Posted May 05, 2006 at 04:45AM by Jerico G. Listed in: Rumors, Applications
Ó

PSP DSWe all love homebrews, especially the ones that 'economically' provide the same service those expensive games and softwares developed by money-making companies offer. Well, here's an early warning to our independent 'homebrewers' and hackers, Vonage is rumored to be working on a software that'll make our PSPs and DS a gadget with cellphone capabilites.

With vast possibilities and applications these two portable consoles currently has, merging it into an equally multi-functional gadget really raises a lot of probabilities. Will the said software enable our PSPs and DS to place calls, send SMS, and every single capabilitites current cellphones have?

According to an article in T3, VoIP (voice over IP) provider Vonage is already developing an interface that would convert the said consoles into internet-powered phones. Since both machines come with microphones and WiFi connections, the only thing missing is a compatible interface and software to morph it into a mobile phone.

In marketing sense, Vonage can actually hit pay dirt if they can make this 'rumor' a reality. Cloud, (no, not the dude that rides Fenrir) a quite-renowned WiFI operator, is currently in a tie-up with the aforementioned VoIP provider, thus giving them an automatic access to over 7,000 Wi-Fi hotspots across the country; making the prospect very promising indeed for them.

Vonage LogoAlthough, it's still not clear how Vonage could infuse this technology to the devices, some techies are playing around with the idea of it coming in a guise of firmware ugrade (for PSP), or a cartridge (for DS). It's also improtant to note that Vonage neither denied or confirmed this rumor, meaning it's most likely true.

It's actually quite cool whenever I think of the possible scenarios once this application comes out. Imagine playing Mario or GTA when you suddenly remember that you need to call your Mom; you don't need to dig in for another gadget, just click save and place a call using your console, nice huh?


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50 Comments


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   by Zak1392 (Unregistered) - 2006-05-05
 » First!

Using my PSP as a phone would be pretty cool!

   by PSPXMAG Writer Zendata (Unregistered) - 2006-05-05
 » >2

It hasnt released a mic but it has been in the works for a while. Besides we have screenshots right? I guess that survey is showing its promises because Cellphone capabilty was mentioned in it. I really dont believe in the PSP2 so I' m keeping this at a firmware update within this or next month. Sony has recently been pressing alot of things out into the Sony fans enviroment and I expect they are planning something big! Trust me, nice games are coming out this summer and seeing how sony is becoming more friendly to hinting updates. I expect these features will be included in the next update.

   by mat (Unregistered) - 2006-05-05
 » hmm...

I think it would be a lot more popular if their disguised firmware upgrade "accidentally" removed the security from the memory stick games menu :P

   by InflamedSpirit (Unregistered) - 2006-05-05
 » Need more than just programmers...

You need a service (like the vonage service) to make the call, not just the software on the psp. If vonage is going to do this, it wouldn't really be possible for some programmer here to duplicate the program without the requirement of an internet phone service subscription (unless they find a free one).

I think that a phone isn't really a very practical or useful idea but it would still be bought by people that think "oh a phone! kewl dude." However, I doubt that it would be used much at all. Also, it has a major flaw: Can't receive calls!

   by funetik - 2006-05-05

PSP being used as a phone at all = bad idea. Just use a mobile.. They're practically disposable now and most look better than I think holding a psp against your face would. Real phones don't need wifi.
Real phones are designed as phones.
Everyone has a normal phone!

Nuff said :)

   by vice (Unregistered) - 2006-05-05
 » umm

just wondering... are they talking about a headset for the psp cause i think that would be the best bet

   by |3asSiuM (Unregistered) - 2006-05-05
 » Inconvience

well inflamed has a good point. u basically can only make calls and not recieve because wifi isnt everywhere i think of that as a inconvience not having wifi.(by the way wasnt google blanketing some place with wifi recently?)

   by funetik - 2006-05-05

San Francisco, with plans for the entire US apparently.

A headset would make a lot more sense, you're right.. I had a mental picture of people holding the psp to their face :-/

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   by OMH (Unregistered) - 2006-05-05
 » SIM Card ???

