PSP World

Sony Says Apple Helps Sell PSPs

John Koller, Director of Hardware Marketing for Sony, has a difficult job. Every time a competitor releases a wicked-cool piece of technology, Koller has to go on record about what his company plans to do to respond to this new product. Whether it is the Zune HD, Nintendo DSi, or the shiny new Apple iPad, Koller is the first person journalists turn to in order to gauge Sony's response. Unfortunately, Koller has apparently run out of smart things to say, because his latest comment about Apple's new touch-screen tablet device is downright retarded. Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Koller suggested that the success of the iPad will actually help Sony sell more PSPs, because apparently what consumers are going to want after they grow bored of their $500 tablet device, is a last-generation plastic handheld game machine.

Look, we love the PSP, but to suggest that it is a step up above the iPad in terms of functionality is a bit of a stretch. No, it borders on complete retardation. Let's take a listen, shall we?

"Apple's entrance into the portable gaming space has been a net positive for Sony" he told the Wall Street Journal, "when people want a deeper, richer console, they start playing on a PSP."

Now, the Sony PSP is a solid gaming machine, there is no doubt about that. But there is practically no connection between what Sony offers and what consumers are looking for in the Apple iPad. Perhaps a smarter thing for Koller to say would be that there are very few similarities between the two devices to begin with.

The iPad may lack traditional gaming controls, but it features a very competent web browser and multimedia capabilities.