Sony is considering a gaming/phone hybrid device as a direct competitor to the iPhone, according to Nikkei Business Daily (Via Reuters). Unless you're new to the Sony Phone rumor mill, a gaming/phone hybrid has long since been rumored to be in development, but has been denied by the Japanese hardware manufacturer.

Sony currently develops mobile devices with Swedish partner Ericsson. In early 2009, MobileToday sources claimed Sony Ericsson had pitched the idea of a PlayStation-branded phone to Sony Corp, but was denied the rights to use the trademark. The rumor went on to further claim Sony only plans to license a PlayStation phone if the company plans to make handsets independently from Ericsson. In May 2009, Sony Ericsson president Hideki Komiyama stated that his company was destined to "lose" if they did not adapt to the "new technology and new market environment" -- presumably referring to Apple's iPhone.

According to the new rumor, Sony plans to set up a project team to develop the new device, which will combine functions of the PSP and Sony Ericsson's mobile phones. A PSP phone? Just imagine how much that mythical beast would cost.

[Image Credit: Engadget]

Rumors of a PSP-infused phone (or is it a phone-infused PSP?) have been circulating since the dawn of time -- we figured if anyone would be working on this Frankenportable, it would be Sony Ericsson, the beleaguered mobile phone branch of Sony Corp. However, if a report from UK cellular phone industry news site Mobile Today proves accurate, we've been in the wrong this whole time -- according to them, Sony Ericsson was recently refused the use of the PlayStation brand by their parent company. A fairly sick burn, if true.

The story, which comes from several anonymous "sources close to the matter", claims that Sony will only license the PlayStation brand if and when Sony begins making handsets independently from Ericsson. A Sony Ericsson representative wouldn't comment on the report, but did say that "technical specs are not high enough to put such a prestigious brand on a phone."

[Via Pocket Gamer]

The PSP Phone is an urban legend. It never existed, but it's way too good to let go of. So, that brings us back to this story wherein Sony Ericsson allegedly was refused the use of the PlayStation brand name for phones despite the idea being pitched this past December. This is according to MobileToday which has cited "several sources close to the matter."

According to the source article, Sony only plans to license a PlayStation phone if the company plans to make handsets independently from Ericsson. So when's that going to happen and what do we have to do to make it happen?

[Via Engadget]

In a striking departure from the initial blueprint, the world's first "PSP Phone" has killed two birds with one stone:

• Added a working phone feature (Check!)
• Got rid of that blasted UMD drive (Check!)

We're not sure which is more preposterous: Quadrupling the size of your cell phone (and in turn, clutching a PSP to your ear), or cutting a hole in your PSP and gluing a cell phone in there? Sony, please take this as a sign that folks are getting mighty desperate for the real thing.

[Via Engadget]

Despite being an obvious consideration for Sony Ericsson, the nigh mythical "PlayStation phone" has spectacularly failed to materialize -- outside of some dodgy patent drawings. If a recent report by Marketing News is to be believed, the project's current status is up in the air, flitting between sharply dressed men sitting in a board room.

According to the publication's sources, the relationship between Sony and Sony Ericsson has become "frosty," with alleged insider conversations asserting that the gaming giant will "never give its PlayStation branding" to a cellular project. There's been some hesitance on this subject before, with Sony Ericsson's Peter Ahnegard stating, "Up until today we haven't felt we could launch a PlayStation phone because it wouldn't be recognized as a true continuation of that brand of products." Marketing News also notes that sources in Japan and Korea point to the PSP being "converted" into a phone.

Is the PlayStation-branded phone's future in flux? Is such a thing even in development? Will we have it in our mitts during Christmas 2009? This one's too confusing to call.

These PSP Phone rumors just won't go away, will they? Another one has surfaced today via UK marketing magazine, Marketing Week. Their sources say that a phone incorporating elements from the PSP will be out in time for Christmas 2009. Interestingly, the article also intimates that "the relationship between Sony and Sony Ericsson has become 'frosty'" and that "Sony would "never give its PlayStation branding" to the Sony Ericsson joint venture." Interesting.

If this phone is in the works, despite a breakdown between Sony and Sony Ericsson, could Sony be working on it alone? GameIndustry.biz state that Sony have previously confirmed that they are not working with Sony Ericsson on any such device. We'll be keeping our ear to the ground in case any new information becomes available.

