look at this! Its some fottage of what the keyboard might be like
    http://kingplayer.blogstation.fr/images/medium_clavier-psp.jpg. And that picture leads to another theory! at the bottom of the PSP (with the screen facing 90 degrees away from ur eyes) there is a little screw, and on the left hand side of that is a little thing that would work great as a handel that may pull out a keyboard or some plug jacks to plug in a keyboard etc. Make sure u post comments on this one.

    And another thing! With the wireless cpaabilaties of this marvelous system (excuse my spelling) you may just do a WLAN connection to the keyboard or camera etc.

    MAKE SURE YOU POST COMMENTS ON MY COMMENT AND MAKE SURE YOU COME BACK FOR MORE FROM ME!

  24. Petey Unregistered 3 years ago

    is it possible for a PSP to become a sat nav device?

  25. howie Unregistered 3 years ago

    how do u make the internet browser work.

  26. josh Unregistered 2 years ago

    the psp is the best system ever made

  27. josh Unregistered 2 years ago

    the psp is the best system ever made

  28. AC Unregistered 2 years ago

    If I could marry the PSP, I would. LOL

  29. nj,bbnnbmbn,nmnmb, Unregistered 2 years ago

    u fraekin suc

  30. neil Unregistered 2 years ago

    how the hell do u get the internet on psp my boy just got one also but can get on just woundering if there is some kind ofup grade

  31. More comments