Posted Feb 03, 2007 at 01:55AM by Ian C. Listed in: Off Topic, Opinions & Analysis Tags: GPS, Sony, PS2, Hackers, PlayStation Store
Ó

What if... - Image 1


We've come up with a list several things that we feel would've helped the PSP along if Sony included these software/hardware features on the PSP right off the bat, when they first launched the handheld.

To the PSP fanboys out there, forgive us if this post is going to sound extra whiny, because that is, after all, the point of it. This post is here to voice some disappointments, hope that the sentiment pools, and hope to high heavens that Sony listens. Don't worry, we'll try to keep the ranting within reason.

We're putting our emo-whine, blog-drama hats on. Brace yourselves. Here we go.

A right analog stick
Yes, yes, this complaint is old, but we have to start somewhere, right? And admit it, since a lot of the games that developers thought up for the PSP felt like portable versions of PS2 games, why not include a PS2 convention and have the in-game camera controlled by a right analog stick? It would certainly make aiming in a shooter a whole lot faster, and it would make third-person experiences less awkward.

At present the convention right now for FPS controls on the PSP is to have the left nub control movement, and have the face buttons on the right control aiming.


Several smart folks have thought up several right pseudo-analog stick mods already, but those "right stick mods" usually just "hijack" the face buttons.

Tilt-sensing
We were about to suggest a big wide touch screen but the DS has that already. Anyhow, if the DIY user mod below is to be believed, and not seen as a fake, it only proves tilt sensing is something that the PSP would benefit from tremendously.


If the DS and the Wii are to be used as examples, it only proves that non-conventional means of input allow for expanded gameplay possibilities. Take this Japanese advert for Loco Roco, wouldn't it have been cool if their tilting was a bit more than acting?


Better battery management
If only they figured out a way for the wireless network features to consume less battery life. And now that we're talking about the battery, couldn't have Sony allowed for a more accurate battery icon? Ten bars perhaps? Or maybe even a real-time clock?

It's really a bummer when you're in a middle of an in-game cutscene that you can't skip, you weren't able to save, and then your battery dies on you.

Using 3 AAAs - Image 1


These guys managed to find a way to use AAA batteries on their PSP. We now wonder if that mod is ultimately more useful, or more annoying.

Better Connectivity
They marketed the handheld to be something that's a bit more than a gaming device. They even allowed it to have Wi-Fi at the cost of increased battery consumption.

Why didn't they consider giving the thing the capability to send SMS messages or connect to at least one of the more popular messenger networks (ICQ, Yahoo, AOL) without having to rely on solutions from creative modders/hackers? Here's one such "PSP phone" work around:


Oh, and now that the PS Network is up and running wouldn't it have been nice is Sony was able to sort of jump-start that PS Network by starting it on the PSP and not on the PS3? You know, what Microsoft did with Xbox Live, Xbox 360, and the big black hackable Xbox?

Some folks even turned their frustrations into something positive and came up with a chip for a "PSP-Phone." Of course, a lot of us are wondering what that would do to your battery.



Downloadable Games
The PlayStation Store allows users to download PS1 games that run on your PSP via the PS3 solution is nice and all, but wouldn't it have been nice if Sony set up a network that allowed us to download a game license into our PSPs (for a fee of course) and, using that license, we'd be able to play downloaded PSP games?

Perhaps they could've thought up something that's similar to the iTunes Store model? Only this time with security in mind for the PSP games.

Oh well, maybe they really just wanted to push the UMD format or something. Okay, here, we're bargaining now, can't they at least release more game demos regularly?


Sigh. This is why Dark_AleX is a PSP god to many users. He knows we can't live on bread alone.

Better media capability
If they really wanted the PSP to become something that's a bit more than your regular gaming handheld, Why didn't they include support for the more popular media formats like DivX, etc? Moreover, it would've been really neat if they allowed media sharing among a multiple formats.

The Zune is sharing files left and right as early as now, the PSP could've done that from the start right? The tech is there right?

