Archive for PSP

Sony launches a PSP Cradle with remote

Posted in PSP by Darrin Olson on March 4th, 2008

Sony PSP Cradle holds the PSP upright and comes with a wireless remote controlSony continues to come out with some pretty cool stuff for the PSP, and it looks like this PSP Cradle is a must for anyone that uses their Playstation Portable to watch movies. It would be especially handy for those in Japan that can get the 1seg TV signals, which is probably why this is unfortunately launching in Japan only, for now.

The cradle docks the PSP and holds it upright so you don’t have to hold it or balance it against something to watch videos, and comes with an IR remote control so you can set back and control the playback without having to get up and press the little buttons on the PSP. The PSP Cradle will also charge the handheld device when plugged in and docked, and optionally comes with AV cables to hook up a bigger scren.

Mint green PSP available in Japan

Posted in PSP by Conner Flynn on March 1st, 2008

Mint green PSP available in Japan
If mint green is your color scheme of choice, prepare to feel the cool menthol sensation of this model, now available in Japan. If you absolutely must have it, you can always import one.

New red PSP bundled with God of War

Posted in PSP by Conner Flynn on February 26th, 2008

New red PSP bundled with God of War
Take it easy PSP fans, we don’t have a release date just yet, but according to Kotaku, a red PSP will be hitting store shelves this summer bundled with God of War: Chains of Olympus. You also get Superbad and a gift certificate for a downloadable PlayStation Store game.

It’s a branded PSP similar to the Star Wars PSP from awhile back. Sure to be awesome news for those of you into God of War and the color red. Personally, I’m not much for this red version. If it were perhaps a bit pinker, I would dub it the Pepto PSP.

PSP concept is a slick & sexy slider

Posted in PSP by Conner Flynn on February 13th, 2008

PSP Concept is a slick & sexy slider
This fan-made PSP concept is an awesome slider, with a look that beats the hell out of the old one and then spits on it for good measure. It’s got an amazing large screen and an iPhone style home button in front.

Just slide it open and it’s ready for gaming, revealing the D-Pad, two analog nubs, and the face buttons. This is one hell of a nice concept, considering I’m not much of a PSP fan and it’s got me wanting one yesterday. We can only hope that the next PSP looks something like this.

PSP firmware 3.90 now available with Skype

Posted in News, PSP by Darrin Olson on January 30th, 2008

Sony PSP 3.90 firmware update with SkypeWe’ve been checking daily for that next firmware update we told you about earlier this month that is to include Skype VoIP calling, and looks like it hit today. Version 3.90 is available for download from the Network Update menu on the PSP and will bring support for more PlayStation Network titles to the PSP along with the ability to make and receive free Skype calls on your Playstation Portable. The announcement comes today from Sony Europe but the update appears to be available for download here in the U.S. as well.

Unfortunately this feature is available only on the newer, slim PSP 2000 models and will require you to get a PSP headset and PSP remote control or Go! Cam to operate the Skype features. The 3.90 firmware with Skype lets you make free internet calls through the PSP Wi-Fi connection much like you would from a computer and will even let you setup a new Skype account on the PSP. If you have some Skype credit you can also make SkypeOut calls to landlines for a fee.

Skype on PSP delayed in Japan

Posted in News, PSP, Skype, Sony by Darrin Olson on January 23rd, 2008

Sony delayed launch of Skype for the PSPSony is only days away from releasing the availability of Skype on the PSP and the company has released an announcement saying that the January 24th launch will be delayed. In particular, Sony officials said that the microphone products they’ve created for the PSP to go along with the Skype service are what is causing the problem.

Both the Single Pack and the Double Pack microphones did not meet Skype’s specifications, and instead of going on without them Sony is going to hold up the whole works. A new solution and a new launch date for the Skype service and microphones for the PSP are being “sought after” and will be announced at a later time.

The good news is that this delay so far seems limited to Japan. It’s strange that they would come to this conclusion only a day before the launch. Are the microphones for Japan customers different and not up to standard while the microphones for the U.S. are acceptable, or is there some other force in Japan that doesn’t like the idea of free mobile VoIP minutes?

MacWorld 2008

New Targus MacBook bags are eco-friendly

Posted in Baggage, MacWorld 2008, Targus by Nino Marchetti on January 15th, 2008

Targus 15″ radius BackpackTargus is showing off at MacWorld a new line up of “eco-friendly” MacBook bags made of PVC-free material. This product line is known as the Radius family and it consists of several messenger bags, backpacks and top loading cases.

The Targus Radius bags are composted of 100% recycled polyester, recyclable plastic and nickel-free metal, making them pretty eco-friendly. Each bag includes an EVA molded compartment to protect your Apple laptop and they are mostly fit to 15-inch models.

CES 2008

Go!Explore turns your PSP into GPS navigation system

Posted in CES 2008, GPS, PSP by Conner Flynn on January 9th, 2008

Go!Explore turns your PSP into GPS navigation system
Here’s some good news if you own a PSP and are in any European country. ‘Go!Explore’ is coming as early as Spring, to turn your PSP into a GPS receiver. Roam anywhere in the city and even if you lose direction, your PSP will work as a GPS navigation system.

Just attach the GPS receiver into the device and load a UMD that contains the relevant maps for your area. That means a 3D-map with relevant landmarks marked on it, in the palm of your hands.

