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The up-coming latest addition to Playstation Portable is called the PSP Go. Reading some reviews on the internet has made me feel that older version of PSPs will be made redundant in the next couple of years. However, Sony insists that future game titles will still be available on UMD. Hmm… that is some kind of assurance or maybe Sony is trying to prevent PSP fans from waiting for the sales of PSP Go and not buying PSP-3000.

Specifications
Having said all that, let’s take a look at some of the specifications.
Screen size: 3.8”
Form Factor: Slide
Weight: 43% lighter than PSP-3000
Storage: Built-in 16GB flash memory
Expansion Slot: Memory Stick Micro (M2)
UMD Drive: No
WiFi: Yes
Bluetooth: Yes
Touch Screen: No
TV-Out: Unknown
Pricing: $249

Design
Looking at the picture, I do not really feel comfortable having the controller at the bottom of the screen. In addition, there is virtually no space below the buttons. Even though it is lighter than older PSPs, I cannot imagine playing games excitedly and tapping the buttons repeatedly without having full four fingers support at the back of PSP Go. Erm… not so ergonomically designed but maybe, I am wrong.

Weight and Screen Size
Indeed, the loss of 43% is a great improvement. Nevertheless, we have to give credit to the missing UMD drive. In the CNET review, it stated that soon enough, there might be no UMDs after the introduction of PSP Go. However, older PSPs’ ability to download and play games from the internet should not make them obsolete. I am just wondering whether the screen size will be an obstruction or maybe PSPs are clever enough to adjust the screen size of the games.

Storage
The storage of 16GB is definitely great, as we do not have to rely on Sony Memory Stick. Addition of Bluetooth has also created more development opportunities and compatibilities to PSP Go. Hence, playing PSP Go with Bluetooth PS3 Controller is a possibility. On the other hand, I doubt that Sony will remove the TV-Out capability, which is available from PSP-2000, from PSP Go even though it is still unknown at the moment.

Connectivity
WiFi is common but PSP Go’s browser will be crucial. Will there be an Opera browser? It does not really bother me anyway because to me, PSP is all about gaming and not a multi-function machine. As UMD drive is being removed, all the games will be stored in the 16GB flash memory and downloaded from Sony Playstation store. That kind of leaves me wondering the manual and copy right issues. Can we just copy the games from machine to machine? What will happen to the games we bought and downloaded online if we format our PSP Go?

Verdict
There will be a lot of questions until we physically own PSP Go. Trading second hand games is very popular especially in this current economy condition. How are we going to trade our games if we were to download and purchase them online? How will this affect PSP Go sales in less developed countries which have poor internet broadband facility? Or does Sony even care?

PSP Go looks interesting but there is still no touch screen functionality. However, be patient and sooner or later, Sony will have to have a touch screen PSP version. Otherwise, Sony will risk losing out to its competitors.

Source
CNET PSP GO Review