umd

Sony's missteps through the years

Sony is a venerable name in the world of consumer electronics. This is, after all, the company that invented the CD, the Walkman, the Blu-ray Disc, and has made a deep impression on the tech world and mainstream culture.

That's why when Sony screws up--something a company is apt to do every now and again while in business more than half a century--it's notable. Sometimes it's a singular event, other times it's a product with high expectations that ends up being a dud.

The latest mistake, the hacking of PlayStation Network customers' personal data, is … Read more

Rounding up the PSP2 rumors so far

It looks like it's turning into the year of the next-gen gaming handhelds, now that Sony's rumored PSP2 is expected to be announced on Thursday, right on the heels of the Nintendo 3DS event last week. Though it's not a surprise that sooner or later a new PSP would emerge, the real question is whether it can recapture any of its lost market share.

It's an interesting time for the venerable and somewhat struggling handheld game market. Smartphones and low-priced apps have become a more popular gaming platform for many. What makes a PSP2 any better … Read more

Logitech to give PSP Go its UMD back?

Clearly the most notable detail about the PSP Go is the omission of a UMD drive. With Sony opting for a digital-only device, veteran PSP users with UMD discs don't really have much of a reason to upgrade.

From Joystiq comes a rumor that Logitech is developing a UMD add-on drive for the PSP Go. To us, this just reinforces the fact that a PSP Go owner who wants a UMD drive should have bought a cheaper PSP-3000 to begin with. This would just defeat the whole purpose of having a digital-only device.

So let's just get this … Read more

It's 'PSP No' for converting old UMD discs

With a sleek new form factor and internal memory instead of an optical UMD drive, Sony's new PSP Go handheld gaming console is a very different animal than the original PlayStation Portable. Naturally, dedicated mobile gamers have been asking what, if anything, could they do with their collections of UMD game and movie discs if they upgrade to the PSP Go.

After initially hinting that current UMD games could be either converted for use on the SSD/Memory Stick-only PSP Go, or physically traded in for a digital download version of the same game, Sony now says that's not in the cards. … Read more

Sony's Patapon 2 unleashes its rhythm magic download-only: Will game boxes disappear?

Today, Sony releases a brand-new game for the PSP, and there will be no UMD in sight. Patapon 2, the sequel to last year's well-reviewed rhythm-warfare-strategy game, is the first major-release game to go download-only for Sony's veteran portable. It was a deliberate decision, too: in Asia and Europe, Patapon 2 was released on disc. To get the game in the U.S., you can either download through a PS3 or PC and sync with the PSP or use the PSP's built-in PSN store on May 7, or go to a local store like GameStop today, where … Read more

New PSP to take on iPhone this Christmas?

Thanks to a chatty developer, we recently heard and relayed rumors that the next-generation PSP will have a sliding screen. Well, a second mystery developer, who's allegedly "working with the new hardware," has upped the ante: he or she claims Sony's next-gen portable gaming console will actually have a sliding touch screen along with the much-requested, dual-analog thumbsticks.

This all comes from Pocket Gamer, which doesn't name its "insider" source but says, "The new handheld will arrive before Christmas and will be far more similar to the iPhone than the current device.&… Read more

Sony marks PSP 3000 release with firmware update that adds direct access to PlayStation Store

As of Tuesday, the Sony PSP 3000 is officially for sale. The CNET review has been up since late last week, but for those with short attention spans, here's the deal: It's an evolutionary step up from last year's PSP 2000, with a slightly improved screen (better color reproduction, slightly less glare), a built-in microphone (Skype users can now use regular headphones instead of a special headset), and improved video-out support (games can now be displayed on non-HD TVs). Otherwise, it's pretty much the same ol' PSP--which we've always liked.

In other words, it's not a must-have upgrade (unless you're dying for one of those above-mentioned upgrades), but anyone new to the platform will be getting the best PSP to date.

The PSP 3000 will be available in at least three configurations:

The Sony PSP 3000 Ratchet and Clank Entertainment Pack: this limited-edition $200 bundle includes a silver PSP 3000, Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters UMD game, National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets UMD movie, 1GB Memory Stick Duo card, and a voucher for Echochrome (a downloadable game available at the online PlayStation Store). … Read more