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Invizimals was one of the biggest surprises for us at E3. Shown only behind closed doors, we were captivated by its unique camera-based, Pokemon-inspired gameplay. It felt "magical," and we think you'll agree once you see this story trailer. As you can see, these critters are real, only visible through the PSP camera. But what if the energy of these invisible animals could be weaponized? Terrifying, isn't it? As the trailer shows, this is serious, Academy Award-winning stuff. You will not witness truer human drama.

There's yet another game coming out that will take advantage of the PSP camera beyond Invizimals. SCEE announced Eye of Judgment will make its way to the PSP, and will be playable at GamesCom. Originally a PS3 game, Eye of Judgment allows players to use real trading cards in a dueling game not unlike Yu-Gi-Oh!. The creatures printed on the cards are detected by the camera and rendered on-screen in 3D. While unconfirmed, the PSP version is likely to operate in the same way.

We do have a few questions regarding the PSP version of Eye of Judgment. For example, will PSP owners be able to use the same cards from the PS3 version? Will PSP owners be able to compete online against PS3 owners? Hopefully, all will be answered later at GamesCom.

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)

SCEE has put a name to the BT-developed software that will enable a suite of VoIP functionalities on PSP: Go!Messenger. The Go!Messenger XMB application will be installed with a future firmware update due in January (or downloaded separately), enabling European PSP users to instant message each other using a redesigned virtual keyboard (we're still waiting on a physical QWERTY pad to materialize). In addition, the PSP headset and Go!Cam can be used for voice and video chat.

Go!Messenger has been developed in conjunction with BT, the UK's leading telecommunications and broadband internet provider, which services more than 170 countries. Initially, Go!Messenger will only be available in select European territories and will remain limited to Wi-Fi hotspot availability. No plans to expand the chat services beyond BT's jurisdiction have been announced.

UK telecommunications operator BT has developed software for PSP that will enable Sony's handheld to call other participating PSPs and some BT phones in the UK, and eventually PCs, landlines and other cellies in as many as 100 additional countries. Using the Go!Cam peripheral (currently scheduled for a UK release on May 25), the service will utilize BT's 21 Century Network, which has been designed for IP technology -- supporting both voice and video calling. BT plans to reveal further details during the Leipzig Games Convention in August, but the service's initial launch will be limited to UK calls to and from home or BT-operated wireless hotspots (there are roughly 2,000 scattered in and around airports, train stations, hotels and fast food joints in the UK).

BBC recalls that Nintendo was the first to has also attempted to transform a portable gaming device into a clunky, crippled phone, revealing DSpeak in 2005, which enabled Mario-mimicking VoIP calls -- but the application was never released. Still, with a headset, DS users can make calls to friends while both are playing VoIP-compatible games like Metroid and Pokémon.

Update: PSP games like SOCOM Fireteam Bravo also support player-to-player VoIP communication via a headset.

[Via Engadget]

Hot on the heels of their PlayStation Eye announcement (but eons after the product's Japanese launch) Sony has announced the launch date for the long-time-coming PSP camera, now dubbed the Go!Cam, for Europe and PAL terrirotories. Like with the Eye, we expect a North American date to trickle out any minute now. But back to what we know: the Go!Cam will sell for €49.99 (that £34.99 for the UK, or about $68 US), comes with a built-in microphone just like its big brother, is bundled with Go!Edit, "an editing software package which allows users to save and edit photos, video and audio clips" (Game 3.0 here we come!), and is due to hit Europe on May 16th.

... of this year.

Months after the initial Japanese release, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe is finally announcing the release of Go!Cam, the PSP camera. The video and photo camera will release on May 16th and will retail for €49.99 (£34.99). Go!Cam has a built in microphone and the ability to change the direction of the camera lens vertically by 180 degrees. The European equivalent of Chotto Shot appears to be Go!Edit, an application which allows users to edit their photos and videos.

''Go!Cam is fantastic news for all those PSP owners looking for something new, fun and creative," said Stephane Hareau, PSP Marketing Manager, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. "With Summer around the corner and the ability to turn your PSP into a mini camcorder and capture all the best moments in your life, this is yet another reason to get a PSP and to take advantage of truly portable entertainment. It demonstrates yet again the potential, versatility and evolving nature of PSP.''

No American release has been announced yet.