PSP Direct Downloads Confirmed for North America

New firmware this month will bring the PlayStation Store to PSP in the U.S. SCEA also said new firmware will be released for PS3 this month. Details on both within...

by James Brightman on Monday, October 13, 2008

PSP Direct Downloads Confirmed for North America

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today announced details around the next firmware updates for both the PS3 and PSP platforms. Specific dates were not mentioned, but both updates are planned for this month.

Following last week's news that Sony would soon launch the PlayStation Store on PSP in Japan, SCEA said today that with firmware v. 5.00 for PSP, North American gamers will indeed have direct access to the PlayStation Store from the PSP, meaning they can download new games, trailers or demos anywhere they have Wi-Fi access – connecting to a PS3 or PC will no longer be necessary.

Other PSP enhancements will include an on-screen keyboard, a sleep timer (during music playback), and an upgrade to the PSP-2000's video-out feature to enable it to display classic PlayStation titles at the full-screen size of the TV that the PSP is connected to (and interlace displays will be supported).

The PS3's firmware update will bring the system up to v. 2.50. None of the features seem as significant as the PSP getting direct store access, but there are a number of nice, smaller improvements. The firmware will offer advanced voice chat features for the PS3 Official Bluetooth Headset; the ability to capture screenshots in-game with supporting titles in the future; enhancements to make the PlayStation Trophy interface more intuitive; video scene search functionality with thumbnails; the Information Board will be able to include direct links to PlayStation Store; and a power save feature will be added so users have the option to automatically shut-off their console or controllers after pre-selected periods of inactivity.

"These firmware updates keep both PS3 and PSP in lockstep with consumer expectations for gaming and entertainment, particularly the ability to download PSP games on-the-go, which is a functionality we know consumers can't wait to get their hands on," said Peter Dille, senior vice president of marketing and PlayStation Network, SCEA. "As we approach our second anniversary with PlayStation 3, it's remarkable to look back at how much the system has evolved and improved, including its critical link to PSP that effectively extends these entertainment capabilities beyond the home."

via GameDaily

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