Upcoming PSP Firmware to Include E-Mail, GPS coming in 2006

[Salesmunn]

According to the March 2006 PSM, an upcoming firmware update will include Sony Mail, an integrated e-mail client.

The built-in e-mail program will use the unique ID number assigned to each PSP at manufacture to eliminate a potentially confusing server setup. The program won't require users to access a web site, but will let them choose a unique user name to associate with their PSP's ID.
Further down the road in 2006, PSM states that Sony is planning to release their GPS peripheral alongside a suite of UMD map packs.

Hopefully the e-mail client will have POP3 access but even then, I can't see myself wrestling with that virtual keyboard for e-mail. As for the GPS, I'm sure it'll be too expensive to catch on. An image of the full article can be found on the Playstation.com forums (http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=psp&message.id=1773647).

[sTubbs]

I really want a PSP, but there are simply not enough games to warrant the purchase. Sony seems far too interested in this other stuff instead of focusing on what they should be. I hope that the way they have handled the PSP is not an indication of how the PS3 will be handled.

[Dr Quincy]

Christ what a negative post. This all sounds like brilliant positive innovation to me!

[eeje13]

Man, I already have all that in my kickass Gizmondo!

...

(i make jokes)

[Steve_Erhardt]

Love my PSP. This next update sounds cool to me.

The virtual keyboard is absolute shit, though. I'd rather shove bamboo splints under my fingernails than type something out with it.

[Salesmunn]

Christ what a negative post. This all sounds like brilliant positive innovation to me!

I actually have both consoles and prefer the PSP. I'm looking forward to the e-mail client however the GPS isn't something I see myself going for.

[StANTo]

If only the PSP had touch screen.

[Dr Quincy]

If only the PSP had touch screen.

Man, if a console had touch screen it'd be the best console in the world...

[Kelegacy]

People can strikethrough the bulletpoint on the SONY LIED document about having GPS support for the PSP. I know most of you have a copy somewhere nearby

Kamalot, I'm looking at you. ;)

[LarsenNET]

Shrug….The problem is there are much better devices for this. Nothing beats a blackberry or Treo for e-mail and a Pocket PC will be better for GPS.

Personally I wish they would concentrate on quality games for this stupid device. So much potential but they aren’t doing much with it.

[CrysDark]

I am considering buying this for homebrew, and the new megaman games.

[Doctor Setebos]

Christ what a negative post. This all sounds like brilliant positive innovation to me!
Hard to put a positive spin on a realistic point of view.

[Pumped'Up]

Hard to put a positive spin on a realistic point of view.
Hard to put a positive spin???? WTF are you smoking chump????

In this case, new/additional features *IS* positive, even though it might not be the best at doing it. Sheesh, narrow minded fools.

[Oddmaker]

Give Us Games! ;)

[outontheporch]

I haven't touched my psp in monthes, but recently I purcased Popolocio (sp?) and I'm having a blast. I also intend on trying out Legend of Heros.

So far it seems that RPG's have great potential on the PSP. Sports games, not so much. MVP 2005 is one of my favourite games, but I hated it on PSP. Too hard to control, and loading times killed it.

I'm interested to see how street fighter does on PSP. I havent played a fighting game on the handheld yet.

My DS is still pimpin it with tons of great games out and in store for the year :)

[Twigz'N'Berries]

Wow, the complaints are just getting lamer. The PSP is a jack of all trades and master of none (arguably it is the best portable movie player for its size). Could it use more games, hell yes. Is the configuration the most ergonomic...definitely not. I'm sure they have fixed the technical issues with the console that plagued a few psps in the beginning (I had to trade in 3x).
Sony did a pretty good job with the psp, though I will never buy a UMD movie because its a waste. They need to make more games, but all-in-all, they made a kickass little device. It has an appeal past non-gamers as well.

Jeez, it would be great if we could recognize the good in a machine instead of inflating the negatives.

[Derwin]

I am considering buying this for homebrew, and the new megaman games.

I play homebrew (well, as it stands now i USED to) and i bought one of the new Mega Man games. they require upgrades to play, and even with the new loader that works with late firmwares can't play any of the good stuff.

[DeadPixel]

Shrug….The problem is there are much better devices for this. Nothing beats a blackberry or Treo for e-mail and a Pocket PC will be better for GPS.

Personally I wish they would concentrate on quality games for this stupid device. So much potential but they aren’t doing much with it.

Exactly! That is why I sold mine 2 months ago. I got bored playing SNES roms.

