Sony is incredibly good at the modern 'dark art' of branding; of that there really is little doubt or argument. So it's interesting to see the announcement of a new PSP Go! branded range of software, with PSP Go!Messenger, Go!Video and Go!Explore all set to launch early in 2008.
Each service is pretty much self-explanatory and 'does what it says on the tin', as you would expect from the branding maestros at Sony.
The Go!Video Download service will be the official video service for UK and Europe, allowing users to purchase and download videos direct to their PSP memory card via a wireless internet connection. "Unlike lesser services, the Video Download Service will feature a vast selection of high quality entertainment. With content from Sky's existing multi channel offering and support from a whole range of third party content owners, PSP owners will be able to subscribe to dedicated Sports, Entertainment and Animation packages as well as watch premier content on a pay per view basis," Sony informed us.
Next up, Go!Messenger works with the already released Go!Cam (pictured) allowing PSP users to get free video calls and video/voice messaging wherever they are hooked up to a WiFi point. Cool! Another reason to not watch where we are going when we are on the move!
Finally, Go!Explore brings satellite navigation functionality to the PSP. "Incorporating a GPS receiver and the UMD (Universal Media Disc) software containing your chosen maps, Go!Explore will offer a top quality Satellite Navigation system at an affordable price", says Sony.
We're not sure what that price is yet, although the SatNav market is highly competitive right now, so it will be interesting to see how Sony chooses to compete using the PSP.
What we do know is that our team on the ground thought the 3D demonstration of Trafalgar Square which Sony just gave in their Leipzig conference was very impressive and "in a different league to TomTom, though to be fair we did only see a small part of central London near Trafalgar Square," as they have just informed us.
The Go!Explore software has been developed in partnership with market leaders TeleAtlas and NavNGo. Whether or not this means your TomTom is destined for the tech-bin in 2008 remains to be seen.
Sony's new PSP Slim and Lite will be available across all SCEE territories from September 5th this year, with two limited edition Europe-only bundles featuring either Spiderman 2 (and Spiderman 3 the movie on UMD) with a red and black PSP or The Simpsons Game with a bilious yellow PSP for €199.99.
Each service is pretty much self-explanatory and 'does what it says on the tin', as you would expect from the branding maestros at Sony.
The Go!Video Download service will be the official video service for UK and Europe, allowing users to purchase and download videos direct to their PSP memory card via a wireless internet connection. "Unlike lesser services, the Video Download Service will feature a vast selection of high quality entertainment. With content from Sky's existing multi channel offering and support from a whole range of third party content owners, PSP owners will be able to subscribe to dedicated Sports, Entertainment and Animation packages as well as watch premier content on a pay per view basis," Sony informed us.
Next up, Go!Messenger works with the already released Go!Cam (pictured) allowing PSP users to get free video calls and video/voice messaging wherever they are hooked up to a WiFi point. Cool! Another reason to not watch where we are going when we are on the move!
Finally, Go!Explore brings satellite navigation functionality to the PSP. "Incorporating a GPS receiver and the UMD (Universal Media Disc) software containing your chosen maps, Go!Explore will offer a top quality Satellite Navigation system at an affordable price", says Sony.
We're not sure what that price is yet, although the SatNav market is highly competitive right now, so it will be interesting to see how Sony chooses to compete using the PSP.
What we do know is that our team on the ground thought the 3D demonstration of Trafalgar Square which Sony just gave in their Leipzig conference was very impressive and "in a different league to TomTom, though to be fair we did only see a small part of central London near Trafalgar Square," as they have just informed us.
The Go!Explore software has been developed in partnership with market leaders TeleAtlas and NavNGo. Whether or not this means your TomTom is destined for the tech-bin in 2008 remains to be seen.
Sony's new PSP Slim and Lite will be available across all SCEE territories from September 5th this year, with two limited edition Europe-only bundles featuring either Spiderman 2 (and Spiderman 3 the movie on UMD) with a red and black PSP or The Simpsons Game with a bilious yellow PSP for €199.99.
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