You’ll notice the question mark in the title of my Blog about PSP and Skype last January 2, 2008 ( “Sony PSP and Skype?”). I placed the question mark since Sony has not yet issued an official statement about this news from their website. Yesterday, Sony has officially issued a press release confirming that Skype will be running on PSP. However, the feature will be available to the owners of the new slim and light PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) handheld entertainment system (PSP-2000 series) and will be activated using a firmware update which will be available late this month.

New features include:

– Free voice calls between Skype users
– Skype contact list management (view existing contacts, add new ones)
– Skype presence (see which friends are online and available to talk)
– SkypeOut(TM) calls to make calls to landlines and mobile phones
anywhere in the world (requires the purchase of Skype credit)
– Optional SkypeIn(TM) number that lets users receive calls on Skype from
landlines and mobiles anywhere in the world (requires the purchase of
Skype credit)
– View and modify Skype settings and account details (including username
creation, SkypeOut settings, voicemail settings and call forwarding)

After the system update, an Skype icon will be added to the network category in the PSP’s home menu. PSP users who do not have an Skype account can create one by launching the Skype application and following the online instructions. PSP users who already have an account with Skype can immediately sign in using their existing account after launching the Skype application in their PSP.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Since November 2006, there have been suggestions in Skype forum about Skype running on Sony PSP. Looks like the suggestions are already being implemented or will be implemented by Sony and Skype. According to Sony’s CES (Consumer Electronics Show) website, they will be bringing Skype to the PSP. In the PSP system features, Sony announced “Call friends, talk trash to fellow gamers or catch up with acquaintances via Skype for PSP system“. Calling your friends via VoIP while playing with your PSP in a Wi-Fi hotspot would be a very hot and interesting thing to do for the Sony boys out there.

Popularity: 2% [?]

PSP 3.80 firmware upgrade is now released, cmon Sony boys, start the download….

Changelog v3.80:

- Adds upport streaming audio through the internet connection.
- Adds scene-search function in video. This is under the video feature.
- RSS will now support opml file. You can subscribe to multiple channels which is saved in opml file. And now, RSS will also support picture.
- You can now schedule 1Seg TV tuner to record your favorite show at a certain time. This feature will be available work on the new PSPS -2000 (slim).
- PlayStation Spot is now also available at BB Mobile Point (only in Japan).

Listening to Internet radio is now possible with the 3.80 firmware.

Popularity: 2% [?]