PSP2 may be developed by Sony

According to a news report at Eurogamer, Sony will be launching a successor to the PSP and an upgrade dubed the PSP-4000. No light has been thrown on the new hardware pieces, but apparently, development has already begun.

Surprised? Well, I ain't! The PSP-2000 which succeeded the PSP-1000 was noticibly light, and the control system was slightly changed...and then came the PSP-3000. The latest version of the PSP had an inbuilt micorphone also! It made it all the more easier to chat via Skype! So, if and when Sony does release PSP-4000 or a successor to the PSP, it shouldn't come as a surprise to fans!

PSP 3001 has its own tricks up its sleeve

According to a source inside Best Buy, the new PSP-3000 model - recently announced and due in October - doesn't just offer good and improvised screen with better brightness and contrast and all-but also the feature to be compatible with PS3's controllers....the SIXAXIS and the DualShock3! Sorry, its not the PS3's controllers,..wait a sec, IT IS!

How would the chance to play your PSP games using a DualShock 3 or Sixaxis controller be? The new PSP is apparently going to be compatible with PS3 controllers. Sony is very innovative nowadays these days, don't you think? So obviously, that must mean that the new PSP has Bluetooth! This piece of news-that the new PSP is having Bluetooth has itself been vaguely rumoured before.

But wait - how would you hold the screen up so you could actually see it ? Not a problem - it's also going to output video via composite cable in 480i resolution.

I don't know, it sort of sounds plausible. Maybe. Certainly it's one way of overcoming the problem Sony has of everyone in Europe and the US thinking it's a bit over priced for a handheld with a not overwhelming brilliant games catalogue. So... turning it into a games console of its own is not a bad idea. Any officially confirmed statements will be posted. Stay tuned folks.

October to see the wake of PSP-3000!

Sony has again proved to everyone that it is not be believed, as it recently confirmed that our beloved tiny PSP would be given an image make over! The PSP-3000 is a slight but significant tweak to the Slim and Light model. The new hardware now includes an integrated microphone and an improved LCD screen. They will be available in the usual black, silver or white.

David Reeves, head of Sony Europe, was keen to hype the latest model as more communications orientated. The addition of Skype and Go!Messenger in the past year have demonstrated the PSP's communications potential, but forcing users to buy additional headsets and mics has presumably not gone down so well. With a mic on board though, there should be better uptake of the services. It may also serve as incentive for developers to include more VoIP features in their games too.

The LCD screen is where the biggest single improvement is this time. Sony claims the screen quality has been enhanced to offer not just a wider colour gamut for better looking graphics, but also a sharper contrast and an anti-reflective coating to make it easier to see in natural light. One of main gripes has been the struggle to see the screen in sunlight - something the DS Lite manages - so this is a serious lure for me and a good incentive to upgrade from my old 1000 model.

The 3000 model is due out in October. For 199 Euros you'll get a PSP 3000 and either the Go!Communications software package, or Buzz!: Master Quiz, FIFA '09 or Harry Potter. UK price has been confirmed as 149.99 Pounds.