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As promised by Sony earlier this month at the Consumer Electronics Show, the latest PlayStation Portable firmware update is now available to download, and comes with Skype. There isn’t anything else new in this update except that support for PlayStation Network titles has been expanded once again. As we previously reported, only those of you who have second generation PSPs (PSP-2000) can enjoy the use of Skype.
Skype Features:
Official Sony Press Release:
London, 30th January 2008 ? Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) today announced the immediate availability of the latest system software update for PSP(PlayStation Portable). Version 3.90 will enable all owners of the new PSP Slim & Lite*(PSP 2000 series) to make and receive phone calls, adding a whole new raft of functionality, highlighting the true portability of PSP.
Skype is a simple to use piece of software that allows users to make free calls over the internet to other Skype users, anywhere in the world, whilst also having the ability to make paid for calls to traditional landline and mobile phones. With the addition of these functions, alongside the ability to send and receive voicemail to over 200 million Skype users worldwide, PSP can now claim to be a highly cost effective and accessible portable communications device, alongside its entertainment credentials.
To use Skype on PSP, users simply need to upgrade to system software 3.90, register and talk, using a headset and remote control.
Also added through system software update 3.90, is the Go!Messenger icon, highlighting the commitment shown towards communications on PSP**. Go!Messenger, with the ability for video and voice chat, as well as numerous other features will be available at the end of February, and the presence of the icon not only emphasises its impending arrival but also allows users to obtain more information about the feature from a dedicated website, accessed via clicking on the icon. More information about the release of Go!Messenger will be announced soon.
*The Skype functionality is only available for the PSP Slim & Lite (PSP 2000 series) and not older versions of PSP (PSP 1000 series)
** Go! Messenger functionality will be available with all models of PSP (PSP 2000 and PSP 1000 series)
The latest Custom Firmware for the PlayStation Portable is finally available to download, thanks to Dark_AleX and Team M33. Firmware 3.80 is the latest firmware for the PSP adding various new features to the portable console, and now you can enjoy it more with the added features of a custom firmware. Like previous released from Dark_AleX and Team M33, CFW 3.80 will allow you to run homebrew applications and legally backed up game ISOs. Check out the changelog below:
Installing the Custom Firmware carries risks and could brick your PSP. Before installing, make sure you read and understand the readme file and the risks associated with flashing custom firmwares.
Go!Explorer, the GPS Navigation System for the PSP was originally announced at the Leipzig Games Convention last year. SCEE has announced that Go!Explorer will launch in early Spring and will initially be available in the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, the Nordic countries, and Benelux. The retail pack will come with GPS receiver and UMD containing the maps, and will retail for ?119/£89.
Similar to the Japanese GPS device, the Go!Explorer GPS will slot into the USB port above the UMD drive. The UMD will support relevant landmarks (all modeled in 3D) and will be available in 11 different audio languages.
The announcement for Skype on the PSP is now official, and we have details about the service. As long as you have Internet access and a second generation PSP (PSP-2000), you will be able to enjoy all the features of Skype currently being used by around 248 million registered users. The service will let provide free calls between registered users, whether on a PC or PSP, as well as the other services provided by Skype. See the details below.
The Skype PSP service will provide:
A firmware update will provide the PSP with Skype functionality and is expected in late January. A new Skype icon will appear under the Network menu on the PSP XMB once the service has been installed. The unfortunate thing about this service is that it will only work on the second generation PSP (PSP-2000). Look out for more information later this month.
UPDATE:
The first generation PSPs (PSP-1000) cannot support Skype due to its memory limitations. Sony’s Nick Sharples stated:
Although PSP-1000 and PSP-2000 are identical in basic functions, there are
differences in hardware specifications to some extent and, for that
reason, PSP-2000 may differ in features from PSP-1000. We had studied
the possibility of supporting Skype with PSP-1000 but had to give it up
because of the smaller size of main memory on PSP-1000 series.
Sony could introduce a subscription fee that allows users unlimited download access to PSP and PSOne games for a monthly charge. Sony has launched a questionnaire in Asia quizzing customers on their use of the new PlayStation Store on PC, in which one of the questions suggests a “Monthly subscription plan (1 price for unlimited download)”. It also asks users to choose from a selection of UMD titles they would “Very agree” to see as downloadable titles, including LocoRoco and Tekken.
Subscriptions are a brilliant idea, so long as Sony gets add more PSOne titles to the US and European PlayStation Stores. Currently, the Japanese PSN Store has the biggest selection of PSOne titles, and it’s updated weekly.
The January 2008 issue of the XTREME PSP Magazine is now available to download. Issue 30 has over 100 pages of content including PSP and PS3 game previews and reviews. In this issue you will find PSP previews of MX vs. ATV: Untamed, Star Ocean: First Departure and Patapon and PS3 previews of GT5 and Burnout Paradise. You will also find PSP reviews of Warhammer 40,000 and Medal of Honor: Heroes 2 and PS3 reviews of Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune and Pro Evo Soccer 2008.
The issue also contains all the usual content including news, mail bag, PSP wallpaper and more. Download the issue below. As always, the issue can be downloaded early from our Magazine RSS Feed.
