SolveYourProblem Article Series: Sony Playstation, TV's & Other Products
What's So Cool About Sony?
PSP
– Sony’s Portable Gaming Unit
Following the overwhelming success of the
Playstation video gaming console, Sony, in typical fashion,
moved forward with a new and improved generation of the beloved
machine. The PSP--Sony’s newest portable gaming unit—provided
game-crazy people with a means to exercise their thumbs anywhere.
First, it’s helpful to learn a little about the company that
has helped to imagine a world of portable entertainment. Sony
opened the door to entertainment for many people with its first
invention—the transistor radio. The radio brought rock and
roll to the ears of youth in the 1960s. Sony continued to innovate
ways for people to carry their entertainment with them with
the introduction of the Walkman and Discman. The multinational
entertainment powerhouse is also world-renowned for its television
and personal recording technology.
The Playstation
Portable, officially called the PSP, is a
handheld video gaming console that was invented by Shin'ichi
Ogasawara and developed and manufactured by Sony’s Computer
Entertainment division. Sony’s newest portable gaming unit
was released in Japan in December 2004 and in the United States
in March 2005. The revolutionary system is more than a video
game console—it allows users to watch videos, listen to music,
upload and view photos, browse the Internet, and, obviously,
play video games.
Sony’s PSP is available in the United States in one of four
forms: the Value Pack, the Core Pack, and the Entertainment
Pack. The Core Pack, which retails for $199, includes the console,
a battery, and an AC adapter. The Value Pack includes all these
features plus a 32 MB memory stick, remote-controlled earphones,
a protective case, and wrist strap. The cost for the Value
Pack in the United States is $249. The Entertainment pack,
at a price of $299, includes copies of movies and a larger
1 GB memory stick. Sony also offers PSP users a range of accessories,
from a headset, carrying case, and extended-life battery to
a battery charger, remote control headphones, and AC adapter.
Despite its audio and visual capabilities, Sony has differentiated
its PSP from MP3 players by focusing on gaming-related controls.
Like Sony’s non-portable Playstation model, the PSP uses triangle,
cross, and square buttons, along with start and select buttons,
a digital four-directional pad, and an analog joystick to interact
with gamers.
Furthering the PSP’s market, Sony introduced expanded capabilities
for is portable console in March 2006. Designers plan to release
a camera and GPS attachment. The GPS attachment will support
GPS-centered video games and should be priced around $54. The
Quick Shot camera attachment will allow for new video and VoIP
chat services, in addition to allowing users to take photos.
It is anticipated to cost $44.
Sony’s newest PSPs are also configured to allow for wireless
network connections. The wireless feature allows consumers
to search the Internet and connect to other PSP consoles. This
advancement has brought gamers together around the world as
they partake in multinational, multiplayer video games. Sony’s
Location-Free Player further expands the PSP’s reach by allowing
consumers to watch television on their console via the Internet.
Interestingly, the wireless portability of Sony’s PSP has
had little effect on the popularity of the company’s non-portable
Playstation consoles. In fact, the November 16, 2006, release
of the Playstation 3 has jammed websites with consumers hoping
to pre-order the $499 to $599 device. Based on its innovative
history in the entertainment and electronics industry, there’s
no doubt that Sony’s portable Playstation will continue to
add features that excite its consumers. Most likely, Sony’s
first step will be to incorporate the Playstation 3’s latest
technology, including Blu-ray Disc and the Cell Broadband Engine.
Keep your eyes and ears open for new announcements from this
entertainment powerhouse.
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SolveYourProblem.com
: 2008
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