PSP®go Phase Out

Most of you have probably heard by now that Sony’s UMD-less PSP is facing a doomed future and it has been reported by Engadget that its production will slowly come to its end pretty soon. The signs of its demise have been out there with recent price reductions, however Sony Electronics in the US is claiming that it is not being discontinued which they also never acknowledged when we reported that Sony Rolly has had a similar fate, but at the end disappeared like other almost successful gadgets.

The place of PSP®go on market has become questionable after introduction of Sony Ericsson Xperia Play – PlayStation branded phone that got its familiar looks from its older PSP®go sibling. And of course the forthcoming NGP is definitely something to consider and is a huge player in this portable gaming world.

Grab one or wait for phenomenal breaks in price, it’s a neat system, especially when it is paired with Dual Shock Controller via bluetooth, makes gaming definitely fun.

Music Unlimited Service Coming to Your PSP

Sony’s portable gaming devices PSP and PSPGo will start enjoying Music Unlimited service powered by Qriocity on April 14th. As you may know the streaming music service has been widely available on Sony’s PS3, Bravia televisions and its line of network connected Bluray players. This service will really come handy when the new Next Generation Portable (NGP) will be out with its 3G service, as it will definitely be useful for those on the go since you can fire up your music playlist whenever. I wonder if we will see any new Walkman payers as well as future Sony Ericsson phones integrated with this service some day.

Qriocity’s basic service offers commercial-free, uninterrupted music across a variety of channels and genres and provide instant feedback on each song to ensure that the service learns your music preferences and provides recommendations based on your personal tastes. The Premium service takes it one step further with access to premium music channels, and the ability to search the entire music database, play songs on demand and create custom playlists.

Sony Drops PSP Price To $129

Sony dropped the price of the PSP yesterday in the USA to a very competitive $129, matching the current retail price of the Nintendo DS Lite. The two companies are nearing the end of a generation for both of their portable consoles, and are on the verge of launching new systems within the year. The $129 figure is a far cry from the initial USA retail price of the PSP in 2005, which was a whopping $250. I guess after selling 67 million PSP’s the price comes down substantially. I feel the PSP was underrated in its life, and changed the portable gaming landscape forever with its high quality gaming experience.

There have also been several additions to the Greatest Hits ($19) and Favorites ($9) selection, which offer the PSP’s most popular games at a very reduced price.

New Greatest Hits include: Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines, DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY, LittleBigPlanet , METAL GEAR SOLID: PEACE WALKER, Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters, Resistance: Retribution, and Toy Story 3: The Video Game.
New Favorites include: CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII-, Daxter, Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, Killzone: Liberation, SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs: Fire Team Bravo, and Tomb Raider Anniversary.

Update On The PlayStation App For iPhone And Android Devices

Several weeks ago the European PlayStation blog revealed an upcoming app for iPhone (OS4) and Android (1.6+) devices. The masses rejoiced. Things got even sweeter when PlayStation Portal Manager Emmanuel Orssaud said that the app should be available around Christmas on the EU blog. That didn’t exactly happen, but I imagine the app will be available any day now.

The announcement of the PlayStation app has met a mixed reaction, but mostly positive. It’s not heavy on features, but does show potential. Do not expect to play games through the PlayStation app. The next major update will most likely have access to streaming (on-demand) video and music services, such as Qriocity.

The first version of the app should be referred to as “setting up shop.” Initial features are admittedly basic, such as interacting with the PlayStation Network. You can view trophies, compare them with your friends and check out their online status.

There’s also a “Browse All Games” feature which contains a list of games for PS3, PS2, and PSP – sort of like a digital guide with game description and related media. There’s also a built in link to the PlayStation EU blog.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe was first to pull the trigger on the PlayStation app announcement, while Sony PlayStation USA hasn’t detailed the PlayStation app on their blog yet.

Strangely enough, SCEE also said that the first version would only be available in UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and The Netherlands. This left many countries in Europe out of reach for the time being. Gamers began commenting in the official announcement about this and Manager Emmanuel Orssaud replied with word that version 1.1, confirmed for January, would add more territories. He actually confirmed v1.1 would be available for Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Portugal, Norway, and Poland. We fully believe it will be available for the USA with v1.1 if all of those other countries will get it.

Perhaps v1.1′s availability will coincide with the long-awaited PlayStation phone announcement. I don’t think that’s going to happen at CES, though.

There was a lot of side information about the incoming app confirmed in the comments of the official announcement. Emmanuel also made it pretty clear not to expect the PlayStation app to hit Blackberry, Symbian, and Windows Phone 7 platforms. Ouch.

