BT Bringing Wi-Fi Calling to PSP

By Geoff Duncan May 23, 2007

The United Kingdom telecom operator BT has announced it will offer Sony PSP owners custom software which, intitially, will enable voice and video calls to other PSPs, as well as some BT phones in the UK. Eventually, BT plans to distribute the software to telecom operators in 100 other countries, and enable connectivity between PSPs and landlines, mobile phones, and PCs.

BT has signed a four year deal with Sony under which BT will develop and expand communication features for the PSP, using BT’s 21 Century Network (21CN), which is built around VoIP technology. BT intends for 21CN to eventually replace traditional phone networks.

On the PSP, the software will leverage Sony’s Go!Cam, due to be released on May 16 in Europe (May 25 in the UK) at a suggested price of €39.99. The Go!Cam offers a built-in microphone, will enable the PSP to record up to two and a half hours of video, or snap over 40,000 photos.

“It is very exciting for us to be partnering with BT on such a unique project,” said David Reeves, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, in a statement. “The opportunity to combine our market leading expertise with BT’s knowledge in communications opens up many possibilities and we look forward to bringing many exciting communication functions to PSP fans.”

BT plans to announce details of the software and service in August at the Leipzig Games Convention.

Editors' Recommendations

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Mobile

Truecaller brings AI-powered spam call filtering to any iOS or Android phone

The Lamicall docking station sits in front of a laptop. A call is being answered.

Truecaller, a popular spam reporting and caller ID app, has launched a new feature that scrutinizes calls, responds to basic queries, and even handles scut work. Called Truecaller Assistant, the feature takes over the tedious parts of phone calls, especially when you don't want to deal with spam — or worse — scam calls.

Truecaller's announcement comes just days after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) confirmed it had approved a long-standing proposal to block unwanted promotional texts in response to countless complaints. The federal agency will work with mobile operators to culminate these spam texts at the origination level, flag spamming numbers, and attempt to educate users. However, the approach is focused on texts and does not elicit action against spam calls.

Mobile

This Android tablet uses the internet without Wi-Fi or a SIM card

A look at the new Blackview Tab 13, a standard rectangular tablet that's connected to a keyboard. Behind it the first tablet are two others showcasing the devices' cameras.

Blackview is mostly known for making devices designed to withstand harsh treatment, and today the company announced the launch of a tablet that doesn't require Wi-Fi or a SIM card for users to access the internet. The Tab 13 is a little bit different from the rest of Blackview's lineup of sturdy devices as it doesn't feature any of the protective layers that the company is known for. However, its internet connection options make it stand out for reasons all on its own.

Instead of relying on Wi-Fi or other sources of connection, the Tab 13 makes use of SIMO, a service that relies on a digital SIM card (also known as an eSIM) to keep devices connected. The exact specifications of how SIMO's Wi-Fi and SIM card-less connection works aren't entirely clear from the company's website, but the Tab 13 promises painless and easy connection to SIMO subscribers in more than 135 countries across the world.

Mobile

Forget Wi-Fi. Florida hotel adds private 5G to its list of amenities

Marquee sign for The Gale South Beach Hotel.

Private 5G networks are dramatically changing the way many industries operate, and now 5G is also transforming the hospitality industry. A Florida hotel has just become one of the first in the U.S. to deploy private 5G technology to deliver high-speed wireless access to its guests and unify all of its amenities.

Working in collaboration with private wealth management advisory firm GFO Investments and AirSpan Networks, the Gale South Beach is rolling out a private 5G network solution that it hopes will serve as a model for the rest of the hospitality industry.