PlayStation Portable evolves to match the digital lifestyle

The announcement was made at the E3 exhibition taking place in Los Angeles from the 2nd - 4th of June. PSPgo will become available in stores on October 1, 2009, in North America, Europe/ PAL territories and Asian countries and regions.

With both the existing PSP-3000 and new PSPgo, the company will further enhance the ultimate gaming and entertainment experiences on the go while providing consumers with the opportunity to choose the PSP system that's right for them.

PSPgo is ideal for today's on-the move consumers who prefer not to carry around disc-based content and are looking for on-demand entertainment. With the steady expansion of broadband network infrastructure, the number of users who download and enjoy digital entertainment content has been increasing remarkably. To address this growing trend, PSPgo replaces the UMD drive*１ with 16GB of flash memory to store a variety of digital entertainment content, offering users unlimited possibilities of portable digital entertainment delivered through PlayStation Network.

PSPgo, smaller and lighter than ever with a sophisticated design featuring an easy sliding display panel, is truly pocket-sized and can be taken everywhere. PSPgo will be available in Piano Black and Pearl White*2, two of the most popular colors since the launch of the PSP system in 2004. Along with PSP-3000, PSPgo will further enhance the unmatched portable gaming and entertainment experience by offering users more opportunity to enjoy their favorite entertainment content such as games, videos, music and photos anytime, anywhere.

In order to meet the needs of the growing number of PlayStation Network users looking for digital entertainment content, SCE along with third party developers and publishers will continue to enhance the content line-up within PlayStation Store for the launch of PSPgo, scheduled this fall. More and more new and attractive titles will become available for download from PlayStation Store as well as on UMD. This broad content offering across all genres includes new games, free-demos, PS one classics for PSP, add-on items for game titles, and trailers.

In addition to accessing PlayStation Store directly from PSP using the built-in wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) feature or through the PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3 ) computer entertainment system, users will also be able to access and download a variety of entertainment content via their PCs using Media Go*3, a new software application. Media Go will enable users to access and download entertainment content on PlayStation Store via their PCs as well to easily manage PSP content on PCs, including games, videos, photos, and music. This easy to use software application will be available on a CD-ROM bundled with PSPgo.

Also this fall, a new music application specific to PSP that uses the "SensMe channels"*4 music recommendation feature, developed by Sony, also becomes available for download on PSP. With this music application, users will be able to enjoy their favorite music stored on their PSP through a rich user interface, designed exclusively for PSP. "SensMe channels" is a mood based music recommendation system that categorizes music content into channels such as "Relax," "Dance" and "Upbeat," and recommends music playlists for users.

Other features are:

Easy Sliding Display Panel and Original Applications

PSPgo offers a variety of exciting entertainment options by taking advantage of the sliding panel. When the panel is open, users will be able to enjoy various entertainment content with the familiar button control as PSP-3000, when closed, original applications for PSPgo, such as a clock and calendar is displayed on the screen. Users can also enjoy video and music when the panel is closed

-Game sleep function
PSPgo has unique features such as game sleep function which enables users to operate XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) while pausing gameplay temporarily.

- Bluetooth function
Bluetooth function will also allow users to connect Bluetooth standard peripherals such as head-phones and head-set *5 as well as PS3 wireless controller (DUALSHOCK 3 and SIXAXIS ) *6 to be used when watching video content on TVs via PSP at home*7.

- Peripheral line-up
One of the products within PSPgo's peripheral line-up is a new Cradle (PSP-N340) *7 that will become available in stores worldwide concurrently with the release of PSPgo. This new Cradle enables users to charge the PSPgo battery and also enjoy watching video and listening to music. Also included in the peripheral line-up are video-out port cables that enable users to enjoy games and videos on their TVs at home.
*1 Content on UMD cannot be played back on PSPgo.
*2 Color variations may differ by countries and regions.
*3 Media Go also supports PSP-1000/2000/3000. For those PSP users, the software is available for download from PlayStation Store official site (http://store.playstation.com)., "Media Manager for PSP" will not support access to PlayStation Store, and it is required to use "Media Go" for accessing PlayStation Store.
*4 SensMe channels also supports PSP-1000/2000/3000. Details will be announced at a later timing.
*5 Head-phone and head-set supporting A2DP, HSP, AVRCP profile can be used. Some head-phones and head-sets may not be supported.
*6 PS3 wireless controller can be used. To register PS3 wireless controller on PSPgo, PS3 is needed. Some buttons and rumble feature will not be supported.
*7 Video-out cables and Cradle are sold separately in stores. Details will be announced at a later timing. Video-out cable and cradle for PSP-2000/3000 cannot be used on PSPgo.

In addition to the launch of the PSPgo, more exciting news is happening on the PSP-3000 front. Firstly, Sony Computer Entertainment will introduce a new range of the PSP-3000 models in new colors: Vibrant Blue, Mystic Silver, Pearl White, Lilac Purple and Radiant Red (to add to the Piano Black model). Many of the new colors are packed with top games and must-have accessories that mean that consumers can start enjoying a world of entertainment straight out of the box.