[Via GI.biz]

Another patent has emerged for the elusive "PSP Phone," this time featuring an iPhone-esque touchscreen design, rather than the ugly swivel-screen look. The patent, filed by Sony Ericsson, uses a combination of the touch-screen, accelerometer and haptics to alter the display and buttons for different modes, as well as offer sensory feedback for button presses.

Sure, that all sounds fancy in theory, but we'll hold off on further analysis until Sony's ready to show this puppy off (or at least admit that the darn thing is in development).

[Via PSP Fanboy]

The PSP Phone is quite the legend in this neck of the woods. It's no secret that Sony Ericsson wants to create a hybrid phone/gaming device. The number of murmurs heard throughout the web attest to that fact. However, it looks like the company has created failed attempt after another, as patents slowly become unearthed. Unwired View happend to stumble upon another. This design reminds us of what the PSP would look like if it had kids with the Game Boy Micro.

Will the PSP Phone ever become reality? Chances are, yes. The real question is: when?

[Via Pocket Gamer]

Whether the PSP Phone is in development or not, Nokia doesn't care. They're not afraid. When asked what he thought of the idea of the PSP Phone Jaakko Kaidesoja, head of Nokia Games, responded that he's "not scared about anybody." He goes on to say that "the real question is how do they [Sony Ericsson] do it? Can they create a link between the PSP games and a phone? Can they do the multiplayer and online stuff? We've been doing this for two years and it hasn't been easy."

Good questions! The N-Gage mobile gaming platform actually looks like it's shaping up and Sony hasn't even officially announced a PSP Phone. We'll be intrigued to see if anything comes of all these rumors but, in the end, we'll probably just stick to our PSPs. Nokia have nothing to be afraid about, and why should they with technology like Morph in the works?

[Via Gizmonews]

The rumors of Skype support coming to the PSP have now been confirmed by Japan's Nikkei Net news organization. Unfortunately for most PSP users, however, the news service stated that Skype support will be limited to the PSP-2000, but that it may come as soon as this month.

Skype service will be free for PSP-to-PSP and PSP-to-PC calls and vice versa. Additionally, users can register for a dedicated number for around $20 every three months for what should provide support for landline and cellphone calls. The software will more than likely be part of a future firmware update, and users will use an external microphone for communication.

At this point, we're not entirely sure why service is limited to the PSP-2000. Could there be some other hardware addition to the updated handheld that we didn't previously know about, or could this be a diabolical scheme to get us to upgrade our PSPs? Whatever the case may be, we know we certainly want to use this new technology that more or less answers the question whether Sony is interested in a PSPhone.

[Via Gamespot, Thanks for the tip, Jay!]

Just as quickly as Sony Computer Entertainment co-COO Jim Ryan reignited rumors of a PlayStation Phone has Sony come forward with a denial (via CVG). "Jim Ryan was in fact misquoted by the Economic Times of India about this issue," according to a company spokesperson. "We do have talks with other arms of the Sony family about various topics but I can confirm we are not currently working together on the creation of a PlayStation Phone."

The original (mis)quote had Ryan quoted as saying, "The PlayStation is a proven success and so is Sony Ericsson. Convergence with the two arms working together is definitely plausible." How Ryan was misquoted or mistranslated is unclear.

[Via Engadget]

Has it been a year already? The rumors that Sony Computer Entertainment – the PlayStation folks to you or I – and Sony Ericsson – those are the cellphone folks – are teaming up to make a PlayStation phone are just as "seductive" today as they were back then. This time, it's SCE co-chief operating officer Jim Ryan giving India's Economic Times the following rather noncomittal tease: "The PlayStation is a proven success and so is Sony Ericsson. Convergence with the two arms working together is definitely plausible."

We would say it's as plausible now as it was last year when they first teased it ... or in June when Sony Ericsson filed for that PSP-esque gaming phone patent ... or in August when Sony Ericsson said they were "obviously" looking at a PlayStation-branded phone (just not this one). Regardless of how "seductive" the premise is to Sony, Ryan told the Times "it could be a while before a commercial launch of such a device happens... ." So, we'll see you same time next year then, PSP phone rumors?

[Via Engadget]