2006 was a heck of a year for the PSP, ain't it? You got people who wanted to write it off, but in the end the world that revolved around Sony's little handheld rallied together and punched stuff out that made people take notice. Great released and upcoming games, from Loco Roco to MPO to even Full Auto 2, surprisingly, that show that the PSP can be more than just game-on-the-go and PS2 ports. The launch of the PS3 with its PSOne emulator and Remote Play. (And let's not forget the other side of the PSP world, who've also had their own reasons to celebrate).

Eh, but the champagne corks have been popped, and we're still hung over, and now it seems that in wine there is prophecy... or outright silliness. We've decided to come up with a list of a few forecasts we have for the PSP because, well, it don't hurt to dream. More to the point, with such a great ending for the PSP in 2006, we want to believe that the trend can be continued through 2007. So many dreams, ideas, rumors, speculations, and blue-sky guesses to entertain.

Well, except for the last item in the list. That one's a byproduct of endlessly toasting the New Year.

PSP redesign announced. Not necessarily a PSP2, even if the rumors are flying as thick as the fireworks at the stroke of midnight. The most conservative estimates we've got point to an announcement in late 2007, for potential release somewhere in the following two years - probably long enough to get much worth out of gamers' investments in THIS generation's PSP. Those conservative estimates also point to an 8-12GB flash memory, still the same 333mhz clock speed, a better analog nub, and instead of UMDs, the games will come on proprietary flash chips, or be DL'd off the net.

But hey, perhaps this writer could be bolder. Fortune, after all, favors that. Could it be, you and I never imagined... a dual-core PSP? Or even a Cell (re)designed for the PSP. And finally, the full DualShock2 control suite (four shoulders, two sticks), but still in a slim yet ergonomic format. Who knows?

Even more great games, thank God. This season will get off to a good running start with three words: Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (yes, I consider FFVII as one word), and that's just at the previews. And it won't stop there for the PSP, either. Enough said. But guess what we found out? Remember when Kojima Productions' Ryan Payton said they'd like to do an MPO sequel if the sales are hot enough? Well, sales ARE hot, and we just found indicators that there WILL be a sequel! Guess we can't quit you, Big Boss. Hey, let all the devs take notice of this. PSP games can be done right. So do them right.

A movie download service for the PSP. Between the decline of the UMD as a movie format (although not as a gaming format, so far), and the potential of the iTunes-video iPod combination (not a supernova, but the potential's there), Sony could consider a movie download service instead. Movies, TV shows - maybe even PSP-formatted streaming webisodes - hey, in the time this writer has spent in QJ, he's come to know the PSP as a powerful gaming platform, and a potent multimedia platform. Key word: potent. As in waiting to be achieved. And hey, the PSP widescreen is better for a movie than Apple's iPod screen.

Finally, they move PSOne DLs off of the PS3 and into other digital distribution means. It was a major complaint for which people have sought correction (at least in the official department; the other alternative is to turn to your own classic PlayStation collection). Perhaps once the PS3 has settled into the market, Sony may feel more confident about putting the PSOne DLs into other digital distribution means - straight to a PSP via Wi-Fi or via PC.

More demos. We'd even start a letter-writing campaign to Sony and/or the game publishers if it comes to that.

PS3 devs look to a myriad of ways to use the PSP in PS3 games. Hey, we knew this was coming. F1 Championship Edition has advertised plans of using the PSP. We don't think it's going to get to the point that the PSP will become a required accessory to a PS3 game, but having a PSP to connect will give certain advantages to the PS3 player. Why not? An extra screen and a set of separate controls on your lap won't hurt.

Peripherals, peripherals, peripherals. We already have the Chotto Shotto and the PSP GPS. Let's get bolder, shall we? A VoIP headset - perhaps not in this generation's PSP, but in the next (unless 333mhz is enough to handle a good infrastructure game and voice packets) - which will also allow a "PSP Phone" of sorts in the future (hey, Apple's trying a used-to-be-the-iPhone, right?). Improvements to the Chotto Shotto hardware and software that will increase picture resolution and movie recording lengths. Bigger Memory Sticks for those video caps and game files (and 'brew). What other peripherals can we - or you - think of that goes good with a PSP?

Better marketing ads for the PSP. Yeah, we'd like to see this, too. After the FCC slaps it down, the best a major company can do is make amends. It's rare, but it can be done - it can be spun, but it can be done. Hey, if you ask us, take an inspiration from the scores of funny Japanese commercials we've seen so far. They're quirky, yet oddly adorable.

Finally, More manly men actually start owning pink PSPs. But probably because they want to pick up more chicks. Oh no, is that the FOURTH empty bottle of champagne this writer's holding?