PSP2 in the pipeline?

by Rafael Espiritu { Feb 16th 2006 at 10:00PM }

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?”

[Thanks, Alvin]

Tags: PSP, Sony, Sony PSP

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Brett @ Feb 16th 2006 11:51PM

This is a very irresponsible post. You are only adding fuel to the rumor. Sony creates several MP3 players that would use portable storage.

Chris @ Feb 17th 2006 12:47AM

Those NAND chips could be used for ANYTHING. Heard about the new Sony-Ericsson w950i? Its a walk-man phone with 4gb of internal flash storage. Speculation this early is a bit premature, no?

DolphGB @ Feb 17th 2006 5:04AM

>assuming they also decide to quit this whole UMD
>and Memory Stick nonsense

What a foolish statement.

Sales may be reported to be slow at present, but they've shifted well over 20m games and 20m movies so far. Memory Stick Duo sales are up and the adaptor means I can use it in my VAIO, Clie and video camera.

Sony aren't about to abandon either of them. If they do add a hard drive, I expect they'll make it an official add-on.

You're reading too much into a chip order. They can be used for almost anything. It's too early for PSP v2. Sony don't have a habit of upgrading so early in the gaming market (look at the lifespan of the PS1 before PS2 came out, and how long it's been out before PS3 comes along). Although they used to make a new Clie PDA almost every week, they've learnt that lesson (I expect).

ste @ Feb 17th 2006 8:17AM

so 2+2 is 5 then
wow

patrick @ Feb 17th 2006 1:31PM

I'm sure that Sony has the PSP2 ready to go or at least in development (just like Apple has the next gen iPod waiting and ready to go), though I bet it still uses UMDs and Memory Sticks.

They'd be stupid to abandon the UMD, a format that has a lot of potential. Current games don't use anywhere near the format capacity.

Now... I COULD see them coming out with a dedicated movie player that uses UMDs as a way to sell more UMDs. Maybe a cobo hard drive/UMD player that plays movies but not games.

Regardless, you think the PSP2 will be as easy to crack for homebrew as the PSP1? I'm sure it will be possible, but Sony learned quite a bit this round and I imagine that even if the PSP1 were discontinued today it would still hold value as an emulator/homebrew powerhouse for years to come.

The big but here - if the PSP2 (when it is released) is cracked, I bet it will play PS1 and N64 games without breaking a sweat.

mitchell @ Feb 17th 2006 6:17PM

It should be pointed out to people new to the site that the image for this article is an entry in the "redesign the PSP" contest and not a Sony concept for a PSP 2 (which is implied by its inclusion with this article)

Virtuous @ Feb 17th 2006 7:25PM

The NAND order could be destined for the replacement for the failed Walkman Bean, a new digital camera or new cell phone/smartphone. In any case Sony MAY have begun planning for a PSP successor. Foward-thinking companies think way ahead.

koffeekan @ Feb 20th 2006 6:32AM

i guess everybody's butthurt from the psp 1 and doesn't want it to happen

manz @ Feb 20th 2006 12:14PM

if this was confirmed it would really piss me off since i only just bought the psp last friday for �200..

stridermatu @ Feb 20th 2006 2:40PM

I would hope that the article about the PSP2. The current PSP is not and will not fulfill its potential until Sony concentrates on the games. It is a game portable right. UMD stinks of Minidisc bs. With so many better options on the market, why force the consumer to support a dead-on-arrival format that is overpriced and offers less features than DVD?

Mark @ Feb 20th 2006 6:17PM

Of course Sony are planning the PSP2 right now, just like the PS4 and Nintendo with it's DS2 and next gen Revolution2 etc. All these products will at the very least be on the drawing boards by now as it takes years to develope them to market. The cell CPU hasn't happened overnight you know.
I have a PSP and was annoyed at seeing this being a PSP2 rumour and was thinking of jumping ship and selling my PSP for a DS Lite. But your right, it's bound to be speculation and they make loads of other devices that use NAND memory plus they have put too much money into the UMD format to ditch it this soon (And ditching it's memory stick format?? what utter crap when every product sony makes support it), think what the shareholders would say.
I might still get a DS Lite but I reckon I'll hold onto the PSP baby for a while yet.
In my veiw all it needs is - A much better battery the same size as the standard one, The CPU speed to actually run at 333 and not 222MHZ, For it to have better games that actually use it's power and for this promised on line service to deliver the goods.
I'm not into the homebrew scene and just play the official games so for me it's good that they support it with new features with the firmware as well.

Kingtomy @ Feb 21st 2006 2:33PM

Pure rumor,in case it's true,they think i will take PS1 joystick in my hand and steer at it?BTW good site.

Ginge @ Feb 22nd 2006 2:55PM

i don't think those chips are for a psp v2 but i do know that there is a psp 2 in design. a friend of mines' cousin works in sony and has confirmed it

Ta @ Apr 6th 2006 1:55PM

what a load of shit

Ichi-Cago @ Apr 10th 2006 5:09PM

God.

I mentioned this in a previous article, but i'd like to mention this again. I reckon that Sony are doing a Nintendo - fiercly deny any form of a re-make and then release one - maybe at E3? who knows?

I think that it may be released with the PS3/a month or two after it, as the PS3 has a Location Free Player, and maybe it can have a integrated camera so you can do webcams via wifi.

What do you guys think?

I wonder what the DS fanboys (and girls) are thinking now of this news///

pat @ Apr 21st 2006 8:49AM

i read about this in a magazine a few weeks ago about the psp2 and i thought it was just rumors but now i see all the fuss about it on all these sites i suppose it is bound to happen, frankly i dont care about psp2 that much and im not picky on how the current psp oparates but as long as the games still stay with psp1 also coz i dont want to buy another psp just so i can keep up with all the cool games made for that one, i mean sony is doggin it, the psp costs a fair bit of mula already out of our pockets and not to mention accessories to keep it in good condition and such, i just dont wanna and dont want other people to buy a psp only to have 3months later buy this PSP2 so they can keep up with the games its just slack and not every one of us has money to throw around.

please comment on this if you agreee or disagree with me i would like to see what unfolds of this i will visit regulary to see if anyone thinks the same.
pat:)

Kyle @ Apr 21st 2006 9:04AM

I Went on A Site Today Sayin That The PSP will Be Able To Use On Ur TV But Then That Defeats The Purpose Of Calling It PORTABLE.
I'm on this site to see what all the fuss is about me personally the last console that was portable i got was a gameboy pocket and to be more honest i would never buy a psp2 for this soul reason, why the hell get a console that has a small screen, plays movies when you could just buy the normal dvd and watch it on the big screen,and the games i mean come on the only game psp has thats appealing to me is GTA.

I'm waiting for the PS3 if i were you all i'd wait for ps3 to come out it'll have GTA 4(if u Like GTA) and better graphics i mean i do admit that psp does have some mad graphics, but still why fork out so much for a gameboy rip off, what next Xbox Portable HUH no thankyou i think i'll stick with ps2, ps3 and whatever other ps 4,5,6,7,8,9,10.... is to come thankyou.