Speaking of being able to play popular media formats, the debatable (because some folks are screaming fake) "hack" below seems to prove that some people have already managed to get their PSPs to play AVI files from the XMB.


Camera/GPS

Did the Chotto Shot Camera and the GPS attachment arrive too late? Would it have helped the PSP tremendously if GPS and Camera functions - two features common in most Japanese phones - were available right when the PSP was launched? Would it have increased the PSP's cool factor if right from the start people can drive around town and use the PSPs GPS function to look for recruitable soldiers?


Given that this article is causing this blogger to wear the rant-hat a bit too comfortably already, we'll let you guys debate that.

Enough ranting
The point of this all? Sony could've done a lot, and could still do a lot, to help make their handheld sell more. However, the fact that the community that a lot of folks would like to brand as mere "hobbyists" and "hackers" are currently outpacing Sony in terms of adding functionality to the PSP isn't comforting.

Now that the PSP is facing a great deal of criticism that its sales aren't doing better despite some of its coolest games being released during the holidays, perhaps Sony should listen to its fan-base more. The sad thing is that this is a tired tune already, and that this sentiment has been voiced countless times before. But it is still worth saying ...right?


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109 Comments


Sort by:
   by Firsty McFirst (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » First

First First First First First First First FirstFirst First


   Re: Melvin (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » Idiot

Get a F**kin life you pathetic B*****d.
Do you want a medal for being first
I'll give you a gold medal for being a d**khead

   Re: Capagotks (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » your just as bad

people who do it are just wanting people to get pissed off. I know. i do it myself sometimes. if you dont say anything, it will start to get old...

   Re: sanj (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » seriously.

none of you retards have commented on the article.... why the hell are you commenting at all ?

personally i thought the article was a weak round up of previous stories. i would describe it as "slownewsday"

the article included fiction as well, with the "avi from xmb" bull, so should probably be called a fantasy, not a wish list

   Re: bobs (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » poop

i just reply to get my post higher up!

   Re: jayo83 (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » w**ker

yes FIRST class tit

   Re: Geovane (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » 2nd POSTER

YES 2nd

   Re: Pigskin (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » :)

Bears r gonna win tomorrow :)
Dam n right i Said it BEARS R GONNA WIN!!!!!

   Re: Advertising -


   Re: :O (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » D:

Lol.

   Re: lol (Unregistered) - 2007-02-12
 » i

i love how raged you guys get when someone does that
   by akljsdl (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » ;lkjasdf

yea. these are all simple things that they couldve put it, but they decided not to for some reason. they should seriously learn from some of the great devs out there *caugh*Dark_Alex*caugh* who make our portable systems greater then they normally would be.


   Re: spelling bee (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » -

cough*

   Re: xche78x - 2007-02-04
 » cough cough

i think i got some too, can someone toss me water,
im having a bad time breathing.
anyways, they cannot implement a second analog stick but they make an add-on that could give another analog stick and more buttons but that would make the psp look different, but heck the gps and camera did also change the way psp looked. tilt sensing can also be an add-on device for psp. thank sony for giving the psp a wonderful USB port. the psp direct download from ps network is possible through psp firmware upgrade but sony is taking precautions since FW can easily be hacked, sony will not release a FW that may cause their network to be hack too you know. and netphone/messenger can also be added through firmware update but i think sony thinks the least about these. oh and about batteries, why dont you just buy another pack?
   by x (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » x

"We're putting our emo-whine, blog-drama hats on. Brace yourselves. Here we go."

LOL, just stop talking.


   Re: xD (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » n!ce

"LOL, just stop talking."

WELL SAID!!!

   Re: lavasofa (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » yeah

i can think of no functions more useless than most of those mentioned above

   Re: gott (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » pfff...

Yup, another pathetic *****ing article that has no place on psp updates.
   by Advertising -
   by eggwonder (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » hmm...

wats the video of under gps? it looks like a sonar thingy on a boat but im sure that its a psp.

the tilt sensing idea is cool for games like loco roco and mercury meltdown.

