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Sony officially announces Skype for the Slim PSP photo

This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who has been paying attention, but now it's official: Skype features are coming to Sony's PlayStation Portable. 

The service will be available through a system software update sometime in late January, and has a similar feature set to the full Skype client. The client will support free voice calls between Skype users, contact management, along with pay SkypeOut (to land lines and mobile phones) and SkypeIn (receive calls from land and mobile lines) services. The service will only be available for Slim PSPs (PSP-2000 series), and requires a Memory Stick Duo and a "Skype-compatible audio input device." 

The full Sony press release can be found after the jump.

New PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) Expands Its Entertainment Experience by Introducing Skype(TM)

TOKYO, Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) today announced that it would introduce Skype(TM) features to the new slim and light PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) handheld entertainment system (PSP-2000 series). More than 246 million members are registered for the use of this communications software, which enables users to communicate with other Skype users around the world over the Internet.  Calls between Skype users are free of charge.
    
By introducing Skype on PSP, the following features and services will be made available to PSP users  (*1) (*2):

    -- Free voice calls between Skype users
    -- Skype contact list management (view existing contacts, add new ones)
    -- Skype presence (see which friends are online and available to talk)
    -- SkypeOut(TM) calls to make calls to landlines and mobile phones
       anywhere in the world (requires the purchase of Skype credit)
    -- Optional SkypeIn(TM) number that lets users receive calls on Skype from
       landlines and mobiles anywhere in the world (requires the purchase of
       Skype credit)
    -- View and modify Skype settings and account details (including username creation, SkypeOut settings, voicemail settings and call forwarding)

PSP users worldwide will be able to start using Skype features and services through a simple system software update scheduled in late January.After updating the PSP system software, a Skype icon will be added to the Network category in the home menu.  PSP users who do not yet have a Skype username can register by clicking the icon and following the instructions.PSP users who already have a Skype username can immediately sign in by clicking the Skype icon and entering their username and password.

SCEI will deploy various measures to meet users' demand and vigorously  promote the expansion of the PSP platform as a handheld entertainment system to enjoy a variety of interactive digital entertainment.

Continue: More Sony stories





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39 comments | showing # 1 to 39

l0cke's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 17:59
l0cke
FUCK! I want this for my original PSP!

Early adopter screwed again.
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 18:00
Holyetheline
omfg no way f'd in the a
Vegas's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 18:01
Vegas
I wonder why it won't work with the PSP-1000.
CaptainApocalypse's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 18:07
CaptainApocalypse
Now if they could only put some games on the PSP...
c0dek's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 18:14
c0dek
Quick - someone get a reaction from the Queen about this...
Jonathan Holmes's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 18:14
Jonathan Holmes
I am sooo close to buying a PSP Slim. But not quite there yet.

I thought I'd want one just for the A/V outs, but I found that there weren't really any PSP games I want to play on my tv, or anywhere else for that matter.

I have and OG PSP, and I have had some fun with it, but not enough to buy the thing twice.

When it price drops to $100, I'll probably pick one up.
free touch's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 18:16
free touch
well, as long as it's not a hardware issue, the psp and the slim psp use the same firmware. So, unless there's something in the alim psp that doesn't have a use yet, expect this on the new custom firmwares approx. 2 days after the official release.
Cheeburga's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 18:26
Cheeburga
UMD for the win.
Scape's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 18:31
Scape
Glad to see us early adopters getting shafted again.
JJ Rage's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 18:45
JJ Rage
Hey remember when Sony used to make video game machines?
robcat09's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 18:51
robcat09
JJ Rage says:
01/06/2008 18:45
Hey remember when Sony used to make video game machines?

Yeah, the cool thing now is that they make video game machines that also: play your music! and movies! and you can make phonecalls from them! and you can stream your stuff from your computer!

this is bad why again?
Clockwork's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 18:59
Clockwork
That's pretty damn cool!
robotplague's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 19:31
robotplague
It's one of those things that's cool, but only a select few will actually use it regularly. My guess is that most will try it once and never use it again. Regardless it's still pretty sweet, it's not going to make me buy a PSP or anything though.
ShawnKelfonne's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 19:37
ShawnKelfonne
So has there been any reason given as to why this won't work on the old PSP?
PrinceofCannedPeaches's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 19:43
PrinceofCannedPeaches
What the hell happened to the telephone?
PrinceofCannedPeaches's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 19:45
PrinceofCannedPeaches
Srsly. I wanna know. If you're out in public with a PSP, why the bloody f*cksauce wouldn't you have a regular old cellphone?
SDogg554's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 20:04
SDogg554
this is all leading up to my theory of a Sony Ericsson PS (PlayStation) cellphone series in the works. Seriously why can't they do it? they incorporate their Walkman brand into mp3 player cellphones, and they incorporate their cybershot brand into their cellphones with good quality cameras. how cool would it be to have a PlayStation based cellphone? it would destroy the ngage. *fap fap fap*
konchu's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 20:05
konchu
I'm guessing why this doesn't work on the old units is much why the new units can do video out and that is they updated the feature connector that is by the headset. I bet it has a way to hook up a mic on that connector now that the other does not.
Noah's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 20:09
Noah
I don't think half of you guys even know what Skype is. It's not supposed to be a cell phone, but a long distance calling service. All the people who use SkypeOut to call home phone lines and cells are paying money for that service.... because it's insanely cheap, costs .021 cents to make a long distance call.

