AfterDawn: News

Sony announced Skype and GPS for PSP

Sony has announced the VoIP application Skype and Go!Explore GPS receiver and software for PlayStation Portable. The announcement took place at Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2008 roughly a week after Sony released details on the new features at their CES 2008 site.

Skype will be free of cost and will be a part of the next Firmware upgrade which is destined to be released in late January. Unfortunately Skype will only work in the new PSP Slim & Lite version, and the first generation PSP users will not be making any VoIP calls, at least for now. The PSP Skype will supports the SkypeOut and SkypeIn features that require purchase of Skype credit.



To use Skype, PSP users need a memory card, a compatible microphone, and a connection to Internet.

Go!Explore GPS receiver and software, released in Japan more than a year ago, are finally coming to Europe and the North America. The use of the GPS will not only be limited to navigation, but the location information can also be used in games as well. Sony hasn't yet announced the price point for the Go!Explore, but the price of approx. $37 (6000 yen) in Japan would suggest a price around $40.

Source:
PSP Fanboy
Go!Explore press release
Skype for PSP press release

Written by: Matti Robinson @ 7 Jan 2008 8:26

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• 6 comments

• nobrainer

  Expect street crime to increase very soon, i can understand that this is good for the psp and the kids will lap up the features especially with 3 network now having a dedicated skype mobile phone that utilises the 02 network in the uk, there will be ppl to chat to, but why exactly have this free calls feature when, mostly all roaming internet access in the uk is £1 per minuet?
  

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  The RIAA Soundexchange Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI.
  
  The MPAA Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, DISNEY, PARAMOUNT, FOX.

  7.1.2008 08:55 #1

• sciascia

  I'm not too big on handhelds but I have to admit that this is pretty dang cool. My question is, how will the GPS system work? Via satellite like normal auto GPS'? I only say this because, since when did the PSP have satellite connectability? Kind of creepy.

  7.1.2008 11:18 #2

• spydah

  Originally posted by sciascia: I'm not too big on handhelds but I have to admit that this is pretty dang cool. My question is, how will the GPS system work? Via satellite like normal auto GPS'? I only say this because, since when did the PSP have satellite connectability? Kind of creepy.They had PSPGPS on ebay which the little GPS receiver goes on that mini usb port.
  
  Heres a link on ebay:
  http://cgi.ebay.com/Brand-New-Offical-So...1QQcmdZViewItem
  
  
  This has been out for about a year or so but was only released in Japan. They did a homebrew app that works with this for the US so if Skype w/ GPS is compatible then that would be great with is receiver. I like the fact that my PSP can be a GPS. It saves you money for buying a real one.

  7.1.2008 11:39 #3

• jutsu

  Team noobz already released voip homebrew for both slim and fat psp.
  
  More info on : noobz.eu

  7.1.2008 13:20 #4

• sciascia

  Quote:I like the fact that my PSP can be a GPS. It saves you money for buying a real one.I agree, now I just have to pawn my garmin off for a slim PSP and all of the add-ons/etc. for the GPS functionality.

  7.1.2008 14:17 #5

• borhan9

  Portable GPS i like this idea however do we not have new next generation mobile phones for this kinda thing.

  9.1.2008 04:53 #6