Video: How to use Skype on your PSP
by Justin McElroy 
{ Jan 31st 2008 at 12:00PM }
If Skype's a good enough program for us to use to lovingly craft the auditory (and often olfactory) experience that is the Joystiq Podcast, it should be good enough for you to use for any communication purpose. But we understand that some of you may need a primer with how to get the thing running on your PSP and we've got SCEA marketing dude John Koller leaping to your aid.
After watching the video and seeing Kolller with the full set-up, there's one question we still can't answer: We're down with Skype calling, but is there a way we can avoid looking like complete tools in the process?
After watching the video and seeing Kolller with the full set-up, there's one question we still can't answer: We're down with Skype calling, but is there a way we can avoid looking like complete tools in the process?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
someshow @ Jan 31st 2008 12:19PM
Meh.....
Yeah it is pretty cool that the PSP can use Skype.....
But it seems more like a thing that is only because you got it to work.
Like putting Linux on a PS2, sure you can do it, and thats pretty cool.
But is it useful? not really, (unless your always near free wifi)
It's just not that useful.
loungemonkey @ Jan 31st 2008 12:34PM
Yeah I dont ever see myself using this. And having an old PSP helps in that vision.
DangerMouse @ Jan 31st 2008 1:10PM
Agreed, and it looks like a pain in the ass to set up. First go to skype icon, then log into the wifi, then go to profile, then blah blah blah. The PSP has always been sluggish when accessing programs or whatever. And of course, more of the shitty PSP user interface. Punching in names with the gamepad blows. Makes a touch screen all that much better.
required @ Jan 31st 2008 2:04PM
here is a review:
http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2008/01/skype_for_the_psp_review_it_is_good.html
ill trooper @ Jan 31st 2008 2:15PM
Wrong, guys, wrong. It's as easy to set-up as any IM service. A little more complicated if you want to add Skype In or Skype Out, features that you have to pay for, but allow you to call regular phone lines or receive calls on a regular phone number that you pick.
Here's a good example of how I used Skype before on my laptop: Stay in hotel in Tokyo, log on to wifi in room, call girlfriend back in New York on her mobile phone. Hmmm. No answer... leave her a voice-mail: "Hey it's me, call me back on my office number [I use my Skype In number for my office, since it basically follows me whenever I log into Skype; it's a regular NYC area-code number, like any phone line] and a few minutes later, a ringing sound eminates from my laptop, I answer, and we talk for a while for drastically lower cost than using standard phone lines. But it's convenient since she's using a 'standard phone line' (her mobile phone) back in NYC, and I'm reachable at a single phone number anywhere in the world, as long as I'm logged in to Skype.
So, yeah, I like Skype and I'm installing it right now on my PSP.
BUT... I'll repost what I wrote about it yesterday, about the mic:
"Now, see, if they had just put a mic on the damn thing (like the DS has) you could hold the thing up to your head like a phone without the need for a 'compatible headset and mic' and do some crazy SIDETALKIN', 2008-style."
So, if this comes out for the DS, I'll use that instead. Smaller unit, built-in mic.
someshow @ Jan 31st 2008 12:22PM
At least there is no side talking involved.
http://www.sidetalkin.com/page-1.html
It is also more useful than the Nintendo DS Emulator on PSP.
Fernando Rocker @ Jan 31st 2008 12:23PM
A feature that only like 1% of PSP users will use... really.
Maybe they should have invested the money in create good games, you know, like the DS.
loungemonkey @ Jan 31st 2008 12:33PM
Good god Fernando....still the same old automatic response.
What an idiot.
Shattercross @ Jan 31st 2008 12:49PM
You enjoy your shitty Nintendo 64 and Super Nintendo hand me downs, Fernando.
borland502 (SDF - Macross Ring) @ Jan 31st 2008 12:49PM
Fernando,
The PSP has an install base over 25 million. Do you think it would have gotten that far if it had been a DS clone? Those extra features you deride are what makes it sell even when games aren't plentiful.
I know you rank Sony as somewhere in the neighborhood of Satan as far as evil; however, you don't have to like or admire a device to occasionally acknowledge that it has found a market. Don't worry, you can also incessantly bring up that it is being outsold by the DS.
