Wishlist: Ten changes to the PSP

[Psumoni]

10 Must-Have for the PSP 1 1/2
Or, how to make a 100% backwards compatible PSP that has enough new features to make you buy one, even if you own a PSP.
In my opinion, sound and graphics on the PSP are damn good for a portable and are not necessarily in need of any upgrading, instead, other changes are all that are necessary to make this thing "next-gen".

#1 UMD - GONE
Have memory stick replace the UMD, premium models could add a 20-60gig HD. iPod has this much space and doesn't have the additional income source from licensing games that the PSP has, so cost could be more reasonable than you might think. The standard unit could have an empty slot for adding your own 1.8" HD. Games can be loaded to the HD either via games released on memory stick duos (You can pick these things up retail for ~$15/gig, so it'd be very reasonable to expect that Sony could release games on them for near the price of the UMDs) or downloaded via partner wireless hotspots (T-mobile promotion with the 3.30 release anyone?) or USB connection in retailers.
Sony obviously has confidence enough in their hard drive encryption and pay-for-download service to use it in for PS3 releases, so again, no reason not to use this distribution method.
Backwards Compatible: Yes, if you allow transfer to memory sticks on the PSP "Classic", and a way for people to transfer their current UMDs (This could be accomplished through "Classic" PSP --> PS3 --> PSP 1 1/2 or a kiosk station in retailers.)
Additional Cost: Cheaper than current PSP (use this saving for items further down the list)
Additional Sony Benefit: Cost for standard PSP 1 1/2 would be lowered due to removal of UMD drive, and the price of the HD would be tacked on (and marked up, of course) to premium units. Sony could also make money with Sony branded 1.8" "Official" hard drives. Memory Stick Duo proliferation would increase, strengthening the format's position.

#2 DIY PS1 GAME CONVERSION SOFTWARE THROUGH PS3
Dark Alex's firmware has shown that the compatibility has been phenomenal with PSone games. As an added incentive for the PS3-PSP combo, include conversion software as a free download from the Playstation store. Either the original manufacturer, Sony, or the community can be assigned to create loadscreens/documentation & icons for games, which would load just like the album information for CDs if available. Again, using the software on the PS3 allows Sony to control this service, which allows them to use all the original PSone disc verification they want to prevent unhindered piracy.
Backwards compatible: Yes, if you can transfer to memory sticks as well as to the hard drive.
Additional Cost: $0 - They've already got the software done for converting for releasing games on the Playstation Store. Additional Sony Benefit: Strengthen the PS3-PSP combo. EB, GameStop and other retailers would love the sudden interest in used PSone games, and sales of MS Pro Duo sticks, making them more receptive to allowing their business to be used to house the WiFi/USB/UMD->MS Duo Loading kiosk. Also allows for a cheaper distribution method. Another reason for people to get back on official firmware.

#3 DUAL CONTROL STICKS
Our left thumb seems perfectly capable of handling four buttons and an analog stick, why is our right thumb considered incapable of this feat?
Even if you just have the stick control the Shape Buttons for full backward compatibility, this would really make FPS and other games more playable.
Replacement analog stick assemblies are $15 retail, Sony could certainly add this for next to nothing in parts and a slight reprogramming of the firmware.
Backwards Compatible: Sorta, if the second stick is more of a digital d-pad with a control stick like the analog stick that activates the square-triangle-circle-square electrical paths.
Additional Cost: Less than $5
Additional Sony Benefit: Customer satisfaction, developer options.

#4 MOVE THE POWER BUTTON
Anyone else hit the thing and go into sleep mode when performing a Haduken? Throw this on top by the USB port where the UMD drive used to open.
Backwards compatible: Yes
Additional Cost: $0
Additional Sony Benefit: New Features Bullet, customer satisfaction.

#5 IR PORT SWAPPED FOR BLUETOOTH
Sony hasn't used this for anything. Homebrew has made use of it for a universal remote, but get rid of it to cut costs, or swap it out for Bluetooth for Bluetooth headsets.:thumbup:
Backwards compatible: Yes (IR hasn't been used by Sony, so no official functionality is lost)
Additional Cost: I can find them http://shop.vendio.com/luner2006/ite.../?s=1175248802
for $2. So <$2 - Cost of IR parts.
Additional Sony Benefit: Sales of Sony branded bluetooth headsets and headphones.

#6 WIRELESS G (at least!)
While a draft-n would be sweet - 270 megabit - wireless G chips can certainly be purchased for the price of the wireless B chip used, and 100% backwards compatibility as well.
Backwards compatible: Yes
Additional Cost: $0
Additional Sony Benefit: Allows for use of WiFi at game-loading kiosks to be a tolerable speed.

