PSPgo is not a successor to PSP-3000. In fact, it can be termed as a console that was created to buy some time to develop a worthy successor aka the PSP2. Now VG247 has got their mitts on some info on the PSP2 and boy, it looks promising. As per their sources, some British game developers have received the console that features dual cameras, a touchscreen display, physical buttons and 3G connectivity. The processor is touted to be “f****** powerful” and is based on four-core Cell CPU.

However, for the launch, Sony is expecting it to release sometime in early 2011, probably at Gamescom or TGS conference.

[Via VG247]

Sony has never acknowledged the existence of PSP-4000 but when you have an accessory maker advertising their accessory supporting PSP-4000, it sure is bound to attract eyeballs.

Nevertheless, the ad agency that placed the ad has decided to come clean by saying that the PSP-4000 mention was nothing but a “mistake on their part”. We’re not sure what mistake were they referring to – a mention of a console that never existed or accidentally spilling Sony’s upcoming console? Remember, there’s no smoke without fire.

Don’t let your hopes about a true PSP successor die yet. Eurogamer Spain claims to have received some information related to PSP2’s graphics. Apparently, the new PSP console will house a quad-core SGX543 GPU chip, same as iPhone 3GS but will increase the peak performance of 133m polygons/sec overtaking the graphical prowess of an original Xbox.

The console will use separate cache systems for data and textures, 8 ISP PE (Image Signal Processor Processing Elements) to improve fill rate, double the performance vector shaders, will support OpenGL 2.0 and DirectX10 and allow Deferred Rendering that improves complex geometry that are masked in the final output.

It’s about time when Sony will thrash this rumor unceremoniously like other rumors.

[Via Eurogamer]

PSP related rumors don’t seem to die. This time it comes from 1up who claims to have the dope from the sources directly involved with the hardware. They say that the device will first show its face at the E3 expo, which is just over a month away and September being the likely release for Japan. US and other countries will get in October or November just before the holiday season starts.

Also, Sony has decided to drop the PSP2 or PSP-400 moniker for PSP Go! Why? That’s because Sony already had Go!Cam and Go!Video services in the past and as the new PSP is expected to have both these features, the Japanese giant has decided to stick with it.

The latest rumor also picks up few things from the previous ones – like the built-in storage and no UMD. It will have a slider form factor with no extra analog control and supposedly come in two SKUs of 8GB or 16GB storage. Another interesting tidbit is that as the UMD will make its way out, digital download services will kick in and Sony plans to keep 100 titles, old and new, for download on the launch day. PSP Go! will also have a WVGA touchscreen display.

Now, if all this is true, which I believe is, makes a lot of sense from Sony’s point of view. Sony knows that its UMD failed but they cannot drop it completely because doing that, would mean game publishers abandoning and also the 50 million plus PSPs that are already in the market will be reduced to a PMP with no new games.

Instead, their formula of success looks to be to create two different devices that will cater to different audiences. Let’s say Sony does not drastically change the hardware of PSP Go! but offer the device with aforementioned features. This would make the PSP-3000 and PSP Go! go head to head as far as gaming prowess is concerned. Now alongside Go!, if Sony outs a PSP2 or PSP-4000 that will be a step ahead in graphics and hardware with its roots stuck to PSP-1000 (UMD, no internal memory et all), they would have two handheld consoles in the market, targeting two different users – one who seeks DS like functionalities and wants fun over pure gaming can go for PSP Go! while a hardcore gamer can go for PSP2.

PS: Of course, this is totally based on assumption but the idea is pretty much plausible.

[1up via Kotaku]

When Sony called DSi a kid compared to PSP, it became somewhat certain that they are not looking the DS family as its competition. In fact, according to the latest rumor they are eyeing Apple’s iPhone which has gained respect because of its gaming capabilities.

Pocketgamer’s source tells them that the next PSP will maintain a slider form factor (which we’ve heard in the past couple of months) and will feature a large touchscreen and gaming keys along with dual analogue controls hidden beneath it.

The source also told that the handheld will make its way before Christmas to enjoy holiday sales and will have no UMD drive, which means all the games will have to be downloaded via the PSN store.

[Pocketgamer via PSPhacks]

Just to keep the excitement of PSP-4000 going, we have gathered a few more details of the next PSP iteration. Developer source of Eurogamer tells us that the screen is the same as 3000 except it slides. With the slider closed, it hides almost all the controls but Sony is exploring into making effective use of shoulder buttons. They are also working on controlling media content with the shoulder buttons itself.

In an interview with MTV Multiplayer, John Koller said that there would be resurgence in the PSP games by 2009/2010. Sony is reaching out to game developers to show them how they can benefit from the console with features like cross functionality and not porting games to PSP from other consoles. However, the time frame for the game resurrection looks very much aligned with the rumored launch of PSP-4000 that is also expected during that period.

[Via Eurogamer 1,2]

See, again we are not debating whether this will be called PSP-4000 or PSP2 but the crux is that news (rather rumors) about the updated PSP are continuing to gain momentum. According to an Acclaim dev, David Perry, PSP2 will do away with Sony’s proprietary UMD drive. Going by his credentials, his info could be right but we are not partying until Sony says it.

“I hear Sony FINALLY has the PSP 2. And thank goodness, they’ve removed the stupid battery-sucking UMD disc drive. I’m excited!” David tweeted.

[Via Kotaku]

PSP-4000 or PSP2, one thing’s for sure that it will be the successor of PSP-3000. VG247 seems to have connected with a ‘highly-trusted’ source who says that PSP-4000 will be a “complete aesthetic overhaul”. It will be based on the current PSP hardware but it won’t be known as PSP2.

Other things revealed were that the PSP-4000 will feature a sliding form factor with controls beneath the huge screen and will release sometime in December this year.

Lastly, let me tell you once again that this is a rumor and will be until Sony confirms it or rather blasts it like they did with the previous two.

[Via VG247]

So we were hearing lots of things about Sony coming out with a PSP successor in 2009, dubbed as PSP2. Well, it looks like the rumor has been crushed to death. Sony’s Director of Hardware Marketing, John Koller has confirmed to Alley Insider that Sony is no way thinking of developing the successor in the near future. Koller says the rumormongers mistook Sony’s push for digital downloads of games via the PSN store as a secret PSP2 development.

It’s just been a few months for PSP-3000 and we are hearing a new rumor about its successor. The unnamed sources told Eurogamer that Sony is already developing PSP-3000’s refresh, the PSP-4000 or PSP2.

No concrete details about the device yet but Eurogamer says that developers are already on their toes to develop games on the new console. Definitely a rumor for now, but if it turned out to be true, let’s hope we see an integrated HDD at least!

PS: Image above is not the actual picture of PSP-4000.

[Via CNET]