Sony Unveils Redesigned PSP

By Geoff Duncan July 11, 2007

At its presentation at this week’s E3 Expo in Santa Monica, Sony took the wraps off a redesigned PlayStation Portable (PSP) which is 33 percent lighter, 19 percent thinner, and sports a high quality video output so users can hook the unit to an external monitor or display to view photos, videos, or movies.

On the surface, the new PSP doesn’t look dramatically different from its current incarnation, and in some ways the redesign fails to meet some gamers’ hopes for a "PSP 2" with dramatically enhanced capabilities. Nonetheless, the new PSP will offer a 4.3-inch screen and support for UMD discs, front-facing speakers, faster load times, and improved battery life.

Sony plans to bring the new PSP to retailers in black, while, and a new silver edition beginning in September; although official pricing hasn’t been announced, the units are expected to retail for $199. Sony also plans to offer a special Star Wars: Battlefront edition. Although Sony has sold over 25 million PSPs, Nintendo’s DS handheld continues to dominate the portable gaming market, which has shipped more than 40 million units worldwide.

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Gaming

PlayStation 5 is getting a slimmer (but not cheaper) redesign next month

The new, smaller PS5 models launching in November 2023.

Sony announced that new, smaller versions of the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Digital Edition will hit store shelves in November. On top of that, an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive for Digital Edition consoles is also on its way.

Revealed in a PlayStation Blog post, these new versions aren't being branded the PS5 Slim or anything similar to that; they're just the new flagship versions of Sony's latest console. Their design is similar to the launch models, but is now made up of four individual cover panels. The top panels on each side feature the PlayStation logo and a glossy finish, while the bottom panels are made with the same matte material as current PS5 models. The design makes the PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition lighter and reduces the volume of both consoles by 30%, according to Sony.
In the U.S., the new PS5 will retail for $500, while the new PS5 Digital Edition will cost $450. PS5 Digital Edition owners can then swap out one of the bottom cover panels for the $80 Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive for PS5, which will allow them to play physical copies of games or watch movies on what is sold as a digital-only console. Both of these new PS5 models come with a horizontal stand, although a new Vertical Stand priced at $30 is also in the works.
Despite the slimmer design, the new PS5 models aren't coming with a price cut. The model including a disc drive is still the same price as a current PS5 model. The digital edition is actually getting a $50 price increase from the current digital version's $400 price tag. Those who want to upgrade and add an $80 disc drive after the fact will end up paying more than the non-digital version in the long run.
The PlayStation Blog post confirms that the launch versions of both PS5 consoles will be phased out as these new models hit store shelves in the U.S. sometime in November. If you were planning to get a PS5 console soon, it may be worth considering holding off until these new models launch.

Computing

Sony just made all other wireless gaming earbuds obsolete

Sony InZone Buds sitting among other earbuds.

I've struggled to find an audio solution that works for PC gaming. Over-ear headphones, even premium ones like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pros, irritate my ears by pressing into my glasses. And earbuds, almost regardless of brand, either lack the features I want out of a premium audio experience or come with horrendous Bluetooth lag. The new Sony InZone Buds have finally solved my problem.

They're a set of true wireless earbuds built for gaming. That's not new, as we've seen with earbuds like the HyperX Cloud Mix. The difference here is that the InZone Buds come from Sony, makers of some of the best true wireless earbuds.
Why the InZone Buds are special

Gaming

Take a closer look at Sony’s special-edition Spider-Man 2 PS5

The Spider-Man special edition PS5 and controller stand on a table.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is just over a month away, but Sony is already celebrating its launch. You can now get your hands on a special-edition PlayStation 5 based on the upcoming game. If you're curious about whether or not it's worth the price, we got a close look at the new bundle.

Sony's special package costs $600 and includes a standard PS5 and all the components that usually come with it. However, it comes packed with three specific extras that make it an enticing value: custom faceplates, a digital voucher for the upcoming game, and a nifty DualSense controller.