Sony Computer Entertainment Japan has delayed the launch of Skype, the recently-announced-for-PSP Internet telephony service, just a day before it was scheduled to launch.
The reason? The microphone packs that Sony planned to release alongside Skype in Japan are not up to scratch. With regard to the creatively named Single Pack (with one microphone) and Twin Pack (two microphones) "it was found that the microphone did not meet the Skype specifications in part to obtain certification", according to Sony. A new date is to be announced as soon as it is decided, we're told.
Quite how it has taken until now - the day before the scheduled release - for Sony to reach this conclusion, SPOnG's not sure.
The knock-on effect is that Sony has decided to delay the release of Skype in Japan, too. Sony Japan goes on to tell us, "Solutions to enable users to start using Skype features and services on their PSP are being sought for and will be announced in due course."
The good news is that, according to semi-official PlayStation blog, Three Speech, the launch of Skype will not be delayed in Europe. With Skype still slated for late January over here, it's nearly upon us.
What we're left wondering is: couldn't Sony have released the firmware update that will include Skype and let PSP owners sort out their own USB headsets? Granted, headsets tend to come with larger USB jacks which don't fit the PSP's mini USB port, but there's always the option of grabbing an adapter. Could it be that Sony saw the opportunity to make some money off Skype (which will be free to download) slip away from it? Answers in the Forum please.
When Skype is released for the PSP, it will connect the handheld to 246 million Skype users. Unfortunately, it was revealed that only owners of the slim and light PSP will be able to make use of it.
The reason? The microphone packs that Sony planned to release alongside Skype in Japan are not up to scratch. With regard to the creatively named Single Pack (with one microphone) and Twin Pack (two microphones) "it was found that the microphone did not meet the Skype specifications in part to obtain certification", according to Sony. A new date is to be announced as soon as it is decided, we're told.
Quite how it has taken until now - the day before the scheduled release - for Sony to reach this conclusion, SPOnG's not sure.
The knock-on effect is that Sony has decided to delay the release of Skype in Japan, too. Sony Japan goes on to tell us, "Solutions to enable users to start using Skype features and services on their PSP are being sought for and will be announced in due course."
The good news is that, according to semi-official PlayStation blog, Three Speech, the launch of Skype will not be delayed in Europe. With Skype still slated for late January over here, it's nearly upon us.
What we're left wondering is: couldn't Sony have released the firmware update that will include Skype and let PSP owners sort out their own USB headsets? Granted, headsets tend to come with larger USB jacks which don't fit the PSP's mini USB port, but there's always the option of grabbing an adapter. Could it be that Sony saw the opportunity to make some money off Skype (which will be free to download) slip away from it? Answers in the Forum please.
When Skype is released for the PSP, it will connect the handheld to 246 million Skype users. Unfortunately, it was revealed that only owners of the slim and light PSP will be able to make use of it.
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