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Universal stops making UMDs
 Both Universal & Image Entertainment have announced that they have abandoned the UMD format for future Movie
Releases. Although Sony had hoped that this would be one of the major selling points for the handheld.
To make matters worse, many other studios such as Paramount, 20th Century Fox and Buena Vista are looking
at there approach to the release of UMD's and have recently reduced release schedules.
Vice City Stories For The PSP?
 Looks like several sources are claiming that “Vice City Stories” might very well be the next Rockstar GTA
release for the PSP. It seems applications have been filed with the US Patent Office for the “Vice City Stories”
name but Rockstar has yet to confirm the rumor. Check out Gamebrink.com for more info on this story. I for one was actually hoping for an original GTA release for the PSP rather than just a re-make,
but none the less I'm sure it will be a great title if the rumor is true...
PSP keyboard And Cellphone Attachments On USPTO
 So if you recall, way back at E3 2004 when Sony was showing off the PlayStation Portable
for the first time in the US, they were also generating some buzz with translucent keyboard and cellphone attachments. Of
course, those never materialized -- but they have in fact finally shown up online, albeit at the USPTO. In two filings dated
November 10, 2004 (and made public in late February 2006 and only three days ago, respectively), a gaggle of Sony designers
submitted applications for both "ornamental design[s]" for a keyboard and phone add-on for the PSP -- and trust us, the patent
filings couldn't have been much less verbose. So will we ever see these things get manufactured and released? Eh, even though
Sony's launched some unexpected PSP accessories recently, we'd assume the phone attachment won't ever take off. However, Izumi
Kawanishi has made it no secret that he wants email on the PSP, and a keyboard would be quite a nicety if that's in the cards.
$199 PSP in stores today
 Sony has released a new PlayStation Portable hardware package, including only the PSP, battery, and AC adapter.
The new pack is in stores now at a price of $199. Sony announced last week that the pack would be available today, being sold along side the $249 Value Pack. This is not the first different PSP "pack"
to be sold in the US — Sony sold the $299 Giga Pack during the last holiday season.
Portable software market could grow 140%
 In the latest issue of the Video Game Journal, analysts Jason Kraft and Chris Kwak take a look at possible earnings
for several game publishers from '06 to 2010. In this report, they state that "portable software revenue could grow over 140%."
Stating that the industry also now has two major platforms and higher average pricing thanks to the PSP's higher-priced games,
the two also warn that the PSP could see some difficult times ahead. "PSP sales could take a hit when PS3 and Nintendo Revolution
launch. Sony will need to make PSP an extension of the PS2/PS3; otherwise, the PSP will be another console-like device and
Sony risks cannibalizing PSP with the PS3."
Lemmings heading to the PSP this May
 Sony has announced that the classic puzzle game Lemmings will be coming to the PSP. First published in 1991, the
game involves getting certain Lemmings to perform tasks so that the entire group can reach their goal safely. This PSP version
will include over 20 all-new puzzles created specifically for this release, as well as new music, a custom level creator,
and wireless sharing of newly created levels. Lemmings for the PSP will be released on May 23. No further pricing or release
information was available.
Analyst: PSP becoming 'true network appliance'
 Paul Jackson of Forrester reasearch says this week's announcement of a PSP camera and GPS
unit will make the device a " true network appliance." Jackson writes: "The PlayStation Portable will become a true network appliance. In addition to announcing a
price reduction on the PSP to $199 that kicks in March 22, Sony also announced that it will support video VoIP (voice over
Internet Protocol) phone calls by October — utilizing an EyeToy-like add-on camera and, presumably, Sony's Instant Video
Everywhere technology. Sony also announced support for a future GPS module and RSS feeds. This means that the PSP moves from
being a so-so Web browsing device to a full-fledged network appliance."
Sony launches new value packs with games included
 Sony has announced new PSP Value Packs in Europe, each with a different box design based on the game included. The new packs, which include a choice of Medievil,
Pursuit Force, WRC, Wipeout Pure, and Ridge Racer, will sell for around 250 Euros. There has been no word on whether the packs
will make their way to the states.
PSP Get's Video Phone, GPS, and Flash!
 Mr. PlayStation, Ken Kutaragi, opened Tokyo's 2006 PlayStation Business Briefing with some interesting news today.
Highlighted below are several points that the SCE president touched on: • The PSP userbase is 96% male and Sony
views this as a problem. Ideally, the company would like more women to play PSP and Sony looks to widen the system's appeal
to various demographics. • The PSP will get its own version of the EyeToy in September and the peripheral will
feature motion-tracking games like EyeToy Play, as well as add functions such as video chat. (Curiously, though, no confirmation
on a still photo snap function like on cellphones.) The camera is sliver and it attaches to the USB port. • Starting
this fall, the PSP will receive some key new features. Video and voice-over-IP features will launch in October in "motion
jpg" format, allowing PSP owners to use their PSPs as a virtual phone and even, with that new EyeToy, a portable video phone.
