New PSP Go Picture Revealed

Engadget posted some leaked photos of the new PSP Go due out in hours. The word is that this portable slider gaming handheld is coming out in the fall and will not be an attempt to replace the current PSP-3000. Official image has been leaked here as well. I can't wait to find out whats in store for us spec-wise although one analog stick is still pretty sucky. Definitely stirring up the mobile experience pool!

Skype Mobile Battle: iPhone vs PSP

[Correction: My PSP-3000 actually has an integrated-mic at the bottom of the LCD screen, several sources online have said so; I've personally tested this tonight and it works fabulous, 4/8/09]

Skype, one of the most used IM/Chat/VOIP/Video-Conferencing application for PC and Mac is slowly working its dominance up the mobile alley and we love it! I've always known it's support for Windows Mobile, Nokia devices and Wifi Phones (Skype Phones) but it was the recent integration with Sony's Playstation Portable firmware upgrade as well as the hot-off-the-press Skype for iPhone/iPod Touch that is really cooking up some serious mobile progress. With Skype application for BlackBerry phones coming soon, Skype is in a very good position to become one of the leaders in mobile application. Having Skype on the go across multiple platform is definitely going to enhance our mobile experience, this is very exciting indeed.

In this article, I will attempt to compare Skype for iPhone vs Skype for Playstation Portable. I'll update this entry when the BlackBerry version becomes available. The iPhone (iPod Touch) and Playstation Portable is arguably two of the most popular gadgets for travelers on the go. When I review communication gadgets or software, I always like to imagine myself traveling abroad where I would not have access to a local cell phone and would like to keep in touch with friends or family at the luxury of my own mobile gadget. The appeal of Skype has always been there for me for that reason, that is why a laptop has been essential for all my travels until smartphones started to feature applications to support various communication needs such as Fring. That said, I think iPhone or Playstation Portable (PSP) are two of the most carried devices for travelers. I can just see myself in an airport lounge dialing international long distance over WiFi to keep in touch with loved ones via either device.

Skype for iPhone
The iPhone and iPod Touch needs very little introduction. With a large touch screen display and portrait layout, it makes a very good UI candidate for Skype (much like its desktop counterpart). Everything is integrated so well together on this handy little app. For example, your contacts from your iPhone is automatically hooked up with Skype in addition to its default contact list. To see who is online, you can easily toggle the software button towards the top of the screen. One of the big advantage of iPhone is it's integrated microphone that Skype can take advantage of w/o the need of additional headset. The VOIP function will only work in a WiFi environment (at home, coffee house, airport lounges, etc...) whereas the text Chats can work over your phone's standard data plan. I love the fact that this little app does everything its desktop counter part can do, including editing one's profile or add more skype-out funds over the handset. Overall, its an amazing application that has been done right, I love it and its free to download!

Pros: Excellent UI and layout, very easy to use and intuitive. Perfect integration to leverage iPhone's hardware (buttons, camera, etc...) Everything your desktop skype can do can be done here!
Cons: No VOIP over 3G data, no web-cam video conference, app must be installed separately (only mentioning this because PSP is part of firmware OS)

Skype for Playstation Portable (PSP)
I love the convenience of having my beloved PSP-3000 as a gaming device and knowing it can also surf the web w/ Flash while keeping up with the communications needs via Skype. No application to install here, its part of the firmware 3.90+ upgrade. While the PSP doesn't have a touchscreen UI and the horizontal layout is not taking avantage of the screen real estate as much, it does offer a full suite of Skype features. The SkypeOut and VOIP PC calls are there along with text chat. Because of the onscreen keyboard is driven by the directional keys and based on the 12-button numeric pad, it can be frustrating when compared to the overall iPhone experience. The one part I have to gripe about is the need of an external mic. My Griffin Tune Buds Mobile w/ integrated mic works great but if I forgot my headphones at home then I am stuck with only text chats capabilities. While Sony and Skype recommend you buy their official headset/mic kit, the iPhone OEM headset w/ mic should work as well. Sony should have integrated a mic solution, afterall, this is their 3rd revision to the PSP franchise. Lets hope Skype will be available for the DS or DSi someday. Overall, I still enjoy having the option of running Skype on my PSP. While its unlikely I'll be traveling only the PSP, I can see myself using the PSP for Skype to conserve the battery life for my iPhone while traveling abroad. Due to the nature of not having any data connection, the entire operation is rendered useless if I am not nearby a WiFi hotspot.

Pros: Fully integrated as part of PSP firmware, no application install required. PSP's large display is great for Skype.
Cons: Lack of integrated Mic (and Camera for profile picture, etc...) WiFi is required all the time for any communications (including text chat)

Winner: Skype for iPhone! With voice call quality being relatively the same, I have to go with iPhone because you just can't beat the convenience of having your iPhone w/ Skype with you at all times. The integrated mic makes the entire package there and ready to go 24/7 [update 4/8: PSP3000 also has integrated mic]. The touchscreen plays well with the UI and it has instantly become one of those default applications I must have on my iPhone.

Unboxing Sony PSP-3000 Black Ratchet Bundle

As mentioned yesterday, I finally ordered a PSP. I went with the PSP-3000 with the Piano Black finish. I am very surprised to have gotten it so soon knowing the release date should have been Dec. 15, 2008 (a cool 4 days ahead of schedule thanks to Amazon.com's free Prime Membership trial).

I haven't gotten a chance to play with it a whole lot. First impression is it is very light weight considering how big this is. It feels much lighter than the first generation PSP I played with in the past. In a way, it almost feels a little cheap on the material and build quality (the UMD cover mechanism, WLAN switch, battery cover, etc...). The piano black finish is every bit as gorgeous as I imagined. The UI is very similar to what I know from PS3 which can be a good or bad thing depending on if you are a Sony or Microsoft fanboy. Inputting the WEP key to my WiFi network was kind of a pain. Unlike the PS3, a PSP will have to prompt and connect to your access point each time you want to do something on the web instead of automatically connect like a laptop or even the PS3 would.

All of these thoughts are based my first impression (or first 30 minutes) so don't put too much weight in this entry. Once I get some hours in, I will provide a thorough review from every angle. For now, enjoy the pictures and slideshow below.








Entire Photo Album Here

Video Game Bug - PSP-3000

The world of gadgetry can be quite confusing as new devices are constantly crossing over to a new territory. For instance, the iPod Touch has been shifted from a PMP into a gaming device. Another example is the home gaming consoles such as the Wii and PS3. Both offer WiFi and amazing gaming ability. My PS3 even goes as far as reaching the media-center status with BluRay, MUSIC, PHOTO and VIDEO support, basically far too many features for me to actually absorb, with a new firmware update 2.50 just released, internet browsing would even be better with Flash 9 supported with the system browser. As is, I would say I have barely tapped into either system's full potential (online store, networking, etc...)

Same goes for mobile devices. Short while ago, my attention was hardcore focused on the convergence of smartphones, I bounced between WinMo devices, Nokia N95-3 and Apple iPhones because they are all packed with a whole lot of features (internet, wifi, gps, multimedia and even gaming - iPod touch). Today, Sony brought out their third revision of the PSP called PSP-3000. In this version, Sony even built in a microphone to further enhance its capabilities as a communication device (ie. Skype calls, etc.). Being a hardcore portable gamig device, internet browser, video player (both UMD and on Memory stick) and supposedly amazing improvements over its new LCD calibration, I am being very tempted to pick one up to complete off my PS3-PSP collection. I've always been on the Nintendo camp with my GBA and GBA DS Lite, with GBA DSi on the horizon, I better give this some good thoughts and decide what I would prefer the most. It will be hard choices indeed.