[LilAbner]

I want RSS feeds for video podcasts.

[fndarkone]

all i have to say is that pop3 sucks. imap for lyfe.

[Skizott]

I'm playing mine a lot more than my PS2.

If I had a good the money for a great RPG (not enough for DQ8, where the hell is FF12?)
I would be playing it, but for now chrono trigger is sucking up my PSP battery.

If it weren't for Homebrew, I would've sold it.

[Chushev]

Just get a DS and enjoy some g.a.m.e.p.l.a.y.
And it's a decent media player as well. The screen is not as good as that of PSP but it's still good enough to watch my anime during boring classes...

[TKO]

Well, CrysDark, I seriously suggest you take a look at the GP2x (http://www.gp2x.co.uk/) instead. Just to not be fighting the parent company to do what you *want* with the damn thing, it's bliss. And using xvid for movies instead of the conversion-hoops to leap thru on the PSP... (plus a TV-out. ..in full TV resoultion, yeah.) :D

If Sony would just start churning out some games *and* stop so aggressively fighting the homebrew crowd (I mean, seriously, just let it happen Sony ..ya don't have to endorse it. It's not like it taking away from sales of non-existant blockbuster games, right?)

[Kelegacy]

Just get a DS and enjoy some g.a.m.e.p.l.a.y.
And it's a decent media player as well. The screen is not as good as that of PSP but it's still good enough to watch my anime during boring classes...
The problem with the DS is what do you have coming up in terms of games in the near future? Metroid Hunters is the only one I can really think of, and I'm not a huge Metroid fan. Brain Training will be coming to the states, and there are some other ones that will be out around Xmas I'm guessing, but for the most part it's a lonely release calender. I still have to beat the games that came out in the fall for the DS, but during the second year of a system's life I expect much more in the way of gaming quality AND quantity.

I hope the Revolution doesn't suffer a meager schedule. That's the only thing I was upset with in regards to the Gamecube, and it's actually a major issue.

[Kamalot]

People can strikethrough the bulletpoint on the SONY LIED document about having GPS support for the PSP. I know most of you have a copy somewhere nearby

Kamalot, I'm looking at you. ;)
So sweet you thought of me! :D

One, I'll believe it when I see it.

Two, these 'enhancements' don't fix the lack of good games.

I've already got a Treo which is much better for email, web surfing, RSS feeds, streaming shoutcast radio and more. Hell, it even plays the same resolution home-encoded movies as the PSP. The Treo is already something I carry with me and makes a much better multi-purpose gizmo than the PSP. The only thing it does not do as well is games. For games, the DS is better than the PSP. Why then, bother having a PSP?

PSP - Half-ass Everything

[Nin10dude]

And how do we type out those emails? With the same thing we use on the web browser?! Wow. That'll be fun.

C'mon Sony, if you're gonna release this stuff, release a keyboard addon, too!

[Kamalot]

The problem with the DS is what do you have coming up in terms of games in the near future?

Here is a great list of games for the DS, many of which I had never heard about, most of which have screen shots. The list is old, but I am sure you will find suprises on there.

http://www.ga-forum.com/showthread.php?t=70449

Here are some of my favorite upcoming screens...

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20051005/ds_scr15.jpg

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20051005/ds_scr39.jpg

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20051005/ds_scr41.jpg

http://game-science.com/media/ds_ffiii/03.jpg

http://www.game-science.com/media/ds_ash/ash03.jpg

Some of these have already been released since the list is old...

Short list from GAF-Jarrod

-Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings (Majesco)
-Armored Core DS (From Software)
-Azure Dreams (Konami)
-Baten Kaitos DS (Namco)
-Black & White Creatures (Majesco)
-Boktai (Konami)
-Chinkuru RPG (Nintendo)
-Custom Robo DS (Nintendo)
-Disciples 2: Dark Prophecy (Pocket PC Studios)
-Dragon Quest Monsters series (Square Enix)
-Dragon Quest Slime Morimori 2: Daisensha to Shippodan (Square Enix)
-DSpeak (Nintendo)
-Dust & Shadows (Neko Entertainment)
-Europa Universalis II (Pocket PC Studios)
-FullMetal Alchemist: Dual Symphony (Square Enix)
-Jagged Alliance 2: Gold Pack (Pocket PC Studios)
-Jam with the Band (Nintendo)
-Jump Super Stars (Nintendo)
-Katamari Damacy DS (Namco)
-Mobile Suit Gundam Online (Bandai)
-Monster Summoner DS (Ertain)
-Monster Rancher Jamboree (Tecmo)
-Naruto: Saikyo Ninja Daikesshu 3 (TOMY)
-Naruto RPG 2: Chidori Vs Rasengan (TOMY)
-Nintendo Tetris (Nintendo)
-Pirate Battle (Orbital Media)
-Pokémon DS Diamond Version (Nintendo)
-Pokémon DS Pearl Version (Nintendo)
-Racing Gears 2 (Orbital Media)
-Scurge: Hive (Orbital Media)
-SD Gundam G Generation DS (Bandai)
-Shonen Jump's One Piece (Bandai)
-Tetris DS (THQ)
-Top Spin 2 (2K Games)
-Wizardry Astarisk: Hiiro no Fuuin (Starfish)
-Ys Strategy (Marvelous Interactive)
-Zoids Saga DS: Arcadia no Densetsu (TOMY)

