Multiple websites are reporting that Sony is planning to release the PSP 4000 – the next iteration of the current PSP – late in 2009.
Added to this, Eurogamer has been told by anonymous publishing sources that the console’s true successor is in the pipeline.
Details on the PSP 4000 and the PSP2 are scarce. SCEE says it will not comment on speculation. However, according to reports, developers are already working on games for the PSP2 model.
The PSP 4000 is set to replace the 3000 edition, a model which only just launched in the UK mid-October. The 2000 system – popularly known a PSP Slim and Lite – launched in September 2007.
The launch of the PSP 3000 was initially hampered by complaints of unsightly scan-lines when displaying some software, sparking rumors that Sony was set to withdraw the handheld from the market.
I have the original phat psp myself. Neither the slim or the brite tempted me to upgrade. I am looking forward to seeing if Sony's fourth version will be innovative enough to make me take the leap. I originally bought it for its potential as PMP but sadly it dismally fails for that purpose due to its poor memory and clunky interface. I think touch screen, large amount of memory both for immediate access and storage plus the mike and speakers of the 3rd gen version, but to really put the cherry on the top they should have a slot for a sim and wifi in both g and n flavours. I'm not suggesting a psp phone just a psp that could be used as a phone. Would that really be too much to ask. Oh and make it a bit more intuitive how to put movies on the thing because I would rather not watch movies than spend a load of money on umds that won't work in my dvd player or computer. Despite the greater screen real estate of the psp I still watch movies on the ipod classic just because it is a lot more easy to put them on there.