Kotaku: psp slim

Hands-On With Skype PSP

Brian Crecente — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:02:15 MST

Today's Playstation Portable firmware update came with a little touch of Skype (except if you live in China, go figure). Once patched, the Skype option shows up under Network. I was able to pretty quickly register for a new account using the PSP and get it working in less then five minutes.

It's a pretty cool build of the software and while I'm not sure how often I'd use it around the house, I definitely plan on bringing it with me when I travel for some free calls. Also plan on abusing the hell out of it to harass Ash since it only cost me $10 to buy seven hours worth of worldwide Skype to phone service. (Skype to Skype is free) That's right seven hours of me rambling to Ash... can't wait!

PSP Slim Inches Close to 600,000 Sold

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 05:00:17 MDT

Japan has PSP Slim and Lite fever! In its first two weeks on sale, the redesigned portable sold 500,000 units. That's a lot! The total count as of October 3rd is 580,000. Likewise, a lot! The PSP Slim is even outselling the original PSP when it was launched back in 2004. And with Hot Shots Golf Portable 2 hitting the PSP this December, the Slim and Lite juggernaut shows no signs of slowing down. Yup, year's later, the PSP is gaming's comeback kid.
PSP Sales [Famitsu]

Have TGS Attendees Purchased The New PSP?

Mark Wilson — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 16:00:23 MDT

Since the PSP Slim hit Japan a few days ago (September 20th), we thought we'd poll the hardcore gamers sweating their way through TGS as to whether or not they'd made the plunge. And while our poll is hardly scientific (Ash had to write the question on a piece of paper for us), our conclusion is that Japanese women love Luke's powerful beard.

Korea Gives Masterclass In PSP Slim Advertising

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 03:00:38 MDT

Classy! Here is a print ad for the new slim and lite PSP that does a nice job of emphasizing it's lighter. This ad is way easier to grasp than Japan's towel twisting. What's more, it's also cheaper in Korea! The portable is marked down to 178,000 (approx. US $190). It really is lighter.
PSP Lite [PSP Vault via PSP Fanboy]

PSP Slim Firmware Hacked

Mark Wilson — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 12:20:02 MDT

PSP modding fans fear hardware updates like nuns fear straight priests. But the PSP Slim's protection is already crumbling, as modders Mathieulh and Dark_Alex have downloaded the firmware from the internal flash memory.

...we wont tell how it's been done, however it shows that hacking into the slim is possible with enough will...

And the other big find is that the internal memory is 66MB in size, or double that of the original PSP. So if my lousy match is correct, we can expect bigger and badder hacks with more complex launching programs. And don't worry Sony, it certainly won't hurt your hardware sales one bit.

PSP Slim/2000 and hardware modding.... [maxconsole]

PSP2K Playing Video and Games

Brian Crecente — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 18:00:37 MDT

Two videos, TWO! for the price of one. The first shows video playback on your television using a composite cable and the PSP2K. The second, on the jump, shows gameplay on the television using the same set-up.

PSP 2K Video Walkthrough

Brian Crecente — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 14:30:12 MDT

This video is a quick walkthrough of the new PSP, showing off some of the external key differences like the new UMD loading tray, the new Memory Stick cover, the battery and such. I've also shot a bunch of comparison shots, including some showing the PSP versus PSP2K versus DS Lite screens' brightness. It's hard to tell, but the PSP 2K's screen looks a touch brighter than the PSP's.

A couple of things from the press release:

Video-out Port: Play and watch your library of PSP games, movies, videos and photos on the big screen. The new video out feature displays games on progressive scan TVs at 480 x 272 resolution, while movies, videos and photos can be shown at full standard definition (up to 720 x 480 resolution.) Component or composite cables required and available separately.

The Daxter PSP Pack comes with a silver PSP2K, a copy of Daxter, the Family Guy: The Freakin' Sweet Collection on UMD and a 1GB Memory Stick Pro Duo for $200. Available in early September.

The Star Wars Battlefront PSP Pack comes with a limited edition white PSP with Darth Vader silk-screened on the back and a copy of Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron for $200. Available on Oct. 9.

The PSP Core pack comes with a black PSP 2K, the AC adapter and battery pack for $170. Available in early September.

Hopefully that answers most of your questions.

