The PSP has always been much more than a handheld gaming machine, and as time goes on, that statement becomes more and more true.
Sony has announced that as early as "late January," PSP users will be able to make use of a version of Skype designed specifically for the portable unit. This will allow the PSP to make voice calls to other PSPs, PCs, landline phones, and cell phones.
Like the PC version of the program, there will be a fee associated with PSP-to-telephone calls, but talking to PSP and PSP users will be free. Acquiring a dedicated phone number for your PSP will also tap the old coffers a bit. These fees have yet to be detailed.
The Skype program will be an integrated feature when it arrives as part of a regular firmware update, and will make use of the newly announced PSP microphone peripheral. It will also be limited to the PSP Slim ONLY, due to the unit’s larger memory capacity. Sony explains:
"Although PSP-1000 and PSP-2000 are identical in basic functions, there are differences in hardware specifications to some extent and for that reason, PSP-2000 may differ in features from PSP-1000. We had studied the possibility of supporting Skype with PSP-1000 but had to give it up because of the smaller size of main memory on PSP-1000 series."
Well that really bites for some of us, huh? Then again, the homebrew scene will probably have a hacked up version of Skype designed specifically for the older unit in a matter of weeks.