The reason all the kool features that were added late werent there from the start is that they didnt think of it until now. Just like microsoft just realized that they could put games on the zune... so now they plan to put them out... next year in the summer... thats 2008... a whole 18 months from launch.


   Re: Chameleon (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » hmm!

It is someone recruiting soldiers in the new Metal Gear game for psp
   by Griever (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » i agree

the problem with waiting for all of those things to be included would probably have delayed the release even further behind the DS release.

   by joe (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » video output

a built in video out line would have been nice, something similar to the ipod video out, one that is built right into the 1/8" head phone jack.


   Re: Someone_PR (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » that will be the best

The only thing I still own an ipod is just for the video out... if they just released it in the first time the UMD movies would not be already dead now. And the PS Store... with the psp... to download music, movies and ps1 and psp games also; with rights of course... thats the only thing that hurts me with my psp... but still loving the locationfree feature.

   Re: Someone_PR (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » oh.. I forgot...

and a bluetooth connection... to be really portable... to can connect with my cell phone... that will be nice... and the gps in the america's side... the camera isn't a big deal.. indeed I will never buy it if arrive... but yes the gps... with United states, Canada and Puerto Rico preloaded maps :D
   by yonmacklein (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » a fake of psp redesign

related with this article, yesterday i uploead my own psp redesign fake xD

http://flickr.com/photos/yonmacklein/377610101/

replace umd with a minimum 4gb hd, so games should be available in memory sticks and in a download system (like Steam, compatible directly with PSP and PC-PS3), bigger analog and pad with diagonal... in the front a webcam and mic, in the back a 3.2mpx (like SE K800). And retroilumintaed buttons for the night.

pd.- sorry my poor english


   Re: Someone_PR (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » Hey...

I really like it... not different in the desing... but with the features that many people will want... don't like the big stick but the back looks good... I still think the UMD is good if they add the video out feature but I guess it will be thinner in that way

   Re: yonmacklein (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » thanks

yes, i decide in the fake to remove the UMD for two reasons:
- make just a few thinner (a few because now in the back will be the 3.2mpx camera)
- use internet, hard drive, and large memory stick, so games could be larger (movies like TLOR in 1.8gb? better in a download/stick of 4gb, or a game like GTASanAndreasStories in a download/stick of 4gb)

   Re: joe (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » not enough...

its a good start, but u gotta be forward thinking, if they were to develop the psp u designed it would take a while. sure that would be a cool alternative to the current psp, but it is in no way a next generation system, and ur thinking too small. 4gb? they have that currently availabe, the psp should be an alternative to and ipod, with a ard drive no smaller than 60 gb. i say 60, b/c it should be able to hold all of your music, download video games in place of umd disk (ISOs of UMD are anywhere from .5gb to 1.8gb

   Re: Advertising -


   Re: yonmacklein (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » basic model

i was thinking in the basic model, with 200$ you get 4gb, anyway... imagine that instead of 4gb include 8, or 60 xD (60gb for 200$? i want one!... better 2!!)
   by crunchb3rry (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » there is a realtime battery meter

The system already has a realtime clock. It's buried on an info screen. ALthough it's not really reliable since the manual claims the battery only gets 6 hours max while my PSP is telling me I can play for 9+ hours. Maybe the manual is a typo?

I'd rag on the d-pad but there's ways of fixing that ourselves. The least Sony could do is let us remove those stickers and not have our warranty voided just because we want to fix their massive design flaw. It's not like Sony would fix it. You mail your PSP in and get another dud...because the "duds" are the standard model, not any kind of rare lemon.

The "analog" (if you can call it that) is definitely in need of a twin brother. I just wish we'd get two real analogs. I tried playing Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops and you just wobble around like a drunk because the nub is a piece of *****. They need something that rocks on a pivot, not that awkward disc garbage.

   by tenshu (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » .

when the battery go empty the psp doesn't crash but hold on.

So when you says that you lost some save ....

   by Not logged in (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » ...