Some Menu Differences on the PSP2K

Brian Crecente — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 12:30:56 MDT

I'm still tinkering around with the settings and such on the PSP Slim that just arrived at the house, but I wanted to get a quick post up about some of the differences I've noticed in the settings and such.

The game ships with firmware 3.60 preloaded on the system. There are a lot of menu differences but I found two in the system menu.

UMD Cache: If you set it on you can reduce the frequency at which the system reads from the UMD.
USB Charge: Allows you to charge using USB instead of a A/C.

The system now also has a new menu in Settings that gives you options for when you connect your PSP to your television to either play games or watch a movie.

Connected Display settings
Switch Video Output: You can use this to display video on the television or you can hold in the display button.
TV Type: 16:9 or 4:3
Component /D-Terminal Cable: Lets you select either progressive or interlace output.
Screensaver: Lets you set the timeout for a screensaver from none to 15 minutes.

I still have to play test the thing, check out the video output and compare the screens. More to come.

PSP Slim in the House

Brian Crecente — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 10:39:30 MDT

The FedEx guy just dropped a white box on my doorstep, inside? A new Playstation Portable, the one that is 33 percent lighter, 19 percent slimmer and uses beefed up system memory to decrease load times. The new PSP comes in silver white and black, the loaner I received was silver and good lord it's light. It actually feels, without the battery in it, almost like one of those empty cases used at furniture stores to make an entertainment center look more enticing... if furniture stores had some need of portable gaming systems.

I'll be posting up some more details, impressions and side-by-sides in a bit, but I wanted to get up these pics pronto so you could luxuriate in the unboxing and see how it compares to the old PSP, the DS Lite and the DS.

PSP Slim Battery Pack Priced and Dated

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 03:00:26 MDT

How exciting! Stand alone battery release date and pricing. Sony has announced that its new PSP Slim battery pack (PSP-S110) will be available individually on September 20th for ¥4,500 (US $39). The actual portable launches that day as well. This new pack is design specifically for the new PSP (PSP-2000) and not the current model (PSP-1000). Oh, and yes, the previously announced Lithium-ion rechargeable battery will be packaged with the PSP Slim. This right here is for those who like to buy extras.
New PSP Battery [IT Media]

PSP Slim Available for Amazon Preorder

Mark Wilson — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 12:40:33 MDT

The PSP Slim, or PSP 2000 if you want to be official and sound like a Terminator movie, is now available for Amazon preorder. It's a weird sensation, probably born from my part-diesel American consumer blood, but I kind of want a new PSP all of the sudden. It's as if this PSP will make me stronger, smarter or better looking—all from the confines of my kitchen's crap drawer—where it will surely end up after two weeks.

There are also two bundles available. Both running $199, you can either get Jack & Dexter (with silver model) or Star Wars Battlefront (with white model).

Amazon Page [via gaygamer]

Upcoming PSP Slim Shortages in Japan?

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 07:00:20 MDT

Hardware launches mean one thing: Hardware shortages. This September's PSP Slim launch looks to be no different. Amazon Japan pre-orders for the PSP Slim (PSP-2000CW) have already closed, and the Sofmap in Akihabara is posting signs mentioning that because of shortages, customers can reserve only one PSP Slim. It also seems like they're not letting customers pick which color they want. Also! Sofmap is allowing one 1seg PSP tuner per person. Whenever new hardware launches, I can't help but thinking some of the demand is created through forced shortages. Call me jaded.
PSP Slim Registration Starts [Akiba Blog]

PSP Slim Hands-On Comparison

Mark Wilson — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 12:09:55 MDT

This PSP Slim hands-on has a nice side-by-side with the old PSP. You'll see that the cosmetic enhancements are very minor, though the TV-out is actually looking pretty cool. With the proper downloadable media setup, the new PSP could be a powerful portable media system. But we'll see...

Video: Updated PSP Hands-On [gaygamer]

Sony's PS2-PSP Docking Patent

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 00:00:51 MDT

A Sony patent application filled in September 2005 has just popped up showing a PS2-controller-PSP-dock. In a nutshell, this makes it possible to control the PSP, making this contraption the first ever dual-analog rumbling portable able to perfectly replicate PS2 game play. Wonder if this will be implemented in the new PS3 controller and PSP Slim? 'Cause I would so use this.
PS2 PSP Dock [US Patent Patent Application, Thanks Peter!]

