some *POSSIBLE* bad news for current psp owners, including myself....

[SL4IN]

Original PSP to be "phased out" (http://www.pspfanboy.com/2007/07/13/original-psp-to-be-phased-out/)

Much like Sony is phasing out the 60 Gig PS3 (http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2007/07/13/scee-boss-predicts-60gbs-will-be-sold-out-by-months-end-after/), so too will go the original PSP. Sony PR, Patrick Seybold had this to say: "The newly designed PSP wil replace the original PSP design starting in September with the $169.99 PSP Core Pack and the $199.99 Daxter PSP Entertainment Pack." So if for some reason you like your handhelds with more bulk and less capabilities, quickly go out, and buy the original PSP while supplies last.

New FW 3.6 contains features only useable in the PSP redesign (http://www.pspfanboy.com/2007/07/13/psp-firmware-3-60-reveals-hidden-usb-charge-feature/)

We got our hands on a fully functional redesigned PSP, and we immediately grabbed pictures of the firmware that was installed on the system. Currently unreleased, version 3.60 was installed on the system. All of the features that are available in 3.60 will not work on the old PSP system, and it's unclear whether or not an older PSP system will even display the features found in this update.

UMD Cache is used to increase the load speeds of games. As revealed earlier (http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/12/added-ram-makes-psp-games-load-faster/), the cache is added RAM found in the redesigned system

USB Charge allows players to charge their PSP battery by connecting their systems via USB. Previously, the system would drain power when stuck in USB mode.

Connected Display Settings contains the settings for the new video-out feature.

Within the display settings, PSP owners can change the type of TV that's connected, and settings for screensavers. We connected a PSP to a TV and were impressed by the results: UMD movies look fantastic, but games will be bordered. PSP games are rendered at 480x272, progressive scan only. Because it's output at 480x272, there will be black borders all around the image when playing on the television.

needless to say, if playing games like final fantasy crisis core and the newer games coming out around the time of the redesign require FW 3.6 and sony DOESN'T make a 3.6 for the current psp, i'm going to be VERY pissed to say the very least.

[daroga]

There's no way they're going to alienate their 25 million or so current model PSP owners out there and not allow them to spend money on some of their big upcoming games. There's either just going to be unused features for us in the new firmware, or just a spearate version of the firmware for the old version as opposed to the new version.

[The Mana Knight]

Sony isn't going to screw us over. The older PSP models have already been upgraded to run at 333MHz. The UMD Cache can only be used on the new PSP anyway because of it having an internal memory. The new PSP is designed to be charged by USB. Due to the design of the current PSP, I don't believe its possible to charge via USB. And since the newer PSP has the video out feature, it will be needed. I think we'll still have to upgrade our PSP, but it won't affect our PSPs.

Sony had us upgrade our firmware to 1.6 on PS3 in March, to enable the software emulation for Europe. Our hardware BC PS3s weren't affected at all over this, just the Euro ones. Personally, I think the same will happen.

Don't worry SL4IN. ;)

[bmachine]

I suspect alienating those 25M "PSP Phat" users would be a really bad PR move...and Sony needs to concern themselves with generating some positive PR right about now. I think they'll have a plan for us.

[62t]

sony could just make a 3.6B firmware for the current PSP user. There is nothing to worry about.

[KingDox]

The trouble is when developers say "well it only takes 60 seconds to load" on the 3.6 FW while forgetting it will take 120 seconds on the old school PSP.

While the new games are sure to not require new hardware, there are sure to be games that play much better on them.

[pinoy530]

I wouldnt be surprised if hackers figured out a way to implement these features on the current psp, well except maybe for the video out thing.

[62t]

I wouldnt be surprised if hackers figured out a way to implement these features on the current psp, well except maybe for the video out thing.
probably not since the old psp does not have the extra ram or the ability to charge from usb.

[daroga]

I wouldnt be surprised if hackers figured out a way to implement these features on the current psp, well except maybe for the video out thing.I can assure you that I can load games on my PSP much faster right now than the new model can.

Having my games copied to the memory stick is fantastic.

[pete5883]

Are you stupid? These are PSP Slim features. Not FW 3.6 features.

[CrimsonPaw]

It would be nice to see something that caches the UMD to memory stick on the older PSPs; like being able to go into the settings and configure this option.

[snakelda]

I can assure you that I can load games on my PSP much faster right now than the new model can.

Having my games copied to the memory stick is fantastic.I like that too.Monster Hunter Freedom is unplayable through the UMD.....

[NamPaehc]

That just says the features of the FW will not work on the old PSP's but that doesn't mean you can't upgrade with it. None of those items mentioned effect game play.

All you'll have is slower loading then a newer PSP, that isn't to much of a big deal.

[The Mana Knight]

PSP load times aren't that bad IMO for most all the games anyway, so I don't feel the need to ever run them off a memory stick with customer firmware. The data caching is nice though.

[icruise]

I'll be getting one in any case, but the I was disappointed to hear Jack Tretton say in a Gizmodo (?) video interview that the faster loading times would only apply to games that had been designed with the new system in mind (or at least that's how I understood what he said).

[jer7583]

Monster Hunter is unplayable period.. Ugh.

And UMD loading onto memory stick will be faster anyway. Custom Firmware is still the only way to run older games like daxter and Outrun at 333 and at a smoother framerate. The official firmware is only enabling 333 for newer games.