Sony: We've learnt a lot from PSPgo.. really?

PSPgo was a failure, no doubt about that and Sony is finally speaking of it. When asked about success of PSPgo, SCEE president and CEO Andrew House replied: “It was introduced in a mature lifecycle to learn more about what the consumer wanted and we’ve definitely learnt a lot.

“Is that measured by success in sales? I don’t think it is.

“One of the reasons we launched PSPgo was to understand where that consumer behaviour was going. We were getting signals from consumers that this was the kind of device that they wanted. But we need to recognise that consumers like their packaged media library.”

From my personal opinion the segment "consumers like their packaged media library" is where Sony got it wrong. Its not that consumer prefer UMD vs digital download that contribute to PSPgo doom. Digital download actually seen success elsewhere such as Steam, and iTunes, and Sony cannot simply blame digital download. In fact I believe digital download is the future of gaming industry, as more and more people conveniently buy digital products than ever before.

So what really went wrong? 

PSPgo is overprice, and still no reduction of price is seen although Sony make an effort giving free games for new buyer.
The library for digital PSP games are disappointing. Try finding back couple years back games, and not only that, sometimes new games need couple more weeks before it appears into PS store. And the funny thing is, sometimes the new games don't even appear at all.
The the cost of the game? Same as UMD, not cheaper. So what's the benefit in buying PSPgo? Sure, it is slicker, smaller, but for more money it doesn't give any added value for people to invest in it.

Those things are what Sony has to identify and not blaming consumers for loving their "packaged media library".  
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Rumor control: PSP minis will be playable on PS3. Logitect is developing UMD add on for PSP go.

So today rumors will be around Sony console.
Firstly, there is a rumor that PSP minis will be playable on PS3. 
Sony Europe did tell that there is a possibility that PSP minis will come to PS3. So even if Sony isn't saying anything regarding this matter right now, looks like it will become reality soon enough.

The other rumor is that Logitech is developing PSP go UMD add on, so that PSP go owners can enjoy UMD released games.
This comes no surprise since PSP go can no way play all PSP collection and Sony definitely will not making this add on. Why? Because by doing that is the same as Sony admitted that PSP go is a failure. So, Logitech is seeing the opportunity I bet Sony will be quiet about this.
If this is true nevertheless, it's kinda lose the point in buying PSP go, is it? No only it will become bulkier by putting the UMD add on, you can buy old PSP and ready to play UMD games. Not to mention cheaper price too.
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LittleBigPlanet for PSPgo is a no go?

LittleBigPlanet PSP launched? Check. Is it available in UMD format? Check. Have a PSPgo? Check.
Play LittleBigPlanet on PSPgo? Not just yet, the game is not available on Playstation Network.
And what did Sony respond about this? 
Patrick Seybold, Sr. Director, Corporate Communications and Social Media for SCEA said, "The goal is to have the titles available on the same day, and that is usually the case. We're aware LBP isn't on the PlayStation Store just yet, and are working on solving that as we speak. We appreciate your patience".
Is it silly that you can get the UMD version roll out but you can't make it available on PS network? Yesss.
Well, it didn't happen to LittleBigPlanet also. Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 is nowhere to be found on PS store and it has launched since last week.

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What can you expect more from PSPgo?

PSPgo is here with lukewarm sales. Indeed Sony should improve its support on PSPgo. So what could improve PSPgo? Here are the wish lists: 

1. UMD transfer to digital.
Since PSPgo don't have UMD drive to play UMD games, Sony once promised that it will find a solution to its UMD transfer problem. Alas, right now the plan has been put on hold because of piracy and legality issues. Well, we still waiting on this one though.
 
2. Up to date PS store games library. 
PS store is updated every week with bunch of games for PSP. However certain games are available in UMD format, but nowhere to be seen in PS store. Now, that's not fair.


3. Cheaper games on PSPgo?
Being digital download only, no UMD or packaging involved, less distribution cost, the games should be cheaper, no? Well, it should! However, since Sony is afraid that cheaper games on PSPgo might threaten retail stores, the price on digital download is more or less the same! Well Sony, if you dare to launch PSPgo, please take some responsibility to those who has faith in your product.  


4. Comics from Playstation Store
One of the feature that might soon be available is that you wil be able to read digital version of paper comics on your PSP. Sony has partnered with Marvel, IDW, iVerse, and others to give you an array of digital comics, once a firmware update this Dec launches.

5. Video ratings guide
Some people will not care about this feature, but for parents it will be different story. The guide will gives an ratings whether it is ESRB for games, or MPAA for film. Older PSP might get this feature via update in the future.

6. Game rental
Though there is absolutely no confirmation from Sony about this one, however if you go to your game information (with firmware 6.0), there is a information about expire time limit of the game.
It could be for future game rental on PS store and Sony has mentioned a monthy fee based PSP games rental service at the Game Developers Conference earlier this year. Rental service will be a terrific idea. Personally, I do want to try a few games without commiting to buy it because I afraid that I might find it uninteresting later.

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China Version of PSP go

Everyone knows that the Chinese love copycatting other product and they never feel bad about it. From military product, fashion product, to Electronics. None has escape from the en genius hand of the Chinese.
but hey... "As long it makes money, Who give a Sh!t" Right?! Right.......

Just recently Sony just release PSP go to the world. Not long after that, the Chinese release PXP 2000 to the world. If we look from the outside it exactly the same with PSP go. But the software is totally different.
here are the specs of the PXP 2000

MP4 Specifications
Memory: 2GB (holds 500 songs, or Countless Games)
External Memory: SD Card (4GB Max)
TV-Out Function
Display: 3.5 Inch QVGA(320x240) LTPS TFT LCD (16:9)
Video Format: AVI 
Conversion formats: RM, RMVB, AVI, WMV, ASF, MPG, MPEG, MPE, MP4, DAT, MOV, DAT 
Video Resolution: 320x240 
FPS (Frames per Second): 25fps
Music Format: MP3, WMA, WAV, APE, FLAC, RM-Audio, AMR, AAC+
Bit rate: MP3 8-320Kbps WMA 5-384Kbps
Picture Format: JPEG, GIF, BMP with zoom
Record Format: WAV
Earphone Jack: dual 3.5mm
SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio): >90dB
Output of earphones: 2x23mW(16Ohms)
Output of Speaker: 23mW
Languages: English, Chinese
USB: 2.0
System: Windows 98/SE/ME/2000/XP Mac OS 10 Linux2.4.2
Power Source: Built-in Rechargeable Lithium Batteries
Sliding Screen
D-Pad Plus 4 button Control
Still Pictures 
Fornat: Single/Continuous/Self 
Size: 320x240/ 640x1280/ 1280x960 
Quality: High/Med/Low 
Effect: Normal/Negative/SOLARIS/Relief/BIARIES/SEPIA/Black & White
Movie Clips 
Format: 3GP 
Size: 160x128/ 320x240 
Quality: High/Med/Low 
Effect: Normal/Negative/SOLARIS/Relief/BIARIES/SEPIA/Black & White 
x2 Zoom
NES Emulator
Built in Calculator/Notepad/English to Chinese dictionary
E-Book
Two preloaded background themes
Any Picture can be used as background theme
6 EQ Modes
AV OUT - PAL/ NTSC

So those of you who want to show off by owning PSP go, but have no money to buy it (BECAUSE IS SO EXPENSIVE) PXP 2000 is an alternative. But my advice, DON'T TURN IT ON... They will know it's fake...

Source : http://kotaku.com/5377570/pspgo-in-chinese-knock-off-form

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