Sony to offer slimmer PSP in September

Sony Corp. has revealed at E3 that it will attempt to increase its competition with Nintendo's DS Lite handheld console by offering a slimmer model of the PlayStation Portable (PSP) in September. Both the PSP and DS were launched in late 2004 but the DS console has performed the best of both, with sky rocketing sales recently.

"From a distance, this PSP might not look very different from the current model ... but when you have it in your hand, the difference becomes quite clear," Sony Computer Entertainment Chief Executive Kazuo Hirai said. "It's actually 33 percent lighter than the current PSP. It's also 19 percent slimmer."

Nintendo sold 23.6 million DS units in the year ended March 2007, outpacing PSP shipments of 8.4 million. The PlayStation Portable (PSP) uses UMD games and offers excellent graphics as well multimedia features allowing photos, music and videos to be played using the device, among many other excellent features.

The DS handheld has two screens, opens like a book, and allows the user to control most games using a stylus and/or a normal keypad. The slimmer version of the PSP will go on sale for $170, the current price of the PSP. Nintendo's DS Lite sells for $130.

Source:
Reuters

Written by: James Delahunty @ 12 Jul 2007 3:24

Advertisement - News comments available below the ad

44 comments

csmooth

unless there is a keyboard for the psp..... it is worthless!!!!

the movies are worthless!!!

they should try making a touch screen "keyboard" ! or an attachment..

psp needz a keyboard so bad it hurts!

12.7.2007 05:16 #1

mRNoviZ

There's no 'real' difference between the two, just a slimmer model and one future i doubt anyone will use.

12.7.2007 06:04 #2

naj94

Originally posted by csmooth: unless there is a keyboard for the psp..... it is worthless!!!!

the movies are worthless!!!

they should try making a touch screen "keyboard" ! or an attachment..

psp needz a keyboard so bad it hurts!
i sort of agree with csmooth- i think they should make one with touch screen and bluetooth so we can send and recieve media with other mobile phones. Now csmooth. the movies are not worthless... yes you can watch it on your tv but wat about when you go out on a train or plane ?
AND to throw in these are a few things i fink psp should have:
Built in camera
Built in gps
Touch screen
Bluetooth
and a decent mem. card to come along with it.

GaMeZ Tv cArZ....WAT ELSE DO WE NEED??

12.7.2007 06:31 #3

jutsu

Quote:Originally posted by csmooth: unless there is a keyboard for the psp..... it is worthless!!!!

the movies are worthless!!!

they should try making a touch screen "keyboard" ! or an attachment..

psp needz a keyboard so bad it hurts!
i sort of agree with csmooth- i think they should make one with touch screen and bluetooth so we can send and recieve media with other mobile phones. Now csmooth. the movies are not worthless... yes you can watch it on your tv but wat about when you go out on a train or plane ?
AND to throw in these are a few things i fink psp should have:
Built in camera
Built in gps
Touch screen
Bluetooth
and a decent mem. card to come along with it.ouch, that will make PSP very expensive, btw,
if that new psp can be downgraded, is the 'old' firmware (1.5) can run on this new psp?

dark alex already left psp scene, duh, it will be bead if the OE firmware not compatible with this psp

12.7.2007 06:53 #4

narmo

i doubt that the new slim psp's will be fw version 3.5 or lower
also i agree with everyone who posted about the need of a keyboard
it takes sooo long to type an address like google !!!!

by the way making the psp have a gps , bluetooth,camera, touchscreen is basically turning into an iphone without calling and gaming
and way too expensive i have to agree with
jutsu

12.7.2007 07:20 #5

vinny13

Originally posted by narmo: i doubt that the new slim psp's will be fw version 3.5 or lower
also i agree with everyone who posted about the need of a keyboard
it takes sooo long to type an address like google !!!!

by the way making the psp have a gps , bluetooth,camera, touchscreen is basically turning into an iphone without calling and gaming
and way too expensive i have to agree with
jutsuDoesn't the PSP have a camera that you could buy for it?

12.7.2007 08:11 #6

narmo

Quote:Originally posted by narmo: i doubt that the new slim psp's will be fw version 3.5 or lower
also i agree with everyone who posted about the need of a keyboard
it takes sooo long to type an address like google !!!!

by the way making the psp have a gps , bluetooth,camera, touchscreen is basically turning into an iphone without calling and gaming
and way too expensive i have to agree with
jutsuDoesn't the PSP have a camera that you could buy for it?i don't think so u can attach a camera to your psp via a usb cable and get the pictures from the camera but not use the psp as a digital camera and take pics

12.7.2007 08:37 #7

kingjoker

PSP is much better then the DS Lite if you know how to use it. I personally never go on the internet with it i just use music,video,and games.

