Japan's RealWorld RealResearch polled slightly over one thousand of its members: 63.5 percent were male, 8.1 percent were teenagers, 17.5 percent in their twenties, 12.8 percent in their thirties, 28.8 percent in their forties, 19.5 percent in their fifties and 13.3 percent sixty-year-old and up.

Here's the gaming connection:

Q3: On what kinds of devices do you use Skype?

Computer: 97.2 percent
Sony Playstation Portable (PSP): 6.6 percent
Fixed-line telephone: 4.2 percent
Basic mobile phone (Nokia, etc): 2.8 percent
Skypephone (Skype-branded mobile phone): 1.9 percent
Smartphone (iPhone, Windows Mobile, etc): 1.4 percent
PDA, pocket PC: 0.0 percent
Other: 0.5 percent

Oh how we wonder what that Other 0.5 percent is. Oh yes.

Sony brought Skype to the PSP early last year.

PSP second most popular platform for Skype in Japan [What Japan Thinks]

A Skype representative told website TechRadar, "Whilst we can't comment on any future plans to bring Skype to Nintendo's DSi, it would technically be possible." (Whilst?)

This comes as Nintendo President Satoru Iwata stated that the Kyoto-based video-game company is not interested in entering the mobile phone market. Skype would be an easy way for Nintendo to sidestep that and still give the DSi added functionality.

When asked about Skype on the DSi, Nintendo told game site CVG: "We have no plans to release a Skype application for Nintendo DS or DSi." Maybe one day Nintendo will have plans and then you'll have Nintendo-approved Skype on your DSi.

Skype "possible" for DSi [CVG via GameGuru]

You can check out the interview live over on the site and even chime in with your own questions. It should start in about 10 minutes or so. See you there... or not!

UfragTV

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!

The PSP interface for Skype was fairly straightforward, with a Skype icon appearing under Network in the portable's XMB. The expected menu items were there—My Profile, Contacts, History, Dial—with other personalization features making appearances so other Skype buddies can know your "mood" or see your chosen photo icon. Skype for PSP makes international calling easy, with a list of selectable country dialing codes right at the dialing screen for those who travel often.

The headset, shown above and on display at the convention was supposedly not final. That's a good thing, as I found it to lean toward clunky, but we're not holding out hope for a massive redesign as the thing launches in February.

Yes, Skype for PSP is only for those who have the PSP-2000 model (aka the PSP Slim & Light). While many will probably wonder why they'd consider giving up their cell phones for calling on the go, those who make international calls often will probably be interested in picking up Skype for the cost savings.

When Skype hits the Playstation Portable later this month, it will come as a free download, but you'll still need to have a Skype membership to get it to work. Contrary to earlier reports, it looks like the hardware to use the PSP's Skype likely won't look like that snap-on microphone used for the Talkman software. The reps in this video say it will be a headset, hopefully a wireless one, though they don't really say.

Famitsu is reporting that the PSP's Skype service will sell for $25 to $40 and include, it appears, the same microphone that was packed in with PSP language software Talkman.

The site also has up these first Skype screens.

PSP Skype, USB Microphone Priced And Shown In First Pictures [Jgadgets, via Destructiod]

• Free voice calls between Skype users
• Skype contact list management (view existing contacts, add new ones)
• Skype presence (see which friends are online and available to talk)
• SkypeOut(TM) calls to make calls to landlines and mobile phones anywhere in the world (requires the purchase of Skype credit)
• Optional SkypeIn(TM) number that lets users receive calls on Skype from landlines and mobiles anywhere in the world (requires the purchase of Skype credit)
• View and modify Skype settings and account details (including usernamecreation, SkypeOut settings, voicemail settings and call forwarding)

No formal launch date has been announced but users can expect to start using Skype on their PSPs in late January. Make the jump for the full press release.

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) today announced that it would introduce Skype(TM) features to the new slim and light PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) handheld entertainment system (PSP-2000
series). More than 246 million members are registered for the use of this communications software, which enables users to communicate with other Skype users around the world over the Internet. Calls between Skype users are free of charge.

By introducing Skype on PSP, the following features and services will be
made available to PSP users (*1) (*2):

— Free voice calls between Skype users
— Skype contact list management (view existing contacts, add new ones)
— Skype presence (see which friends are online and available to talk)
— SkypeOut(TM) calls to make calls to landlines and mobile phones
anywhere in the world (requires the purchase of Skype credit)
— Optional SkypeIn(TM) number that lets users receive calls on Skype from
landlines and mobiles anywhere in the world (requires the purchase of
Skype credit)
— View and modify Skype settings and account details (including username
creation, SkypeOut settings, voicemail settings and call forwarding)

PSP users worldwide will be able to start using Skype features and
services through a simple system software update scheduled in late January.
After updating the PSP system software, a Skype icon will be added to the
Network category in the home menu. PSP users who do not yet have a Skype
username can register by clicking the icon and following the instructions.
PSP users who already have a Skype username can immediately sign in by
clicking the Skype icon and entering their username and password.
SCEI will deploy various measures to meet users' demand and vigorously
promote the expansion of the PSP platform as a handheld entertainment system
to enjoy a variety of interactive digital entertainment.

* For more information on Skype, please visit www.skype.com

(*1) To enjoy Skype features on PSP, users will need Memory Stick Duo(TM),
a wireless Internet connection and a Skype-compatible audio input
device.
(*2) In order to receive calls, users must be connected to the Internet
and signed in through the Skype screen on PSP.

There's no charge for PSP-to-PSP and PSP-to-PC calls, but a microphone accessory and dedicated phone number service will both carry a fee. The Nikkei Net report priced out PSP-Skype plans strictly for Japan, but we suspect Sony will have more to say about the calling service at next week's CES. Who else is psyched for some sidetalkin'?

Report: PSP Skype launching this month [Gamespot]

Call friends, talk trash to fellow gamers or catch up with acquaintances via Skype for PSP system.

Sony CES [via cvg]

What kind of games are we looking for? We are searching for Casual Games, preferably multiplayer so that Skype buddies can play against each other. Keep in mind Skype is a huge international community, so community based games can be an advantage. However the rules are not too strict, so if you believe that your single player game fits Skype Game Channel profile, go ahead contact us.

For expats like myself who use already use Skype to contact loved ones who are not the most savvy about gaming, this opens a door to play with relatives. Plus, I bet checkers would be better game than trying to guess what nationality of tourist fell into a canal this week. Kim Phu

Skype Game Channel [Skype via MCVUK]

Well, this is rather nifty. At a recent retail product fair in Japan, Nintendo announced a VoIP headset for the DS and DS Lite. It's set to go on sale in Japan around September 14th. Price? Only about $10, surprisingly. It's designed to allow you to engage in more comfortable, lower volume smack talk with your Metroid Prime: Hunters or Pokemon buddies.

Something occurred to me looking at this, though. We're now getting Opera for the DS. Where the hell is Skype for the DS? I will never, ever browse the Internet on the DS, but make long-distance phone calls far cheaper than I could make on my mobile phone? That's just fills my sack with sunshine. Thanks, Bernard! Florian Eckhardt

Nintendo announces headphone VoIP set for DS [Video Games Blogger]