Don’t worry Apple lovers – there was mention that they “are looking into an iPad version for later.” There’s also “plans” to make a PlayStation widget for Android devices.

Sony Black Friday 2010 Buying Guide (Updated 11/23)

Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving (November 26th) in the United States, which is the beginning of the traditional Christmas shopping season. Black Friday is not an official holiday, but many employees have the day off (with the exceptions of those employed in retailing, health care, and banking), which increases the number of potential shoppers. Retailers often decorate for the Christmas and holiday season weeks beforehand.

Many retailers will open extremely early on Black Friday 2010, with most of the retailers typically opening at 5AM or even earlier. However, the whole experience has become rather intimidating lately, with an enormous amount of deals out there that often leave the consumer bewildered. So, that’s why we condensed all Sony Electronics products (including PSP, PS2, and PS3 games) that have special Black Friday prices in one master list for your convenience. Unfortunately there aren’t any links for the deals, but a simple Google search of the store/product in question should help you on your way (if applicable).

This is an early version of our list and will be continuously updated till Black Friday. Check back for more updates!

The Stylish PlayStation Lounge At Sony NYC

The Sony Building in New York City (at 550 Madison Avenue at 56th St) is home to several interesting aspects of the company, including the official Sony Corporation, Sony Music, Sony Pictures, and so forth. The building also houses some great places for the general public to visit, such as the Sony Wonder Technology Lab, a lavish SonyStyle store, a restaurant on the lobby floor, and now a new PlayStation Lounge.

Created by Sony’s Joby Hirschfeld (Director, Creative Services, Channel Marketing and Events) and his team, the PlayStation Lounge could be considered heaven for some gamers and design enthusiasts. The layout of the Lounge is somewhat similar to trade show booth design, and there is a reason for that. The creator of the Lounge and his team have quite the background:

My name is Joby Hirschfeld and I oversee the team responsible for the design and build of such things as the incredible booths you see at conferences like E3 and CES, the visuals for PlayStation press conferences, video production, the look and feel of the displays at your local retailers as well as the designs on the packaging of the PlayStation products you know and love.

The Lounge is a storefront for just about everything PlayStation. All of the latest first and third-party games are available there (for example, Call of Duty: Black Ops was available on release day), as well as the PlayStation Move and all of its games and accessories. There is also some exciting titles that fans can check out before they are released, such as Killzone 3, Motorstorm: Apocalypse, and Gran Turismo 5. The Gran Turismo 5 area is impressive because it has incredible Recaro-style seats, each with a flatscreen LCD, steering wheel and pedals for the best possible driving experience.

The PlayStation.blog provided a gallery of the PlayStation Lounge:

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Here is a video tour of the PlayStation Lounge on YouTube by user THGNews (Marcus Yam):

Sony’s PlayStation Phone Detailed & Pictured

Engadget has dropped one of the biggest Sony leaks in known memory with pictures and specifications of the rumored and long-awaited PlayStation Phone. They originally reported on the device (must read) several months ago with mock-up pictures and basic specs, but have now revealed specifications of a prototype version that seems in late stages of development.

Here is the complete engadget leak of the PlayStation Phone and two rather large galleries (1) (2), perhaps the most pictures I have ever seen for a major Sony product leak, showing it off.

Before I begin, what’s truly exciting is the fact that the PlayStation Phone will come to the market soon (late 2010/early 2011).

The first order of business is the new Sony Marketplace Android app that allows you to purchase a wide variety of games, apps, and perhaps movies and music. I imagine you can use your existing PSN log-in to access the store. It will be interesting to see if this is an evolution of the PlayStation Network, or just merely a seperate “Sony Marketplace” as Engadget puts it. I know Sony has been moving towards creating an all-in-one store. Is this it? Hard to tell. Maybe the beginning.

The specifications for the PlayStation phone absolutely delicious, especially since it will have Android 3.0 (aka Gingerbread), and a 1GHz processor (Qualcomm MSM8655) with 512MB of RAM. I really feel that 1GHz is the sweet spot for mobile devices at the moment and this is a good play by Sony and is also triple the power of the PSP/PSPgo.

There is no specification as to what type of screen the PlayStation Phone has, but merely that it is 3.7-4.1 inches. Sure looks like four inches to me, which is yet again another improvement on top of the current PSP which has a smaller screen, but not by much because the PSPgo has a 3.8 inch screen.

I also sense more clarity in this screen than past Sony mobile devices after looking at the pictures, as I have tried to take pictures of LCD screens before and they usually don’t come out this clear. It’s definitely a touchscreen. Perhaps its an improved, SLCD with high PPI (pixels per inch). That would be incredible if Sony launched a device with PPI like the iPhone 4. Any type of device with high PPI is really going to win consumers in the end. It’s like night and day.