#7 SIXAXIS
I'm hesitant to suggest this, *UNLESS* it is only allowed to replace the analog control, otherwise you'd break backwards compatibility.
Backwards compatible: Yes, if it only acts as an alternate way to control analog input.
Additional Cost: $40 (Sixaxis controller) - $20 (Dualshock) - $10 (estimated Sixaxis battery) = $10
Additional Sony Benefit: Definitely would give it a another DS-doesn't-have-it feature, and you can't get Sixaxis in press releases without mentioning the PS3.

#8 HIGHER QUALITY VIDEO FILES
No reason to limit video quality, and with the ditching of UMD format video, this makes even more sense.
Backwards Compatible: Yes
Additional Cost: $0
Additional Sony Benefit: Another reason for people to get back on official firmware.

#9 MORE SCREEN BRIGHTNESS MODES
If it eats your batteries and you want it bright, it's your choice, however I still find the lowest setting too bright for late-night gaming.
'nuf said on this one.

#10 BATTERY LIFE
Obviously, technological innovations allow for more battery life in approximately the same size package.

CONCLUSION
So the grand total is a equivalent price or possibly even cheaper unit that gains:
Bluetooth.
5x The WiFi speed.
Second control stick.
Hard drive option.

Additionally, the Classic PSP and the PSP 1 1/2 would also have:
Lower cost distribution of games.
"True Playstation Portable" bragging rights with PSone game support.
Reason for people to upgrade to an official firmware.
More reasons to have a PS3-PSP combo in the home.


Part B: Stuff that may sound good but shouldn't go in:
Touchscreen - While it could open up some options, there's no way to keep it backward compatible without developer headaches.
USB Host Mode - It sounds great to use your thumb drive or small hard drive to store music or movies, but the PSP is bulky enough in your pocket without a thumb drive or cord connected to it. It's too likely to get bumped and broken. Memory sticks are cheap enough, and the availability of a HD would make this unnecessary.
Rumble - unnecessary power drain, not available in PSP Classic.
Cell phone - Even when paired with a bluetooth headset, you run into way too many issues with this one, there's a reason the n-gage bombed.

[BrokenHaiku]

More ergonomic placement/shape of the analog stick, would be a big one for me too. As it is now I cramp up after a while, and never get any precision.

[csd-san]

Frankly, I bought a PSP because I thought it was designed well and I'm still impressed by the games it can pull off from in my pocket. Sure it's not perfect by any means, but frankly I can deal with a bit of loading and not being able to have tilt or PDA functions. I look at the PSP and, yeah, it doesn't have everything, but it's a huge step up from the Gameboy, and that's something undeniable.

If I could make one change to the PSP, it would simply be a bit smaller. Otherwise I'm happy. Though I do want a bigger memory stick =D

[Gene]

I wish there was a toaster add-on for my psp. that way i could eat toast while playing

[brunobelo]

I agree with all of them, except for the bluetooth. Bluetooth is useless.

[chrono75]

Wow dude, this list makes you look spoiled. Man, they need to make all vehicles in reality drive every passenger while the passenger is hooked up to a virtual reality of them gettin' low with a super sexy guy/girl. Man, that's what we need. THIS LIST IS FRIGGIN' OFF THE WALL!! Of course we want all of that stuff! I love how you included a PSP harddrive, a brighter screen and longer battery life. LOOOOL man, you need to do more research on actual technology not just put up some wishful thinking list. The only good wish you made was to substitute a memory stick for the UMD which can already be done, man. KIDS THESE DAYS!! HOLY FRIGGIN - - the future is so screwed... =S

[emuking]

so much wishful thinking and hopeless dreams make me smile

[Broadus]

I don't know where to start with that idiotic list. Not that the guy who made it will be able to read anything I say. He neglects a major necessity like a second analog nub and instead goes for suggesting that the PSP get a bunch of useless changes it doesn't need, like a touch screen and "magic tilt power". Yes, I often find myself wishing I could tilt my PSP or touch the screen rather than just using the damn buttons.
Also, I might as well put this in my sig, I say it so much: Ports aren't bad. They're not bad at all. Even slightly. The thing is, the only games that get ported were either uninteresting or just plain bad whenever they were brand-new non-ports on in-home consoles, OR ports of games that were potentially good on consoles are screwed up in major, unforgiveable ways that ruins their enjoyability. The Godfather had free roaming taken out entirely, utterly ruining that game, and Star Wars Battlefront 2 was missing more than half of the stuff from its console counterparts. Think of how awesome those games would've been had they remained exactly like their console counterparts (except in graphics quality, of course). I would've KILLED for a port of a Call of Duty game. Roads to Victory was cool, but not as cool as a port of any other Call of Duty game would've been.
Anyway, ports and whatnot are not the reasons for bad games and bad sales. Illegal downloading is the reason for bad sales, which leads to game companies not wanting to spend lots of money making good games if people aren't going to pay for them in order to enjoy them.

[paul1991]

So, you sony fans want like a DS2?

[foxzoner]

well... I wouldn´t like the vibration and the tilt touch.