Wishlist: what should PSP 2 have? |
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BY Rain Anderson April 14th, 2008 |
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Sitting at my computer early one Monday morning I started thinking, “What would I want to see in the next iteration of the PlayStation Portable?” This train of thought was prompted by the release of God of War: Chains of Olympus which has rekindled my interest in the handheld device, along with the introduction of Skype to the PSP Slim which is tempting me to purchase the new model.
So after giving it some thought, and getting the thoughts of my fellow PSPers here at TVGB, we ended up with the following wishlist of what we’d like to see when Sony decides it’s time for a PSP2:
Better speakers / sound output
PSP suffers from poorly placed speakers. No matter how high you turn the volume, it feels like the sound is muffled. That’s because half the time it is, the two sound output orifices on the bottom of the device are often covered by your pinky fingers when you’re gripping it in a manner to use the top shoulder buttons. Why are they outputting sound downwards anyway? It seems they would be more effective at the bottom of the PSP pointing towards you as the top speaker does.
A hard drive
Apple got the right idea when they included a hard drive in iPhone, switching out SD cards is a complete mess and could at least be mitigated in part by including a hard drive in the PSP’s successor, which brings us to the next item on the list.
Do away with UMD
UMD’s existence seems to serve as a vehicle for the PSP to have movie playing capability. In that capacity, the PSP has ultimately failed to achieve large scale success. Most users seem uninterested in purchasing movies on a proprietary format that they can’t enjoy on their TVs at home. The target audience for this feature may have been people who frequently travel.
Of note, two groups one of our writers has personally seen that fall into this target audience category would be Japanese commuters and deployed military soldiers/sailors. Of the two groups, a lot of deployed military embrace the PSP for its movie playing capabilities, but the PSP fell on its face with most Japanese commuters due to the larger availability of casual Japanese software titles for the Nintendo DS and lack of time to watch a movie on the typical train commute. Unfortunately, deployed military members make up a very small amount of the market and Japanese commuters are a much larger part.
This can be summed up as saying, most gamers who buy a handheld are buying it to play games on for short stints, not watch 90-120 minute movies. UMD’s basis as a movie format has failed.
As annoying as switching between multiple SD cards is, juggling UMD’s just to play different games is even worse.
Embrace the “scene”
Sony should learn to embrace the people who came up with features like remote play before the PS3 was even released, and started the whole idea of playing games on SD cards instead of using cumbersome formats like UMD. Stop playing a pointless cat and mouse game which you are bound to lose and open up the next PSP to community developed plugins. It would be great if there was a freely available SDK available for the PSP2 that allowed users to create entirely new interfaces, add support for various audio and video formats and just plain improve on the existing features of the device itself.
Buttons/analog sticks
The shape of the PSP makes trying to hold it in a way to allow access to the shoulder buttons quite difficult and over time quite uncomfortable. It’s also difficult to tell what button you’re actually pressing on the PSP when it’s dark, so some kind of (adjustable) backlighting would easily fix this annoyance.
We could also use a second analog stick. I thought we got away from N64 single stick controllers because we realized that such designs were no good?
Do away with shiny black surface and screen
The shiny surface of the PSP is a magnet for greasy fingerprints. Coupled with the highly reflective screen that creates heavy glare in a lighted room and you get a high annoyance factor. Offering the unit with a matte finish and/or in other standard colors besides black, such as white/silver/pink/green/whatever would make it more aesthetically pleasing. Sure, lots of people like black, but not if it shows all your shiny fingerprints.
A better web browser
Nintendo did the right thing when they leveraged Opera to create their web browsing channel. No point in reinventing the wheel here…
Games
While this concept seems simple enough, Sony has struggled to keep a steady flow of AAA games coming for its handheld. This will be key for the next PSP, because if they could keep great games coming out on a consistent basis Sony, not Nintendo, would be leading in the handheld market.
There are so many great companies Sony could tap to make games for them. Perfect example: Sony could have done whatever it took to get a Assassin’s Creed on the PSP, a system that could have actually done the game justice. Instead Ubisoft released it on the DS, and is yet another forgettable action title.
