New PSP Coming; 8GB Flash Memory
02-21-06 | 07:17 AM
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From: Blu-Ray: We Don't Need No Stinkin' Petition
New PSP Coming; 8GB Flash Memory
http://www.digitimes.com/bits_chips/a20060220PR205.html
According to market sources, Sony plans to release a version of its PSP (PlayStation Portable) using NAND flash from Samsung Electronics in the second half of this year.
The PSP will feature 8GB of NAND flash, the sources stated.
Although recent reports stated that Sony would opt not to use NAND flash in the next version of its PSP, and would instead use a microdrive, the sources indicated that Sony was stalling to negotiate better pricing from Samsung.
When rumors circulated on February 16 that negotiations had broken down between Sony and Samsung, spot prices for 1Gbit and 2Gbit NAND flash dropped 5.3% and 3% in one day, according to the Chinese-language Economic Daily News (EDN).
Deutsche Bank was also cited by the report as commenting that the failure of Samsung and Sony to reach a supply agreement will suppress NAND flash prices further and push oversupply to 10% this year.
According to data from DRAMeXchange, 8Gbit spot prices have fallen from US$39 to US$34 since Chinese New Year, while prices for 4Gbit parts have fallen from US$23.36 to US$16.60
The PSP will feature 8GB of NAND flash, the sources stated.
Although recent reports stated that Sony would opt not to use NAND flash in the next version of its PSP, and would instead use a microdrive, the sources indicated that Sony was stalling to negotiate better pricing from Samsung.
When rumors circulated on February 16 that negotiations had broken down between Sony and Samsung, spot prices for 1Gbit and 2Gbit NAND flash dropped 5.3% and 3% in one day, according to the Chinese-language Economic Daily News (EDN).
Deutsche Bank was also cited by the report as commenting that the failure of Samsung and Sony to reach a supply agreement will suppress NAND flash prices further and push oversupply to 10% this year.
According to data from DRAMeXchange, 8Gbit spot prices have fallen from US$39 to US$34 since Chinese New Year, while prices for 4Gbit parts have fallen from US$23.36 to US$16.60
02-21-06 | 08:04 AM
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Sony puts out a press release stating that piracy is killing UMD movie sales and follows it up by announcing a PSP with 8GB built in memory to make it easier for the pirates?
Anyway, all of that aside this sounds like a neat version of the PSP, but I wish they would focus on better battery life as that is the real issue with portable gaming right now and what is crippling the potential of the PSP. Somebody somewhere has to come up with better battery technology. The limitations of Li-Ion has been a problem with technology for almost a decade.
As far as the PSP, I just hope they pass that savings on to us and this version of the PSP sells for only $50 more. It will definitely make the PSP much more tempting for people deciding between it and the iPod Video. Better screen and no extra memory stick costs to start using movies with it.
Anyway, all of that aside this sounds like a neat version of the PSP, but I wish they would focus on better battery life as that is the real issue with portable gaming right now and what is crippling the potential of the PSP. Somebody somewhere has to come up with better battery technology. The limitations of Li-Ion has been a problem with technology for almost a decade.
As far as the PSP, I just hope they pass that savings on to us and this version of the PSP sells for only $50 more. It will definitely make the PSP much more tempting for people deciding between it and the iPod Video. Better screen and no extra memory stick costs to start using movies with it.
02-21-06 | 08:15 AM
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I just see this as further taking the PSP away from a being a gaming device. The 32MB stick that comes in the original "value" pack should be enough to store game saves for the lifespan of the console. If this is a full-out new version of the PSP I would like to hope that they put a more functional D-pad on it, as after spending some time with one that's probably my number one complaint.. yes, even over battery life and load times.
02-21-06 | 08:49 AM
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With the on board memory they could reduce the load times to something tolerable on the new games, if they get programmed to do so. This would be cool for those that have it, but those that don't might get burned if less emphasis is put on optimizing straight disc loading.
I believe this is just another attempt by Sony to further ingrain the PSP into the IPODesque market. Its not an attempt to take down the IPOD (anymore) but simply to position the PSP in a positive state for future SOny hardware releases.
I believe this is just another attempt by Sony to further ingrain the PSP into the IPODesque market. Its not an attempt to take down the IPOD (anymore) but simply to position the PSP in a positive state for future SOny hardware releases.
02-21-06 | 09:06 AM
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Maybe this would help web browsing. I don't really have a desire or a need to surf the web on my PSP, but when I checked it out just for the sake of checking it out, it was just a lot of 'out of memory' errors.
02-21-06 | 09:57 AM
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This can only be good as long as it does help load times. Personally I don't have a problem with load times since I am not so impatient that I can't wait for the game to load. It does get a slight bit annoying if I am sitting there with nothing else to do but play, except that never happens. I usually load up the PSP while the wife is driving, or while I am working on a project and I just take a bunch of little breaks to lose a couple ands of poker 
. I suppose I would probably buy the new one and let the kids take over this one if they price it low enough. The kids always want to play my PSP and I refuse since they still don't take care of their GBAs well enough.
. I suppose I would probably buy the new one and let the kids take over this one if they price it low enough. The kids always want to play my PSP and I refuse since they still don't take care of their GBAs well enough.
