PSP Go! (PSP2)

[CA5]

And for the latest addtion to the PSP2 rumour library:

Originally Posted by Kotaku

Details of Sony's oft-rumored revision to its PlayStation Portable may have been leaked a little earlier than the company was expecting, as chatter of the PSP Go! appears to have leaked a few days early.

According to the initially uploaded most recent episode of the "at1UP" podcast, Sony will soon be announcing the PSP Go!, with some of the web site's staff having already seen the device. The podcast describes the new hardware iteration as having "slide out" or "flip out" controls—presumably in the style of —as well as a larger screen.

The biggest point of contention among 1UP staffers appeared to be the name of the new hardware, lightly derided as "PSP Go exclamation point."

That episode has since been edited to remove mention of the PSP Go!.

If true, the description of the new hardware appears to jibe with previous rumored mentions of the "PSP-4000" which is allegedly planning to drop the system's UMD drive in favor of internal storage. With more and more PSP games going digital download only—and additional loose talk of in-store kiosks that would allow gamers to rip UMD games to a storage device—that particular rumor is starting to look more feasible.

Sony itself surveyed PlayStation fans on what features they'd like to see in a new PSP earlier this year, hinting at the possibility of built-in storage, a touchscreen interface and built-in keyboard.

The arrival of the new PSP hardware is expected to hit before the holidays, according to reports.

"We haven't announced any new PSP hardware and can't comment on rumors or speculation," an SCEA rep told Kotaku when reached for clarification.

Thanks to PJ and Mr. Wednesday for the heads up.

Update: 1UP has published its story on the new PSP, indicating that the new, UMD-less hardware will ship this Fall in Japan and North America, with Sony bringing 100 PSP titles to the PlayStation Store. The site also has an artists' rendition of what the new PSP Go! may look like.

Source.

Yeah, I think that's pretty much confirmed it

[Mdkcheatz]

Can't wait to see pics... so does this mean they will be including internal flash cards like the iPod Touch?

[CA5]

Well according to the Gizmodo article:

Originally Posted by Gizmodo.com

They further claim the PSP Go! will boast 8GB or 16GB of internal storage, because the handheld will be doing away with Sony's UMD format in favor of downloadable games.

Source.

It does seem pretty close to the iPod Touch, aye. Even the downloadable game thing does. Sadly, I see this more as desperation, though.

[SaxCatz]

'Nuff said.