Sony could also gain a lot by garnering more support from Japanese software developers and having the games later ported to English. Many casual, trivia, and role-playing games that have enjoyed tremendous success on the Nintendo DS could bring that same success to the more capable PSP.
In conclusion
The PSP took some of the focus away from what should have been its primary priority with things like its tagged on UMD movie format, large size, relatively heavy weight (before the PSP Slim), heftier price tag, and lack of software support. Its primary priority should have been concentrating on the reason most people buy handhelds; that is, conveniently playing fun games on the go. PSP2 can get these things right by focusing on features that will make gaming more enjoyable and surpass the experience available on other handhelds.
April 14th, 2008
at 8:51 pm
Solid article there. :) Just out of interest, where is the image from?
April 14th, 2008
at 9:34 pm
Yeah, where is this image coming from? Is there a new PSP slim in development (other than that B.S. they released a while ago)?
April 14th, 2008
at 9:57 pm
bluetooth would be nice
April 14th, 2008
at 10:05 pm
The inclusion of Sixaxis would be humerous if nothing else. You coud use it then as a PS3 controller and have a giggle and people waving their arms about on the bus.
April 14th, 2008
at 10:19 pm
It really needs Bluetooth!
That way, just like “Thom” said, you can use your SixaxiS with it. Could you imagine being able to go to your fiends house, connect the PSP2 to their tv, hand them a SixaxiS and play games head to head? Cool huh?
Even cooler, use it as an SixaxiS replacement with your PS3. Use the screen to enhance how you interact with your games!
Also you can use an BT headset to communicate and also listen to music wirelessly.
Yes, it really needs Bluetooth connectability!
April 14th, 2008
at 10:58 pm
The Image of the PSP Above is a Fan Rendering of what the PSP2 should look like. It is considered by most to be the best out of all the Fan Renderings.
There are a couple of things I agree with in this article.
Hardrive - When it comes to this I agree that it should come with a Hardrive but I don’t think that the iPhone has a Hardrive it only has flash memory that is why it is limited to 8,& 16GB sizes and soon to be 32GB like the iPod touch.
Buttons - i really have never had any trouble with the way the buttons are placed but I suppose there is always room for improvement.
Shiny Black Surface - I fully Agree here. The PSP is a Dust and Finger Print Magnet!!!
Web Browser - I just want a Web Browser that will work and won’t run out of Memory so they need to beef up the Memory in both the PSP & the PS3. I’m really tired of hearing on how the PSP & PS3 have run out of memory and can’t open a page. If you call it a web Browser then it should be able to open all pages not just 1 or 2 Sony Pages. Ohh and they need to to keep up the Firmware upadtes with the Flash Updates and so on.
April 14th, 2008
at 11:22 pm
That is an awesome picture, but we are still trying to figure out where it is from.
I have been thinking about this a lot because Sony seems to think firmware updates is the way to go right now but I think a new PSP system wouldn’t be out of the question for a 2009 release.
On my list…
Bluetooth - I really liked the idea of listening to my music from the PSP2 on a wireless headset and to use with online matches or to use with Skype,
Rumble - I just thought why not
backwards compatible - they did this for PSone and PS2 so why not on the portable
larger glare free screen - with better graphics we need a larger screen to appreciate them on
built in hardrive - not necessary but wouldn’t be too bad especially if it had really large storage capacity.
change from UMD to BRMD - yes mini Blu Ray and this would complement the winning HD format and they could fit more info on a small disc. I also think Sony could have profited from the UMD a little more if they released more portable DVD players with a UMB slot but maybe that will happen with a BRMD
a better way to hold it - I can’t think of a way because they still need to make it slim to fit into a pocket so you Sony guys better be brainstorming
wireless anywhere - I would love to have the ability to game online ANYWHERE without having to worry about being in a hotspot or somewhere with wireless connection
two analog sticks - no reason why not and heck add on an L2 and R2 for goodness sake
touch screen - I know DS has this so people think it would be copying but they had the tech on palm pilots/organizers such a long time ago and a PSP2 don’t need 2 screens to do this. Just have one large screen that has a touch feature for some games or add other features like taking notes, draw sketches, and handwriting recognizer for text entry.
