Sony fans have been anxiously awaiting word on the company's next handheld -- one which might serve as an answer back to the Nintendo 3DS. Earlier today, Eurogamer cited a number of unnamed sources who gave a few hints as to what the next PSP might look like. Or, rather, what it will feel like, as the device's most notable reported feature is a touch-sensitive area on the back of the unit.

Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Kaz Hirai also gave a hint about the handheld's next iteration in an interview with MCV. Though Hirai insisted the slow-selling PSP Go has been a success, he confirmed future iterations of the handheld won't be download-only. He explained, "there's always going to be requirement for a business with the size and scope of our magnitude to have a physical medium. Whether it a portable device or a home-based console." Eurogamer's sources mentioned the device is roughly the size of the PSP-3000, hypothetically leaving plenty of room for the return of a physical media slot.

These tipsters reported the device is still a long, long way from seeing the light of day, but that an unfinished version is currently being shopped around to developers. Even though the handheld is still just a faint, distant rumor, we still feel compelled to get in on the ground floor for coming up with a nickname, just in case it all pans out. How about this: The Backrub™. That sounds inviting, doesn't it?

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That's ugh interesting? :S I have seen this being used before on a laptop and a phone. Both worked pretty well. IF this is true imo psp size might be reduced too. So it should be interesting to see how this turns out.

And the release date? Eurogamer says something and endgadget says something entirely diferent. I would rather go with endgadget on that one but we shall see in the upcoming months.

Ok, could be interesting if it gave the fingers holding it something to do.