02-21-06 | 10:06 AM
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It would be a BAD idea for them to incorporate this internal memory to assist in load times unless the technology could be applied to the original model PSP as well. I think the battle against load times should be won by better battery technology, allowing users to simply purchase a new battery and giving developers the comfort level to start using better loading techniques. Sure, you'd need to buy the new battery but that'd be a lot cheaper than buying a new PSP to get the performance boost.
02-21-06 | 10:18 AM
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Originally Posted by PixyJunket
Hmm.. I just looked over the OP again and it mentions 8 Gigabit. That's 1 Gigabyte.
02-21-06 | 10:23 AM
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From: Blu-Ray: We Don't Need No Stinkin' Petition
Originally Posted by PixyJunket
Hmm.. I just looked over the OP again and it mentions 8 Gigabit. That's 1 Gigabyte.
The PSP will feature 8GB of NAND flash, the sources stated.
According to data from DRAMeXchange, 8Gbit spot prices have fallen from US$39 to US$34 since Chinese New Year...
02-21-06 | 10:26 AM
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Originally Posted by darkside
Duh, I totally overlooked that. This basically is not that big of a deal then. It will be like them selling the Gigapak without having to include a memory stick. It still is nice for consumers because you have the memory built in, but its not the difference I was thinking. I think the Gigapak sold well and they wanted to find away to make all PSPs that capacity at a lower price.
02-21-06 | 10:29 AM
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Originally Posted by joshd2012
It says the PSP would incorporate 8GB and uses 8Gbit as a pricing example of falling prices:
02-22-06 | 07:18 AM
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From: Blu-Ray: We Don't Need No Stinkin' Petition
It makes me wonder if this move has anything to do with the managed copy feature of Blu-Ray. 8GB would be more than enough space to carry a few movies with you.
Also, currently PSP uses FAT which recognizes a max of 4GB. I wonder if this new version will accept FAT32?
Also, currently PSP uses FAT which recognizes a max of 4GB. I wonder if this new version will accept FAT32?
02-22-06 | 10:15 AM
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Originally Posted by PixyJunket
I just see this as further taking the PSP away from a being a gaming device. The 32MB stick that comes in the original "value" pack should be enough to store game saves for the lifespan of the console. If this is a full-out new version of the PSP I would like to hope that they put a more functional D-pad on it, as after spending some time with one that's probably my number one complaint.. yes, even over battery life and load times.
But meaningless for those of us waiting and hoping for it to get some more decent games that aren't just watered down PS2 ports and pseudo sequels. The hardware has so much potential, if it would just get some original and unique games outside of Lumines.
02-22-06 | 11:00 AM
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Adding non-removable memory will ikely make the device like an ipod in that you will only be able to play DRM'd music and movies on it. Thie will help prevent the piracy issue not promote it. I'd have to think they'd still allow for the memory stick media but their online connect service will likely only work with their memory, similar to an itunes only being able to play authorized music for the most part. Of course with Sony's shoddy history with DRM management I dont expect this to go smoothly. My $0.02.
02-23-06 | 06:59 AM
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From: Blu-Ray: We Don't Need No Stinkin' Petition
Originally Posted by Josh Hinkle
I agree on all points. Great for those mainly interested in the PSP as a multi-media device as it saves having to buy the 1GB stick.
But meaningless for those of us waiting and hoping for it to get some more decent games that aren't just watered down PS2 ports and pseudo sequels. The hardware has so much potential, if it would just get some original and unique games outside of Lumines.
But meaningless for those of us waiting and hoping for it to get some more decent games that aren't just watered down PS2 ports and pseudo sequels. The hardware has so much potential, if it would just get some original and unique games outside of Lumines.
Thanks for the threadcrap Hinkle. Why don't you do everyone a favor and stay out of PSP related threads?
02-23-06 | 09:15 AM
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Originally Posted by joshd2012
Thanks for the threadcrap Hinkle. Why don't you do everyone a favor and stay out of PSP related threads?
I guess I'll crap too: I think this is too little, too late. 8 GB is a weird number to add to the system - why not 10? 20? What's the point? I sold my PSP because I wasn't seeing any of the games I'd like to play and it was frustrating as a multi-media device because I had to either re-buy movies I already owned or spend a great deal of time converting my collection using 3rd-party software that may or may not successfully complete the job.
Does anyone actually believe Sony will let any content move from Blu-Ray to the PSP? Have you heard of UMDs?
02-23-06 | 09:29 AM
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Originally Posted by kicker_of_elves
Hopefully, they make an improvment on the analog hub as well.
02-23-06 | 09:33 AM
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Originally Posted by PixyJunket
The problem herein is: how can they do this without making it protrude from the unit too much hindering its portability?
Something that flipped up might work, or something that sat in a depressed area of the unit maybe?
02-23-06 | 09:34 AM
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Originally Posted by PixyJunket
The problem herein is: how can they do this without making it protrude from the unit too much hindering its portability?
02-23-06 | 09:47 AM
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Originally Posted by jeffdsmith
And making future titles "dependent" on the new input device.
02-23-06 | 10:39 AM
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From: Blu-Ray: We Don't Need No Stinkin' Petition
Originally Posted by Draven
Do you consider a post a threadcrap if it isn't completely positive on the PSP?
02-23-06 | 10:47 AM
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Originally Posted by PixyJunket
We're not talking about a new input device, just a better way to implement the existing one.
Just replace my previous phrase with the word "modified".