Sony PSP2 to be more like iPhone than traditional handheld?

Rumors of a PSP2 have been spreading and Sony Australia CEO Michael Ephraim threw out another piece of potentially tantalizing information about Sony's next handheld. In an interview with GameSpot, Ephraim makes statements that strongly suggest that the PSP2 could be closer to a smart-phone than what we traditionally think of as a hand-held console. And you can thank the PSPgo for that.

[jay2]

Most likely, I do see full PSP games support via DL and very low prices, and a lot of space for games.

[N4GAddict]

This. Low prices are key to downloadable games.

[ThanatosDMC]

I agree. They need to lower those game that are price $30-40 on PSN to $20 or $10... preferably $10 or less.

[Anarki]

I think it's a really good idea to go down that path. That way, you will be able to play games through a mobile network.

[darthawesome90]

I don't unless there is another option
Unless they offer a bare bones (optional!) package with no phone capabilities I wont be happy. Just imagine the smart phone fees associated with owning one. Over the course of three years it would cost about $600 ($15-20 per month for it being classified as a smart phone).

I think a PSP2 phone is a Great Idea as long is it's optional package and I don't always have to go purchase the latest PSP2 hardware to play newer games (like you have to with cell phones)

[callahan09]

I would personally be very disappointed if Sony devotes a lot of time at E3 to announcing a PSP2. They need to focus on PS3. That's the major front. If they stray off into too much devotion to the wonderful history of the PS2 and its impending 10th anniversary, if they devote too much time to a PSP2 announcement, then I think literally EVERYONE will be disappointed. People are excited for some kickass console games. If they don't make that the majority of their show, they have to know that people are going to be upset.

[silvacrest]

we all no the psp needs some help after the go was a disaster so a psphone with the right features would be great

saying that, sony wont dissapoint on the PS3 front either

[callahan09]

I am honestly astonished that I've got so many disagrees. People here really want them to devote substantial time in their presentation to a new handheld announcement? Very surprising to see. I paid good money for a PS3 and I want to see some kick-ass PS3 games. I don't have any interest in being sold a new piece of hardware. Convince people to buy the existing hardware, that's what they need to be doing.

[sikbeta]

Pretty Much the Result of an "union" from 2 Divisions of Sony Corp, PSP2 will be more than just a Gaming handheld...

[crapgamer]

"[PSPGo] was the first device of its kind where you did not have packaged goods or pre-recorded media. I think PSPGo will blaze the trail for future iterations of the handheld."

Epic Fail much? Nobody bought the PSP GO, it was a good joke.

[sinncross]

Yeah DD only is not the way to go. That said, if Sony are serious about it, it would definitely work better with a proper PSP successor rather then an alternate PSP choice.

[D4RkNIKON]

How is it that ipod touch and iphone has download only games and they are selling like crazy? I don't see anything wrong with DD only. My PSP was hacked running custom firmware and I downloaded PSP games because it was easier. I could take 30+ games with me and not have to carry a dumb case with 30 UMDs. I would appreciate having the option but I don't think that DD only means fail. The PSP Go failed by having a $249.00 price tag when the PS3 sells for $299.00

[ZombieNinjaPanda]

@D4RkNIKON

Also the fact that Ipod doesn't need to worry about the insane prices on games. There are a bunch of free games that are fun and enjoyable.

Combined with the need to not worry about having to buy brand new music or video (you don't have to repurchase your library) and the fact that the Ipod Touch was already established with the regular ipod, of course it was gonna sell like crazy.

[D4RkNIKON]

I agree

[killyourfm]

Sony's ahead of the curve...it's not their fault consumers refuse to catch up.

[StixRemix]

Next you'll be saying it's like a fine dining experience...

[N4GAddict]

I think Sony still needs physical media since the consumers haven't adopted the digital downloads market yet.

[-Alpha]

Physical media is not convenient for portable gaming.

DD is the way to go. I don't care if it's more like the iPhone, just have buttons.

The thing is, DD=piracy so Sony has a full plate.

[darkdoom3000]

@Alpha-Male22
No way- UMD is MUCH easier to pirate.

if you have the right program on ur PSP, then just plug it to a Pc and the UMD will appear as a drive.

Just copy to PC and upload.

with DD, theres some drm- you can crack it- but its definetly harder than UMD.
--

I unhacked my PSP. Piracy is what is killing it.

[playstation_clan]

because they have one maybe
why buy the same thing, when one is enough, well same rules dont apply for 360s

[ThanatosDMC]

I bought the Go. It's very handy... i just hate the ridiculous prices of some of the games online. I miss my Slim and my "downloaded" games.

Btw, i never knew how great of a game What Did I Do to Deserve, This My Lord?! It's $8 on PSN.

[foxxy]

I have a psp go I'm happy troll much.

[StixRemix]

So long as its better than PSP Go, I welcome a PSP2.

Also, please put in two analog nubs instead of one.

[N4GAddict]

I think it needs a touchscreen as well.

[venusg]

Not having the PSP, I had looked into the PSPGo when it came out, found out about how badly it was a joke compared to the original, and opted out.

While I'm all for moving to digital downloads as the new media format of gaming, I still have yet to see evidence that the PSP or the PSP2 will be as well designed as other handhelds.

[dazzalfc]

..........
As much as im behind Sony moving into an Ipod/Itunes style service and product, its no good doing it unless your going to put alot of effort into getting content out there.

