Sony Discusses Functionality Expansion For PSP

Sony Computer Entertainment platform development chief Izumi Kawanishi has been ruminating on possible featureset expansions for Sony's PSP gaming handheld, according to an interview hosted on Japanese video game website ITMedia, and partially translated by consumer game site GameSpot. In particular, Kawanishi revealed that Sony is in the planning stages on a number of USB devices for the PSP, and these should be announced in the near future. Although not confirmed, a keyboard and mouse peripheral to help browse the Web were specifically mentioned by the Sony executive, as well as an already-showcased GPS device, which it was suggested could be used with both games and Web applications. However, in discussing the idea of downloadable PSP games, Kawanishi commented that the idea is under consideration, and suggested equivocally that it would be interesting if users could develop their own simple games and distribute them online. So far, although many unofficial 'homebrew' PSP games and emulators have been created, the only Sony-sanctioned support for this concept is via From Software's Adventure Player PSP game, which allows construction of RPG games using PC software which can then be replayed on the PSP. In related news, the U.S. release of Version 2.0 of the PSP's operating system, which will enable official Internet browsing, is believed to be on schedule to debut in the near future. Although some have downloaded the Japanese version of this upgrade, Sony is recommending that North American users wait for the official American release of this upgrade.