PSP 3000 + Skype = PSP Phone?

July 26, 2008 in Gaming, Handsets

At E3, one of the world’s largest gaming conventions, Sony did not unveil any new hardware. Its still very well possible that the company will launch new hardware before 2008 if the recently surfaced rumors are accurate.

Pictures of a new generation Playstation Portable device show some interesting elements added to the system. The most exciting of those developments is a microphone (to the right of the volume buttons in the picture below) that will alledgedly allow for in-game skype conversation between players.

What has been looked over, however, it that THIS could be the key to the long awaited PSP Phone. The inclusion of Skype could go well beyond in game conversation and reach full blown cellular servie - why not?

With Verizon’s 700 MHZ spectrum required to be “open” and Sprint/Clearwire’s WiMax on the way, its perfectly possible that Skype could deliver full mobile phone functionality directly on such a device.

While some are saying the device will be available in time for the holidays, we’re still labeling the entire thing as rumor. We hope a valid rumor, mind you. But if Skype WILL be onboard at some point but doesn’t launch THIS holiday season… we might just be in for a doozy next year.

More reliable “rumors” claim the PSP of tomorrow (read: next year) will have GPS onboard. One would at first assume this is simply to converge the whole mobile thing (gaming device, GPS and phone all in one) but it could mean much, much more. Apparently John Koller, Senior Marketing Manager at Sony, has confirmed that GPS developments for the PSP are being pursued for furthering the GAMING experience.

Drive up I95, exit in Jersey, head to the Dirty Jerz Shore and pummel beach goers with bullets - Grand Theft Auto style? Who knows what this could mean for gaming… the possibilities are pretty astounding. Racing simulators, flying simulators and those types of games are merely the beginning.

This could get pretty exciting… so stay tuned!

[Via Electronista, PSPfanboy]

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