Is the PSP Phone real? Sony isn't directly commenting on it right now, but a recent earnings call reveals one of the strangest non-denials we've ever seen. "As for the new PSP product, as mentioned, I know that you are not asking me to tell you when we will be coming out with a new product, but there is a gaming market based on [the] cellphones," a Sony VP (presumably CFO Masaru Kato) stated during the call. "It's not that we are not looking into those markets as well. We will look into those markets in trying to develop strategy for the future." Essentially, Sony isn't not making a gaming phone.
Although the Sony representative repeats that he cannot talk about specific products in development, he does note that the planning and development of the "new product ... we are making right now" would come from under a single Sony "umbrella" that combines various branches of the company -- like Ericsson and SCE. But when will we find out more about this mysterious device? "When the timing is right we can probably announce [to] you about the new product that we have."
For Sony's sake, we hope the "timing" is before Engadget gets another scoop on this not not in development phone.
Reader Comments (52)
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 3:51PM Ezio Auditore da Firenze said
@megapixel
Good thing the PSP was still a success, even if it didn't "beat" the DS.
Chances are a PSP Phone will find it's own form of success as well.
Reply
Good thing the PSP was still a success, even if it didn't "beat" the DS.
Chances are a PSP Phone will find it's own form of success as well.
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 3:53PM That Burning Sensation said
@acefondu
Why not? I will not buy an expensive phone that, by the way, plays games. I will buy a handheld gaming console that, by the way, can make phone calls.
Reply
Why not? I will not buy an expensive phone that, by the way, plays games. I will buy a handheld gaming console that, by the way, can make phone calls.
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 3:57PM Prboi said
@Ezio Auditore da Firenze
Right now, HTC runs the smartphone market & their android phones are the ones to beat. They are directly competing with Apple with their phones & so far is doing a good job. If Sony wants to do what they always seem to be doing is getting to the party late then they're going to have a rough, rough start. I know every Sony fanboy will get this day one & even smartphone lovers would probably pick it up. Unless this is released on multiple carriers then I doubt it will even make a dent
Reply
Right now, HTC runs the smartphone market & their android phones are the ones to beat. They are directly competing with Apple with their phones & so far is doing a good job. If Sony wants to do what they always seem to be doing is getting to the party late then they're going to have a rough, rough start. I know every Sony fanboy will get this day one & even smartphone lovers would probably pick it up. Unless this is released on multiple carriers then I doubt it will even make a dent
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 4:20PM SuperWoody64 said
@Prboi
I think the DroidX is the best. If they could make that with PSP game functionality I'd be interested. I was interested in the WP7 until they revealed that it's basically an iphone2 with xboxlive games.
Reply
I think the DroidX is the best. If they could make that with PSP game functionality I'd be interested. I was interested in the WP7 until they revealed that it's basically an iphone2 with xboxlive games.
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 4:35PM Xocolatl said
@megapixel
The world is a big place. Trust me, the phone market is anything but saturated. I have been in a few countries, all of which have drastic different taste in telephones.
Thailand was overrun by Blackberry, Australia is moving into the iPhone phase, and I figured Japan and the US would be very different markets as well.
One question you have to ask yourself is, will PSP phone be in the phone market, or the game market?
I have a feeling that it's aiming for the gamer market, not mobile phone market. I know my family, along with any non-gamer, couldn't care less about PSP phone. Why would they? What does the phone boast over an actual smart phone with touchscreen and apps for them? God of War on the run? Some obscure Final Fantasy title that had never seen a release in the West? No, man. It's all about gamers. And us gamers (I figure about 98.2% of us anyway) do use mobile phones. If PSP phone actually costs the same as any other phone out there, why shouldn't I get this instead?
Reply
The world is a big place. Trust me, the phone market is anything but saturated. I have been in a few countries, all of which have drastic different taste in telephones.
