PSP2 Rumor Thread - Reveal on Jan 27th?

Apr 2, 2009
2,147
Eurogamer.es is reporting that PowerVR technology from Imagination Technologies will form the basis of the still-in-development PSP2. The site claims to have insider sources that reckon that a quad core iteration of the low-power SGX543MP chip, codenamed "Hydra", will be present in the next generation handheld, not to be confused with the forthcoming PSPgo.

The chip itself appears to be very close indeed to the enhanced GPU experts say resides within the iPhone 3GS, providing a generational leap in performance over older PowerVR MBX processors found in the previous models. The same technology is also found in select netbooks such as the Dell Mini 12, as part of the new low power Poulsbo chipset. The single core version of the chip has been demonstrated at CES running Quake 3 Arena at 30FPS.

The obvious difference of course is that the SGX543MP is a multicore processor, available with anything up to 16 cores on tap. According to the original report, PSP2 opts for a quad configuration offering notional specs of 133 million polygons per second, and 4Gpixels/sec fillrate, assuming that Hydra operates at the chip's low-end of 200MHz (higher speed variants are also available, presumably for desktop use). While specs like this are always subject to interpretation, these figures are a ballpark match for the original Xbox. However, PowerVR's tech includes tile-based deferred rendering, which should provide a nice performance boost.

Also of interest is the fact that Imagination Technologies itself describes the chip as a GP-GPU, meaning it has the ability to operate as both CPU and graphics processor in one handy package, similar to projects being worked on by Intel and AMD. It may well be that PSP2 will centralise all of its processing into a single chip, thus saving power and providing other efficiency savings from a programming perspective (lightning fast interaction between game logic and graphics, for example).

So just how plausible is the original Spanish Eurogamer report? Having shared with us some of the more "off the record" information about the source of the info, it's a likely proposition, not least because Sony is hotly rumoured to have been the mystery "major international consumer electronics company" mentioned in this press release issued back in November last year.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-psp2-features-quad-core-gpu-blog-entry

i'm seeing talk about this, and depending on when sony wants to launch, we could be looking at a psp that goes well beyond the power of the lowly xbox, and closer to the power of the 360 :cool:
 
I've been reading about this too, plus Sony hasn't come out saying is not true, could these sources be on to something?

i posted similar rumors elsewhere late last year. so i'd say it looks like they're onto something
 
Sony prepping new line of handhelds, including PSP phone?

http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/sony-prepping-new-line-of-handhelds-including-psp-phone/?s=t5

You know who knows everything? People familiar with the matter. In particular, they know everything when "the matter" happens to be Sony's handheld strategy for 2010, which is said to finally include an honest-to-goodness PSP with phone capabilities -- something the world's been demanding for as long as they've wanted a Zunephone. According to the WSJ, the device is apparently part of a larger push by Sony to create an iTunes-like Utopian ecosystem of products this year that connect to Sony Online Service, an ecosystem that would also include a hybrid portable of some sort that "blurs distinctions among a netbook, an e-reader and a PlayStation Portable." Details aren't offered on this particular monster -- but turning our attention back to the phone for a second, it's claimed that Sony's working with it in conjunction with the folks at Sony Ericsson under the direction of Kunimasa Suzuki, an exec largely responsible for the VAIO line who's also involved with the PlayStation team. Of course, SE's already taken some baby steps toward corporate harmony by bundling Remote Play support with the Aino, but everyone knows that PSP compatibility is the panacea; Microsoft finally buckled on the Zunephone thing with the introduction of Windows Phone 7 Series, and there's no reason why Sony shouldn't follow suit.
 
If you thought a hint that PSP2 may make an appearance at E3 was exciting, get a load of this ****.

Baby steps.

* MCV rumoured last week that Sony “could” announce PSP2 at E3.
* VG247 goes digging. According to a source familiar with the matter, it’s “99 percent” it isn’t an E3 reveal.
* But there’s much, much more.
* Multiple British sources have confirmed that PSP2 NDAs have been in place at publishers and developers for many months.
* PSP2 has two cameras, one forward and one backward facing.
* It has a touch-screen, but apparently it has retained the trademark physical PlayStation buttons.
* UK sources were previously working towards a “2010″ release. This is now “2011″.
* One source would be “amazed” if there was any kind of physical media involved. We’ve been told it “could” be 3G-enabled, as opposed to the WiFi-only PSP go. This bit was sketchy.
* Multiple PSP2 games are being made in Britain right now. Some have even already been canned.
* There have been “finished units” in the UK, but we haven’t spoken to anyone that’s seen a final case.
* When asked directly about reveal timing, one source said, “If the games were aiming for end 2010, beginning 2011, and now it’s a 2011 release, I’d say a gamescom or TGS announce for launch early next year”.
* One source told us the machine is “******* powerful,” being based on a four-core Cell CPU. PS3 runs on an eight-core version.