Some other ideas
GPS, phone service, HD picture, 0-9 num pad for quick text entry, webcam/mic built in
The sixaxis isn’t a bad idea but my opinion is no, and the reason is do you really see yourself shaking your PSP2 and trying to see the screen at the same time? good luck. Maybe this would be feasible if you are simply tilting it from side to side, so idk.
There is a good chance of Sony releasing a PSP2 and there are quite a few things that could be added but my guess is that so many of the wishes and maybes arent going to make it. This is becuase the price to add all of the technology into such a small portable package would be too expensive and trying to appeal to more than just the gaming community may be a mistake.
April 15th, 2008
at 12:49 am
While I agree with the general idea behind what you’re saying, I’ve got some opinions of my own that I’d like to share:
First, the PSP actually has a very solid library right now. I’d even say the most recent releases have far eclipsed what the DS has been offering over the past several months.
Secondly, I think Sony’s priority with the PSP2 should be portability above all else. Portability in every area and features that support this. One good example of such a feature in the article is an internal hard drive. Taking it a bit further, though, this hard drive should be present for downloadable content and games (or even segments of games) that could be installed. This would the PSP2 as a true portable entertainment experience, instead of just a small PS2 (PSP) that plays tiny discs. This focus should also be present in games. PS2 ports make nice games that show off the technology inside the PSP. They do not make great portable games. The PSP needs more games like “Patapon” and fewer” SOCOM: Controller Re-Mapped” or “Assassin’s Creed: Altair on a Tiny Screen” types of games like you suggest. I also think the current PSP would be much better off with PSN ports than it is with console ports. The type of gameplay you expect from a hand held is much too hard to come by on the system.
So yeah, I think the PSP2 would do well to follow the PSP and PS3’s path in striving to become a full-fledged entertainment portal…but this time around it needs to get over its identity crisis. Basically, I want the PSP2 to be an iPhone that stores fun, simple games instead of phone numbers.
April 15th, 2008
at 5:18 am
Would any of these ideas help PSP(2) sales? I dont think in any noticeable way…For one youre missing tons of great features and two cutting great staples of Sony and the PSP. Here’s and educated person’s list:
1) Add a second analog stick. No explanation needed. (Obviously Dreamcast had mediocre success with 1 analog stick, after the N64, but we have since become more advanced, in the West.
2)Bluetooth. Compatibility with your current PS3’s headset (and im sure your mobile phones as well) would cut down on added costs for the PSP2. Not to mention syncing to PS3 via Bluetooth and add the option to use PSP2 as a PS3 controller
3)Keep UMD/Add mini BD or Release a program to convert your current collection of UMD Games to Memory Stick Compatible Format. UMD 2.0 (Mini BDs) think DVD-9 capacity on a UMD sized disc, Sony would do it… And how pissed would i be when i buy a PSP2 and i cant play any of my PSP games on it so i have to carry around 2 Portable systems… Not smart
4) Add a LARGE flash storage. For games movies pictures etc. (as well as making the browser more capable by not limiting the internal storage.)
5)Keep Piano Black Finish (as well as add other colors). Piano black has become a staple of Sony and they should not abandon it…
6)(This one im reaching) Vibration, doesnt have to be much but something similar to a phone would be nice.
7)Are we forgetting something? No mention of L2/R2 buttons… Something like this would complete the transformation to use the handheld as a PS3 controller, if not a helpler controller.
I’m sure a creative person could think of more…
April 15th, 2008
at 5:22 am
Looks like Ice Blue Rhino had some of the same thoughts…
April 15th, 2008
at 8:11 am
I’d like to see WPA2 wireless protocol… namely so I wouldn’t have to re-configure my router and all other wireless kit just to get my PSP online….. can’t think of much else that you guys haven’t already said!