• The PSP will also include a GPS receiver with an update rate of once every second with a 40-second fix time
from a cold start. Minna no Golf (Hot Shots Golf) will be one of the first games supported. Interestingly enough, SCE lists
that GPS support is already out there, that the "Library has already released partially" ... what titles could those be? •
Macromedia Flash will be included with a spring Network update, along with improved RSS support for playback and saving of
net-broadcast radio and video. What other updates will the 2006 Business Briefing bring for PSP, PS2, and PS3 fans?
Check back with us again in the next couple of hours to find out.
Sony announces $199 PSP, USB camera
 Sony Computer Entertainment America has announced
a new PSP hardware package that will sell for $199.99. The base unit, which will be available on March 22, will only come
with an AC adaptor and battery, dropping extra accessories found in the PSP Value Pack. The company also announced that it will release a USB-based camera for the PSP. Few details were given about
the camera, but it appears that the rumored PSP2 with an integrated camera is being pushed back. Ken Kutaragi, Sony's head of video games, said at a press conference that the new add-on camera will
debut in September. He also said that the PSP will use the camera to do video and voice-over-IP chat, as anticipated in our
exclusive report last month. The camera is reportedly sliver and attaches to the USB port.
New movies released in UMD format this week
Several movies will be released in UMD format for the PSP this week. Among the new titles are:
+ American Psycho: Uncut
+ Crimson Tide
+ Ice Age
+ Remember the Titans
+ Saturday Night Live: The Best Of Mike Myers
+ Submarine 707 Revolution: The Movie
Next Gen PSP By The End Of The Year?
 Ain’t It Cool News seems to have confirmed rumors that Sony will be releasing an updated PSP by the end of this
year. Details are light and there is no corroboration yet, but the redesigned PSP2 will reportedly be lighter, thinner, have
a camera and 4Gb of memory.
Studio exec unhappy with many PSP developers
 President Didier Malenfant of the studio Ready At Dawn, which is releasing its first game Daxter this week, claims
that studios and developers for the PSP need to stop making excuses for their games. Daxter is set for a release on March 14. The game has been rated "E" for Everyone by the ESRB and will sell
for $39.99.
Sony releases new PSP content pack
 Sony this week released a new, free downloadable content pack for the PSP. The pack includes game trailers for Field Commander, Pursuit Force, and Daxter, music from The Con, exclusive
wallpaper for Daxter, MLB 06, Neopets, and a March Calendar. Also included is a Now Playing on UMD feature from Sony Pictures.
There is another pack available that contains bonus wallpaper and music from Syphon Filter. The Packs require a Windows PC
running XP, 2000, Me or Win 98, a USB port, and 200 MB of free drive space.
Rockstar readying GTA: Liberty City Stories PS2 port
 Take-Two Interactive CFO Paul Eibeler says the PSP-to-PS2 port of Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories is nearly finished
and that it will cost less than it does for the PSP. During a conference call with analysts, Eibeler hinted that the PS2 Liberty City Stories won't be that much different from
the PSP version. "We've delivered unprecedented and tremendous value to the consumer, in terms of the size of the actuality
and the scope [of the game]," he said.
Me and My Katamari goes gold, PSP pouch offered
 Namco Bandai Games today announced that Me and My Katamari has gone gold for the PSP. Shipping later this month, the award-winning Katamari franchise makes its portable debut and features
"a cast of zany characters, inviting graphics and utterly addicting gameplay that fans of the series have come to know and
love."
In related news, GameStop is offering a special Prince PSP Pouch as a special gift with the pre-order purchase of Me and My Katamari. The offer is good while supplies last.
EA bringing 2006 FIFA World Cup to PSP
 EA has announced that its upcoming soccer title 2006 FIFA World Cup will be coming to the PSP in April. The game,
which celebrates the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany that begins this June, features 12 official stadiums that will be used in
this year's World Cup as well as stadiums from each qualifying region. Players will be able to choose from 127 different national
teams, and bring them into several different game modes including the World Cup. The game will also feature a Global Challenge
mode that enables fans to recreate classic moments from the history of the FIFA World Cup. Unlockable content will include
apparel and historic players, and a multiplayer mode will be included as well. 2006 FIFA World Cup is rated "E" for Everyone
by the ESRB; no further release or pricing information is currently available.
Gangs of London coming to PSP later this year
 Sony has announced that Gangs of London will be available later this year, exclusively for the PSP. Created
by SCEE's London Studio, the developers responsible for The Getaway, the game will be presented in a graphic novel style.
The storyline is dynamic, so players will each experience their own unique progression throughout the game, completing almost
60 different missions as part of a criminal underworld of modern-day London. No further release, rating, or pricing information
was available.
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