Back again is the layout of the PSPgo, which is awkward looking but actually quite usable. Interestingly enough though is the revelation that there the middle panel between the D-Pad and buttons is a multi-touch area that can be used in many ways, but perhaps best as virtual joysticks.

Virtual joysticks have become very good, not as good as real joysticks by any means, but rather close. However, the biggest problem with them in the past was the fact they are superimposed on the screen you are playing the game on. That’s not really fun to me and I never found it reliable, but can admit I have had some successes with it. This changes everything. Now the virtual joysticks are on a multi-touch screen below the main display. The band of D-Pad, X, Circle, Square, Triangle, Select and Start are back together, as well as L and R on the shoulder behind the screen.

No specs on the camera were listed, but it sure does look to be pretty nice and definitely has a LED flash. If I had to guess, the camera would be at least 8 megapixels, although I think Sony could surprise everyone with maybe a 12 megapixel camera? Does that sound to crazy? I’m not sure.

There was also no word in the engadget article if the back of the device still has touch sensors or not, which has also been another consistent rumor for this device. Touch sensors basically allow you to move around with your fingers behind the device touching the back of it. Both pictures engadget has with the back of the phone has been digitally altered (I checked extensively in the second photo, and yes, that is covered slightly as well) making it difficult to identify what is hiding back there.

On a lighter note, the PlayStation Phone also uses MicroSD cards, signaling Sony is playing no games in making this device truly open. If it ran off MiniUSB I’d probably have a heart attack.

What’s odd is the fact in the engadget leak about this story there is little mention of Sony Ericsson, in fact none. But they didn’t need to say anything. This product is a result of Sony getting two major divisions to work together to create something, which has always been so difficult in the past.

In some ways, the PlayStation Phone almost seems like the successor to the PSP, otherwise known as the PSP 2. With so many differences between this and what we have now, this seems like the platform and hardware the PSP 2 will run on. So what kind of games could you expect on the PlayStation Phone? It’s hard to tell. PlayStation 2 quality? Higher?

I’ also have a feeling that Sony may play a phone and a non-phone and similar specs. Seems logical for maximum impact.

Sony PSPgo Now $199

Sony (PlayStation) has revealed that their highly criticized PSPgo portable gaming device will now cost $199 in the USA (originally $250) and Y16,800 in Japan.

The PSPgo does not feature a UMD drive, but instead has 16GB of internal flash memory to store games (purchased from the PlayStation Store), and your own video, pictures, and music. This can be extended by up to 32GB with the use of a Memory Stick Micro (M2) flash card.

The unit is 16% lighter and 35% smaller than the PSP-3000, and has a 3.8″ 480×272 LCD that slides up to reveal the main controls. Unlike previous PSP models, the PSPgo’s rechargeable battery is not removable or replaceable by the user and it also uses a proprietary USB connection.

The PSPgo also has 802.11b Wi-Fi, and bluetooth so you can connect a headset, pair it with a mobile phone, or even use a PS3 controller to play PSP games.

Sony has sold about 61 million units of the various PSP models since the portable gaming console debuted in 2004.

TGS 2010: Sony PlayStation Japan Releases Several New PSP Models

Sony PlayStation Japan wasted no time at the 2010 Tokyo Game Show with the introduction of four new PSP packages, all of which have some interesting designs. While there is no actual hardware upgrade within the new models, I think most of us can agree these cosmetic additions to the PSP-3000 family are uniquely good looking.

The photo above is related to Sega’s PSP game ‘Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity,’ where a booth assitant looks on during the Tokyo Game Show 2010 at Makuhari Messe on September 16, 2010 in Chiba, Japan. The computer and video game convention, which ended September 19, featured exhibitions of upcoming game software and hardware from 194 companies and organizations to draw business visitors and the general public.

One of the most exotic models is the Monster Hunter Portable 3rd PSP pack, which has a large 2200mAh capacity battery, and comes with the game installed. This is also a very special model as the analog joystick has a concave shape at the top. Engadget even said “the concave shape definitely felt more comfortable to our delicate digits.”

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As you can see, there are several cosmetic features in this model that really help it stand out amongst the original. The matte black paint and gold lining around the device really make it look sharp. There are also guild decals on the back of this special PSP. Sony topped it off with a special XMB theme to really further the custom feel. This Monster Hunter PSP will be available on January 12th in limited quanities for Y19,800.

