PSP 2 coming pre-Christmas will be an iPhone beater

[wraggster]

Whether it's labelled the PSP 4000 or the PSP 2, there's been a lot of rumour recently about an imminent successor to Sony's handheld console. There's also been a lot of talk about how Sony might react to the competition on offer from the phenomenal success of Apple's iPhone and iPod touch.

Unsurprisingly the console manufacturer has been comparatively mute in both cases, denying the existence of a PSP sequel and any threat from Apple. However, having spoken to an insider source – who's not Dave Perry, but is a developer working on the new hardware – we can reveal that the new handheld will arrive before Christmas and will be far more similar to the iPhone than the current device.

Like Apple's newcomer, the PSP 2 will be a compact device with a large touchscreen. However, where Sony's machine has the edge is when the touchscreen is slid open as it reveals familiar buttons, D-pads and – praise the Lord of Handhelds – dual analogue controls.

This new format should allow for both existing hardcore console titles as well as simpler touchscreen games along the lines of those currently available in the App Store. And like the App Store, (and in the absence of UMD), the games will all be available for digital download via the PlayStation Store.

Although this hasn't been confirmed, our speculation is that Sony's initial plans for a small upgrade to a PSP 4000 model have since been accelerated by the success of the iPhone and arrival of Nintendo DSi.

As yet those are all the details we have, but we understand the full specs and pricing will be unveiled at E3 in June.

http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/PSP/P...ws.asp?c=12612

[wisinx]

Lets see what they are going to announce in E3...
Cant wait!!!!

[mike_jmg]

Maybe it's just me but I really can't see how the Iphone is a threat to the PSP.

The Iphone is a multimedia device and a cellphone

The PSP is a multimedia device and a Gaming console

There are some similarities but the Iphone is basically a phone, and the PSP is a portable console. Seriously How could they be targeting the same share of the market????

[abacadabbra]

I agree with mike that the Iphone is no threat at all to the PSP. BUT, what I think is happening here is that Sony wants to steal a bit of the NDS and Iphone's market share away from them.

Think about it like this, the way the PSP is now if you developed a game for the Iphone or NDS and wanted to take it cross platform to the PSP you would have to redo alot of the game. With a new device that is simular in function (I.E. the touch screen) you do not have to do much to port it over.

[belialone]

me personally i dont like the iphone
its too shiny and expensive
ipod touch is ok (exept crappy itunes)

psp is totally different its a handheld gaming device
did you ever tried the gaming function of the ipod touch
some games are really fun with the touchscreen and the motion controller
but i would never ever play these games for a long time
these games are like cellphone games
no real challenge for an advanced gamer

[wraggster]

personally after having a new touchscreen phone for a matter of weeks and it breaking all because it was in my pocket i keep away from any phones like that now and so the iphone will never match the PSP or the DS

[fatmando2]

I totally agree with you all!

[pibs]

Why do they keep comparing apples to bananas, lets just make fruit smoothies

[Ultima Chocochu]

I'm soo sick of touch-screen stuff, and if they make it so you can only DOWNLOAD games, I'm not getting it >.>
I'm just really not into downloading full games, I'd rather own them physically(I'm not against downloading small games, like 10 bucks ones)
So I hope this is all fake, but if not oh well.