GPS for Sony PSP coming to US

by Ross Miller { Jan 6th 2008 at 11:55PM }

The GPS receiver for the Sony PSP is about to find its way out of Japan and into US gamers' hands. According to Sony's CES 2008 page, "Your PSP will provide 2D/3D locations, driving directions, POI's, and even downloadable city guides."

No official release date or price - the peripheral in Japan retailed for approximately US $51. Of course, if you're impatient, you can always hack the PSP now.

[Via PSP Fanboy]

Tags: ces, ces-08, ces-2008, consumer-eletronics-show, gps, sony

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Organic_Shadow @ Jan 7th 2008 12:00AM

If I don't have to pay for any kind of service then count me in. If not, then I guess I'll never get on the GPS bandwagon...

Jon @ Jan 7th 2008 1:52AM

GPS receivers do not require subscription nor data plan. You only pay for the hardware and license for the maps.

Jamesology @ Jan 7th 2008 4:48AM

No it's free, I gave my GF the Map Plus PSP and it works awesome. But it was only useful back home in Japan, I've been praying for this moment when it comes to North America.

nick.bonanno @ Jan 7th 2008 12:07AM

you don't pay for GPS service. you buy a gps device and it connects to "public" satellites

LilCo187 @ Jan 7th 2008 12:09AM

lol can you imagine people driving around with PSPs mounted to their dashboards?? wowzers

B1gC72 @ Jan 7th 2008 12:28AM

...i have my PSP mounted on my dashboard. i altered an iPod dashboard mount to sit sideways and fit my PSP. i use my PSP as my primary mp3 player with a 4GB memory stick. ive been using it like that for a couple years now, its just mounted in my vent and the PSP just slips in and out of the mount.

anyway, a GPS receiver would be a welcomed addition since my PSP is already mounted. only thing would be if the GPS would fit on my PSP in the mount.....

Boostjunkie @ Jan 7th 2008 12:11AM

Why do they keep loading the PSP with crap. Mine sits in a drawer and I just bought the new model. I have a GPS, I have a phone, I have a Ipod, I'm not going to use my huge PSP for anything but games. Please make some.

ThornedVenom @ Jan 7th 2008 12:36AM

"I have a GPS, I have a phone, I have a Ipod"

=> Not everyone has all of those. You could very well end your comment with "Why are they loading the PSP with this crap of games? I already have a DS for that."

BPM64 - The Second Attack! @ Jan 7th 2008 1:28AM

Why are they loading the PSP with this crap of games? I already have a DS for that.

(I kid, I kid; I enjoy gaming on both PSP and DS)

Jon @ Jan 7th 2008 1:53AM

I have a GPS phone as well, but its 2.8" is not very useful in a vehicle (I use it for walking and cycling). A route navigator on a PSP with its huge screen will interest me.

maverick_saturn_626 @ Jan 7th 2008 4:59AM

Good for you Boostjunkie, while yours sits in your drawer, mine is made us of everyday, so I guess, one man's pain is another man's pleasure. As for games, theres more then enough, try getting out of the house and checking in your local gaming store.

t_m @ Jan 7th 2008 10:14AM

I have a phone that plays music, video and has gps built in.. why do you have a seperate GPS?

ill trooper @ Jan 7th 2008 12:12AM

Nice... And Skype announced as well? Bangin' 2008 planned for the PSP so far. Could be less stuff to carry on trips this year if this stuff works well.

FOXHOUND @ Jan 7th 2008 7:21AM

Seconded -- though as I probably said before, I'd love for them to bring over not only the camera, but more importantly, TALKMAN over to North America too. It's a great language program, easily worth the money.

JodyAnthony (death by snoo-snoo) @ Jan 7th 2008 12:14AM

if it only works on the new psp i will cry. if it works on the good ol fat psp, i will dance the dance of joy.

B1gC72 @ Jan 7th 2008 12:30AM

lol @ death by snoo-snoo

o and i hope it works on the old PSP too since i havent upgraded yet.

ThornedVenom @ Jan 7th 2008 12:37AM

Doesn't the PSP Slim have extra RAM?

Sounds gloomy.

Kristina @ Jan 7th 2008 12:14AM

I've been waiting for this for far too long. Can't wait for US maps

Fernando Rocker @ Jan 7th 2008 12:23AM

A girl? In joystiq?

Nice.

=)

ThornedVenom @ Jan 7th 2008 12:38AM

Silly Fernando, there's no such thing as girls on the internet. ;)

Hashbrown_Hunter @ Jan 7th 2008 12:23AM

Now all the US needs is the camera. And maybe a Slim-compatible headset.

Oreo @ Jan 7th 2008 12:29AM

You can now track the few other people who wasted their money on a PSP!

Hashbrown_Hunter @ Jan 7th 2008 7:03PM

If your name weren't Oreo I'd totally cuss you out.

Slayer @ Jan 7th 2008 12:36AM

I hope it works on the bigger Psp. I could make use of something like this.

ThornedVenom @ Jan 7th 2008 12:39AM

Price of PSP + Price of added GPS function = DO WANT.

Anticrawl @ Jan 7th 2008 1:05AM

Price of PSP + Price of GPS add-on = One fucking expensive GPS.

Heh then again I already have a GPS device becuase I'm directionally impared. By the way don't by the new Syphon Filter for the PSP, I feel so gyped. Shoulda just waited to waste my money on Harvey Birdman, or that new LocoRoco-esk game.

