1up is reporting that they have firm confirmation from "sources" detailing the oft-rumored new PSP model. Apparently the new model--which will bear a nominal moniker (likely PSP Go!) rather than a numerical one such as PSP2 or PSP-4000--will feature a sliding screen that contains buttons, the d-pad, and analog nub underneath. The new model will also be ditching the battery-sucking UMD drive in favor of either 8GB or 16GB on-board flash memory, and over 100 previously-released PSP title will reportedly be available on PlayStation Network at the time of the launch of the new device (this Fall).
Other features that have yet to be confirmed, but are still widely speculated upon, include an iPhone-esque touch screen to be used for navigation when the unit is "closed" and a built-in camera. 1up also confirmed that a second analog nub is not in the cards for the new model since Sony wants to avoid splintering its current install base. Given this, it is evident that this is not a clear-cut PSP2, but more wisely a radical iterative redesign that is akin to Nintendo's DSi.
This move represents a daring new direction for Sony, and, combined with an increased push for unique quality titles in 2009, seems to represent a new surge of support by the company and possibly a resurgence of the stagnant platform as a whole.
A pretty good artist's rendition of what the new model may look like can be found at the previously cited 1up article.
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