I know something that would be nice, a USB-mini to female normal USB converter, so that you can plug in USB memory sticks and external harddrives to be mounted as ms0, it could work with a special driver for OE...

   by sghwr (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » 25TH

25TH YEA

   by DS (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » hdd

I think the biggest thing its missing is a 20gb+ Hard Drive.

Or at least do what the guy just above said and have ability to connect USB drives to the PSP would be great!

Or, being able to connect a portable DVD player to the USB Mini port would be nice. So you dont have to convert anything.

XviD support would be nice too :)


   Re: PSP ROcks!!!! (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » Heck Ya

If Ipod can put a 80gig on that small mp3 player. Then I bet Sony can do it too!! Sony is just too lazy to do it.

   Re: GaveUpTomorrow - 2007-02-03
 » Umm...no, they're not lazy...

They just know that powering the PSP takes enough battery life as it is, and adding a HD would only kill the battery quicker. Ya, you can have an IPOD, but the dang battery lasts like six hours, and all it is doing is playing music! My PSP almost lasts that long...IPOD sucks!

   Re: PurpleShadow (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » well...

How about they start developing a new battery? If it was a big step forward from the standard one, say 400% more battery life, i'd buy it for sure.

   Re: I wonder... (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » Ipod + PSP +?

the PSP 'is' an ipod, but what makes it different?
In terms of music playing of course...
I really don't know the hardcore facts...like why the PSP doesn't have a small HDD like the ipod nano, but look how much those cost...and how much the large GB ipods cost...

   Re: Djhg2000 (Unregistered) - 2007-02-04
 » @PurpleShadow

You don't just "develop" a new battery...
   by Mario (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » Roller buttons

I would of loved having a roller buttons for the L1 R1 buttons, something like the wheel button on a mouse.

Man the use of that would be infinite especially for sensitivity on car games.


   Re: simewich (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » -

neat idea
   by . (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » .

It would be awesome if the UMD Discs didn't have the plastic cover outside, and you could just slide it into the PSP.

   by WorldGenesis (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » USB Toaster

^^^^ Would be a the greatest idea sony should do for the psp

   by username (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » my dual nub installation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPWLECATdsU

   by sghwr (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » -9oop[-=o=00-=0-989m-kp80-8km90,

29th!!!!!
FINALLY!!!!!

   by jdl11 (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » AVI

you can play avi videos in the XMB but they have to be Motion Jpeg which is a huge waste of memory

   by ? (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » GPS

GPS on the PSP will never leave Japan. I love how the PSP has so many features, but half of the regions don't get to see any of the more advanced ones.


   Re: DatNizzle (Unregistered) - 2007-02-04
 » You're right

Talk-man Anyone. Or whatever that thing was that translates for you. I would have bought it if we had one for the US. English/spanish/japanese - that would be awwsome. C'mon sony just make 50,000 if they don't sell fast enough don't make anymore.
   by AlienSKP (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » and a KEYBOARD

!!!
I don't give a flying f**k of all these stuff, I just want a keyboard !!!

   by muffin (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » things i wish.....

the psp had.. bluetooth. keybd and maybe a mouse. or a touch screen atachment.external antenna for the wifi. usb thumb drivk port. any other memory card port.. pro duos are expensive..

   by Vin (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » cant believe they didnt mention this

Just a TV antenna thing so u can use the psp as a portable TV....

That would be my no1 thing i wud want


   Re: I Second (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » That!

Yeah, how come no-one has taken on the challenge to convert those USB-DigitalTV adaptors to PSPUSB with new coded software yet? Not everyone has wifi in the country side or by the beach!
   by WarLord - 2007-02-03
 » We have a problem.

All those things would have been nice for the psp, but there's something we need to remember: This is Sony's first attempt into the handheld gaming business. All first starts go slow. When Nintendo came out with the first gameboy, I didn't hear alot of people complaining about the lack of color or the obnoxious amount of batteries needed to run the thing. Give Sony a chance to test the waters and then maybe if it gets alittle warm, they'll jump in and introduce the things we want on the next handheld.

Besides, I bet if Sony did all of a sudden come out with a new version of a psp sometime this year, people would start complainiing about having to buy a new system (That will probably be more expensive than the last.). To me it seems Sony is blamed no matter what they try to do, which to me doesn't seem fair at all.


