LaptopMemo | Tech & Then Some

Currently, the world of technology news is a bit dry. Don’t worry, there probably will be news later, but in the meantime I’m going to write about only one of many favorite gadgets: The PSP.

First released in 2005, it was a slightly bulky, and slightly heavy portable gaming system. It had a few good games here and there, but the Nintendo DS and DS Lite knocked it off shelves in terms of sales. After having one for a considerable amount of time I must say there was a lot of cons: It caught fingerprints easily, made disc noise, and the buttons were very low, which made it very uncomfortable for gaming.

The original PSP.

Most of this changed with the PSP 2000 Series or PSP “Slim and Lite”.  It was lighter, had better buttons, not as much disc noise, and was a better product overall. After owning a silver PSP 2000 (and later selling it due to wanting to get another gadget) I thought Sony was on the right track. The DS Lite still was beating it in terms of sales (which I think was correct since it still was not perfect).

The PSP 2000 or "Slim and Lite"

Then I heard a PSP 3000 Series was coming out.  Known to some fans as the PSP Brite due to its anti-glare screen which was brighter, it had a “Playstation Button”  like the PS3 controller and a built-in microphone for use with Skype (a feature introduced in the PSP 2000.)

I have never owned this type of PSP, but from the looks it is another slight improvement. After three different kinds of PSPs , Sony should have been done making new a new PSP every year.

The current PSP 3000 series

Nintendo then made the best Nintendo DS ever: The DSi.  It has 2 cameras, bigger screens, an SD card slot, music capability, and many more features. A new problem in bad economic times for Sony.

Sony then created the most “interesting’ PSP ever: The PSP Go!. A compact PSP with a sliding screen, 16GB internal Flash memory, and Bluetooth,  it will have great titles like Gran Turismo (which will include 800+ cars and 60 tracks!),  Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier,  Little Big Planet, and others.  Slated for release on October 1, 2009 (one day before my birthday in fact) will be the second option to buy a PSP, since the 3000 will still be on sale for years to come. I think it will be a very good step to combat the iPhone, DSi, and iPod Touch.

A PSP Go! press photo.

Though it has a lot of bad and good features, it might just work! The cons are: no second analog stick, something everyone has requested, the price tag of $249 USD (a rip off), and an “unusual” design make buyers go away. The pros are: smaller design, better titles, Bluetooth, and internal memory. Although for very strict and smart buyers, this might not be enough to spend a hefty $250.

Still, let’s wait for October 1st to review it..

Stef

12 year old technology reporter