Why did you buy a 360, unless the Wii couldn't, hmm, satisfy some need?
Noshino @ Jan 31st 2008 12:58PM
Fernando,
Unlike the DS, the PSP does much more than JUST play games, and Skype is a great functionality
"Maybe they should have invested the money in create good games, you know, like the DS."
and I thought the average rating of games for PSP was graeter than the one for DS, silly me...
FrankTheCrank @ Jan 31st 2008 1:05PM
Seriously Fernando....give it up.
Your hate consumes you to the point where you have to post on anything Sony related, even when you don't own anything Sony. I'm sure you were rocking the PS1 and PS2 back in the day.
And Joystiq...we get it already, you guys hate Sony...Sony can't do anything right. Sure...sure...let's all go out and buy 360's and XBL Gold accounts. Sure...like sheeples. Teh Haloz...
Co @ Jan 31st 2008 1:15PM
Let me state that I'm just as big a Nintendo Fanboy as Fernando....and I absolutley cannot stand the kid. AND he owns a 360 so that makes the fire burn even bigger.
TWIMTBP @ Jan 31st 2008 1:48PM
I think this guy posts nonsense/flame baits because he clamors for attention. Thats sad. Just ignore him.
required @ Jan 31st 2008 1:54PM
the PSP has as many if not more games than the DS
the PSP has more critically acclaimed games than the DS
so stop bashing the system, heck the PSP can even play flash games for free, see:
http://www.psponme.com/list_psp.asp?cat=Arcade
ThornedVenom @ Jan 31st 2008 10:04PM
Whether your comments are extremely insightful, whether they're abysmal.
Mark my words: the next generation of DSes will have some sort of VOiP functionality (not necessarily Skype, but perhaps something with Friend Codes, like for Pokemon).
Jerk Face @ Jan 31st 2008 12:33PM
So let me tell you what's gay:
How whatever site that video is from (and there has been others recently as well) automatically starts playing when you cursor goes over it.
Which isn't great, when you're at work.
I guess I shouldn't be on here at work anyway, but, you know. It still sucks.
Jerk Face @ Jan 31st 2008 12:37PM
Even worse is how I can't seem to get it to do that again, now, even though it's happened multiple times before.
*sigh*
Damn it.
borland502 (SDF - Macross Ring) @ Jan 31st 2008 12:54PM
Hah, well here's the scoop. Don't have speakers turned on and you'll only ever need to worry about someone standing over your shoulder.
teh_7lip @ Jan 31st 2008 12:45PM
oh, i'm definately going to use it. but i can't say im too happy about the fact to use it i will have to buy the psp remote w/ headphones AND a headset [aka 50 dollars canada from what ive researched]
because god forbid that sony released that "skype headset" the day the new FW launched ;)
NATO_Duke @ Jan 31st 2008 12:38PM
Im sticking with good ol cell phone usage. Cool that they made the feature available, but it just doesn't seem worth it to mess with.
Leilock @ Jan 31st 2008 12:45PM
I've been looking for a way to get on Skype, I really like the idea of sticking it to the man, and saving minutes. Plus it's easily as good as using Ventrillo, Teamspeak or even chat on Xbox Live, but it's very cross platform. It's a neat addition, if you can get your friends off AOL/MSN/GoogleTalk/Jabber and on the network.
darkeyez @ Jan 31st 2008 12:48PM
no thanks, sony. my cellie works just fine.
DangerMouse @ Jan 31st 2008 12:54PM
"We're down with Skype calling, but is there a way we can avoid looking like complete tools in the process?"
No.
But i'll call you later, so we can play socom together.
LongshotX @ Jan 31st 2008 1:11PM
Is Skype really that big of a deal? Can someone explain?
Ben @ Jan 31st 2008 5:44PM
Other than sounding cool, I, personally, would have no practical use for having Skype on my PSP (not that I own one...)
Kizzle @ Jan 31st 2008 1:24PM
The headset/headphone piece looks fairly generic, I assume I could use one I already have. However, that white cord that connects to the PSP looks awfully proprietary...anyone know if there's a non-Sony cheaper solution to that one? I just bought a Slim last week so I'm not up on all the accessories.
dvdguy @ Jan 31st 2008 2:48PM
No side talking, no sale.