The first part of a new two-tone series is the “White/Blue” PSP-3000 that comes with a 2GB Memory Stick PRO Duo, Pouch, Cloth, AC adapter, and 1200mAh battery pack. It will be available on November 18th and cost Y17,800.

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The second part of a new two-tone series is the “Black/Red” PSP-3000 that comes with a 2GB Memory Stick PRO Duo, Pouch, Cloth, AC adapter, and 1200mAh battery pack. It will be available on November 18th and cost Y17,800.

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Finally, for the special ladies (and dandy gentlemen) there is the Pink Blossom PSP-3000 which is packaged with an AC adapter, 1200mAh battery pack, etc. It will be available on November 18th and cost Y16,800.

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You may also spot in one of the pictures of the Pink Blossom model several battery covers that have lip “kiss” marks. This is part of the idol group AKB48 exclusive PSP package (more pics here), which is pretty wild. Here is video of that exclusive press event launching the AKB48 model:

Interview with Adam Sessler

Adam and I talk about Sony’s strength’s, weaknesses, and 3D TV.

If you watch G4 then you know who Adam Sessler is. Whether it’s during X-Play, E3 Coverage, or Comic-Con, his witty, entertaining, and extremely articulate comments on gaming and the industry are a staple at G4TV. What you might not know is that besides being the Co-Host of X-Play, he is also Editor in Chief Games of Content. I had a chance to chat with him before Comic-Con, and wanted to get his honest, candid thought’s on Sony.

Sony has made some strides with console redesign, and a great ad campaign. Despite that, they are still in a fight with Microsoft. What are something’s you think Sony is doing well?

The one thing that Sony is clearly doing well is titles that are unique to the PS3, which are almost all coming out of Sony development studios or at least partnerships that are exclusive with Sony. I would have to say that if you’re looking at, sort of what’s happening on the Microsoft side with that and what’s happening on the Sony side, I think there is a lot more experimentation and innovation and a greater sense of breadth to those titles on Sony’s side. One of the things I have seen a lot from Microsoft is they have very strong franchises: Halo, Gears, Fable. But there is that point, where, where else can you go with them? What are you going to do to invigorate your base?

And I think obviously with the success of Uncharted 2, The Last Guardian is coming around the corner, Little Big Planet 2, it does star to look, that, they really have that great roster. I think the real issue is that it took so long for Sony to get to that point, that they are in this, real sort of dangerous game of catch-up. I don’t necessarily see Microsoft slowing down to the point where they can sort of close that gap, but I think in terms of Sony trying to reinvigorate just the brand of PlayStation I think there software line up is doing a fine job of showing a greater sense of refinement and breadth in I think their software line up.

Conversely Sony has also made some decisions, that, at times, caused people to scratch their heads. What are some areas that you think they are failing in?

Sony at the beginning of this console generation was coming off the PS2 which was wildly successful. It was the dominant console of that generation. I would have to say that there was a sense of entitlement to that position in this generation and I think it allowed them to make decisions that were really kind of devastating.

I think the big one has to got to be the price point for the PS3; they really misread the appetite of the market to have a gaming console at that level. They were also investing too much in to Blu-ray and when they tried to, sell this machine, bolt on the Blu-ray and on the Cell processor, the games kinda of got lost. And they were not being able to speak the proper language to the audience that they really had quite loyal to them through the PS2. Obviously, there was that horrific, press conference. Not the one where they showed the not completely real Killzone trailer, but the following one, where they suddenly pulled the Sixaxis out of nowhere, they’re doing that with Warhawk, Genji, I mean, really they were asking you spend $600 and they could not reproduce one true killer app at the launch of the console.

I think they still needed to go for another year of really getting beat up before they realized that they should not have that level of entitlement. Then suddenly you started to see the good software. But once again, in the video game industry when your dealing with these consoles, losing that year…

Really, if you look at the PS2, one of the best advantages the PS2 had was it had a year on both the GameCube and the original XBOX. They as a result lost that year to the XBOX360 and then they lost yet another year by not making a good case to the consumer as to why they should be buying the console. Now they seem to be more on track. Even at this E3 you get a small sense of scatterbrained messaging, but at the same time they do have the goods to back it up. I worry about pushing to heavily on 3D. Obviously Sony corporate has 3D televisions they want to sell at the end of the year, but they need to sort of keep their eyes on that core element of which is very very good game developer’s that are within the Sony family.

How do you see 3D gaming evolving in the long-term? Do you see it being viable or being somewhat of a niche market?

I think it’s wholly contingent on the sale of 3D televisions. I think everyone is really holding their breath.

