Rumor: Playstation-based cell phone?

by Kyle Orland { Sep 6th 2006 at 9:30AM }

Evidence is mounting that Sony is at least looking into the possibility of adding cell phone functionality to the PlayStation Portable, or adding PlayStation-branded content to other cell phones.

The first clue came last week when Sony Computer Entertainment corporate executive Izumi Kawanishi admitted in an interview with Japan's Nikkei BP (translated by IGN) that using the PSP as a cell phone was "a possibility" that he is personally interested in. Of course this idle chatter is far from anything official, but the idea seems like a natural progression for a system that will soon be able to do everything from playing movies to taking photos.

Then, early this week, CNet Asia noticed that Sony Ericsson Senior VP Rikko Sakaguchi mentioned at a conference that the company "is working on something" with regards to a PlayStation phone, but that "the surprise must be kept for the future." Again, nothing even close to official, but considering that classic Playstation games will soon be downloadable to the PSP, could cell phone emulation be in the cards as well?

(Pictured: an existing skin for the i330 cell phone, not meant to represent any sort of actual Playstation phone)

Read -- Kawanishi interview on IGN
Read -- CNet Asia Blog post

Tags: cellular, phone, playstation, PSP

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

dsub @ Sep 6th 2006 9:37AM

the PSP would be the bulkiest cell phone ever. Yuck. Bad Idea.

A new cell phone made by sony ericcson that carried the playstations name and specialized in playing games would work if designed properly. i.e., it still needs to look like a phone, going the path of the nGage is a bad idea.

Gabriel @ Sep 6th 2006 9:45AM

If Sony makes a CELL phone I think one of the keys won't work, then.....

Ste @ Sep 6th 2006 9:46AM

Well Sony Ericsson have Walkman phones which focus on the music player and a Cybershot phone which focuses on the camera, so a Playstation phone which focuses on the games would make sense if they continue with that approach. Then they can rename their Px00 series of smartphones to Vaio phones and they'll have the whole line covered.

OOOOPs @ Sep 6th 2006 9:52AM

PSP would most likely have Skype functionality much like their MyLo communications device. I dont think even Sony is dumb enough to try to integrate cellular functionality in PSP.

PlayStation branded SE phone makes more sense; they've cross branded very successfully with CyberShot and Walkman.

Overall, its easier and more profitable to sell a phone with PlayStation abilities rather than a PSP with cellular functionality. Theres a big difference.

.ed @ Sep 6th 2006 9:56AM

not happening, its a more gaming centric phone line as an evolution of the w550/600 line.

nothing to do with playstation.

32_Footsteps @ Sep 6th 2006 10:04AM

Now, I know it would be much more elegant than the Ngage, but I can't help but get the image of someone sidetalking with their PSP. In honor of the original Ngage's shape, I might just have to call the PSP El Taco Dos.

As for how good it could be... given how ridiculous some cell phones are in shape and price, a PSP cell phone isn't any worse than so many of the phones I see in various stores already.