Sony blog cool on PSP rumours

By Tom Bramwell Published 13 June, 2007

Hardware revisions? Speculation.

Sony has used its new US blog to label rumour and speculation about a new PSP hardware revision and a possible PSP phone as, er, rumour and speculation.

"I just wanted to take the time to clear the air. We haven't announced anything about a new PSP, much less one that would have any phone capabilities," said John Koller, the PSP's senior marketing manager.

"As SCEA's resident PSP guru, I'm thrilled to hear that there's so much interest in the platform, but sorry folks, these reports floating around fall into the rumours/speculation category."

In case you missed it, PSP spotters had unearthed a Sony Ericsson patent that outlined a device that mixed mobile phone functions and videogame features.

Elsewhere, rumours continue to float around about a rejigged PSP that includes 8GB of onboard flash memory and a better screen, with an improved d-pad that's closer to the PS3's in terms of design.

None of which, obviously, has been confirmed. But then, despite the Sony blog's cooling comments, none of it's been denied either. Perhaps we'll learn more about Sony's handheld hardware ambition at E3 in mid-July.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (15) Latest comment 5 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Dizzy #1 5 years ago

    PSP phone... worst idea ever!

  • Artemis_Matsas #2 5 years ago

    Well, if it's gonna cost more than the current model then please don't bother.

  • Darkuss #3 5 years ago

    I'm more like with the 8GB, improved D-pad, LED screen redesign idea.

  • tuff #4 5 years ago

    Teh PSP is teh new N-gage!

  • lambtron #5 5 years ago

    Of all the things the PSP does ( some well, some not so well ) I really, really REALLY cannot see it being used as a phone.

  • ZeroAX #6 5 years ago

    man they talk soooooooo lame.

    and really yeah it's been tried it didn't work plus it would only empty the battery even quicker.

  • jonsaan #7 5 years ago

    They should make it vaguely cornish pasty shaped so that you have to hold it side on when you talk to someone. Maybe force you to remove the battery to stick a new UMD in too and........oh hang on.....

  • Dizzy #8 5 years ago

    Slightly smaller, better battery, no UMD (games on SD), dump MemoryStick for SD, add HDD, dual analogs and a screen protector build in. Done... victory. It is not that hard.
    Edited by 2 at 13/06/07 @ 12:18

  • kangarootoo #9 5 years ago

    @Dizzy

    Writing stuff down in a wish list is not hard.

    Totally overhauling a platform, as you suggest, is rather more difficult I think you will find.

  • Dizzy #10 5 years ago

    "Totally overhauling a platform, as you suggest, is rather more difficult I think you will find. "

    ofc... this is my view as a consumer :) The things that will make a PSP a "good" system IMHO.

    Anyway.. I am a software guy.... the hardware design I leave to others ;)

  • Turambar #11 5 years ago

    I always though those patents looked suspiciously like my sony ericsson w300i. It has a swivel screen and extra buttons for playing games....

  • onyxbox #12 5 years ago

    I've grown to like the PSP lately. Up until a month or so ago I only ever used my DS but I found myself wanting more... the DS just didn't fulfill me so I got my PSP back out... gave it a charge and bought some games.

    I haven't looked back since and the DS is in the kitchen drawer now!

    I hope the redesign does have a faster UMD drive because that's about the only thing that still grinds about the PSP.

  • Rodster #13 5 years ago

    Just make sure you fix the 30 minute battery life in the next one. :p I've always like the PSP and if Sony loses the UMD, (bad idea) and the backlight screen (bad idea) and uses a flash disk or an LED screen then battery problems should be a thing of the past.

    Also for gods sake redesign that stupid fucking analog nub stick while you're at it.

  • onyxbox #14 5 years ago

    Just make sure you fix the 30 minute battery life in the next one.

    Jeez... what the hell are you doing with that thing? :-D

  • Rodster #15 5 years ago

    @ Onyxbox

    "Jeez... what the hell are you doing with that thing? :-D "

    Sarcasm me boy. :-D