The whole reason we have 3D gaming right now is because of these 3D televisions, and if the televisions don’t sell, 3D gaming is going to go away. I honestly cannot decide if people are going to…it’s a bad economic climate to try and convince people who may have only in the past few years picked up a flat screen television to pick up another. At the same time, there are early adopters who just can’t turn down some sort of new technology. And if there are enough of them out there that are willing to spend the money then I think you will see a slow progression in to more 3D.

I guess, having looked at the 3D games, I am less resistant to the concept of 3D gaming than I was initially. I have always been concerned that the 3D would take such precedence that you’re going to see the game design and gameplay actually suffer because it’s only important to have the 3D. Killzone 3, it was neat with that jetpack to get the vertigo effect, but I don’t know where you go from there. And I think, unfortunately as with motion control, your putting something in the hands of developers that they themselves, have not, sort of been wanting. Their desire is to be creative, and express something and do something inside of a video game. So it is, I think, still putting the carriage a little in front of the horse. I think every so often we will see one or two games and we’ll say “Wow, that was really cool”, but it does concern me that there is this sense of ubiquity that somehow all games need to be 3D in the future. I’m kind of crossing my fingers that people aren’t going to buy 3D’s so it becomes a moot point.

With our E3 coverage, following twitter feeds and stuff like that, wow, did 3D resonant very low with our audience. If 3D is going to catch on, it’s going to catch on with a more marginal group of technophiles who want the new thing. I don’t think there are core gamers who really think that something is going to happen with their gaming.

PSN+. People are split down the middle on this. Do you think Sony is doing enough to make it a viable competitor to XBOX Live?

No. That was one of the more dissatisfying parts of the Sony press conference this year.

I think that people were, because of XBOX Live, finally ready to go “Hey, I will spend a little money if I can have the level of reliability on my online service that I am getting out of Microsoft”. And the whole idea that your going to spend money just to that you can download in the background…they don’t seem to get it.

I don’t know if that’s because your talking about a far more multnational company between the US, Europe and Japan. They really need to just jettison what they have. Maybe they will do that with the next console, but that’s going to be pretty far down the line. With XBOX Live you pay for the service, but you get something that is quite reliable for the most part. I think also, when the strange thing happened with the clock inside of the PS3, while that wasn’t the PlayStation Network’s fault, it just unfortunately put another blemish on it.

There is no reason why they should not have a service that is on par with XBOX Live. That is where some real investment needs to be because multiplayer is such a big element in games. It really means a lot to game publishers because it does reduce the resale of certain game’s if it has multiplayer in it.

The PlayStation Portable has some great titles, Birth by Sleep is on the horizon, but it’s 6 years into the PSP’s lifecycle. Do you think it’s time for Sony to do a larger scale refresh?

Yeah. And I agree with you, there are some really fun games you can get on it. That handheld market is soooo different than the console market. Nintendo has it so wrapped up. I am not saying there is anything, ostensibly wrong with the PSP, although I would really like a second analog stick due to the types of games that are on it.

But I have to question the rationale of having another PSP when Nintendo, especially with the 3DS is going to so dominate that market that are you just throwing good money after bad?  And as we just said, when the PlayStation Network could use such a revitalization, is it better to invest there than in what really seems to be a losing race with Nintendo.

Cloud computing and downloadable content are on the rise. You also have apps like Hulu, MLB.TV and Netflix. Where do you see the PS3 evolving to over it’s lifecycle? Where should it go?

That’s a really interesting question…

With all of those services out there…it’s almost like keeping up with the Jones es’. There seems to be this expectation that we finally are moving our consoles in to something closer to a set top box. Back in the old days when I was at TechTV, that was supposed to be the end all be all and it just never seemed to happen. It finally seems to be happening with the consoles and it seems to be happening in a way that is not distracting from what is supposed to be the core purpose of buying the console which is for the video games.

I think that as consumers expect to have these services they should be on it. It’s funny, I don’t use stuff like that, I’m a little bit old school (laughs). But I don’t know if trying to create something new and different is really going to distinguish the PS3 from those types of services that are on the XBOX. I know that Microsoft announced their deal with ESPN and I just can’t tell if that is going to make a difference. Is someone going to buy the 360 for ESPN service and they have been holding out from buying anything because that hasn’t been made available to them? I think any aspect like that needs to happen in the next generation of consoles, and right now we are just getting the consumer adjusted to the idea that are multiple uses for your gaming console other than just playing video games.

I would like to thank Kelly for arranging and scheduling the interview and Adam for taking the time out of his busy schedule to chat with us. If you ever wondered if he as down to earth in person as he is on TV he is.  I started off the interview by calling him Mr. Sessler and he said “No need, I am just a dood”