PSP GPS and Official Camera. First Pics and Details on Must-Have Add-Ons
SCE delivers promised peripherals.
Sony Computer Entertainment Japan has finally revealed the long-awaited, long-time rumour mill fodder that is the PSP GPS (global positioning system) add-on and the camera unit for its portable gaming device, silencing critics who had voiced claims that neither official peripheral would come to market.
The PSP Camera boasts 1.3 megapixels and can capture basic stills or movies at 30 frames per second. It also features an integral microphone pushing the PSP towards its natural destiny as an Internet-based, portable videophone of the future.
Likely to cost £40GB and $50US, the confirmed Japanese retail pricepoint was set by SCEI at 5,000 yen, with the PSP Camera scheduled to go on full retail release in Japan on November 2.
The PSP GPS Receiver is a more costly 6,000 yen, likely to equate to £50GB and $60US and hits Japanese stores a month and a bit after the camera on December 7. SCEI explained that no mapping software would ship with the device, though it's expected users will be able to buy maps from a third-party via the PSP's online delivery service.
It was confirmed that an EyeToy game will be released specifically tailored for the PSP's users (how a mobile EyeToy will work we have no idea, but we find the prospect utterly thrilling) though outside of this rather obvious usage, no further gaming functionality for the camera was explained.
A similar situation for the GPS unit exists too, with no bespoke software mentioned for the moment. SPOnG does believe (on good authority, so make a note) that Kojima Studio is at work on a GPS game. Aside from this sliver of info, nothing else is known, other than both units will come complete with snazzy Sony carry cases, like the one you got for your earphones and you eventually lost, or left in a drawer within hours of purchase.
Light will be shed come September 22 when Sony promises a full showing at the Tokyo Game Show, an event likely to be the premier event on the gaming calendar for some time...
The PSP Camera boasts 1.3 megapixels and can capture basic stills or movies at 30 frames per second. It also features an integral microphone pushing the PSP towards its natural destiny as an Internet-based, portable videophone of the future.
Likely to cost £40GB and $50US, the confirmed Japanese retail pricepoint was set by SCEI at 5,000 yen, with the PSP Camera scheduled to go on full retail release in Japan on November 2.
The PSP GPS Receiver is a more costly 6,000 yen, likely to equate to £50GB and $60US and hits Japanese stores a month and a bit after the camera on December 7. SCEI explained that no mapping software would ship with the device, though it's expected users will be able to buy maps from a third-party via the PSP's online delivery service.
It was confirmed that an EyeToy game will be released specifically tailored for the PSP's users (how a mobile EyeToy will work we have no idea, but we find the prospect utterly thrilling) though outside of this rather obvious usage, no further gaming functionality for the camera was explained.
A similar situation for the GPS unit exists too, with no bespoke software mentioned for the moment. SPOnG does believe (on good authority, so make a note) that Kojima Studio is at work on a GPS game. Aside from this sliver of info, nothing else is known, other than both units will come complete with snazzy Sony carry cases, like the one you got for your earphones and you eventually lost, or left in a drawer within hours of purchase.
Light will be shed come September 22 when Sony promises a full showing at the Tokyo Game Show, an event likely to be the premier event on the gaming calendar for some time...
Companies:
Sony
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Comments
RiseFromYourGrave 1 Sep 2006 13:17
1/8
rather soon, the average phone will have a better camera than that. if it doesnt already, im not up to date
i dont know why anyone would use the psp with its battery limitations to guide them from place to place but a gps game sounds very cool. you could have treasure hunts!
i dont know why anyone would use the psp with its battery limitations to guide them from place to place but a gps game sounds very cool. you could have treasure hunts!
warbaby 1 Sep 2006 14:31
2/8
Must-have add-ons? If I want a decent digital camera I'll shell out the extra $30 and get something worth my time. Just other junk I can no longer carry on the PSP itself, stick it in my pocket and then bust it out to create the bulkiest handheld since gamegear.
I dunno, but something tells my the PSP isn't destined for mobile video conferencing... unless that was a bit of sarcasm in the article and I completely missed it.
I dunno, but something tells my the PSP isn't destined for mobile video conferencing... unless that was a bit of sarcasm in the article and I completely missed it.
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DoctorDee 1 Sep 2006 16:22
3/8
RiseFromYourGrave wrote:
rather soon, the average phone will have a better camera than that. if it doesnt already, im not up to date
I've been carting a 1.3 mega pixel phone around for over a year. I believe there are 3MP ones available now.
Thing is mobile phone cameras usually use the cheaper, and less energy hungry, CMOS image chip, rather than a CCD as typically used in a camera. They also have very small sensor sizes. So the images are usually more noisy, and less sharp.
jordanlund 1 Sep 2006 20:20
4/8
The PSP has no more "battery limitations" than any other portable.
I ran a fully charged PSP with the same battery it had at launch vs. a brand new DS Lite and found the PSP ran for 4 hours straight and the DS Lite ran for 4 hours and 17 minutes.
I ran a fully charged PSP with the same battery it had at launch vs. a brand new DS Lite and found the PSP ran for 4 hours straight and the DS Lite ran for 4 hours and 17 minutes.
jodo4 1 Sep 2006 22:33
5/8
Doesn't matter, my gps lasts 20 hours straight and my digital camera lasts about 7 on rechargeables. This really has nothing to do with DS, just the addon capabilities for the PSP.
I'd defeniatly prefer my combo over the psp's addons in a mountian, one to find my way and the other for scenery.
I'd defeniatly prefer my combo over the psp's addons in a mountian, one to find my way and the other for scenery.
RiseFromYourGrave 2 Sep 2006 00:57
6/8
4 hours on a dslite?
get a new watch
get a new watch
Chris C 2 Sep 2006 07:37
7/8
RiseFromYourGrave wrote:
4 hours on a dslite?
4 hours sounds about right, but only for maximum brightness with the highest volume... perhaps even with wifi turned on. Once you turn these things down the DS lasts for much much longer. Wikipedia says: "Battery life: 15–19 hours on the lowest brightness setting, 5–8 hours on the highest."
DoctorDee 2 Sep 2006 08:40
8/8
jodo4 wrote:
I'd defeniatly prefer my combo over the psp's addons in a mountian, one to find my way and the other for scenery.
I think everyone is missing the point though. PSP with GPS isn't intended for going on a mountain.
Your rocking camera/portable GPS/phone (or any combo of them) can't play games of the PSP standard or do WiFI video conferencing.
Sure specialist devices are better for specialist purposes. But the PSP with these add ons offers an interesting mix of features for kids in the playground and people who never get too far away from an electricity outlet. And if they are used well in games, they could introduce some interesting new possibilites to portable gaming. Neither of the devices look too big either, though they would be a paini and a handful if you were travelling - but commuting, or in the back of the car they'd be fine....