Posted By: wraggster
News from PSPVault
With all this talk of the Playstation 3, emulating PSOne games on the PSP, the upcoming GPS accessory, and the upcoming camera accessory, Grand Theft Auto Vice City Stories, homebrew on 2.71, and so on, it seems most of us have forgotten about some of the other plans Sony has for the PSP.
ITmedia didn't. In their most recent article covering the GPS accessory and the camera accessory, they make an important observation:
"Since the PSP camera as announced has an integrated microphone, there is a strong possibility that SCE's firmware update (version 2.90?) planned for Fall 2006 will support 'VoIP Phone.' If a 'TV Phone' function were also added, the PSP's possibilities as a digital device would expand even more."
It's not just speculation on ITmedia's part, either -- if you think back to the Playstation Business Meeting held earlier this year, you might remember that Sony outlined plans to add Voice over IP support, Memory Stick Boot, and Network support via a firmware update in October.
Thus far, Sony is sticking to their plans. The "Memory Stick Boot" certainly refers to the PSP's ability to play PSP and PS1 games via the Memory Stick, which is to be solidified with the introduction of the Playstation 3. Network support, though we're still not entirely sure, might refer to the PSP's mysterious DLNA client. You'd think Sony would publicize something like voice/video chat at Tokyo Game Show if they planned on introducing it so soon afterwards, but they have a tendency to keep rather important information a secret.
Whatever happens the next few months will be very interesting for PSP Owners.