Redesigned PSP Coming This Fall

After long-running speculation from fans, and continual denials of any such product existing, Sony announced a slimmer, redesigned PSP at E3 this past week. The newly re-jiggered mini media center is scheduled to hit stores sometime in September, with a sleeker design and a video-out feature.

Other confirmed features of the new model include reduced load times, USB power charging during data transfers, three color choices (Piano Black, Ice Silver, Ceramic White), 33% weight reduction, 19% thinner, $169 price point for the core unit (up $40 from the old PSP), 2 “Entertainment Packs,” available in the fall for $199, The “Daxter Pack,” which includes the Ice Silver PSP, Daxter, The Family Guy “Freakin’ Sweet Collection,” and a 1 GB memory stick.

If that weren’t enough, on October 9, the “Star Wars Battlefront Pack” will hit stores with a limited edition Star Wars Ceramic White PSP (with a Darth Vader silkscreen on the back) and the new Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron title packed.

PS3 Price Drops…While Supplies Last

The week before E3, the rumor, soon to be revealed as a fact, that the 60GB PlayStation 3 would drop $100 in price, to $499, had many people pleased, and it looked like Sony was actually going to end up moving some units.

The company not only confirmed the price-drop, but also revealed a new 80GB unit packaged with Motorstorm, to be released this fall, at an MSRP of $599. However, Dave Karakker, the company’s main PR guy, also revealed that the 60GB’s new $499 would be fleeting:

“The 60GB PS3 will be available in North America for $499 until supplies of that unit are depleted,” he said. “We have ample inventory to meet the immediate needs of consumers in this territory for several months to come. We won’t be making any further announcements regarding our hardware offerings in the North America at this time.”

Ugh. OK, so a little bait-n-switch. Thanks Sony. At least the $599 unit gets you a 20GB more space and a decent game. Thank God for small, yet-still-overpriced, miracles.