We recently came upon some news that may point to the possibility that Sony is considering using large-capacity memory for what could be the second version of the PlayStation Portable. According to the Korean online publication Chosunilbo, Samsung admitted that they will not be capable of filling a large order of NAND chips for Sony, which we presume was a statement borne out of a request made by the Japanese game company. While this merely hints that planning has already begun for the PSP2, the more interesting bit of news is that Samsung, when pressed with the question regarding if the order was placed specifically for the PSP2, declined to comment. In an industry when what’s not said is nearly as important as what is, that statement could lean towards affirmative territory.

Another report on the site throws a little more fuel on the fire by suggesting that Sony may take a different approach to its storage woes. Instead of the more expensive flash chips, Sony may consider resorting to hard disk drives for storage. This move would significantly drive manufacturing costs down which, assuming they also decide to quit this whole UMD and Memory Stick nonsense, would mean that Sony finally gets to turn a profit from their foray into the portable biz.

I’m feeling ambivalent about this rumor. I can’t help but feel slightly cheated that they’re already thinking about making an upgraded version of the PSP without even having given the current version its due by presenting us with better games and cheaper prices on UMDs. And while I’m led to think that putting out the PSP2 could be Sony’s try at recouping their losses from weak media sales, I think current PSP owners are justified if they asked the question, “Where’s the love, Sony?”

We recently came upon some news that may point to the possibility that Sony is considering using large-capacity memory for what could be the second version of the PlayStation Portable. According to the Korean online publication Chosunilbo, Samsung admitted that they will not be capable of filling a large order of NAND chips for Sony, which we presume was a statement borne out of a request made by the Japanese game company. While this merely hints that planning has already begun for the PSP2, the more interesting bit of news is that Samsung, when pressed with the question regarding if the order was placed specifically for the PSP2, declined to comment. In an industry when what’s not said is nearly as important as what is, that statement could lean towards affirmative territory.

Another report on the site throws a little more fuel on the fire by suggesting that Sony may take a different approach to its storage woes. Instead of the more expensive flash chips, Sony may consider resorting to hard disk drives for storage. This move would significantly drive manufacturing costs down which, assuming they also decide to quit this whole UMD and Memory Stick nonsense, would mean that Sony finally gets to turn a profit from their foray into the portable biz.

I’m feeling ambivalent about this rumor. I can’t help but feel slightly cheated that they’re already thinking about making an upgraded version of the PSP without even having given the current version its due by presenting us with better games and cheaper prices on UMDs. And while I’m led to think that putting out the PSP2 could be Sony’s try at recouping their losses from weak media sales, I think current PSP owners are justified if they asked the question, “Where’s the love, Sony?”

We recently came upon some news that may point to the possibility that Sony is considering using large-capacity memory for what could be the second version of the PlayStation Portable. According to the Korean online publication Chosunilbo, Samsung admitted that they will not be capable of filling a large order of NAND chips for Sony, which we presume was a statement borne out of a request made by the Japanese game company. While this merely hints that planning has already begun for the PSP2, the more interesting bit of news is that Samsung, when pressed with the question regarding if the order was placed specifically for the PSP2, declined to comment. In an industry when what’s not said is nearly as important as what is, that statement could lean towards affirmative territory.

Another report on the site throws a little more fuel on the fire by suggesting that Sony may take a different approach to its storage woes. Instead of the more expensive flash chips, Sony may consider resorting to hard disk drives for storage. This move would significantly drive manufacturing costs down which, assuming they also decide to quit this whole UMD and Memory Stick nonsense, would mean that Sony finally gets to turn a profit from their foray into the portable biz.

I’m feeling ambivalent about this rumor. I can’t help but feel slightly cheated that they’re already thinking about making an upgraded version of the PSP without even having given the current version its due by presenting us with better games and cheaper prices on UMDs. And while I’m led to think that putting out the PSP2 could be Sony’s try at recouping their losses from weak media sales, I think current PSP owners are justified if they asked the question, “Where’s the love, Sony?”