Anticrawl @ Jan 7th 2008 1:05AM

ill trooper @ Jan 7th 2008 2:29AM

Anticrawl, you're being sorta extreme... Last fall I bought a very low-end Nuvi 200 for $200... This is a $50-60 attachment for a $169 device, putting it near the same that I paid, and in the range of other low-end GPS devices (price-wise, anyway - features will of course be more of an indicator if it's actually a good value or expensive).

Jamesology @ Jan 7th 2008 4:59AM

@Anticrawl

Okay you gotta be a total idiot to buy a PSP for "only" the GPS function. Most of us would just buy a device meant for GPS, kinda like Garmin products or Tom Tom.

This GPS on the PSP is a feature, just like internet browser, music, etc. but it is meant for games. Just like when you buy a phone BUT has a features of like camera, alarm clock, GPS,and etc.. but it is STILL mainly a phone. Have it figured out yet?

maverick_saturn_626 @ Jan 7th 2008 5:02AM

Anticrawl, they are right, nobody buys a PSP for GPS alone -_-.

Its like buying a PSP for internet alone or Music.

Kristina @ Jan 7th 2008 10:31PM

Or buying a PSP for games...

MRBlue @ Jan 7th 2008 12:47AM

Since the new Skype service is only compatible with the PSP Slim chances are that the GPS will only be available on the Slim also.

With both Skype and GPS services available I may have to trade in my PSPhat.

BPM64 - The Second Attack! @ Jan 7th 2008 1:30AM

But isn't the GPS attachment as old as the camera attachment? Just that America is really late in getting them?

It should work for both models...

Worst Review Ever @ Jan 7th 2008 4:09AM

Man, get me a microwave attachment and I'm sold!

Santo @ Jan 7th 2008 4:14AM

US PSP GPS? OMG! ETA?

maverick_saturn_626 @ Jan 7th 2008 5:00AM

Hear that Americans? You will never ever get lost again!!! Now just to bring it over here Sony :)

fredrik @ Jan 7th 2008 5:38AM

wow, this is a great GAME for a GAMING console.

maverick_saturn_626 @ Jan 7th 2008 6:37AM

Its not a game :S Besides, its a handheld technically speaking, the replacement for 'walkman', so its only right they add everything to it rather then keeping it seperate, it has more then enough games :)

Robotochan @ Jan 7th 2008 6:37AM

I'm guessing that it'll come out in Europe eventually by what's on the screen of the PSP at the top of the page ;)

maverick_saturn_626 @ Jan 7th 2008 6:44AM

Big Ben ;) How are you so sure that America hasn't got a Big Ben? They have and Eiffel Tower in Vegas...

VTman @ Jan 7th 2008 9:19AM

We do have a Big Ben here...and he plays for the Steelers. Too bad he throws interceptions in the playoffs.

Robotochan @ Jan 7th 2008 1:25PM

Well the streets are also in London and on the right of Big Ben looks like the Parliment building. I could be wrong though

tc @ Jan 7th 2008 7:23AM

that title gave me a headache. Soon we'll just do away with silly things like conjunctions and verbs and start talking in coded acronyms.

GPS4SPSP->US

LaughingTarget @ Jan 7th 2008 7:49AM

Mapquest costs $0.05 it takes to print the paper out (or free if you get Internet on your cell). $50 seems pricey given the alternatives.

Erwos @ Jan 7th 2008 8:29AM

Sure, and then when you miss a turn or run into heavy traffic, you're screwed. I really like the idea of using my PSP as a combination navigation and AV device for the car, especially for longer trips.

James @ Jan 7th 2008 8:34AM

I might get this if the price is right. I don't have a Tom Tom myself and pops will never lend me his Tom Tom 910.

Then again even my PSP slim is frakkin huge and won't be much good on a hike.

Kspraydad @ Jan 7th 2008 9:12AM

Tom Tom 910

Weight (most important when hiking) = 12 oz

PSP Slim

Weight 6.7 oz + GPS attachment .75 oz = 7.55 oz

Your point was?

James @ Jan 7th 2008 9:45AM

LOL oh right, judging by the sites you post on I shouldn't have expected any other answer really! GO SONY! :rolleyes:

Kspraydad @ Jan 7th 2008 10:11AM

James...

The sites I post on (I'm assuming you are only going by Kspraydad and not any of my other IDs) is irrelevant to the fact that the PSP GPS is a great add on for those that already own a PSP and that the PSP+GPS is lighter than the Tom Tom you mention. If, for instance, you had mentioned any of the other GPS systems that weigh LESS than the PSP+GPS (see here: http://reviews.cnet.com/4566-3430_7-0.html?tag=brdcrmb) I would not have commented.)

Are there OTHER features that make a TOM TOM better at GPS than a PSP+GPS combo?...absolutely, but NONE of those have anything to do with hiking which is the function you raised.

AFAIK weight is one of the most important factors in determining weather to bring an item hiking or not.

Have an awesome day.

James @ Jan 7th 2008 9:43AM

I don't care weight. I care for size. If I were to use a PSP GPS I'd need a new bag to accomondate the very thin, very long PSP.

Plus no touchscreen so hello slow controls...
And poor battery life.

Time to get a small handheld Tom Tom me thinks.

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