PSP-4000 has sliding screen, “complete aesthetic overhaul"

Sarge wrote:Source: PSP-4000 has sliding screen, is “complete aesthetic overhaul”

VG247 has learned that PSP-4000 does have a sliding front-screen, with a highly-trusted source confirming fresh details on the unannounced machine this morning.

PSP-4000 is not PSP2, but rather a “complete aesthetic overhaul” based on existing PSP tech.

Much is now known by some parties of the console, which will be announced at either GDC or E3 this year, but cards are currently being clutched very tightly to chests.

The revamp does have a sliding front-screen, and we’re assured the design being currently touted isn’t a million miles away from this now-infamous image.

Eurogamer rumoured PSP-4000 for a 2009 release in December last year, and our source confirmed this to be the case today.

Sony has constantly denied PSP2 is in the works: now you know why.

http://www.vg247.com/2009/02/23/source- ... -overhaul/

"Aesthetic overhaul" doesn't suggest it'll have any additional functionality, though I'd imagine it'll have internal memory for PSN downloads.

NickSCFC wrote:What I'd like to see

a -480p multitouch screen
b -No UMD - Content downloaded from web, PSP store, PS3 store or shops
c -Decent thumb-stick, 2 if possible
d -L2 and R2 shoulder buttons
e -HDMI

Point a - why would it need either feature?

Point b - I strawberry floating hope not, I want to be able to get rid of/sell games I don't like/don't play any more. A DS style 'memory card' format would be better than UMD and would eliminate load times.

point c - the thumb stick needs to far better, but adding a 2nd would almost guarantee a slew of shoddy PS2 and PS3 ports

Point d - good idea.

point e - does anyone actually connect their current PSP to the TV?

As much as I love the PSP Sony are going to want to capture a part of that iphone/DS casual crowd which is highly lucrative at the minute as opposed to chasing down and cannibalising its existing market. If I were Sony Id go right back the drawing board and start from scratch with the following specification:

1. Smaller Screen, VGA Res, OLED.
The PSP fails as a portable device because its just too damn big. The DS closes to protect itself and the iphone has a big thick glass front. Id go for a device about the size of the HTC Touch HD. Lose about 1" off the screen but up the resolution to make films and games look extra sharp.

2. Get rid of the analog sticks altogether, implement touch screen, tilt.
Get rid of the analogs? Are you nuts? The PSPs biggest problem is developers have been making to many console games for it as opposed to portable games and this has to stop. By getting rid of the analog sticks altogether you force developers to use a little imagination as opposed to just filling it up with ports from the bigger consoles. 2x shoulder buttons, the d-pad and 4x face buttons works fine for the DS and would work fine for the PSP2. Extra buttons confuses non-gamers and here is where the $$$ is. The PSPs 3 best games: WipEout, Patapon and Locoroco need no analog stick to function. Keep FPS games off the damn thing.

3. Killer media functions
You are Sony, one of the worlds greatest electronic companies. Instead of immitating your competitors take the fight to them. The PSP needs to have a decent music player on board and support DivX out of the box. An FM tuner wouldnt go a miss and niether would wireless syncing. When every single decent mobile phone ships with a competant MP3 player and the PSP stilll doesnt support playlists you know something is wrong. A mini-HDMI output to watch movies and photos on a TV is needed because the biggest competitor to the PSP isnt the DS, its the ipod touch. Have a cheaper 8GB model and a more expensive 16Gb.

4. Network integration at the heart.
It doesnt need HSDPA (too expensive) but the PSP2 needs to have the PSN at its core. ALL games download only. No messy disks/cards/cartridges. Automatic updates for demos and extras, so as soon as I get home from work my PSP2 connects to my wireless network and checks if any of the games on my wishlist have a demo out, any preview shots or videos or have released any DLC and download it all automatically.

5. SDK
You fought a long battle with the homebrew community. Get them onside with an official PSP SDK and introduce a Yaroze channel for the PSN with user created games and software, all tightly controlled by yourselves. This means anyone flashing custom firmware is obviously a pirate and can be prosecuted accordingly.

Carlos wrote:As much as I love the PSP Sony are going to want to capture a part of that iphone/DS casual crowd which is highly lucrative at the minute as opposed to chasing down and cannibalising its existing market. If I were Sony Id go right back the drawing board and start from scratch with the following specification:

1. Smaller Screen, VGA Res, OLED.
The PSP fails as a portable device because its just too damn big. The DS closes to protect itself and the iphone has a big thick glass front. Id go for a device about the size of the HTC Touch HD. Lose about 1" off the screen but up the resolution to make films and games look extra sharp.

2. Get rid of the analog sticks altogether, implement touch screen, tilt.
Get rid of the analogs? Are you nuts? The PSPs biggest problem is developers have been making to many console games for it as opposed to portable games and this has to stop. By getting rid of the analog sticks altogether you force developers to use a little imagination as opposed to just filling it up with ports from the bigger consoles. 2x shoulder buttons, the d-pad and 4x face buttons works fine for the DS and would work fine for the PSP2. Extra buttons confuses non-gamers and here is where the $$$ is. The PSPs 3 best games: WipEout, Patapon and Locoroco need no analog stick to function. Keep FPS games off the damn thing.

3. Killer media functions
You are Sony, one of the worlds greatest electronic companies. Instead of immitating your competitors take the fight to them. The PSP needs to have a decent music player on board and support DivX out of the box. An FM tuner wouldnt go a miss and niether would wireless syncing. When every single decent mobile phone ships with a competant MP3 player and the PSP stilll doesnt support playlists you know something is wrong. A mini-HDMI output to watch movies and photos on a TV is needed because the biggest competitor to the PSP isnt the DS, its the ipod touch. Have a cheaper 8GB model and a more expensive 16Gb.

4. Network integration at the heart.
It doesnt need HSDPA (too expensive) but the PSP2 needs to have the PSN at its core. ALL games download only. No messy disks/cards/cartridges. Automatic updates for demos and extras, so as soon as I get home from work my PSP2 connects to my wireless network and checks if any of the games on my wishlist have a demo out, any preview shots or videos or have released any DLC and download it all automatically.

5. SDK
You fought a long battle with the homebrew community. Get them onside with an official PSP SDK and introduce a Yaroze channel for the PSN with user created games and software, all tightly controlled by yourselves. This means anyone flashing custom firmware is obviously a pirate and can be prosecuted accordingly.

If it looks like this I'll be well happy, it looks great!

Considering how much they charge for PSP games on the PS Store I hope they don't get rid of the UMD drive.

LewisD wrote:If it looks like this I'll be well happy, it looks great!

Well, VG247's source did say it looked like it...

I think it's looks a bit 90's Retro.