Sony, the company that virtually invented on-the-go entertainment more than 25 years ago with the Walkman cassette player, is looking to get back in the game with its new PlayStation Portable.
While the PSP doesn’t live up to its purported “iPod killer” status, it is a revolutionary step for portable video gaming and movie watching.
The PSP hits stores today and will cost $249.99. Many local video game stores already sold out of their initial shipments through preorders and reservations, but some larger electronics stores should have some available.
The PSP comes with a 32-megabyte memory stick, in-ear headphones, a carrying case, a wrist strap and a remote control. The first 1 million units also are being sold with a copy of the movie “Spiderman 2.”
The PSP will give Nintendo’s DS and Game Boy Advance a challenge, and the thought of bringing this little guy onto a plane, train or bus to watch movies is appealing. But Apple’s iPod is safe in the portable music world and still is unmatched for its sheer capacity and ease of use.
The PSP has no hard drive, using only preprogrammed discs and memory sticks.
The largest available memory stick is 1 gigabyte, which would hold about 250 songs and would cost upward of $150 extra. The smallest iPod Mini, by contrast, is $199 and holds four times as much music.
But the PSP’s music and photo storage capability is just a bonus.
You can’t fault Sony for trying to do too much. Our short attention spans deserve just as much of the blame.
The device is 6.7 inches wide, 2.9 inches high and less than an inch thick. Users can play video games and watch full-length movies on Sony’s universal media disc format, which is like a mini DVD at about 2.5 inches wide.
Games will retail for $39.99 to $49.99, while movies should be available for about $20.
The first slate of movies for the system is expected next month and includes “Hellboy,” “Resident Evil 2,” “House of Flying Daggers” and “Once Upon a Time In Mexico.”
The 4.3-inch-wide screen impresses with its clarity, and the graphics on games are frighteningly good. If you’re the type of person who is still fascinated by the sharp picture on the Xbox and PlayStation 2, you’ll be blown away by the quality on the hand-held PSP.
The unit isn’t perfect, but it’s laying a good foundation for things to come. It has Wi-Fi capability, which allows as many as 16 players in the same room to take part in the same game without physically connecting the units to one another.
The battery life isn’t great and has been the major complaint from early users. On standard games and movies, it will last about five hours, and takes two or three hours to charge with the included AC adapter.
Future possibilities for the PSP include using it to go online and check e-mail at wireless Internet hot spots such as libraries and coffee shops.
The only real gripes with the PSP are practical issues, such as glare on the screen. While it’s picture-perfect in an indoor setting, particularly a dark room, it’s very difficult to focus on a game when trying to play it outdoors on a sunny day.
It will also be nice when a stand is made available for the unit, so you won’t have to hold it in your hand or look straight down onto a tabletop while watching a two-hour movie.
For its minor flaws, though, the PSP is worth the $250 for the commuter, traveler or even casual video-game player.
After all, that first Sony Walkman cassette player back in 1979 would’ve cost you about $200 – and it couldn’t even play Beta.
Reporter Victor Balta: 425-339-3455 or vbalta@heraldnet.com.
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