PSP World

New PSP May Come in Fall, Rumored to be Called PSP Go!

According to 1UP, the new iteration of the PSP hardware may be unveiled at the upcoming E3 conference in June.

The PSP successor will most likely be called PSP Go!, which is in line with the naming structure of other Sony branded add-ons (like the Go!View video on-demand service and 1.3 megapixel Go!Cam) for the European PSP.

Hopefully we are as close as possible to the final specifications of the new hardware now. According to the article, UMD is definitely gone. In a surprise turn of events, the system will feature internal flash memory as a way for Sony to really push its digital download service.

Sony recently experimented with this by releasing Patapon 2 as a digital download only. Physical retail copies of Patapon 2 include a box, manual, and digital download code where the UMD should have been. Sony is preparing over 100 classic and new PSP titles for download at the system launch. Gran Turismo Mobile is a strong candidate for one of the launch titles.

The basic layout of the face buttons remains intact. There will no second analog nub, which is a big mistake in our opinion. The most radical design change is that the face buttons will slide out from underneath the screen and stick out below. There is speculation that there will be a camera and a touch screen for the system, perhaps as a way to compete with Nintendo's new DSi.

The PSP will come in two SKUs, one with 8 GB of built-in flash memory, and the other 16 GB -- an offering reminiscent of the iPhone's dual SKUs. What's more surprising is the rumor that the PSP Go! will be released this year in September in Japan and either October or November in America.

More details to come when all is revealed at this year's E3.

[Source: 1UP]