An Introduction to PSP

This is the Sony PSP, or ‘PlayStation Portable’; the gadget Sony is calling its Walkman for the 21st Century. In view of the entertainment revolution introduced by Walkman, ongoing since the 1980s, you might say this is just cocky. Judging by the success of PSP in the US, where it has been available since March, there seems little doubt over its credentials. By the end of this feature, you’ll know everything there is to know so far about PSP and can decide for yourself.

As the name tells you, the core appeal of PSP is as a handheld gaming console, its games comparable to those on PS2. Although such an experience is mind-blowing in itself, the 21st Century Walkman moniker is only deserved because of everything else PSP has to offer: DVD-quality movies; CD-quality music, and wireless network connectivity that includes photo sharing and browsing the Internet.

Initially the PSP’s most striking feature is phenomenal picture quality. Everyone who sees it perform for the first time is amazed – have no doubt, you will be too. Beyond that the real talking point is the new storage media Sony created for PSP: UMD (Universal Media Disc). PSP also runs files stored on a Memory Stick Duo, but the tiny - 2.4-inch - UMD format is how you’ll buy your PSP games, plus a range of DVD-quality movies from major studios that include Disney, Paramount, and of course Sony Pictures.

As you can already determine, PSP has been created to be much more than a rival to Nintendo’s Game Boy and recent ‘DS’. Certainly the latter’s touch-screen and range of family-oriented and invariably child-friendly titles cater to a very different audience than PSP.

In 2005, with media convergence characterising how we receive and enjoy our entertainment, and with online as a major hub, PSP enables you to command all of this by means of a desirable and realistically affordable gadget.

Next: Portable PlayStation: No Longer a Dream