Sony hints at PSP upgrades

Iria · Aug 11, 2005, 12:32 AM

Streaming movie function, videochat e-mail application, and Digital Rights Management are among the potential features in store for the handheld's future.

Late last month, Sony Computer Entertainment released a firmware update for Japanese PSPs (a US release is scheduled for August 12) that gave the handheld a number of new functions, including a Web browser feature that allows user to tap into wireless hot spots and surf the Internet. In the latest issue of Famitsu, SCE software platform development chief Izumi Kawanishi talked about the development of the PSP Web browser, and gave some clues as to what could possibly be implemented in future updates for the handheld.

With the addition of a web browser, PSP owners can now download movies directly from the Internet and watch them on their handheld. Previously, users had to go through the hassle of downloading movie files to their PCs, and transfer the data to their Memory Stick via USB or a memory card adapter.

Kawanishi is thinking of further improving the PSP's movie viewing experience by adding a function to watch streaming videos. If that happens, users will be able to watch movies on the fly without having to save them on their Memory Stick. Kawanishi also said that he plans to include Digital Right Management (DRM) functions in a future update, which will allow for paid content to be watched on the handheld.

Kawanishi stated that the web browser function should also benefit future game releases. Since users can bring up the browser during gameplay, publishers may be more inclined to add downloadable content to their title's official sites. For example, a player can pause a game, go to the game's site, download new data, and resume playing the game with new content. Kawanishi also pointed out that the PSP's Wi-Fi capability can simultaneously communicate in Infrastructure mode to connect to the Internet and Ad Hoc mode to connect with other PSP owners. He hopes that publishers will start to develop games that specifically leverage this new functionality.
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Read More / Source: GameSpot

Aug 11, 2005, 12:32 AM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 87	Sony hints at PSP upgrades Streaming movie function, videochat e-mail application, and Digital Rights Management are among the potential features in store for the handheld's future. Late last month, Sony Computer Entertainment released a firmware update for Japanese PSPs (a US release is scheduled for August 12) that gave the handheld a number of new functions, including a Web browser feature that allows user to tap into wireless hot spots and surf the Internet. In the latest issue of Famitsu, SCE software platform development chief Izumi Kawanishi talked about the development of the PSP Web browser, and gave some clues as to what could possibly be implemented in future updates for the handheld. With the addition of a web browser, PSP owners can now download movies directly from the Internet and watch them on their handheld. Previously, users had to go through the hassle of downloading movie files to their PCs, and transfer the data to their Memory Stick via USB or a memory card adapter. Kawanishi is thinking of further improving the PSP's movie viewing experience by adding a function to watch streaming videos. If that happens, users will be able to watch movies on the fly without having to save them on their Memory Stick. Kawanishi also said that he plans to include Digital Right Management (DRM) functions in a future update, which will allow for paid content to be watched on the handheld. Kawanishi stated that the web browser function should also benefit future game releases. Since users can bring up the browser during gameplay, publishers may be more inclined to add downloadable content to their title's official sites. For example, a player can pause a game, go to the game's site, download new data, and resume playing the game with new content. Kawanishi also pointed out that the PSP's Wi-Fi capability can simultaneously communicate in Infrastructure mode to connect to the Internet and Ad Hoc mode to connect with other PSP owners. He hopes that publishers will start to develop games that specifically leverage this new functionality. ___________ Read More / Source: GameSpot