12.7.2007 08:57 #8

camaro17

there is a camera for psp and yes you can take pics with it

98% of America brought sexy back.
If you were part of the 2% that was already sexy,
add this to your sig

12.7.2007 09:00 #9

narmo

Originally posted by camaro17: there is a camera for psp and yes you can take pics with itsorry when i said there isn't a camera i just found a link that has the camera
but in my opinion the camera is just a waste of money at 1.3 megapixels most camera'su buy at the stores are usually at 5.1 or more the attachement is just too big and a waste of money
i personally would rather use a regular digital camera than the camera for the psp

12.7.2007 09:09 #10

spydah

Quote:Quote:Originally posted by narmo: i doubt that the new slim psp's will be fw version 3.5 or lower
also i agree with everyone who posted about the need of a keyboard
it takes sooo long to type an address like google !!!!

by the way making the psp have a gps , bluetooth,camera, touchscreen is basically turning into an iphone without calling and gaming
and way too expensive i have to agree with
jutsuDoesn't the PSP have a camera that you could buy for it?i don't think so u can attach a camera to your psp via a usb cable and get the pictures from the camera but not use the psp as a digital camera and take pics
Yes as it was already said yeah there is a camera for it and right at this point its on ebay from Japan. So is PSPGPS. They both are going for about $40 - $50 for the camera and gps and shipping is like $10. Those prices arent bad but its up to you on what you want. I also seen a keyboard for the PSP on Ebay but i dont remember the cost. Sony should have done a better job with the newer psp thats coming out from what i seen on E3 unless thats just a test model to use for E3 only. I hope before they release it they make sure it has a dual analog on both sides. It would be nice to have all the stuff a few of you have already mention in the PSP but if they did that then people would complain like crazy probably more then the PS3 complaints because its a psp and the cost would be crazy. I dont think add blue tooth and a small folding keyboard would be bad as being part of the PSP package. They need to have a store online that has this stuff in the States so shipping doesnt take so long getting from other countries.

12.7.2007 09:09 #11

faqman98

y'know that with the right homebrew you can make a infrared keyboard compatible with the psp

12.7.2007 09:17 #12

narmo

Originally posted by faqman98: y'know that with the right homebrew you can make a infrared keyboard compatible with the psp
i don't think that the psp has an infrared option even with the right homebrew have u tried an infrared keyboard?

i think that there should be an easier program to type stuff like a qwerty keyboard or maybe type by voice ,voice recognition

and also i'm not gonna buy a slimmer psp if i can't do any homebrew stuff on it even though i would love the lighter weight the psp is too heavy too big for a mp3 player

12.7.2007 09:24 #13

narmo

Quote:Quote:Quote:Originally posted by narmo: i doubt that the new slim psp's will be fw version 3.5 or lower
also i agree with everyone who posted about the need of a keyboard
it takes sooo long to type an address like google !!!!

by the way making the psp have a gps , bluetooth,camera, touchscreen is basically turning into an iphone without calling and gaming
and way too expensive i have to agree with
jutsuDoesn't the PSP have a camera that you could buy for it?i don't think so u can attach a camera to your psp via a usb cable and get the pictures from the camera but not use the psp as a digital camera and take pics
Yes as it was already said yeah there is a camera for it and right at this point its on ebay from Japan. So is PSPGPS. They both are going for about $40 - $50 for the camera and gps and shipping is like $10. Those prices arent bad but its up to you on what you want. I also seen a keyboard for the PSP on Ebay but i dont remember the cost. Sony should have done a better job with the newer psp thats coming out from what i seen on E3 unless thats just a test model to use for E3 only. I hope before they release it they make sure it has a dual analog on both sides. It would be nice to have all the stuff a few of you have already mention in the PSP but if they did that then people would complain like crazy probably more then the PS3 complaints because its a psp and the cost would be crazy. I dont think add blue tooth and a small folding keyboard would be bad as being part of the PSP package. They need to have a store online that has this stuff in the States so shipping doesnt take so long getting from other countries.
the small folding keyboard would add to the weight also the slimmer it is and the lighter it is the more likely its gonna break if u accidentaly drop it

12.7.2007 09:36 #14

spydah

Quote:Quote:Quote:Quote:Originally posted by narmo: i doubt that the new slim psp's will be fw version 3.5 or lower
also i agree with everyone who posted about the need of a keyboard
it takes sooo long to type an address like google !!!!

