PSP Getting Direct PlayStation Store Access

Author	Hugo Jobling
Published	3rd Sep 2008

PSP Getting Direct PlayStation Store Access

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Sure, the PSP section of the PlayStation Store is pretty neat, and there's some cool stuff available to download, but having to use a PC or PS3 to get that content onto the device is a real drag. How fortuitous, then, that according to IGN, Sony has a forthcoming firmware update which will enable the PSP with direct access to downloadable content

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Quite how this will work hasn't been stated, yet, so there's no knowing whether this store access will be as simple as enabling HTTP downloads from the existing web-based store, or whether the PSP will get a dedicated front, like the PS3. The most likely solution, as I see it, is a PSP-orientated section of the website, designed for access from the device. Given this is Sony, though, anything could happen.

In addition to that, Sony is also tweaking things to allow (some) PSP games with a WiFi multiplayer mode, but no online play, to be routed via a PlayStation 3's internet connection. The idea being than any multiplayer game will then be online multiplayer too. Better still, the PS3 can be used for voice and text chatting and matching functionality (choosing games and so forth) - cool stuff!

Importantly, this particular feature isn't limited to the newer PSP models, as some updates have been. Although given the huge screen improvements, a PSP-3000 is a tempting proposition.

I'll be chalking these both up on TR's list of "reasons to fish our PSPs out of our sock drawers".

In vaguely related news: Nintendo has a shiny silver DS coming in a few weeks - thrilling!