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Forums - Sony - Moving ever closer to a download only, UMD-less world: Sony PSP

jman8 on 02 September 2008
FilaBrasileiro said:
jman8 said:
duffduff said:
The update is too allow use of the PSP with WI-Fi connection to the PSP store. If you don't have a wi-fi router then you can use the PS£ as an access point.

There is no point putting a harddisk in a PSP - limited capacity always changing due to advance in capacity and mechanical so will be prone to fail. Memory cards that can be swapped around as required is the best solution.

Now if they can make a 2nd battery that fitted in the UMD slot - that would be useful.

 

I agree that a hard drive is a bad idea, but built in flash memory is smart. Part of the Ipods appeal is that it is incredibly simple to use and the built in memory is one reason why. It would be a mistake to get rid of the UMD drive and not have any on board memory. The best solution is to include built in memory and still have a memory stick slot so you can always expand the memory.

I agree, they also need a better battery though, that seems to be a big problem with PSPs.

 

 

Well if you play games off memory stick on your current PSP, then you know your battery life increases by at least 50%. So ditching the UMD drive and going to a flash only device kinda makes a battery upgrade unnecessary.



My Top 5:

Shadow of the Colossus, Metal Gear Solid 3, Shenmue, Skies of Arcadia, Chrono Trigger

My 2 nex-gen systems: PS3 and Wii

Prediction Aug '08: We see the PSP2 released fall '09. Graphically, it's basically the same as the current system. UMD drive ditched and replaced by 4-8gb on board flash memory. Other upgrades: 2nd analog nub, touchscreen, blutooth, motion sensor. Design: Flip-style or slider. Size: Think Iphone. Cost: $199. Will be profitable on day 1.

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jman8 on 02 September 2008
The Fury said:
jman8 said:
The Fury said:

For handheld market, Sony should move to downloads for games and movies. It's a sensible move. It then might fill a nice gap between gaming and downloading. But not yet, wait until PSP2 in 2010 or something.

but then they'd be competing with the Nintendo handheld and iPod. Maybe the in the middle option is the best one.

 

Aren't they already? The biggest draws to the PSP are the multimedia capabilities (like an Ipod) and the gaming capabilities (like a DS). What Sony needs to do is get better at both of those things. Right now they're doing that by building up the online infrastructure to support a downloadable gaming, video, and music device. With the PS3, PC, and now direct-to-PSP store, I think they have the infrastructure in place. They just have to expand the offerings on the stores. The next step would be to just go ahead and release a new device to take full advantage of this infrastructure.

It kinda reminds me of the development of Xbox Live. It came along early in the Xbox's life and slowly it was built up through the previous generation. Then the 360 came along and completely capitalized on those years of Live development.

At the moment though, PSP is still seen as a games console as primary use, it's not a handheld movable media hub yet. If they are trying to move into the all medias thing, and not just games then they need to promote it as such. There is a reason iPod cannot be bought in game shops and why PSP isn't seen as a music device, whether they both can do those things or not. Promotion is the key, but while they have little discs that are the first and main way to distribute games, that might not happen.

But then, digital only media will, like the iPod alienate a certain populace who don't have a good net connection or maybe have download limits. Or even just don't want everything in a digital form.

 

 

There are ways around these issues. For example, Sony could send out download stations to a bunch of retailers like Gamestop, Bestbuy, etc. Basically it could be a kiosk with an encrypted Wifi signal. You go up to it, select the game you want, swipe your credit card, and then just download the game via the wireless signal. I'm not up on the latest Wifi technology, but I'm assumbing it wouldn't be hard or all that expensive to equip this kiosk with a download speed greater than 1mb/sec (which I believe is the standard for most home routers?) Even at such a slow speed, the biggest PSP games (1.8gb) would take 30 minutes to download. If you take into consideration that most games are smaller and that they could have faster connections, than 10 minutes per game isn't out of the question. In those ten minutes you could just hang around the store playing demos, watching trailers etc. Of course, there's still going to be a population that doesn't want everything digital, but that population gets smaller and smaller everyday.

 



My Top 5:

Shadow of the Colossus, Metal Gear Solid 3, Shenmue, Skies of Arcadia, Chrono Trigger

My 2 nex-gen systems: PS3 and Wii

Prediction Aug '08: We see the PSP2 released fall '09. Graphically, it's basically the same as the current system. UMD drive ditched and replaced by 4-8gb on board flash memory. Other upgrades: 2nd analog nub, touchscreen, blutooth, motion sensor. Design: Flip-style or slider. Size: Think Iphone. Cost: $199. Will be profitable on day 1.

Rainbird on 02 September 2008

I am quite excited about this, but I wonder how far in advance Sony would announce a new PSP system. I don't want to go and by a PSP this fall if they bring out something better with built in memory etc. a year later (Yes, I can wait if necessary)



jman8 on 02 September 2008
Rainbird said:
I am quite excited about this, but I wonder how far in advance Sony would announce a new PSP system. I don't want to go and by a PSP this fall if they bring out something better with built in memory etc. a year later (Yes, I can wait if necessary)

 

As you can see in my sig, I feel very certain a full on new PSP is coming at the end of next year. Will it happen? Maybe not. Sony always seems to be arrive 6-12 months later than optimal. If it does come, expect an announcement next summer at E3 (if it still exists) or at Games Convention a month later just like the PSP announcement this year. It could also be announced at a random Sony-initiated event like a Gamer's Day.



My Top 5:

Shadow of the Colossus, Metal Gear Solid 3, Shenmue, Skies of Arcadia, Chrono Trigger

My 2 nex-gen systems: PS3 and Wii

Prediction Aug '08: We see the PSP2 released fall '09. Graphically, it's basically the same as the current system. UMD drive ditched and replaced by 4-8gb on board flash memory. Other upgrades: 2nd analog nub, touchscreen, blutooth, motion sensor. Design: Flip-style or slider. Size: Think Iphone. Cost: $199. Will be profitable on day 1.

hunter_alien on 02 September 2008

To bad that tracking them will be impossible...



Vote the Mayor for Mayor!

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jman8 on 10 October 2008

Rise from your grave.

http://www.pspfanboy.com/2008/10/09/tgs-08-firmware-5-00-and-playstation-store-launch-next-week/

There's probably already been talk about the new Firmware 5.00 and direct PSP store access already, so I won't talk too much about that specifically. But what's most interesting and relevant to this old thread is that in the link it shows that all of the upcoming first party PSP games are going to be released for download at the same time as the retail version.



My Top 5:

Shadow of the Colossus, Metal Gear Solid 3, Shenmue, Skies of Arcadia, Chrono Trigger

My 2 nex-gen systems: PS3 and Wii

Prediction Aug '08: We see the PSP2 released fall '09. Graphically, it's basically the same as the current system. UMD drive ditched and replaced by 4-8gb on board flash memory. Other upgrades: 2nd analog nub, touchscreen, blutooth, motion sensor. Design: Flip-style or slider. Size: Think Iphone. Cost: $199. Will be profitable on day 1.