I live in Asia and use it for calling home, $10 will last me a few months.
Lame that it might not work on normal PSP's.
Elrando's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 20:15
Elrando
I generally don't like most of the decisions sony have made since... well since the PS2 was a current gen machine. Haven't owned a sony system since then either, but this is pretty damn awesome.
l0cke's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 20:15
l0cke
@konchu

Normal PSP's already use headsets for games like soccom etc. I don't see why this would be any different.
Pygmy's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 20:20
Pygmy
Or the reason it doesn't work with old units is because Sony wants you to buy a new one so they can make more money off of the same product.
madmatt's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 20:24
madmatt
I can bet you the hacking community will make a custom firmware that will allow the old PSP's to have this feature.
Shin Oni's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 20:30
Shin Oni
Remember when Sony payed attention to all their Playstation versions?

me nethier. How about those PSP games? I can skype it up with anyone some other time. I don't want a N-gage 2 here.
StolenName's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 20:33
StolenName
I'd like to know if people screaming "early adopter screwed" are actually serious? Fuck me, I've had my original PSP since release September 2k5 and really can't complain that I'm getting boned. Just like any regular tech upgrade, you need to keep up with the tech if you care about all the extras. It's cheap enough to trade in your old for new anyway.

I'm with Konchu on this one, it'd be something to do with the connector or hardware.

Personally, I don't see Skype on PSP as useful for me as I just use Skype on the PC or even Xbox LIVE if I need to chat to someone overseas. However, if you could find enough hotspots, knew enough people with Skype or Skype PSPs, then errr .. sure it COULD be useful.

It's a good thing that will get underused.
Drift64's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 20:44
Drift64
I believe that it does not work with the old psp is that because the new slim psp has more RAM. 64mb of RAM is in the new slim psp, compare to the old 32 in the original. Maybe that is what require for skype to run properly on the psp slim.
FiveStar's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 20:54
FiveStar
It's a cool feature and all, but are you going to be out in public talking through a headset plugged into your PSP? Just use a cell phone.
Imako's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 21:06
Imako
psp vs ngage2, somebody start taking bets!
Quest's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 21:09
Quest
no way that i'm gonna buy a slim psp for that ... i'll wait for a custom fw
Wheeliedude's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 21:20
Wheeliedude
I can't return this headset now.
FUCK
Necros's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 21:25
Necros
Actually, that's kind of cool. Podcasting on the go!
chief blaze's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 22:11
chief blaze
Worry no more phat psp owners. The homebrew scene has you covered. Click here for more.
Xeniteone's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/06/2008 23:36
Xeniteone
Dammit, as soon as I buy a PSP, the PSP lite just gets better and better. Seriously, I'm going to just bite the bullet and trade it in for a DS. Maybe Gabe or Tycho could send me one. Needless to say, I do want to get on the Skype train. I've got a bunch of friends in Beijing and Hong Kong, and talking to them is a bitch on the pocketbook. Yeah, I just said pocketbook, like your mom, sometimes.
Crunshii's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/07/2008 00:00
Crunshii
pretty nifty. Podcast as you go and if you want to save some minutes on your cell (you guys know how much cellphone companies screw us on day time) IT doesn't hurt to have this option available during daytime.

Now I hope Dark_Alex can custom fw this into the 1000 series...

About the 64m vs 32m well, does it really need 64m ram to install this basic software? send out the Geek-Detectives!
Anarpis's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/07/2008 09:17
Anarpis
Maybe they could somehow integrate this into games for an ingame voice chat feature, would be nifty for multiplayer games
JohnnyV's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/07/2008 13:49
JohnnyV
Nice!

Now I can finally get randomly messaged by Chinese gold farmers while I'm on the go! :P

WTF every happened to the GPS attachment?
JohnnyV's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/07/2008 13:49
JohnnyV
Nice!

Now I can finally get randomly messaged by Chinese gold farmers while I'm on the go! :P

WTF every happened to the GPS attachment?
Fading Star's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/17/2008 01:57
Fading Star
That's nice.
Mikemon's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/21/2008 14:47
Mikemon
Well, I'm goit to buy the slim one with my cash from http://cashcrate.com/462607
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