Sony came out swinging today with a major announcement regarding
its entry into the handheld market: the PSP. With a screen
measuring in at a tidy 4.5 inches, the new device surely must have
Nokia, Nintendo and other portable/handheld deck-makers quaking in
their boots. In fact, the device is apparently so monumental, it
has at least one Sony exec calling the unit "the Walkman of the
21st Century." Additionally, Ken Kutaragi, CEO of Sony Computer
Entertainment Inc. and father of the Playstation commented that the
device will be more powerful than the original PlayStation.
And just what makes this wondertoy so appealing? Well, other than
the obvious welcome addition to the handheld market, we'd say it's
these drool-worthy (and preliminary) specs:
# UMD or Universal Media Device. This storage media is 60mm, about
half the size of the traditional CD and has a capacity of 1.8GB.
That's right GB. Expect massively complex, detailed gaming (for
your handheld anyway). 2.4 inches.
# ATRAC encoding support (Sony's proprietary sound format used in
their minidiscs). This could mean it will be a multi-media
device.
# Graphics specs are also impressive: NURB technology for rendering
with full 3D polygons.
# The unit's widescreen LCD screen (480x272, that's the coveted
16:9 ratio we all love) will be backlit.
# The unit's sound processing will feature full 3D sound, PCM, and
will be "fully reconfigurable."
# MIPS 32-bit processor.
# Also, a secure ROM cartridge for anti-piracy efforts.
# Super-one-chip solution for graphics, sound, etc.
# Memory stick will be used for game saves. Also, for GPS
functionality.
# Rechargeable battery.
# CPU: 90 nanometers with a clock speed TBD.
# USB 2.0 connection for talking to your PC, cellphone, even your
PS2.
# Embedded RAM.
# Supports additional video codecs (other than MPEG 4.)
We suspect that the PSP will also come equipped with an analog
stick and, since the media is disc-based, it may also have a
flip-top lid/cover.
IGN is tracking more info on the PSP and hopes to be breaking more
news and details about the unit soon.
Concept model can view 
here