Edit: I forgot Star Trek: Tactical Assault for the DS as well.

From Game Informer:
The Most Compelling feature, however, is exclusive to the DS: The unit's touch screen can be used as a command console. Using the stylus, you can control the action entirely from the lower screen, pushing buttons and moving sliders to perform functions like redirecting power to shields and firing photon torpedoes.

[Kelegacy]

Here is a great list of games for the DS, many of which I had never heard about, most of which have screen shots. The list is old, but I am sure you will find suprises on there.


Short list from GAF-Jarrod

-Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings (Majesco)
-Armored Core DS (From Software)
-Azure Dreams (Konami)
-Baten Kaitos DS (Namco)
-Black & White Creatures (Majesco)
-Boktai (Konami)
-Chinkuru RPG (Nintendo)
-Custom Robo DS (Nintendo)
-Disciples 2: Dark Prophecy (Pocket PC Studios)
-Dragon Quest Monsters series (Square Enix)
-Dragon Quest Slime Morimori 2: Daisensha to Shippodan (Square Enix)
-DSpeak (Nintendo)
-Dust & Shadows (Neko Entertainment)
-Europa Universalis II (Pocket PC Studios)
-FullMetal Alchemist: Dual Symphony (Square Enix)
-Jagged Alliance 2: Gold Pack (Pocket PC Studios)
-Jam with the Band (Nintendo)
-Jump Super Stars (Nintendo)
-Katamari Damacy DS (Namco)
-Mobile Suit Gundam Online (Bandai)
-Monster Summoner DS (Ertain)
-Monster Rancher Jamboree (Tecmo)
-Naruto: Saikyo Ninja Daikesshu 3 (TOMY)
-Naruto RPG 2: Chidori Vs Rasengan (TOMY)
-Nintendo Tetris (Nintendo)
-Pirate Battle (Orbital Media)
-Pokémon DS Diamond Version (Nintendo)
-Pokémon DS Pearl Version (Nintendo)
-Racing Gears 2 (Orbital Media)
-Scurge: Hive (Orbital Media)
-SD Gundam G Generation DS (Bandai)
-Shonen Jump's One Piece (Bandai)
-Tetris DS (THQ)
-Top Spin 2 (2K Games)
-Wizardry Astarisk: Hiiro no Fuuin (Starfish)
-Ys Strategy (Marvelous Interactive)
-Zoids Saga DS: Arcadia no Densetsu (TOMY)

Do we have any release dates, though? I'm interested in some RPG fun, but to localize some of that stuff will take at least until the fall. Which means I'll be playing console stuff until then. I don't regret buying my DS, not really, but I'd like to see a better release calendar, something that is marginally set in stone. Although, had I waited to purchase one...even waited two or three freaking weeks...the DS Lite would have been announced. Instead, right after I purchase it the redesign is confirmed. My bloody luck.

[solinari6]

It's too little too late for me. I finally traded my PSP in yesterday. Viva le DS!

[Kamalot]

Do we have any release dates, though?
I don't have any release dates aside from what you can find on the Internet. Correct me if I am wrong, but most systems only have a 2-3 month release calendar. Anything else is speculative. I'm sure that Nintendo wants people to focus on the upcoming games first. I know that Age of Empires is coming soon, Feel the Magic II, Metroid Prime Hunters and tetris (online!).

Like you, I am playing the games I already have. Animal Crossing, Mario Kart, Viewtiful joe, Sonic Rush and Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time.

I don't have enough time to play these, let alone time to get good at Matroid and Tetris for online battles!

[Kamalot]

Do we have any release dates, though?