One of the big reasons the PSPGo is such a bad choice (apart from the price of it) is that it just doesn't get enough support, not even from Sony themselves. The Playstation Store should be bursting with content to support it. At the moment we're lucky if we get 1 game or a theme a week.

Sony, take note. If your going to go digital only, at least keep backing it up with tons of content, otherwise your just going to have a PSPGo scenario all over again.

[Lance_Leon_Lionheart]

i hope it wont require a subscription/contract. I would rather have it as a pay-as-you-go kind of thing.

In all honesty i just want a dedicated gaming handheld. i already have a phone, and i would rather spend on my time/money on games. Why else even buy a PSP2 then?!

I want games, not a phone.

[ATLGAMER]

iphone is not comp
who buys a iphone for gaming...

[Jack Klugman]

why?

so you can go from getting your butt kicked by the DS to getting your butt kicked by the iphone?

[CellularDivision]

We have been wanting a PSP2 since the PSP1 first came out. Everyone wondered why it didnt have 2 analog sticks.

[TrailerParkSupervisr]

Yup
TWO analogs and a touch screen please. Also, streaming TV is a must nowadays. Even better, let me download my DVR to it and take my shows on the go. Great partnership with Direct TV and good PR. I can see the Kevin Butler commercial now:

"I mean, who doesn't want to watch saved episodes of 24 while they are sitting next to a smelly guy scratching his balls while riding public transportation?"

[ATLGAMER]

tv stream no...
Hulu direct at a discount..

[Brklynty1]

Like the iPhone?
Dear god no please, don't copy off of that overated crap. If your going to make the PSP into a phone come up with a good OS or please use Android. Android 2.2>iPhone OS x10

[sidar]

Like iphone does not mean an exact duplicate.
The person is aiming at the kind of use and functionality.

[Stealth20k]

A DD only psp 2 would ensure that the 3ds wins.

The 3ds has bc with ds games and will have a physical medium.

Not 1 person will get a dd only system. It rps people off

[younglj01]

Lol if this is true Sony do me a favor and team up with Verzion.
Verzion is tha best cell phone company.

Sony + Verion Wireless=Win and a first day buy for me and $200 is not bad for a PSP Smartphone.

lol i just made this poll up.

PSP 2

or

PSP Smartphone

or

Both.....

My vote goes to both

E3 2010 is going to be awesome cant wait to see what Sony have plan...

[darkdoom3000]

UMD needs to die, Physical media has no place in a handheld, it sorta defeats the purpose.

I used to carry around my UMD case, that could carry 5 umds. Now I have 20+ games on my PSP at all times.

[Magnus]

If the PSP2 had cellphone features along with MP3 I might consider it but when and if the thing is built I would not be surprised if it costs more than an I phone. I mean on a 3 yr contract you can get an I phone for 100 bux and thats just the 8 gig.

[silvacrest]

i'm hoping sony have learnt not to over price stuff, the GO and early PS3 sales show alot of pwoplw are not willing to pay that much

[Stealth20k]

DD is not the future of gaming and by some slim chance it is I am out of gaming.

Again if the psp 2 is dd only its already lost and wont sell.

Compared to thr 3ds and its bc and physical medium, its not a contest

[silvacrest]

didn't a sony erickson exec not long ago say something similar? the PSPhone is all but confirmed and persony, i cant wait!

[jack_burt0n]

psp2 running android, I will buy it.

[BlackIceJoe]

I so enjoy my PSP & am looking forward to the PSP2 but in no way will I buy a PSP2 if download only. I bought both FFVII & FFVIII each game took over 2 hours to download. I so wanted those games on my PSP but I will not buy games for the PSP2 like that. If PSP2 games are bigger then PSP games I will be waiting all day for them. So download is not the way to go. Plus I do not want to be paying forty dollars for a game that I can't sell if I don't like it.

I support download games as an option & if it is a way that if it means it has to be download only or it can't come out. I am for it but for me I will take the hardcopy over download only. Because I do not have all day to wait around & I like to own a copy over just a download file.

So when the PSP2 comes out I hope it will not be download only.

[Solo227]

Here's the forumla for success...
-3G enabled, touchscreen, two analog sticks, 32gigs...

-Digital Downloads only

-Sony App Store

-$5 PS1 games, $10 PS2 games and $30 New PSP games... While Sony making 100% of the back catalog available... And require every PSP developers to make a digital copy of their game available upon launch... No need to upgrade hardware, already the most powerful handheld on the market... Just come up with a touchscreen enabled version of XMB...

And if you keep it under $200 you got a winner...

[PSNTomaz]

200 for a psp phone is to cheap. My moto cliq cost me $375 and unlocked iphones are more exspensive than the 1st ps3?. It should be avaliable to AT&T. Tmobile and verison runing on andriod 2.2 for $350 with no contract (acts like a unlocked phone). Just swamp our ur current cell providers sim card. And boom.

It should work like the moto backflip cliq with have 2 screens one being touchscreen for the phone runing andriod while the other is runin on sonys os that's if they find a new os. Should come with 16 gigs exspandable to 32. And people stop it with the 2 analog stick talk!!!!! I be tryin to imagin my pspgo and 3000 with 2 sticks ending with the system falling out my hands! I can't even reach the face bottons with 2 sticks.

[madpuppy]

I sure hope not
I just want more processing power and more ram for games as well as dual analog sticks. oh yeah! I want the UMD drive as well.
none of this touch screen crap.