by the way making the psp have a gps , bluetooth,camera, touchscreen is basically turning into an iphone without calling and gaming
and way too expensive i have to agree with
jutsuDoesn't the PSP have a camera that you could buy for it?i don't think so u can attach a camera to your psp via a usb cable and get the pictures from the camera but not use the psp as a digital camera and take pics
Yes as it was already said yeah there is a camera for it and right at this point its on ebay from Japan. So is PSPGPS. They both are going for about $40 - $50 for the camera and gps and shipping is like $10. Those prices arent bad but its up to you on what you want. I also seen a keyboard for the PSP on Ebay but i dont remember the cost. Sony should have done a better job with the newer psp thats coming out from what i seen on E3 unless thats just a test model to use for E3 only. I hope before they release it they make sure it has a dual analog on both sides. It would be nice to have all the stuff a few of you have already mention in the PSP but if they did that then people would complain like crazy probably more then the PS3 complaints because its a psp and the cost would be crazy. I dont think add blue tooth and a small folding keyboard would be bad as being part of the PSP package. They need to have a store online that has this stuff in the States so shipping doesnt take so long getting from other countries.
the small folding keyboard would add to the weight also the slimmer it is and the lighter it is the more likely its gonna break if u accidentaly drop itNo i mean a small folding keyboard as part of the package sale of the new PSP. Similar to a portable palms keyboard but a little smaller that if can travel with the PSP.

12.7.2007 11:06 #15

narmo

Quote:Quote:Quote:Quote:Quote:Originally posted by narmo: i doubt that the new slim psp's will be fw version 3.5 or lower
also i agree with everyone who posted about the need of a keyboard
it takes sooo long to type an address like google !!!!

by the way making the psp have a gps , bluetooth,camera, touchscreen is basically turning into an iphone without calling and gaming
and way too expensive i have to agree with
jutsuDoesn't the PSP have a camera that you could buy for it?i don't think so u can attach a camera to your psp via a usb cable and get the pictures from the camera but not use the psp as a digital camera and take pics
Yes as it was already said yeah there is a camera for it and right at this point its on ebay from Japan. So is PSPGPS. They both are going for about $40 - $50 for the camera and gps and shipping is like $10. Those prices arent bad but its up to you on what you want. I also seen a keyboard for the PSP on Ebay but i dont remember the cost. Sony should have done a better job with the newer psp thats coming out from what i seen on E3 unless thats just a test model to use for E3 only. I hope before they release it they make sure it has a dual analog on both sides. It would be nice to have all the stuff a few of you have already mention in the PSP but if they did that then people would complain like crazy probably more then the PS3 complaints because its a psp and the cost would be crazy. I dont think add blue tooth and a small folding keyboard would be bad as being part of the PSP package. They need to have a store online that has this stuff in the States so shipping doesnt take so long getting from other countries.
the small folding keyboard would add to the weight also the slimmer it is and the lighter it is the more likely its gonna break if u accidentaly drop itNo i mean a small folding keyboard as part of the package sale of the new PSP. Similar to a portable palms keyboard but a little smaller that if can travel with the PSP.seeing the packages that came earlier with the psp i don't think there will be a keyboard
u would have to buy it seperately unless it is foldable and easy to carry around i won't buy it

12.7.2007 11:44 #16

blackvamp

Quote:DS console has performed the best of both, with sky rocketing sales recently. Uh... random grammar thing. It should be better of both not best of both

12.7.2007 12:09 #17

narmo

Quote:Quote:DS console has performed the best of both, with sky rocketing sales recently. Uh... random grammar thing. It should be better of both not best of both
i totally agree with you at first i wanted to buy a ds console because of the touch screen and a wide collection of games but then after i learned about being able to play homebrew games on the psp and backups and applications i thought that the psp is a better buy because in the end i'll be saving money sooner or later i think there will be a ds emulator that would work with the psp i don't know how it will work but i'm hoping there would be if not i just might buy a ds too even though it doesn't have as many features as the psp does

there is a way to play backups for the ds but it requires spending money on things that can be found on sites. i personally don't like buying stuff online. but in stores where i can look at the product inspect it before i buy it

12.7.2007 12:19 #18

SamNz

Quote:the small folding keyboard would add to the weight also the slimmer it is and the lighter it is the more likely its gonna break if u accidentaly drop iton the topic of dropping i was on my psp the other day nd it got hit out my hand by a rugby ball then hit the ground very hard (concrete ground and i was like 1.5m above it) all the psp got was sum scratches. i dont know whether it was lucky of a QUALITY PRODUCT lol

12.7.2007 13:13 #19

Markman29

this article forgot to mention that the PSP will have a better battery and a tv output.

