'Lifestyle' apps key to PSP's non-gaming growth

Sony has provided a peek at some of the "lifestyle" applications it has in store for PSP in FY08. The company hopes these non-gaming titles will get a PSP into the hands of – you guessed it – non-gamers. Unfortunately, they all use peripherals not currently available in the US. They've all been previously announced for European release; hopefully their inclusion in the latest business update from SCEI head Kaz Hirai points to a pending E3 announcement regarding US plans.

The lineup includes Go!Messenger, which uses the PSP camera add-on for VoIP video chat; Go!Explore, which uses the PSP GPS to ... well, it's GPS mapping software; Go!Cam, which turns the PSP into a digital camera; and, finally, Go!View, which uses the PSP antenna peripheral to turn the handheld into a wireless video-on-demand receiver. Sony is partnering with Sky in the UK for Go!View content. Sadly, our suggestion of Go!Just Go!, an application for handling difficult breakups, didn't make the cut.

Source (Warning: PDF file)

Reader Comments (25)

How about Go! get me some better games. Seriously, the US gets really gets burned compared to Japan.

Really? I've been picking up lots of fun stuff lately. Although the rest of this summer is pretty much quiet.

Not really, the system is selling there because of their insane addiction to MH, not because they have more/better games than US. We got both original games here too, it's just that they got the expansions.

Also Star Ocean 1 is coming out in September of this year, and it will be incredible. I just wish we got it earlier, because Japan already has the first 2.

Honestly, aside from Star Ocean, I haven't really envied the Japanese PSP line up.

Uh, MH was and still strong, but that isn't all that the PSP has...seriously, if you keep up with PSP news, you would know there have been some other titles that have gotten first place on sales as well...

"Honestly, aside from Star Ocean, I haven't really envied the Japanese PSP line up."

http://www.jp.playstation.com/software/?PSP=1

Are you really not jealous of all of those titles that are only available on Japan? I am

A list of games I want from Japan:

Boku no Watashi no Katamari Damacy
Daisenryaku VII Exceed
Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy in Itadaki Street Portable
Gundam Battle Tactics
Gunpey
SD Gundam G Generation Portable
I addition to some of the peripherals listed in the article above.

@Jacksons: It true that the PSP has been getting some good stuff lately but this is coming off of a (for me) two year dry spell

@Superstar90: Monster hunter is only part of the reason the PSP is popular. The other reason is that the amount of games in addition to the utility that the peripherals offer.

@superstar: Source on the SO1 release date, please? IGN is the only one saying Sept 30; Wikipedia lists RPGFan as a source but the linked article says nothing about a NA release.

Well, recently I've added MGSPO+, Crisis Core, WWE08 and God of War to my collection, and while I've completed God of war already, right now I'm still playing it alongside MH2 which I'm still addicted to. So I've personally got a lot to get through. I'm quite content.

Im surprised that they didn't have a picture of Inspector Gadget holding one of those PSPs....

You mean like this?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/sdZero/InspectorGadgetpsp.jpg

I got bored...so I made it.

Go! Die! For that little emo brat inside all of us.

It would sell like hotcakes.

Personally, I've been waiting for the psp gps to be released.

I pretty much bought my psp for just that reason. Yes, I could've bought a better gps for about the same money (got the psp for $80 off a friend) but I figured I'd get an added gaming console for it all.

yea i may pick up the GPS as well whenever it drops. i have a set up in my car that can hold my PSP anyway so i might as well. plus it will probably be cheaper than buying an outright GPS.

Maybe Go!Just Go! and it's sequel, Go!Seriously, Stop Stalking Me! will be on the DS instead - you're right, un-tapped market niche there...

As always, none of this stuff comes to America, I had a PSP GPS in my hands a couple years ago and said "Nah, I'll until summer for the american version" lol, I haven't seen another in 2 years and still no american.

This is all great Sony... But I'm getting impatient! Put out the GPS, the PS3 in-game messaging, the PS3 movie rentals, the Little Big Planet, Home, etc.

We have bought in. We are now waiting.

I picked up the PSP camera from Anime Boston and I think its a good investment it takes some pretty decent pictures for being only 1.3 megapixels

I don't know about you, but around my home there are at least 6 digital cameras of one kind or another. One of them in my phone takes photos better than the PSP camera, and I carry it with me everywhere I go. I don't need to worry about the PSP's battery, nor do I have to juggle the accessory into place when I want to snap a photo.

I can't believe the GPS hasn't been released in North America. People love GPS--doesn't matter if it has anything to do with a game (like the MGS Portable Ops tie-in in Japan). People with PSP's who are even close to purchasing a GPS unit would probably much rather drop $50 on an attachment to their PSP than hundreds on a GPS... which only does GPS.
They have the hardware & software, and I'm guessing demand. So... what? Too lazy?

Hm, you would have thought that it was the selling games part that they wanted to shore up.

Must be making a fairly handy profit on the hardware.

The problem is, for things like a GPS or a camera, there are much better and cheaper alternatives, all of which are smaller, more portable with better battery life and no expansions to juggle. Not to mention that everyone has a camera as good as the PSP version built into their cellphone.

Just because you CAN make a device multi-functional does not mean you SHOULD. Focus on doing something exceptionally well... better than the competition... before you try to be everything to everyone and fail.

Very good statement, I couldn't agree more, personally I think like mobiles, there should be a variety of PSPs, some with built in cameras with ericsson quality, some with no cam, but superb sound quality for MP3 and gaming. All of which play games.

Not to mention that by the time these products hit the USA, the first Google Android phones will be out, all of which have cameras, GPS and always-on Internet access.

(http://www.wired.com/techbiz/media/magazine/16-07/ff_android?currentPage=3)

Shopping for something? Snap a photo of the bar code and the Android phone will instantly return a Google search with information on the product including reviews, and price comparisons.

Keep in touch with friends using Commandro, a GPS-enhanced social networking app that lets you map and track your friends in real time while using the IM function to plan impromptu meet-ups on the go.

This is the kind of future we will be living in in the next year, and it makes the PSP look like a bloated, overweight has-been with a really shitty battery life.

GPS please ¬_¬

I think it is nice that they keep adding this stuff - I got to use the Skype thing some while we were relocating (saved money / minutes), and think this other stuff could be nice. I also think there are a decent amount of games for the PSP ...

'Lifestyle' apps key to PSP's non-gaming growth

Reader Comments (25)

Posted: Jun 26th 2008 10:36PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 26th 2008 10:44PM Jacksons said

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