Will Sony's Next PSP lose UMD?

Insider claims PSP 2 will bypass disc media altogether. PC World examines the ramifications.

Will Sony's Next PSP lose UMD?

A PSP without UMD drive, eh?

Via PC World -- After the former COO of game developer Acclaim David Perry Twittered about the new PSP2 and its lack of a UMD drive, the Internet started paying attention to Sony's oft-forgotten game handheld. Perry wrote, "I hear Sony FINALLY has the PSP 2. And thank goodness, they've removed the stupid battery-sucking UMD disc drive. I'm excited!"

GameDaily BIZ followed up with Perry, who said he was tired of new PSP versions relegated to color changes and "baby steps." He then said he was "certain" the PSP2 would not have a UMD drive, but could not reveal his sources.

The PSP clearly needs to change. The UMD drive sucks battery, whirs noisily, and adds extra bulk to a device in an era where thinner is definitely better. If Sony eliminates the UMD drive, it could open the PSP2 to a new, wider audience, and perhaps gain momentum in the market. The buzz is that the PSP2 would be a fully digital, online device. Instead of purchasing all games at a store, users might be able to download games wirelessly, like the iPhone, and play them immediately.

However, once the UMD is gone, owners of the original iteration will be alienated: all of the movies and games already purchased would be rendered useless unless Sony develops a UMD add-on, which, in turn, would just put the bulk back to the machine.

There is clearly a push-and-pull to evolving electronics, and despite possibly angering every PSP1 owner, the digital online approach is definitely the way to go.

Comments [18]

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heywoodjablome

bad move if its only capable of digital downloads as a way of acquiring games. it has to have a lot of internal memory otherwise you'll only be able to hold a few games and other media. therefore a memory accessory will be released and probably cost way too much. also you will probably need wireless to download so people without wireless are screwed or simply have to pay more money now to download games. a direct connect usb cable is a possible accessory to connect to the internet but they nickle and dime you again there with what would probably be a $20 price tag. also there are some people that do not know how to configure their wireless router correctly to gain internet access with their handheld devices so thats going to be a huge hassle for them. this may work in japan but its not going to get a good welcome in the USA and europe. stick with a disc drive and games that you can buy at the store...

DarthKratos_

YEAH I agree with heywood! digital game downloads will eat up tons of memory anddd it will just be lame.. I love my trips to gamestop lol... listen the psp2 should change it's design without removing a disc drive of sorts... you can have a flip-the-screen to reveal the d-pad and buttons look.. add two small joysticks, camera, wider screen and 720p resolution and we should be good....

DJOmega6

Games preloaded on memory stick duos alongside the digital download model. Problem solved. Retailers still get to sell games, and gamers who prefer to download games to their own memory stick duo on their own can do so. Everyone's happy.

wutisupmon

memory chips ftw.

I never thought I'd say this, but it looks like Nintendo was looking farther ahead than Sony.

Kubrick

They need to move to a solid state device. A spinning disc was a bad idea then and now. Sony always dreams to big with their crazy formats.

DeathGodDemon

It Sounds cool for all the ppl who like to download everything but for me personally i like going to the store and buying the games. To me theres Nothing like getting a New game, opening it up and start playing

Mastrechief

What would happen to all your PSP2 games if they were all downloadable after ten years? If something weren't downloadable you could have it forever, but when you're buying it from a digital store, your ownership isn't indefinite.

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