12.7.2007 14:04 #20

narmo

Originally posted by Markman29: this article forgot to mention that the PSP will have a better battery and a tv output.true

12.7.2007 14:08 #21

spydah

Quote:Quote:the small folding keyboard would add to the weight also the slimmer it is and the lighter it is the more likely its gonna break if u accidentaly drop iton the topic of dropping i was on my psp the other day nd it got hit out my hand by a rugby ball then hit the ground very hard (concrete ground and i was like 1.5m above it) all the psp got was sum scratches. i dont know whether it was lucky of a QUALITY PRODUCT lol
I had a similar thing happen a few months ago where i got out my car and had my psp in a so called PSP carrying case which opened as soon as i stood up and my psp fell out and the only damage really from the height and speed of it hitting the ground was a very small hairline scratch near the on switch and a few scratches around the edges. Oh and the UMD was done on impact.

12.7.2007 15:01 #22

narmo

Quote:Quote:Quote:the small folding keyboard would add to the weight also the slimmer it is and the lighter it is the more likely its gonna break if u accidentaly drop iton the topic of dropping i was on my psp the other day nd it got hit out my hand by a rugby ball then hit the ground very hard (concrete ground and i was like 1.5m above it) all the psp got was sum scratches. i dont know whether it was lucky of a QUALITY PRODUCT lol
I had a similar thing happen a few months ago where i got out my car and had my psp in a so called PSP carrying case which opened as soon as i stood up and my psp fell out and the only damage really from the height and speed of it hitting the ground was a very small hairline scratch near the on switch and a few scratches around the edges. Oh and the UMD was done on impact.my friend has a psp he was charging it using the power adapter when his sibling came and accidentaly tripped over the wire which caused the psp to fall to the ground (about 1 or 2 feet)the umd drive thing ended up not closing properly it would close and play games but it would look like it didn't close completely he didn't mention any scratches

anyways due to our stories about our very easily damaged psp i would conclude that the psp is very fragile and making it lighter and thinner would even make it more fragile
p.s: i advise anyone who has a psp to get a screen protecter, micro fibre cloth for the screen and a good reliable case (logitech ) i think u can find these at your local wal-mart

12.7.2007 15:22 #23

SKrajna

Screw the size, make it cheaper

12.7.2007 16:04 #24

SKrajna

Screw the size, make it cheaper

12.7.2007 16:04 #25

vinny13

Originally posted by SKrajna: Screw the size, make it cheaperThey did make it cheaper.

12.7.2007 16:11 #26

SKrajna

Quote:The slimmer version of the PSP will go on sale for $170, the current price of the PSPCURRENT PRICE its not cheaper, just thinner

12.7.2007 16:28 #27

SKrajna

Quote:The slimmer version of the PSP will go on sale for $170, the current price of the PSPCURRENT PRICE its not cheaper, just thinner

12.7.2007 16:28 #28

vinny13

Stop double posting!

12.7.2007 16:29 #29

spydah

Actually it will be cheaper then the original PSP was when it was released so that is a plus. $170 for the New PSP and $120 for the Old they said. I buy it if they make sure it has the dual analogs.

13.7.2007 04:27 #30

mrmcman

how do they do wifi on the new one? theres no wifi switch, and i find it odd if sony thought it would be a good idea to drain the battery and always have it on...

hey newbies! before posting...
http://www.google.ca/
(+[__]%) put this psp in ur siggy. just do it.

13.7.2007 06:10 #31

blackvamp

Wow, really? Are you sure their is no wifi swithc?

Their battery technology must improved a whole lot. With 333mhz and always on wifi. I wonder if the new battery can be used on the original psp...

#1: 2.81 -> 3.03 -> 3.11 DoH (no more :D)
#2: 1.00 -> 1.5 -> 3.03oe-c
#3: Ceramic white 1.5 -> 3.03oe-c -> 3.40oe
Whatever happens, happens...

13.7.2007 07:28 #32

vinny13

The new PSP is the exact same as the old one, accept for a couple new features(as said in the Sony E3 85 min. conference):

33% Lighter

19% Thinner

Higher quality video output.

Stronger, longer lasting battery.

New Package: Silver PSP bundle with Daxter and Famly Guy, The Freakin' Sweet Collection, and a 1GB Memory Stick Pro Duo.

New package: Starwars Battlefront bundle with Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadronand and a special edition white PSP with a small picture of Darth Vader on the back(coming October 9th).

WiFi switch moved to the top, makinng it harder to hit accidentally.

Built-in memory doubled to 64mb.

Able to recharge over USB connection.

Faster game loading times.

Older bateries will still work in the new PSP, but the battery cover isn't big enough(they will have a battery package out with a custom battery cover to fit it though).

