The PSP 3000: Just a few tiny changes from last year’s version.

(Credit: Sony via Joystiq)

Sony officially unveiled the PSP 3000 Wednesday at the Leipzig Games Convention in Germany, confirming rumors that had popped up online in recent weeks. But before you get excited (or–if you just bought a PSP–exasperated), note that this appears to be an even more subtle upgrade than the slimmed-down PSP 2000 that debuted in September 2007. The main changes, according to Sony:

• An antireflective screen, “which enables users to see the screen more clearly in well-lit places, even when used outdoors.” [Update (08/21/2008): According to Engadget Japan (as translated by sister site PSPfanboy), the screen improvements don't stop at the antireflective screen. Sony has apparently also doubled the response time, improved the contrast ratio, and bumped up the color gamut.]
• A built-in microphone, which will allow users to use voice features in certain games and use the PSP’s built-in Skype functionality without the need for a mic-enabled headset.
• The addition of 480i output for gameplay when the PSP is connected to a TV screen via a composite or S-Video cable. (The previous model only allowed playback at 480p, effectively restricting the usefulness of the feature to newer HDTVs with component video inputs.)

The PSP 3000 is expected to hit stores worldwide (Japan, Asia, North America, and Europe) in October, with some markets getting up to three colors: black, pearl white, and silver. Pricing and bundles weren’t disclosed, but we’re guessing Sony will stick with the tried and true $169 barebones/$199 bundle price points that have helped propel the handheld’s strong sales.

Source: Cnet

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July 17, 2008 - You might be somewhat preoccupied with E3 right now, but the PlayStation Store still delivered this week with a batch of new content to download and enjoy, perhaps just to stave off the need to play all the games at E3 you don’t have access to. The primary components of today’s update are the downloadable title Elefunk and the PlayStation classic Rayman. If you want to check out the full details on this weeks additions, head over to the official PlayStation Blog here to check the post from Senior Manager Grace Chen.

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July 16, 2008 - With the announcement that Microsoft would be sealing an exclusive deal with Netflix to supplement its already considerable list of movies and TV shows, PS3 owners were wondering how Sony would counter this arrangement. That was answered rather surprisingly today, as Sony announced their brand new movie and TV download service. PS3 and PSP owners would both be able to rent or purchase various products from eight different studios for a relatively low price: TV show rentals would be $1.99 a piece, while movie rentals would range from $2.99 to $5.99 depending on either standard definition or high definition versions. Purchases of movies would range from $9.99 to $14.99 a movie. Even better, PS3 owners could download a movie and transfer it to their PSP to take it on the go. We couldn’t wait to try it out, and then Sony dropped the bomb.

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July 15, 2008 - At Sony Computer Entertainment’s 2008 Media Briefing, SCE displayed a quick list of games coming out for PSP in the coming months and beyond. Here’s a rundown of what was there:

• NBA 09: The Inside – SCE rebots its b-ball franchise with this new edition. We’re not sure yet what’s new, but it looks nice.
• Super Stardust Portable – The Geometry Wars-killer is now in your handheld. Smooth play and a hectic pace promise your time will be sucked away.
• LocoRoco 2 — More rocos going loco!
• Patapon 2 – Previously announced in Japan, this four-player sequel will get into your brain.
• Star Wars: Force Unleashed – It’s much smaller than its PS3 brother, but it might be just as good.
• Madden NFL 09 – Toss the pigsking once again.
• Lego Batman – The LEGO fun continues.
• Buzz! Quiz Master –The master trivia game is now portable.

NOTE: The PlayStation 3 game Valkyria Chronicles was shown at the event as a PSP title, but this was a mistake by Sony — SEGA confirmed that this footage is from the PS3 game and there are no plans currently to announce a PlayStation Portable version of this game.