April 21st, 2008
at 7:54 pm
i think it should also be a mobile phone
May 11th, 2008
at 10:55 pm
it looks alot like the second sony mylo maybe its a real coception all the psps realy needed was better internet capability better games and a hard drive
May 24th, 2008
at 8:23 am
psp2 will need:
2 R buttons and L buttons
2 joysticks
bluetooth
hard drive
2 clippy thingys
it should be able to connect as a controller to a ps3 in a better way
a mini slide out keyboard to communicate and write messages
it should be able to send messages to others who play ps3 internet while they are offline
it should have a portable solar powered charger with it
it should have 2 USB ports
you should be able to connect it to a tv and then play it with ps3 controllers, or wirelessly connect to a tv and view your game on tv
June 21st, 2008
at 4:25 am
PSP2 should really have:
ethier a slide out keyboard/touchscreen
a bluetooth headset
some type of calling capability
a 6 to 8GB HDD
better internet
fingerprint proof surface
glare proof screen
2 analogs
Things it shouldnt really have and why:
L2 & R2 because that would make it bulky. instead have it come with clip on L2 & R2 buttons.
2 USB ports no need for it, why the hell would you connect it to 2 PCs. You can open several programs on 1 PC to put stuff on a PSP.
The PSP slim can connect with a TV.
June 28th, 2008
at 5:02 pm
my idea for memory on the psp 2 would be in the form of an sd card, seeing as sd cards can get to 32gb now, and would probably be advanced further by the release of the psp 2. i think this is good because it always replacable.
the picture is amazing, and is the best i have seen out of concepts for the psp 2. i hope sony see this design and take it into account.
July 8th, 2008
at 8:15 pm
give it a multi-touch screen, and HDMI cable support along with at least a resolution of 1024 by 768.
also put 32gb flash in there.
July 15th, 2008
at 4:01 am
the image looks nice but a little big.
July 18th, 2008
at 8:01 am
it needs touchscreen
August 3rd, 2008
at 11:40 pm
I have the New iPhone 3G, and feel like it’s so upsetting that people want to create an iPhone killer. But they change there whole Phone. Apple is so awsome and really has not changed a thing in the past six years except, the future. It’s comeing to the point (having all the good games on my iPhone) when Sony should redesign the PSP ( Playststion Phone). Your picture is awsome, infact the next one shouldn’t be cuite. It should be sweet.
I would say Sony should make the PSP the same interface. I loved that about the PS3 that it looked like a giant psp. With technology where it’s at. Everything goes together on one 80GB hard drive, or one (32GB SD) hmmm!!! You’ll have your 1. Games, 2. Music, 3. Videos, 4. Web Browser, 5. Photos, 6. Memory Card or SD Card, 7. (PHONE), and settings to cusomize it.
Sony has had these features for a while, apple is smart and copied them. Sony should say “We have three things to talk about”. And they are ” a phone a psp and an Internet comunication divice”. Dosen’t this sound like what Steve Jobs said back in Feb. 07 when he introduced the iPhone.
I like what you created, but I say make it an iPhone killer. It needs a 4inch screen, a touchscreen. Not a slide out keyboard but a side out game pad exactly like you have created in the picture above. How you’ll make calls is simple. It will when you hold it upright, it will Bring up a keypad when you touch it phone or press send/ start located on the left side in portrat mode. When you slide out the game pad. You’ll be able to text lanscape mode or browse the web Zooming in and out with the Joy Stiqs on the Right and left. My favorite part will the 32GB of built in internal storage where you can hold; Music, Movies, Photos, Contacts and A new one all your Games. You will download games and interact with your PS3. An awsome idea for this would be, once you buy it. You get three free games of your choice from PS1, PS2, to PSP. It will come with a disc that will help you sync all your Movies, Music, Contacts, Mail Accounts, ( sounds like the iPhone, but this didn’t) Playstation Games You Bought Online.
This is What The Next PSP Should Be. Alot More Features ofcourse like GPS and A 5MP Camera
August 8th, 2008
at 9:42 pm
is this a fake 1 or is it what sony is making ?
August 29th, 2008
at 7:06 am
this is realy wat the new psp should have on it
bluetooth.
a 3.2 meg camara.nothing too beafy.
a small slide out key board.
a 10 gb hard drive.
a micro sd memory slot.
a better u s b port.
it should have a HD ready l.c.d screen.
a t.v adapter slot.so u can watch it io ur t.v.
the internet should have a longer searching radious.
and bigger speakers that have a much louder and much better sound quality.
and it should way 10ozs or under.
and make sure u put somthing like this on the market in the next year or so for about £180.00
THANKS.
August 30th, 2008
at 3:32 am
awesome amazing design pic how i wish that could be the real thing