Each package will cost $199.99 USD. The core system will cost $169.99.

13.7.2007 08:11 #33

narmo

Originally posted by vinny13: The new PSP is the exact same as the old one, accept for a couple new features(as said in the Sony E3 85 min. conference):

33% Lighter

19% Thinner

Higher quality video output.

Stronger, longer lasting battery.

New Package: Silver PSP bundle with Daxter and Famly Guy, The Freakin' Sweet Collection, and a 1GB Memory Stick Pro Duo.

New package: Starwars Battlefront bundle with Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadronand and a special edition white PSP with a small picture of Darth Vader on the back(coming October 9th).

WiFi switch moved to the top, makinng it harder to hit accidentally.

Built-in memory doubled to 64mb.

Able to recharge over USB connection.

Faster game loading times.

Older bateries will still work in the new PSP, but the battery cover isn't big enough(they will have a battery package out with a custom battery cover to fit it though).

Each package will cost $199.99 USD. The core system will cost $169.99.i would buy one if the firmware version was 3.5 or lower

13.7.2007 10:24 #34

blackvamp

Originally posted by vinny13:
Older bateries will still work in the new PSP, but the battery cover isn't big enough(they will have a battery package out with a custom battery cover to fit it though)...Hmm, that's gonna look pretty weird.

So the new battery will be too small for the original psp then. Contact might be loose or something. Should be easily modded. Hope Sony care to release this better battery for old PSP.

13.7.2007 10:31 #35

mathbyte

well for those of you who are trying to decide whether or not to get the new PSP, or to get a DS, i have a few things to say. i am a proud owner of a DS lite and i have to say that when you team it up with a M3 simply flashcart, the once weak Ds now becoms a pretty powerful machine. u can play music, store and play homebrew, and watch movies. HOWEVER- im also planning to buy a PSP. why? because.
sure, the DS equipped with the m3 can do all that, but it has pretty poor storage space and speed. the PSP, however, is much better with movies, and it has pretty impressive graphics. i cant tell you which is better, because neither one is. youll just have to decide which one fits you better.

13.7.2007 11:45 #36

vinny13

Originally posted by mathbyte: well for those of you who are trying to decide whether or not to get the new PSP, or to get a DS, i have a few things to say. i am a proud owner of a DS lite and i have to say that when you team it up with a M3 simply flashcart, the once weak Ds now becoms a pretty powerful machine. u can play music, store and play homebrew, and watch movies. HOWEVER- im also planning to buy a PSP. why? because.
sure, the DS equipped with the m3 can do all that, but it has pretty poor storage space and speed. the PSP, however, is much better with movies, and it has pretty impressive graphics. i cant tell you which is better, because neither one is. youll just have to decide which one fits you better.The DS Lite is ok... it only has a different look and nicer screens... The reason why I still have my regular DS is because it has a better feel to it. Slim isn't always the greatest.

13.7.2007 12:48 #37

mrmcman

Originally posted by blackvamp: Wow, really? Are you sure their is no wifi swithc?

Their battery technology must improved a whole lot. With 333mhz and always on wifi. I wonder if the new battery can be used on the original psp...
no, i was wrong.. it was moved to the top, where it is less likely to be accidentally switched. but, ironically, it looks like the open switch, so it may be pressed that way

hey newbies! before posting...
http://www.google.ca/
(+[__]%) put this psp in ur siggy. just do it.

13.7.2007 14:04 #38

Meatwad3

the issue with the slim psp will be firmwares, is it compatible with 1.5, will there be custom firmwares etc

14.7.2007 21:37 #39

blackvamp

Originally posted by Meatwad3: the issue with the slim psp will be firmwares, is it compatible with 1.5, will there be custom firmwares etcI doubt it will run on 1.5, I don't think sony is THAT dumb.

16.7.2007 06:24 #40

mrmcman

there may be a way around that. TA-082+ mobos werent supposed to run 1.50, and look now.

16.7.2007 06:26 #41

borhan9

This is all well and good but being slimmer but having the UMD discs being the same size does this not create it to be the same thickness again.

17.7.2007 02:24 #42

psp_andy

they should make a keyboard for the new psp that connects via the usb and u can fold it underneath the psp, covering the umd slot if u no what i mean, but make it so it doesn't affect gaming or anything

PSP: 2.6-->2.71-->3.30-->3.50-->1.50-->3.40 OE-A

17.7.2007 05:02 #43

psp_andy

soz double post

PSP: 2.6-->2.71-->3.30-->3.50-->1.50-->3.40 OE-A

17.7.2007 05:02 #44

AfterDawn: News