And where you put the SIM-Card in ???

   by ActionHenk (Unregistered) - 2006-05-05
 » sony phone

sony already has the rigts of an phone cartigde that will attach to the top of the psp in the usb. there where some early designs on the net

and sony also has the rigts for almost the same looking cartrigde as the phone but then with more buttons and its a keyboard

i,m really not joking

find on google maybe you find those designs

   by ActionHenk (Unregistered) - 2006-05-05
 » sony phone

note that the keyboard on the real picture is exactly the same as on the design

so i think the phone on the design will also be somewhere out there

   by OMH (Unregistered) - 2006-05-05
 » Ugly

The Design is very very UGLY !

Its like to have a BIG cell-phone of 1987 !!!!

   by ActionHenk (Unregistered) - 2006-05-05
 » sony phone

oh yes :P

the phone design is also out there

here is the picture

http://img.engadget.com/common/images/7931605515082472.JPG?0.17630772490546098

it looks like you can see thruw it

so no simcard phone i quess

really an internet phone like skype

   by ActionHenk (Unregistered) - 2006-05-05
 » sony phone

and here the information article in dutch, so you have to translate it in your own language.

Patentaanvragen beschrijven keyboard en gsm voor PSP
Door Yoeri Lauwers - maandag 27 maart 2006 10:16 - Bron: Dailytech - Views: 17.473 - Permalink
Bij het US Patent and Trademark Office heeft men post gekregen van Sony, waarin een aantal accessoires voor de PSP beschreven worden. Nadat eerder al aangekondigd werd dat de draagbare spelconsole een GPS-module en webcam zou krijgen, heeft Sony nu een aantal ontwerpen voor onder andere een add-on keyboard en een gsm-functie voorgelegd aan het patentbureau. Hoofd PSP-ontwikkeling Izumi Kawanishi had eerder al aangegeven dat hij e-mail als een must-have functie voor de PSP zag en in het licht van die onthulling is een keyboard voor de handheld dan ook niet geheel onverwacht te noemen. Het zou daarbij gaan om een toetsenbord met 47 toetsen dat bovendien weggevouwen kan worden en als screen protector kan functioneren.

De tweede patentaanvraag betreft een gsm-module die op de PSP geklikt kan worden. Deze add-on wordt op dezelfde manier aan de console bevestigd als het hierboven genoemde keyboard, maar het is onduidelijk of beide apparaten ook tegelijk gebruikt kunnen worden. Vanwege de mogelijkheid om met behulp van de gsm-functie in te bellen op het internet, lijkt dit namelijk een interessante optie.

   by ActionHenk (Unregistered) - 2006-05-05
 » sony phone

i agree that the keyboard is not too nice

the logic3 keyboard was the thing it should be a better design was not possible in my eyes

but the cellphone i dont know how it could be made better

   by The_Skizzy - 2006-05-05
 » *Sigh*

Stop using the word "Cell", because it's not that. What it will do is allow voice over IP (VOIP)... Just like our PC's. Essentially it will take vonage's service, and a piece of software to run it. Obviously there's already a headset and mic out, so the I/O isn't going to be a problem. The software should be a breeze for Vonage, or anyone else out there that wants to play with it. The trick is having the service (Vonage, Skype, etc..) to handle the traffic. So essentially, unless a big time peripheral comes out with cell capabilities, we'll be having to find a hotspot (I.E. Panera, Starbucks, Home, Some guy who can't figure out WEP security) to use it... very cool, but still not a cellphone.

And the keyboard pics? Please. They've been around since my grandmother was breastfeeding. I'm surprised kids with playdoh haven't made their own designs to get people excited.

Sorry for the rant, I just got up.

The_Skizzy

   by OHM (Unregistered) - 2006-05-05
 » TO: Sigh

Read the Frontpage.... They say its a CELL - Phone to !

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   by ActionHenk (Unregistered) - 2006-05-05
 » 21

what does it matter like it is old or not i think people who are interrested in it will see it for themselfes and are very ignored by people who complaning about it that it is old. btw i already sad in the first post that it was old

and about cell phone or not , i,m typing in my best english to get this for people who have interrests like you and me here on the net. youre not the only one on the world with english.

   by See-It (Unregistered) - 2006-05-05
 » Calling Worldwide

" Since both machines come with microphones and WiFi connections."