Crapped yourself yet? Good. Remember, “99 percent” certainty leaves “1 percent” of uncertainty. Don’t take your eyes of Jack’s hands in Sony’s E3 press conference on June 15.

We will, of course, be there.
 
Playview: Is this the PSP2?

Sony Computer Entertainment has registered a very intriguing trademark for 'PlayView' in the US.

The first function mentioned in the file - pushed through in the US Patents and Trademarks Office - reads:

'Portable electronic device for receiving and reading text and images and sound through wireless Internet access and for displaying electronically published materials, namely, books, journals, newspapers, magazines, multimedia presentations.'

So far, so e-Reader, right? Interesting, yes. But not exactly a threat to the very-possibly-beautiful 3DS. But as we look closer, we also read that the TM covers:

* 'Computer game software recorded on optical discs';

*'Computer software for transmitting, sharing, receiving, downloading, displaying and transferring content, text, visual works, audio works, audiovisual works, literary works, data, files, documents and electronic works via video game machines and Hand-held games with liquid crystal displays';

* 'Video game machines with television for personal use'.

Curiously, it also encompasses: 'Retail store services in the field of electronic games, videos, electronic publications and music.'

So we could be looking at some kind of wide-reaching addition to PSN - or perhaps a new service that lets PlayStation owners download and read e-books?

Or maybe - just maybe - could this be the long-rumoured Sony Ericsson/PSP crossover?

Also covered by the TM: 'Information providing devices, namely, computer terminals with encrypting software for transmission of messages via the internet web site and e-mail communication' and 'telephone apparatus.'

Whatever the TM - filed on June 3 - covers, it at this stage it only really allows us to speculate on the product it relates to. The trademark's myriad descriptions don't exactly paint an exact picture of the device (if, indeed, Playview is a device).

But maybe that's the point. Maybe - just maybe, remember - 'PSP2' does everything. It's an e-reader, email provider, word processor, mobile phone and games machine in one.

Too good to be true? Consider that Sony Computer Entertainment of America trademarked this particular (as yet unused) tagline back on May 17, again in the US... 'It changes everything.'

So, The Sony Playview, then. What do you reckon?

E3, we need you now more than ever.
 
PSP2 going to be a tablet device?

Just last week we ran an article detailing everything known so far about Sony’s next portable. According to various reports from respected sources around the globe, Sony is working on some type of 3G-enabled, Android-based device that features capabilities from Sony’s various other devices. Not only would the device be gaming-focused, but it would feature the functionality of e-readers, mobile phones and Sony’s Walkman brand, among other things.

A new rumor has now surfaced, giving more credence to these bold claims. Along with the rumor, the tipster mentions issues, possibly delaying the processor, along with a venue, and with that, a date it would likely be revealed.

We’ve also found a couple videos that show off what the games might look like if these rumors are indeed true. Check out the full details and videos, after the break.

The rumor mentions that an ex-Nvidia engineer let it slip that Sony’s next portable (it’s repeatedly called the PSP2 in the rumor) will use Nvidia’s upcoming tablet processor, the Tegra 2. Tegra 2 is a dual-core, ARM Cortex-A9 MPcore processor, capable of up to a whopping 1GHz. The Tegra 2 features 8 processors in total, and aside from the 2 aforementioned ARM Cortex-A9 processors, will also feature specific processors for video decoding and encoding (1080p!), an image and an audio processor, and what would appeal most of Sony PlayStation, a specific 2D/3D graphics processor. To view a diagram of the Tegra 2, click here.

For those of you who are tech-challenged, all of that means is that the “PSP2″ powered by Tegra 2, would be one beast of a device. However, the processor itself, and more-so it’s massive power lies the issue which may cause delays in the device. The Tegra 2 is said to be “massively over it’s power budget” and is being bogged down with “showstopper bugs”, which has Sony “very miffed at Nvidia right now”.

As for when the ex-Nvidia engineer ‘mole’ believes it would be shown, he says “It [PSP2] is now set for a CES showing, but it will almost assuredly be released at a later date”. CES is the world’s largest consumer electronics tradeshow, and will be held during January 6-9, 2011, in Las Vegas. It’s essentially the ‘E3′ of consumer electronics, for those of you unfamiliar. Sony usually hosts a Keynote and a Press Conference there each year, with last year Sony showing off its just released line-up of 3D capable TVs and other electronics.

