By: Ryan Williams (UplandBahz)

PSP, PS3 and Peripheral announcements from Sony.

Earlier today, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. announced plans to release an assortment of new products to the US market this fall. While all of these announcements are positive for gamers that are beginning to look to Sony this year, the announcement comes as a bit of a boot to the stomach for gamers who just recently purchased PS3 or PSP hardware. Included in these announcements were details of Sony’s next edition of the PlayStation Portable (PSP), a new PlayStation 3 bundle that will include a 160GB PS3 along with Uncharted: Drakes Fortune and a new Keypad peripheral that will attach to the DUALSHOCK 3 controller.

The new PSP (PSP-3000) is a mediocre revision from Sony’s last edition. The new PSP is based off of the PSP-2000’s ‘slim and light’ design, yet adds a new high resolution LCD screen that will enhance the displays capabilities. The new PSP-3000 will also include a built-in microphone that Sony claims “will allow users to easily enjoy games that utilize a microphone, as well as Skype and other communication tools.” Does this mean that we can expect PSP developers to be adding voice recognition capability into future releases? The PSP-3000 will also include enhanced output capabilities for users who wish to utilize the video-out feature on non-progressive TV’s. (Last years, PSP-2000 could only display content on Progressive scan displays.)

The new PSP will be available worldwide in Black, Silver, and White this October. It was also announced that in North America, the new PSP-3000 will be included in the Ratchet & Clank PSP entertainment pack on October 14th 2008.

Just as the previously announced 80GB PS3 have started shipping to retailers, Sony announced that a Limited Edition 160GB PS3 bundle is scheduled to be released in November. Sony’s new bundle will include a new 160GB PS3, a copy of Uncharted: Drakes Fortune (Released November 2007), a DUALSHOCK 3 Wireless Controller and a voucher to download the game PAIN from the PlayStation Network.

Lastly, and arguably Sony’s most exciting announcement was that of a wireless keypad for the PS3’s SIXAXIS and DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controllers. For any PS3 gamer who has had tried typing text messages into the PS3, this new peripheral will be a welcome addition. The new wireless Keypad is said to be designed to fit precisely into the unique shape of SIXAXIS and DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controllers and can be easily attached and removed.

The keypad will feature two shortcut buttons, one message button and one communication button. These buttons will allow users to jump instantly to a pre set location within the Cross Media Bar (XMB). Possibly the most interesting feature of this peripheral is the keyboard itself which doubles as a touchpad. Users will be able to slide their finger across the surface of the keypad to controller the pointer while web browsing. With this new feature, it would be interesting to see future titles take advantage of this new control scheme.

Additional details of Sony’s announcements can be found at: http://www.us.playstation.com/News/PressReleases