PSP 101: Surf the web like a pro

Now that Sony has released the version 2.0 system software for North American PSP owners, we can finally begin to enjoy the update's new features — and by far the biggest addition is the mobile web browser.

We've put together this guide to help you quickly get started browsing the web on your PSP. Even if you've been using the Japanese version for a while, you'll find some tips and features you probably didn't know about.

Connect to the web
Once you've installed the update and you're setup to access the web, it's just a few quick steps to start using the new browser.

1. Make sure you're in Wi-Fi range and have completed network settings
2. From the home menu, select Network > Internet Browser
3. Use the up button to highlight the address bar and press the X button
4. Enter the address for a website using the on-screen keyboard
5. Surf the web

Basic controls and navigation
Here's what each PSP button does when using the browser. Get used to 'em — if you're like us, you'll spend just as much time online as you do gaming.

Menu bar
From the menu bar, you can quickly access browser controls and settings.

From left to right:

+ File (various browser options)
+ Back, forward and refresh/cancel
+ Jump to home page
+ Access/add favorites
+ Browser history
+ View and text preferences
+ Tools (various browser settings)
+ Help

Bookmarks
The PSP browser's text entry isn't a super fast way to type in an address to say the least. Bookmarks are where it's at. You should set some up first thing.

+ To bookmark a site (requires Memory Stick), select Bookmarks > My Bookmarks > Add to Bookmarks
+ To open a bookmark, select Bookmarks > My Bookmarks and the desired bookmark
+ From the My Bookmarks menu you can delete or rename your bookmarks by selecting Options

Customize your browsing
Font size too small for your old eyes? Don't like the way a website is rendering?

+ Change the Display mode (normal, just-fit or smart-fit) by selecting View > Display Mode
+ Change text size (large, normal or small) by selecting View > Text Size
+ Change your home page by selecting Tools > Settings > Home Page settings

Quick Tips
Here's some general quick tips on using and managing the browser.

+ Once a site loads, press the triangle button to hide the address and menu bars
+ To close the browser, press the O button
+ Manage and delete cookies, cache and input history from the Tools menu
+ Enable Javascript by selecting Tools > Settings > View Settings
+ Save time typing in web addresses with the History key and "http://" and ".com" groupings
+ Delete history by selecting History > Options

Saving and Uploading images
If you become a serious PSP surfer, you may need to eventually upload an image file. Yup, it's possible. Here's how.

+ To save an image, place the pointer over it and select File > Save Image
+ To upload an image to a site that allows uploads (like our PSPs Around The World Gallery), select the button that allows you to browse for files and press X, select the image to upload and press X again

Tabs
Thankfully, Sony realized that tabs are one of the greatest inventions ever. You use 'em in Firefox, and now you can tab it up on your PSP.

+ You can open up to three sites at the same time in different tabs
+ To open a link in a different tab, press and hold down the X button on a link until the page begins to load
+ Display tabs for active pages by pressing and holding down the square button
+ To switch to another tab, hold down the square button and press the L or R button
+ Close a tab by selecting > File > Close Page