Thailand was overrun by Blackberry, Australia is moving into the iPhone phase, and I figured Japan and the US would be very different markets as well.
One question you have to ask yourself is, will PSP phone be in the phone market, or the game market?
I have a feeling that it's aiming for the gamer market, not mobile phone market. I know my family, along with any non-gamer, couldn't care less about PSP phone. Why would they? What does the phone boast over an actual smart phone with touchscreen and apps for them? God of War on the run? Some obscure Final Fantasy title that had never seen a release in the West? No, man. It's all about gamers. And us gamers (I figure about 98.2% of us anyway) do use mobile phones. If PSP phone actually costs the same as any other phone out there, why shouldn't I get this instead?
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 4:52PM JONNNathannn said
@acefondu A lot of people are upset that it may be a phone but if you look at the market from iPhone/iOS gaming to Xbox on Windows 7 and even the millions of downloads of Angry Birds and other games on Android, smartphone gaming is a very smart move. You don't have to like it. Millions of people will and already do.
The market is there, whether you're included in it or not.
Reply
The market is there, whether you're included in it or not.
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 4:58PM acefondu said
@JONNNathannn
I don't care if the market is there or not. I don't want a gaming phone. I refuse to pay for data plans/phone plans on a gaming device. Worst of all getting calls while I'm slaying the Kraken in God of War? One less gaming device for me to worry about buying I guess.
Reply
I don't care if the market is there or not. I don't want a gaming phone. I refuse to pay for data plans/phone plans on a gaming device. Worst of all getting calls while I'm slaying the Kraken in God of War? One less gaming device for me to worry about buying I guess.
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 9:21PM Frank the tank said
@Bumper yea and i wonder if they are still in development, the original psp looks better than this and i doubt plsystation will go this this design.
Reply
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 3:46PM Curtis17 said
Even if they don't make a phone, I dont see why they wouldn't include 3G support in whatever PSP2 ends up being (though I do believe this whole prototype thingy... of course Sony would say its a fake!). I'm surprised it hasn't been announced in the 3DS yet.
Reply
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 3:49PM Ezio Auditore da Firenze said
I can't wait!
PSP Phone, PSP2.. I'll accept either one with equal joy!
Reply
PSP Phone, PSP2.. I'll accept either one with equal joy!
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 3:51PM commenter7 said
It is real goddammit, they leaked it intentionally just to get public reactions and feedback.
Reply
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 3:51PM CrimsonRyan said
You guys are all crazy. It's clearly going to be the long rumored PSPToaster.
Reply
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 3:59PM Ezio Auditore da Firenze said
@CrimsonRyan
No, it's clearly going to be the PSPanini Maker.
Reply
No, it's clearly going to be the PSPanini Maker.
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 4:21PM SuperWoody64 said
@Ezio Auditore da Firenze
Put a batman logo on it and it'll sell millions.
Reply
Put a batman logo on it and it'll sell millions.
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 4:55PM Marco le Polo said
@CrimsonRyan
Psh, it's obviously gonna be the PSPan Duelce panaderia!
Reply
Psh, it's obviously gonna be the PSPan Duelce panaderia!
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 3:52PM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said
Me thinks the time is right at CES.....
Reply
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 3:53PM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said
Yea because it's not like SE phones have a fanbase....I mean a Walkman phone? Sheeeeesh those things sucked ass right?
Reply
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 3:55PM KazamaSogetsu said
"Right timing" being "not the same year as the 3DS or it will eclipse us completely".
Also: PSP retro-compatibility or GTFO.
Reply
Also: PSP retro-compatibility or GTFO.
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 4:10PM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said
@KazamaSogetsu oh the PSP2 will play PSP games....just most likely not UMD ones....as for a PSPhone....doubt it will play any PSP games at all....
Reply
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 4:27PM Chibi Chaingun said
@Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi
I agree. I'm thinking the PSPhone won't be playing current PSP games. It's possible they may port select titles, but that's nothing more than speculating at this point...
