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PSP Function Additions In the Works
Gamasutra.com is reporting that Sony is mulling functionality upgrades to the PSP. New options could include USB peripherals or downloadable game titles. From the article: "However, in discussing the idea of downloadable PSP games, Kawanishi commented that the idea is under consideration, and suggested equivocally that it would be interesting if users could develop their own simple games and distribute them online. So far, although many unofficial 'homebrew' PSP games and emulators have been created, the only Sony-sanctioned support for this concept is via From Software's Adventure Player PSP game, which allows construction of RPG games using PC software which can then be replayed on the PSP."
Well i'm not sure about everyone, but the first thing i think about is that this is somewhat of a good and bad idea. Good idea in the place that being able to download more games is good, but bad in the sense that if you have to purchase them people will turn to pirating them as it would be easier to put on the psp and cheaper (in the pirate sence).
Is Sony reacting to generally underwhelming sales (see japanese aug8-aug15 week: 103k DS' sold, 25k PSPs sold) or are they toying with more features to make the PSP worthwhile to a broader range of people?
My PSP sits in my console games cabinet until I want to play Wipeout (which isnt so often anymore), but my DS goes with me everywhere. The web browser in the 2.0 firmware will get me to use the PSP around the house, but I am buying software for the DS and stuck with Wipeout and a few other launch titles for the PSP... Sony might be creating a problem for themselves: People buy PSPs and no software.
I suppose we will see a web browser for the DS eventually. I dont know which I would use for wireless handheld internet (big screen PSP or smaller-but-touchscreen DS), but if Nintendo (or anyone, really) sells it separately, at least they will be making money off of it (not considering the fact that Nintendo profits off every DS and Sony sells at a loss).
Check it: http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/08/23/news_61317 39.html
Released in June? http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/03/24/news_61210 32.html
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Maybe in the long run they think about adding another feature: streamed movies. From what I read, watching movies on the PSP has become quite popular. Why not add the capability to display streamed videos?
:)
I am aware there are several limitations, as you won't watch a complete movie in an Internet Cafe (where you have WLAN coverage) or at home (where the DVD player is just a few feet away). But you COULD watch short news clips, music videos, travel information or movie trailers where WLAN is available (usually Internet Cafes, airports etc.) These types of short clips would also pose the least DRM issues.
I think it might be a nice feature. Let's see if they give it a shot... I admit: I doubt it
My cats ate my karma. They also wrote this comment.
I bet that all these features will need a firmware upgrade to wrok, and I can't see Sony missing out on the chance to keep people away from custom firmware by getting them to install this.
Well, what you do is you get your ass into your car and you start looking.
What car? I don't have a car nor a license. And at today's energy prices, I could almost buy a Nintendo DS system, a PassMe adapter, and a GBA flash card with the money that I would spend on bus fare going to every store in town to find a PSP revision A. And there's still no guarantee that even after all that searching, at least one store in the area has a single PSP revision A left.
Maybe I'm the only one, but I think that one of the most promising areas for the PSP is non-game software. The limitations of text input on the PSP may be a bit of a problem, but I would LOVE to see more productivity software on the PSP.
Just because it plays games, doesnt mean that I dont want an address list, or a calendar function. I think adding some productivity software (perhaps with synch tools) would make the PSP more attractive to just about anybody.
My 2 cents, though, to be honest, I AM insane.
True, I could get on the phone and call stores that sell video games, but would store clerks know how to check the UPC label, and even if so, wouldn't they think I'm planning on trying something illegal if I ask them whether a PSP in stock has something specific on the label?