I just took a look on IGN and they list these games coming up this and next month:

Resident Evil: Deadly Silence
Super Black Bass Fishing
Super Monkey Ball Touch & Roll
Top Gun
Super Princess Peach
Golden Nugget Casino DS
FIFA Street 2 Electronic Arts
Scurge: Hive
Metroid Prime: Hunters
Worms: Open Warfare
Tetris DS Nintendo
Harvest Moon DS
Pokemon Trozei
Tao: Mamono no Tou to Mamono no Tamago

This looks like a lot of games for the post-holiday dry spell, many of which look to be great titles too like Metroid, Tetris and Scurge.

Tao appears to be a different kind of roleplaying game where you draw the spells on the screen to activate them...

http://gba.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/tao-mamono-no-tou-to-mamono-no-tamago/683284p1.html

The game already appears to be in English, so no localization time needed.

[KidCactus]

How come you're listing DS releases in this thread?

[Kelegacy]

I just took a look on IGN and they list these games coming up this and next month:

Resident Evil: Deadly Silence
Super Black Bass Fishing
Super Monkey Ball Touch & Roll
Top Gun
Super Princess Peach
Golden Nugget Casino DS
FIFA Street 2 Electronic Arts
Scurge: Hive
Metroid Prime: Hunters
Worms: Open Warfare
Tetris DS Nintendo
Harvest Moon DS
Pokemon Trozei
Tao: Mamono no Tou to Mamono no Tamago

This looks like a lot of games for the post-holiday dry spell, many of which look to be great titles too like Metroid, Tetris and Scurge.

Tao appears to be a different kind of roleplaying game where you draw the spells on the screen to activate them...

http://gba.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/tao-mamono-no-tou-to-mamono-no-tamago/683284p1.html

The game already appears to be in English, so no localization time needed.
Princess Peach is the probably the only one I'll even look at, if reviews justify a purchase. The rest...I don't know. Most of those are destined for the crap pile, with a few exceptions of course. I've watched the reviews for DS games that have come out since or around Xmas and they've been downright abysmal. Its like developers don't even try half the time with the handhelds...they just release a product, most times licensed, and hope idiots will buy it. There should be some kind of law against ridiculously bad games.

[Metal Jesus]

I check my Gmail all the time on the PSP through the browser. Not sure if I need a full blown email client built into the PSP honestly.

[Kamalot]

There should be some kind of law against ridiculously bad games.Gawd, I wish we could regulate that...but it isn't just in the realm of handhelds...

50 Cent Game Sells More Than A Million
http://www.undercover.com.au/news/2006/jan06/20060125_50centa.html

25 to Life
http://www.gametab.com/ps2/25.to.life/2661/

Torino 2006
http://www.gametab.com/ps2/torino.2006/5077/

Tales of Legendia
http://www.gametab.com/ps2/tales.of.legendia/4000/

Shadow the Hedgehog
http://www.gametab.com/ps2/shadow.the.hedgehog/3854/

Combat Elite: WWII Paratroopers
http://www.gametab.com/ps2/combat.elite.wwii.paratroopers/3196/

All in the past few months.

It is easy to look at the turd pile for any console to point and laugh. It takes more of a man to admit that they will be interested in playing Princess Peach because of the excellent gameplay.

[51|RandoM]

For everything the PSP does, there is a device that does it better.

Regardless of that, though, new features would appear to be good news for current PSP owners.

[Kamalot]

For everything the PSP does, there is a device that does it better.My new signature. :D

[Kelegacy]

For everything the PSP does, there is a device that does it better.

Regardless of that, though, new features would appear to be good news for current PSP owners.
But as a summation of its parts and functions, the PSP is a worthy machine. I don't get how people can possibly label it as a piece of shit because it consolidates so many other electronic devices' functions into one piece of hardware. It probably doesn't do any of them better than a machine that specializes in the function, but overall the PSP is a quite capable machine. I just don't own one yet because I don't have much use for handhelds...though I still bought a DS. If my DS could do some of the things a PSP can do, had as great a screen or sleek design, I would be much happier, though.

[Kamalot]

Do we have any release dates, though? I'm interested in some RPG fun, but to localize some of that stuff will take at least until the fall.
Just found out...

"The Nintendo DS RPG Lost Magic will be getting a US release and English localization. The game’s characters were designed by Studio Ghibli’s Yoshiharu Sato who most notably worked on the iconic My Neighbor Totoro. The game will be out Stateside this spring."

http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/anime/lost-magic-to-get-english-language-make-over-153385.php

That's a quick localization time and character designs by Studio Ghibli artists. Nice.