SolveYourProblem Article Series: Sony Playstation, TV's & Other Products
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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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