PSP “Lite” Announced: TV out and added RAM among new features
Kaz Hirai took the stage at the Sony press conference on July 11 to announce that the company is, indeed, planning a sucessor to the current PSP design. Some of us at PVG did a double take when we first saw the new device, because of its similarities to the original model. Upon closer inspection, however, the updated model offers some important upgrades. Perhaps the biggest new feature is the addition of TV-out, which will allow users to play games, movies and other content back on a large-screen television using composite or component cables. The demonstration provided during the press conference (which featured footage from Spider Man 3) looked impressive and clear on the large display. So far there has been no demonstration of the visual quality of games on the big screen, but this is a heck of a lot more convenient than some of the crude work-arounds we have seen.
Elsewhere, the new PSP gets a slight aesthetic overhaul, losing 33% of its thickness and 19% of its front profile. The new system loses the two “bulges” on the back of the machine, and is now covered in all-over gloss finish, which looks great even if it makes it even more of a fingerprint magnet. The unit will feature an upgraded battery that Sony executive Jack Koller promises will provide between 8-10 hours of life. An important feature that is not immediately visible upon inspection of the unit is that it has been re-engineered to provide faster load times, something that has been a headache for some PSP owners. Thanks to the addition of more on-board RAM, the device can now stream information more efficiently from UMD, helping the system to further reduce power consumption.
The PSP “lite” will be available in North America in September. An entertainment pack featuring a 1 GB memory stick, Daxter and the Family Guy Collection UMD will ship for $199.99. A second special PSP bundle will feature Star Wars themed artwork and will include Battlefront: Renegade Squadron for the same price. We would love to hear what readers think about this new redesign: Is it exciting enough to deserve another purchase, and is it slick enough to tempt people who have never owned a PSP?
Posted in Industry News, PSP News |
July 18th, 2007 at 1:01 am
[...] Here are some less important improvements (yes, I am being slightly sarcastic, but only slightly) being made to the PSP for September’s release : (for a more in depth look at the new and improved features, head on over to Portable Video Gamer) [...]
September 12th, 2007 at 8:04 am
i will defo buy one cause its video output is the main new feature, it will be great playing games and movies of the psp on a larger screen.
sony are the best!!!!!!!!
November 8th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
[...] I knew Fluffy wanted to buy the Slim & Lite PSP upon knowing that unlike it’s fatter version, it has a TV out (like Appie). What I didn’t know was his motives were exactly the same as mine. [...]