   Re: PurpleShadow (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » Your right.

It's not nice to blame Sony for everything, but giving them constructive criticism is the ONLY way forward.

   Re: cyberpyrot (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » funny

poor sony with there first handheld.... you have hackers and regular everyday joes adding 2nd joysticks and software and poor sony is having trouble doing it?????

   Re: WarLord - 2007-02-03
 » That's true PurpleShadow, but...

I would hardly call most of the complaints constructive. For one thing, people are asking for high quality features at low prices. Since when have any electronic device provide that much service without having to hurt your wallet? Especially the new electronics.

Critisism is okay, in fact, criticism is needed most of the time. However, we as consumers have to learn how to draw the line between critisism and unreasonable, cheapskate complaining. If you have a problem with a system's features or price, leave it alone. There's other devices out there to choose from. If you can't do that, then be patient and wait a couple years for something better to come out or the prices to drop.

   Re: D: :O (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » -> Warlord

That's what we expect from sony!!! Look at the Ps3!!! lol...
   by PSP NEEDS A BUILT IN HARDDRIVE (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » 20 - 60 GIG HARDDRIVE

NO UMD. BUILT IN HARDDRIVE WAS THE WAY TO GO! NO STUPID UMD'S

   by johnboy teh killjoy (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » hrm I.R.

im still wondering why they wasted their time putting on an ir sensor, sure its cool if you have irshell, but come on! if your gonna have one built in have a use for it!

   by Mentality - 2007-02-03
 » Boring

The whole subject is just old, and has been done many times, I'm pretty sure I've seen it here before now.

   by psp (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » psp

if u have a psp camera ull notice that after recording and u connect it to the computer ull see that the video that u have just recorded is an avi format.

   by elvis whiteman (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » c.r.e.a.m.

sony's problem is that they treat the consumer like chumps, trying to squeeze a bit more money from us at every turn. every problem the psp has for me comes down to Sony trying to extort more and more money out of the consumer. they crippled the PSPs media support because they wanted to shift movies on UMD at 20 quid a pop. we can play PSX games on our PSP but we have to buy a PS3 if we want to do that, as well as shell out for a limited license on the games themselves. the only reason most companies aren't developing real high quality games for the PSP is because too few people wanted to pay £190 or whatever it's currently at for what is basically a featureless less than portable ipod.


   Re: CarXCrashXHearts - 2007-02-03
 » Piracy.

Most companies aren't developing real high quality games for the PSP because if they do, people who actually have the $190 piece of junk will be stealing the games rather than buying them, anyway.

   Re: D: (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » :O

"190$ piece of junk"- Yeah you go buy your golden bars and 10,000$ TVs.

   Re: DarthWalker (Unregistered) - 2007-02-04
 » DUHHH!

Ever wonder why they want to squeeze more money out of us... maybe its to do with the hcking rate taking money from sony, we dont need to buy anything anymore. Put yourself in their shoes, what would you do? Roll over and take it like a *****? Sony is God for lasting this long, give them some respect or your not allowed to have a PSP anymore, if you dont like how they run things, go get a DS.
   by dark420bishop (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » amazing

I think it's amazing what they did with the PSP. The only point i really agree with that he made was the right analog stick, it really should have had one. Camera, GPS, tilt-sensing? Are you kiding, do you realize how much that would have driven the price up? And if you're ever tried chatting on the PSP via the various websites which allow it then you know how annoying it is to type on the PSP (although slightly better than texting on a cell phone). I'm perfectly happy with mine. :)

   by captainclyde (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » $$

this whole thing is dumb. does nobody realize that if sony had included all of these features (or even just a few), the system would be ridiculously expensive and the system would be worse off than it already is because no one would be able to afford it. i agree it would be sweet if it had all those things but then i wouldnt even have one because i dont want to spend that kind of money.


   Re: /..:o (Unregistered) - 2007-02-03
 » D:

It's not about including, it's about offerring.


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