The PSP does not necessarily COME with a microphone, that must be purchased separately.

   by unregistered (Unregistered) - 2006-05-05

If you think PSP being used as a cell phone is a good idea. You are a retard.

Don't feed me any of this crap that you cant afford a real cell phone. They shove free ones all over the place, and a psp cell phone wouldn't be free if that's what you think. Your going to have to pay a monthly fee, You may as well sign up for a free phone if you need one bad enough.

   by Japots (Unregistered) - 2006-05-05
 » Vonage

It's a VoIP service, so it doesn't cost as much as a cellphone or a landline.

   by GD (Unregistered) - 2006-05-05
 » What about SKYPE!

OK, I have said for a long time on the Skype boards that they need to develop a client for PSP. I mena they have a linux version and getting that to run on PSP would be a no brainer. This is NOT to replace a cell phone. Instead, this is to make FREE calls at any hotspot you can find. Think about that. Go to Starbucks, load up your PSP, launch Skype, talk to free anywhere in the globe. That's the type of VoIP we should be working on.

   by Husher (Unregistered) - 2006-05-05
 » WIFI CELL PHONE... IS STILL A WIFI MACHINE.

i want my psp to be cellphone do to the fact i dont own one, and would rather have one that does more then just call people. however i really really dont want a damn wifi phone.
i want to beable to connect whenever and were ever without worrying abouta hot spot or if im goin with a pervider that will give me a good deal.

   by Colin (Unregistered) - 2006-05-05
 » Not quite "every single capabilitites current cellphones have?"

My cellphone is a Nokia 6680 - a Symbian Series 60 device. That means that using C++ I can write my own natively executed applications, using free, official tools. Unless Sony and Nintendo were to allow me to do the same on their platforms it definitely wouldn't replace cellphones for me.

Plus my cellphone has video calling. Certainly not essential, but a feature I find nifty.

   by OHM (Unregistered) - 2006-05-05
 » Phone call when you are gaming

What you do, when you play your favorite game you are in a new stage, new Topscore and you dont have saved the game and you PSP-Cell-Phone riiiiiiiingsssssss !!

shiiiiiiiiiiiii ....

   by Hallokjelke (Unregistered) - 2006-05-05
 » I've seen a mic for PSP

I saw a mic headset bundled with SOCOM the other day. Recon this might be worth looking into by the guys that does hefty programming homebrew for the PSP. My hometown is planning on going wireless (the centre of town) and it's ment to be free for all to use. I think that a wifi psp solution for a program like skype would be just great. Hope someone takes the effort to make this happen on the homebrew scene 'cause I'd be using it every day in addition to my cellphone.

I just googled around and found the headset at Ebay. Dont know if it is possible to post url's but I'll give it a try. In case it doesnt work, google yourself and see.. http://cgi.ebay.com/Official-Sony-PSP-Headset-for-SOCOM-Syphon-Filter_W0QQitemZ8280992252QQcategoryZ122516QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

   by Derriemo - 2006-05-05
 » not as easy as you think

this would be a very good program since were i live we have bad cell phone connections and no hotspots but we do have a lot of ppl who have wireless internet so thats what i steal from places near my friends house so this would be ideal just to make calls too someone if it were free or very cheap

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   by Derriemo IS A RETARD (Unregistered) - 2006-05-05
 » HOTSPOT=WIRELESS INTERNET

A HOTSPOT IS A LOCATION WITH WIRELESS INTERNET *****TARD

   by RaiderX - 2006-05-05
 » screw it

itll eb cool, but itll need firmware updates, so screw the keyboard. Thats why sony didnt release the code to logitech cuz they would have released it workign on 1.5 and sony wants us to upgrade, and any little thign to convince a few people will help

screw the phone, its too huge ot be a phone, i rather carry my normal phone around

The only use for a PSP cell phone attachment is an excuse to take your PSP everywhere

   by dubuque - 2006-05-05
 » 2.7

if they can get this to work on 2.7 like if they can worlk with sony on it that would be so cool



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