So what could a device of this nature look like? And more importantly, how would the games look? We’ve found a video of an early Tegra 2 tablet prototype running the Unreal 3 Engine, along with another video of a prototype running 505 Games’ recently released Backbreaker, the gritty, non-NFL football game developed by Natural Motion. Check out the videos below:

playstationlifestyle.net/2010/07/15/more-evidence-sony-prepping-gaming-tablet-what-the-games-could-look-like/
 
the tegra 2 is a pos that will never see the light of day. EVERY product that has claimed to use the tegra 2 is vaporware

rumor debunked
 
Rumor: PSP 2 features rear touch-sensitive controls

The next generation of PSPs will include touch-sensitive controls on the reverse of the unit, that is, according to development sources that spoke with Eurogamer. The PSP 2 will be roughly the same size as the current PSP-3000 version, and the screen will be quite detailed.

According to Eurogamer’s sources, many developers have already used the new PSP, which utilizes touch-sensitive controls on the rear of the device. These new, unfinished handheld systems are being shown to publishers, and Sony apparently already has a business model in place for the PSP 2.

Sources also believe the system could be out as early as the end of 2011, but it could be several years before it is released. This information, of course, is strictly rumors until Sony make some form of announcement. An announcement of this magnitude could come at TGS, but we’ll have to wait and see.
 
Mortal Kombat developer has PSP2, says it's a "pretty powerful machine"

Rumors of Sony’s PSP2 have been around for quite some time. Now it appears one studio has the next PSP, and the device is “a pretty powerful machine,” according to Netherrealm Studios’ Shaun Himmerick.

If this is accurate, that would mean the PSP2 is not only real, but it’s also far along in development. Many have speculated that consumers will get their hands on the next handheld device from Sony sometime in 2011.

Himmerick spoke with Industry Gamers about the possibility of Mortal Kombat reboot landing on the PSP or Nintendo’s 3DS. Himmerick said,“We’re not launching day one on all consoles like that. We are looking at them; we have a PSP2 in the house and we’re looking at the engine, like what can it support. Always a big thing for us is the performance. We’re running at 60 fps, what can we do and do we have to build all the art assets over.”

He went on to say the PSP2 appears to be a powerful little device. He said, “We’re definitely looking at them. PSP2 looks like it’s a pretty powerful machine. We don’t have a 3DS system in house yet, but we’re looking to get one, and we’ll certainly look at what its power is.”

That’s right, if all of this is accurate, the studio has a PSP2 but not a 3DS.
 
Big Surprise from Sony Ericsson

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Rumor: Sony handing out even more PSP2 dev kits

Sony has handed PSP2 development kits to a number of key studios for a “significant launch window line-up”, Develop has heard.

It was claimed earlier in the year that developers were shown the device, and Sony has since sent out dev kits to numerous development studios – both third-party and in-house.

Multiple industry sources – who have over the last two months spoken to Develop on the matter – give the impression that Sony is spreading its PSP2 tech widely across the industry for a big impact at launch.

Develop’s sources were understandably unwilling to speak on the record about the new handheld, mentioning the device in passing, and declining to provide details on prototypes.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/35969/Sony-sends-PSP2-dev-kits-across-the-industry
 
Sony: The PSP Is Undeniably "Getting A Bit Old"

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2010-09-20-sonys-shuhei-yoshida-interview?page=1

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=407958

Q: Talking about the technology of rivals - Nintendo's 3DS is coming, and the PlayStation Portable is quite a few years old now. You must be looking to the future of that platform - what can you tell me about where you stand with regard to PSP now? Are you winding down what you're doing on the current one and looking to the future?

Shuhei Yoshida: Yeah, there's no denying that - it's about six years since the launch of the PlayStation Portable. When we launched PSP it was the newest, biggest, brightest thing that we had - and after five or six years, and releasing many games, there's no denying that people start to see that it's getting a bit old.

But we're always trying to expand the market - now our focus is on shifting to a younger audience and a more casual audience, and we're making games for that audience.

In terms of looking at new technology, it's always the case that as soon as we look at a new platform or new tech, our R&D teams start looking at what's new in the general space. So yes, we have been looking at new technologies, and looking at the options that we have. It's not the right time for me to say anything about it.
 
Rumor: Dev hints at March 2011 Release for PSP2?

Following yesterday's news that UK first and third-party developers already have PSP2 dev kit in-house, we made some phone calls. Looks like the Sony handheld will be coming to the public in six months.

Due to Sony's understandable non-disclosure policy to development teams in receipt of pre-release hardware, actually getting a developer to admit to having such thing in-house proved difficult. We were informed - under rules of strict anonymity however - by one dev that, "I won't say a thing mate. Absolutely nothing."

Seems cut and dried? Not when a "No, we definitely don't have any PSP2 kit" would have covered it.

We were also informed by a developer, asked if when they looked around their studio they could see a PSP2 device of any kind, "I can't tell you. I'll be able to tell you why I can't tell you in six months though."

Six months from now, March 2011. Just in time for the second biggest buying period in the West, and with enough time to avoid Xmas Kinect, but bumping smack bang into the launch of the 3DS.

pong.com/article/22626/Dev-Hint-PSP2-for-Easter-2011