Ben @ Jan 31st 2008 5:42PM
I want a video on How Not To Use Skype on Your PSP. Could be something like that show (if anyone remembers it...) Trigger Happy TV, where the guy would walk around with the huge phone, yelling into it in the most amusing places. Would be good for a laugh.
janes @ Jan 31st 2008 8:57PM
For one thing why do so many people comment on this if they don't even have a PSP?
Why do they even care? If you Own a PSP and have for some time then you will absolutely regard the addition of SKYPE to the PSP as a good thing. especially if you are a skype user.
I am a skype user. I have had a PSP from day one and I now have the new version.
I even wend out and BLEW the $50.00 just so I could make skype calls in my PSP. Why you might ask...Yes I have a cell phone and a landline too. So what?
I will tell you why. Neither of those phones allow me to call me buddies on the other side of the world for virtually nothing. PSP TO PSP Calls are FREE. If you are set up for it.
If you are 13 years old and have nothing to your name except for smelly socks I understand that you don't need or want SKPYE or even have a PSP.
AS TO THIS STUPIS psp vs ds BALONEY... I have both machines.
IMHO they are really set up so differently that I really enjoy them both very much.
One thing is for sure is that The graphics available to PSP games is WAY WAY better than the DS. The ability to play movies is very nice on the PSP. I know there are ways of watching movies on the DS but frankly they don't compare. The DS has lots of cool games but their dynamics is very different to the PSP which with it's huge screen plays games like Burnout or ridge racer so well remember the graphics on your old PS ONE? Well we have that much power in our PSP's. It is really true.
Not that the DS doesn't have some great features. The touch screen is genius. Anyway the point is Both machines have their place and I dont many of you haters of either would turn one down if given to you with 5 or 6 games.
Back to the skype software. Skype is a good solid communications software you can call just about any phone world wide. Not much use to those of you who don't have any friends over seas but if you do it is great. You can all your buddy on his PSP too. It is cool.
Anyway Chill out you silly haters.
Yaesumofo
Jamesology @ Feb 1st 2008 2:20AM
It's funny when they insult how the PSP has all these functions. Then when they heard the DS is getting a web browser they increased the bashing of the PSP's web browser until they actually started using the DS Opera browser and realized it's not usable. Then it restarted again with the Seg1 TV and the MP3 cartridge.
Then when all else fails they bring up the games subject. And makes me wonder why Mercury and Monster hunter is coming on the Wii.
hvnlysoldr @ Feb 2nd 2008 7:43PM
Money printing?
Jamesology @ Feb 4th 2008 4:34PM
Yeah it does print money, I got sucked into buying a Wii. That was a bad purchase! The Wii is a piece of junk. It's a fad that will last for only a week.
As for my DS, I never leave home without it. One of the best investments I ever made. So far I own three DSLites, Black, Yellow(pika edition), and Crimson. The difference between the Wii and the DS is that I can actually play the DS by myself and have fun for hours.
Dan @ Feb 5th 2008 10:48AM
Ok this would be cool if the psp was like a mobile wimax device since it would always be connected to wireless internet.
If sony could make some sort of wimax usb antenna it would make all the functions of the psp A LOT more useful.
Wifi and the Hotspot Idea just isn't in enough locations for it to be reliable, especially if your using your psp as a phone.
I have everything the psp can do including location free, remote play and now the skype connectivity and I find myself only able to use any of them when Im at home which defeats the purpose. Yaaay im wireless at home..... yay.
Dan @ Feb 5th 2008 11:06AM
I dont think there is a third party psp 2000 controller sony needs to make their cash just like everyone else they even make you buy this new version cause of the in/out jack the new psp has the old version doesn't work.
I'm sooo glad the old headset still works and actually the new controller is a better design I would have to say
Johnny @ Jul 16th 2009 9:30AM
Your are right Sony accessories are too costly i suggest that you should take your PSP to the market and search for the required headphone i am sure that you will found the matching headphone jack for your PSP............
http://www.electrocomputerwarehouse.com