CES 2008

Get your groove on with the Targus SonicPak

Posted in Baggage, CES 2008, Targus by Nino Marchetti on January 7th, 2008

Targus SonicPakTargus wants you to enjoy your music as you roam down the street, sharing it as you go to others who may or may not want to hear it. The computer case maker has unveiled at CES the SonicPak, an audio backpack priced at around $100.

The Targus SonicPak is much like your typical gear carrying backpack with its padded compartment for laptop PCs, side mesh water bottle holders, adjustable, padded shoulder straps, molded carrying handle, oversized zipper pulls for easy gripping and a fully equipped interior workstation that includes plenty of pockets for your accessories.

Sony adding Skype to the PSP

Posted in News, PSP, Skype, Sony by Darrin Olson on January 7th, 2008

Sony PSP soon to get Skype VoIP capabilitiesSony’s Playstation Portable handheld gaming console has been trailing in sales to the Nintendo DS since the DS’s inception, but Sony is a far cry from giving up quite yet. Last month we saw a pretty cool upgrade with the version 3.80 firmware for the PSP which brought internet radio through the systems WiFi connectivity. Now Sony is saying that they are partnering with Ebay’s Skype to bring VoIP Skype phone service to the handheld system.

The new firmware is slated to be available for download to the PSP by the end of January and will add a Skype icon and functionality to the Network portion of the PSP’s menu. When connected to the internet users will then be able to log into Skype, manage contacts, view who’s online and of course make calls through their PSP to other Skype users or other PSP owners with the Skype feature installed. Owners will even be able to create a new Skype account right on the PSP.

Firmware update brings PS1 games to the PSP

Posted in PSP, Sony by Darrin Olson on December 18th, 2007

PS1 games playable on the Sony PSP through Remote PlayI was pretty excited just about the streaming radio coming to the PSP in this mornings article on the new PSP and PS3 firmware updates, but this one just keeps getting better. Along with the radio streaming for the PSP and the DIVX and voice changing features of the PS3 Sony snuck in another feature that allows you to play PS1 games remotely on the PSP. The new feature will let you download PS1 games to the PS3 or simply put in a physical PS1 game and stream it to the PSP to play through a Wi-Fi connection from anywhere in the world through Sony’s Remote Play. Now that is pretty cool, and will be even cooler as soon as I can find some PS1 games.

Sony PSP and PS3 firmware udpates are out

Posted in PS3, PSP, Sony by Darrin Olson on December 18th, 2007

Sony PSP 3.80 Firmware Upgrade availableWe knew some upgrades were coming for both these devices and today both the PSP 3.80 firmware and the PS3 2.10 firmware upgrades are available for download.

We haven’t seen the PSP 3.80 version available online yet but it is available through the Network Upgrade menu option directly on the PSP bringing streaming internet radio directly to the handheld device. In fact, I’m listening to the ShoutCast player on my PSP while writing this. You’ll need an Wi-Fi internet connection of course, and after installing the update there is a new menu option in the network settings for Internet Radio. Selecting it brings you to an “About” page that shows two different but similar players available for download to your Memory Stick, one from ShoutCast and the other from IceCast, each having 50 genres to choose from once downloaded.

iViewer: watch PSP or iPod content on your TV

Posted in PSP, iPod Accessories by Conner Flynn on December 17th, 2007

watch PSP or iPod content on your TV

The iViewer HTM 9000 should make alot of PSP and iPod owners very happy. The device wirelessly plays back files coming from any multimedia source to a NTSC, Pal or Secam TV. The manufacturer says that it works with the iPods and the PSP as well as digital cameras and camcorders. They are fairly vague about it.

The iViewer sends the files to your TV via some sort of mini embedded antennae. You simply choose one of 4 channel options to view the content on. The device also features input composite video and a built-in stereo encoder. Power is in the form of a standard DC plug for DC power in, but it also has a compartment for 4 AAA batteries. Should you want to view your content on a TV instead of your small screen, it will only cost you $26.99 to pick one up and let us know how it fairs.

PSP 3.80 firmware upgrade to bring radio, more feeds

Posted in PSP, Sony by Darrin Olson on December 13th, 2007

Sony PSP 3.80 firmware upgrade will bring streaming radio, photo feeds and moreFirmware upgrades for the Sony PSP usually don’t have changes that are incredibly drastic but for some reason I still get pretty excited any time they come out. It’s almost like getting a slightly new gadget each time, even though I still have the older, fat PSP. Anytime I hear of any upgrade on the way I’ll check for it using the utility on the PSP daily, since most of the time I can get it there before it’s officially released.

Version 3.80 however does promise to bring something pretty cool – streaming internet radio. The update will allow the PSP to pick up streams of online radio broadcasts in the same format that it supports such as Shoutcast MP3 streams. The upgrade will also expand its feed-reading capabilities the ability to pick up “photocasts” from RSS feeds. It will also allow users to import OPML feed lists from other feed readers to import the same feeds on the handheld console.

Sony offering extended battery kit for new PSP

Posted in PSP, Sony by Nino Marchetti on November 28th, 2007

Sony PSP Extended Life Battery KitFans of the new Sony PlayStation Portable who aren’t fans of the gaming device’s battery life will be happy to known Sony wants to address your concerns. The company is getting ready to put out its Sony PSP Extended Life Battery Kit, priced at around $45.

The Sony PSP Extended Life Battery Kit consists of a 2200 mAh battery pack which goes where the current battery is. Since it’s a little bulkier than the current one Sony is including in the kit a custom cover which will match the color of your PSP 2000.





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