Slim PSP to get Skype functionality late January

by Griffin McElroy { Jan 6th 2008 at 5:45PM }

Many game companies have already proven that you can't make good games on mobile phones -- in a few weeks, Sony will find out if the reverse is also true. With a late January software patch to the new PSP Slim, the Skype service will be accessible through the handheld. The press release we received from Sony didn't specify exactly why PSPhat isn't compatible with the service -- probably because it would try to eat any microphone attachment that tried to plug into it. Fatty.

For those not in the know, Skype is a voice chat program with nearly 250 million registered users worldwide. Any Skype user accessing the program from the PSP can chat with another user free of charge -- however, for a fee, the SkypeOut and SkypeIn features allow users to make and receive calls to and from regular phones.

Sony hasn't done a great job of keeping this news under their belt, but regardless, we're intrigued to see exactly how well the service will work on the handheld. We'll make sure to keep you updated when more details arise.

Tags: BreakingNews, Phone, PSP, PSPSlim, Skype, Sony

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Matt @ Mar 3rd 2008 1:01PM

I use Skypes because my family lives on the opposite side of the world and I love free content so I was very excited when I heard abot Skype on PSP... Unfortunately I paid more for the older psp and it's not an option... I hope Sony realizes the mistake they have made.

Mr. G @ Jan 6th 2008 5:52PM

And so, all Handheld game devolopers suddenly had N-Gage flashbacks and instantly dropped all PSP support.

Evan @ Jan 6th 2008 5:53PM

"Many game companies have already proven that you can't make good games on mobile phones"

You do know the PSP isn't a phone right...?

Smoke_Dawg_187 @ Jan 6th 2008 6:01PM

Is anyone going to complain about how Sony has fractured its user base by offering capabilities that aren't available on another SKU?

I have the old PSP, but Skype isn't worth an upgrade.

CONFUSEDgam3r @ Jan 6th 2008 6:08PM

Ummm...did you know they did this with the "video out" capabilities too? The user base is not fractured because both PSPs do what most people would buy them for: play games. Now not everyone can afford to upgrade to the new Slim but for those who do, hey, now you get Skype.

I wonder if they will be releasing the PSP Microphone that came with Talkman and the Go! Cam now? I really hope so!

Hashbrown_Hunter @ Jan 6th 2008 6:55PM

Yeah the argument you're trying to make doesn't only apply to the PSP, but to the 360 and PS3 and the DS and even the PS2. All of these have introduced new SKUs with different features.

You don't have a problem with the PSP. You have a problem with the console manufacturers.

BPM64 - The Second Attack! @ Jan 6th 2008 10:38PM

Uh, what's different between DS and DS Lite? The latter has better backlighting, but that's it. No new actual FEATURES. There's nothing on DS Lite that's incompatable with DS, and vice versa.

Maurice M @ Jan 7th 2008 4:57AM

Didn't they remove some GameBoy support with the DSlite?

Smoke_Dawg_187 @ Jan 8th 2008 12:11AM

You're such an idiot Hashbrown Hunter

ThornedVenom @ Jan 6th 2008 6:15PM

I consider this as good news in general. Anyone flaming this down doesn't like free additional content.

Trickob @ Jan 6th 2008 8:21PM

you know, at first I didn't agree because I think this particular service is pretty pointless for anyone who owns a cell phone (or a walky-talky). However, with as little respect as the PSP gets compared to say, I don't know, the Nintendo DS, its nice to see that Sony is actually putting a little effort into raising its neglected offspring.

ill trooper @ Jan 7th 2008 12:49AM

"I didn't agree because I think this particular service is pretty pointless for anyone who owns a cell phone (or a walky-talky)."

Well, consider what most people use Skype for - international calls and communication. I've used Skype on my home computer to talk to Skype-using clients in Brazil and Japan for free, (or at most cents per minute using the Skype Out option to call "regular" phone lines), and when I spent a week in L.A. a few months ago, I used Skype to make calls all over, and back to NYC, while working on my laptop, all while giving my cellphone bill a rest. I've used it to call my friends, clients and my girlfriend while I'm in Japan or other areas where my cellphone doesn't work but the hotel or friend's house has WiFi... And no matter where I am, my phone number that I got with the Skype In feature is consistant. My friend used it to communicate with his work via his laptop while he was traveling all over Europe last summer.

It's a great service but it can be difficult to understand the benefits until you actually try it and put some money down for Skype In/Skype Out features like a phone number and voicemail... I am really looking forward to this on my PSP. I just got back from a trip where I didn't take my laptop, but did have my PSP, and this would have been useful to avoid all the international roaming charges I'm probably about to get hit with when my phone bill comes!

Jonah Falcon @ Jan 6th 2008 6:20PM

What about games?

Me @ Jan 6th 2008 6:39PM

What about them? There are plenty good fun games out there for the hand held with more coming.

Hashbrown_Hunter @ Jan 6th 2008 6:46PM

God I hate it when people take shots at the PSP saying there are no good games. Go look at PSP Fanboy's Best Of 2007 Awards and you'll see the PSP has a solid library of games.

These potshots are more annoying than Delaystation jokes.

Hashbrown_Hunter @ Jan 6th 2008 6:48PM

This is definitely a great feature to create more consumer interest for the PSP. See?

This is how Nokia should've done it. Game system comes first, phone comes second.

Nate @ Jan 6th 2008 6:56PM

the service will undoubtedly get hacked and become available for Pat PSP's...

Hashbrown_Hunter @ Jan 6th 2008 7:05PM

Well it would be tough but yeah I could see it happen. The PSP Homebrew scene is amazingly good at that kind of stuff.

Jerk Face @ Jan 6th 2008 7:47PM

Cool?

WhatIsThatThing @ Jan 6th 2008 9:53PM

I don't think you can make mobile phones on good games.

GRANTED @ Jan 7th 2008 9:08AM

i see what you did there but it was a cheap shot

Slaziman (B-B-BRUSHED WITH FAAAAME) @ Jan 7th 2008 12:01AM

But this would most likely require you to be connected to a Wi-Fi hotspot, making it near useless. Still cool though, who doesn't like free additions?

Maurice M @ Jan 7th 2008 5:01AM

The PSPhat already has a mic. It came out within the first few months of the system, but barely anything supports it. I was never into online gaming with a handheld (what few PSP titles seemed to support infrastructure anyway) so I never bought it. It's out there though, so I'm pretty curious as to why Skype couldn't be done on the older units.