PSP LED Gives Us WUDE

Mark Wilson — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 10:20:50 MDT

This updated PSP LED mod from AcidMods easily tops Sony's new PSP in this blogger's very important "book." As soon as we're tempted to get all nit-picky and complain that not all of the buttons light up, we remember that we've been too lazy/drunk/admittedly stupid to approach any accomplishment this great in our entire lives.

Sadly, we're being honest in ranking this mod higher than the PSP Slim. Does Sony not realize how easy it is to captivate the small minds of the consumer public? It takes like, what, a couple of LEDs and a matching wallpaper? [acidmods]

Japanese PSP Slims Getting Digital TV

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 05:30:31 MDT

This Fall, Japan will be watching digital TV on PSPs. Retailing for ¥6,980 ($57), a 1seg add-on tuner will hit shelves along with the PSP Slim on September 20th along with a fistful of new cables. Currently, 1seg isn't quite yet perfect: there are signal dropouts, and it's hard to catch a broadcast while in cars or on trains. Still! Just think what you'll be doing with your PSP this Fall and what they'll be doing in Japan. Watching a cruddy digital reception, that's what!

The PSP Slim Detail Breakdown

Brian Crecente — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 12:07:57 MDT

Gizmodo dug up the FCC filings for the new PSP, PSP-2000. Isn't that the greatest model number ever? The manuals and such have a bit of new details buried in them which they, and I, were able to dig up. Most importantly though, are the specific size and weight details:

The current PSP is 170mm x 74 mm x 23 mm and weighs about 230 grams with the battery in, while the new PSP is 169.4 mm x 71 mm x 18.6 mm and weighs 189 grams.

Hit the jump for a short list of some other things you might not know about the new PSP.

-The new PSP (PSP-2000) doesn't come with a Remote Control and you can't use the original PSP's remote with it.
-You can charge the PSP with a USB cable. (It takes about two hours, 20 minutes to charge with AC and five with USB)
-Display button: Pressing it changes between three levels of brightness, holding it for more than one second turns off the backlight and holding for more than five switches to video output.
- Its TA-085 PCB motherboard is homebrew-conducive.
- The battery has been shrunk from 1800mAh to 1200mAh, but retains hour rating.
- WLAN switch has been relocated to top.
- TV-out cable is not included.
- USB cable is not included.

PSP 2000, OET list [FCC]

PSP Slim Details Revealed

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 08:30:18 MDT

Back in March, we brought word of a new and improved PlayStation Portable. But what good are the rumblings of new hardware without some of the details? Today, thanks to several sources close to Sony, we bring you that nitty gritty as the redesigned Playstation Portable nears completion.

Keep in mind this isn't Playstation Portable 2, but rather a redesign of the original, so it will be sporting the same internal hardware. But that's about the only thing that hasn't changed. The new Playstation Portable will have a much slimmer design, thanks mostly to a new LED screen that will deliver an ultra-crisp image but take up far less space. That LED also helps pump up the battery life of this sexy new model, which can last as much as four times longer than the original PSP. While the new PSP still makes use of the UMD drive, it will be a faster version and to help speed up loadtimes and gameplay, the portable will come packed with 8GBs of internal flash memory. Finally, the PSP's much maligned buttons have been revamped and the D-Pad has gotten a major overhaul, giving portable gamers something more like a Playstation 3 D-pad to play with.

The company is still trying to decide whether or not they want to include a built-in camera, as they weigh whether the cost of adding the device will be worth the benefit to gamers. Our money is on no camera because of the competitive price issues. Those of you holding out for a touchscreen are, unfortunately, going to have to wait, though word has it that it will most like make an appearance in Sony's next portable gaming device. While the new PSP will remain black, Sony is still trying to decide whether it will have a glossy or matte finish.

The final price for this new PSP hasn't been set, but Sony is hoping to sell it for under $170 or so. Manufacturing should commence in the upcoming weeks, and the product is going to be officially unveiled at this year's E3. The sale date being tossed around is August, but don't be surprised if it's pushed back to September. What's this reworked PSP called? It doesn't have a name as of yet, but may we suggest "PSP Slim"?

Sony Computer Entertainment of America declined to comment on "rumor or speculation."Brian Ashcraft