Reply
I agree. I'm thinking the PSPhone won't be playing current PSP games. It's possible they may port select titles, but that's nothing more than speculating at this point...
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 4:11PM stevestone said
Here's a thought. How about making the PSP2 with a higher resolution screen and two analog sticks with a physical media!!! Oh that's right I forgot, that's what we keep asking for which is why they haven't made it!!!
We have cell phones already Sony so if you're listening (lol) please do not make the next PSP a fricking phone!!!!
Reply
We have cell phones already Sony so if you're listening (lol) please do not make the next PSP a fricking phone!!!!
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 4:15PM crazedaku said
I like this idea. I have seen no reason to get a DS or PSP because it would mean carrying around something that I may or may not be able to use. I always carry my cellphone. I also happen to be in the market for a new phone, I was leaning toward the droid until I saw this. So I am extremely interested in seeing what this thing can do. Give it a 3d screen and release it shortly after the 3ds and while the 3ds is short on supply the PSP2 can take up their customers. I also think that there should be a phone version of the PSP2 and a non-phone version. Just my opinion.
Reply
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 4:16PM Ryuk said
go ahead sony, make a gaming phone, we'll see how that works out (N-Gage). Seriously, i'm not a fan. With the kind of games that the PSP has, IE: Birth By Sleep and Peace Walker, having a phone would just be a hindrance, who wants to be mid custcene in KH then get a text "HEY YOOO, whatchyu doin tonightttt?".
Reply
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 4:29PM Chibi Chaingun said
@Ryuk
I'd rather be bothered by a text from friends than carrying around another device in my pocket, tbh.
Reply
I'd rather be bothered by a text from friends than carrying around another device in my pocket, tbh.
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 4:23PM GeoffSchultz said
So they're building a time machine to go back and announce this instead of the PSPGo?
Reply
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 4:24PM Chibi Chaingun said
The only real thing that is cooler to me than the iPhone as a game platform is the real controls. I find many of the iPhone games great, at least for portable gaming. There are some heavy hitters on the PSP though, but I'm not sure that will be enough.
The big thing it has going for it (so far) are real controls and if you like PSP/Sony exclusives.
Reply
The big thing it has going for it (so far) are real controls and if you like PSP/Sony exclusives.
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 4:29PM blueskyv201 said
To be honest though, if they bundle PSP2 (whenever that comes out) with a decent Android phone, I'll buy it, even if its not perfect.
I'm willing to put up with minor annoyances (all phones have them) for an ability to play decent games on my phone. That would be the best reason to upgrade from my iPhone 3G.
Reply
I'm willing to put up with minor annoyances (all phones have them) for an ability to play decent games on my phone. That would be the best reason to upgrade from my iPhone 3G.
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 5:00PM verymetal said
Ok,
PSP2 with a 3D screen without the need for glasses, Sony should state how revolutionary this is and that it has been in development since 1990. Or, the PSP2 will have an additional touch screen with a revolutionary stylus pen which has been in development since 1980. As history will repeat itself, Sony will wait and see what Nintendo does first.
Reply
PSP2 with a 3D screen without the need for glasses, Sony should state how revolutionary this is and that it has been in development since 1990. Or, the PSP2 will have an additional touch screen with a revolutionary stylus pen which has been in development since 1980. As history will repeat itself, Sony will wait and see what Nintendo does first.
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 5:38PM TheOtherJames said
You can wait for the right timing all you want Sony, but 2009 is not going to come around again.
Reply
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 7:50PM Nook said
I think we'll be seeing two products personally. I think a PSP2 enabled phone is coming, sans UMD with access to PSN....and then the PSP2. Form factors will have to vary, I think the Go provided a hint of what to expect.
Sony isn't dumb enough to bring out the next PSP tied up with a phone exclusively.
Reply
Sony isn't dumb enough to bring out the next PSP tied up with a phone exclusively.
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