Topic: PSP to target apple and iPod? huh? as low as 60 dollars?

[seven_chaos]

This news article was taken from www.apple-x.net:


Sony to challenge the iPod.

"We are taking on iPod with our new device," said a Sony official. "We are coming at him [Steve Jobs] on that front."

If there is any company in this world who could pull off a comparable iPod competitor, it is Sony. Many companies have claimed to have what it takes to unseat the iPod from its throne, yet no one has even come close. Sony thinks they have what it takes and it could cost as low as $60.

So what is this magical player?

Sony recently announced many details concerning the "PSP", a handheld gaming, music playing, video playing and possible cellphone all-in-one handheld device. While the PSP isn't due out until the end of 2004, it is expected this device may be the answer to anyone and everyones handheld needs. The device is expected to be a powerful competitor for Nintendo's Game Boy, Nokia's N-Gage and Apple's iPod.

As for a possible look of the PSP, this conecpt image from Sony has leaked:


According to GameSpot and ZDNET Japan, these are the current PSP specifications:

PSP CPU Core -
MIPS R4000 32-bit core
128-bit bus
1-333MHz (1.2V)
8MB eDRAM main memory
2.6Gbps bus bandwidth
FPU, VFPU (2.6 billion flops)
3D graphics extended instructions
I Cache, D Cache

PSP Media Engine -
MIPS R4000 32-bit core
128-bit bus
1-333MHz (1.2V)
2MB eDRAM submemory
I-Cache, D-Cache
90nm CMOS

PSP Graphics Core -
1-166MHz (1.2V)
256-bit bus
2MB eDRAM (VRAM)
5.3Gbps bus bandwidth
664 million pixels per second pizel fill rate
3D curved surface and 3D polygon engine
Support for compressed textures, hardware clipping, morphing, bone, tessellation, bezier, b-spline (NURBS)
Maximum of 33 million polygons per second
24-bit full color (RGBA)

Sound Core -
VME (Virtual Mobile Engine)
Reconfigurable DSP
166MHz (1.2 V)
128-bit bus
5 giga operations per second
CODEC capabilities
3D sound, 7.1 channels
Synthesizer, effecter, and other abilities
ATRAC3 plus, AAC, MP3 for audio

Media -
UMD (Universal Media Disc)
60mm-diameter disc
660nm laser diode
1.8GB capacity (dual-layered disc)
11Mbps transfer rate
AES crypto system
Unique disc ID
Shock proof
Regional code system
Parental lock system
Repeat ordering system

Other Specifications -
16:9-format widescreen TFT LCD (480x272 pixels, 24-bit full color)
MPEG4 AVC decoder
Wireless LAN (802.11)
IrDA (Infrared Data Association)
USB 2.0
Memory Stick
AV in/out
Stereo headphone out
Lithium ion battery
Expansion port

Keep in mind, the current prototypes are only 4.5 inches in diameter. This could mean trouble for Apple's iPod, especially as mini-hard drive prices continue to go down. There is some good news though, now that these specs. have been released, Apple has almost a year to meet or beat the PSP. While Apple has never really been clear with what direction they want to take the iPod, in recent months Apple has made it clear that they do want increased iPod functionality.

Hopefully, Apple will take the initiative and offer a device far superior to Sony's PSP (Could the iPod 2 be in the works?). If they don't, then I'm buying a PSP.


****  original article
===========================

This is insane!!!  Could the rumors of an Apple/Nintendo team up be true?!  Maybe, but its a little far out there.  Steve Jobs has made it clear several times that he wants the iPod to become more than just a music player.  The specs above are indeed interesting, but it makes me wonder how in the hell Sony is going to be able to release all of this for as low as 60 dollars.  Perhaps there will be more than one model of the PSP.  That idea is definately not unheard of.  Have a cheaper model that just only plays games or just only plays music and have a more expensive "media" model that plays the games, the music, and the videos.  All in all its just another one of Sony's "walkmans."  Nintendo better have something up there sleeve, and I'm sure they know exactly what they are doing.  From what I can tell, this whole PSP thing seems all too good to be true.

[vudu]

prehaps it is a $60 add-on to the psp that would cost $60 and allow the little device to play mp3s?

[BigJim]

I'd say they missed something in the data, or just made it up, if they suggest the PSP itself would cost so little.

[kennyb27]

Quote
The specs above are indeed interesting, but it makes me wonder how in the hell Sony is going to be able to release all of this for as low as 60 dollars.

They can't.

And if they do, then they commit business suicide.  If Sony expects us to believe those specs (which more than rival PS2's), then they can't sell it for a mere $60.

[seven_chaos]

kennyb27: Thats why I made the comment about having more than one PSP model.  A cheap one ($60) and more expensive one.  Maybe thats what they mean by it.  They say that Sony wants to shut out Apples iPod, well there are three models out right now, and Apple is working on a "cheap" version iPod.

[manunited4eva22]

There is a difference though, the only real differences in the ipods are the disk drives, where as to cut down the costs of the psp the processors would have to be cut out, and a lot of the information would have to be rerouted to keep it stable.

[AERO]

I don't get the ipod. When I was looking at it a few years ago I don't see what sets it apart from other mp3 players.

I didn't give it a very long look, becuase at $400 it was grossly out of my price range for an mp3 player. But from the quick things I was looking at, durability, memory, and bascis things like that, I thought the archos jukebox series at least matched it. Can someone explain further?  

[ThePerm]

sony's handheld looks like hype to me

[Flames_of_chaos]

AERO there are 3 models of the Ipod a 10GB, 20GB, 40GB the 400 dollar one is the 40GB model and thats if you want to hold about 50,000+ songs. Also doesnt Sony have their own MP3 players with a different media so im believeing that the article posted was fake or made up

[novastar512]

If there was an adapter to play MD's and write MD's it might be worth it to buy a PSP, but I seriously doubt that.  

There is no way they can compete with the IPOD, since the adapter would have to buy a harddrive or they might have a different unit for alot more with a memory card holder(new mem cards are gonna be to 1 GB in a year)

[Shift Key]

I get a gut feeling this $60 add-on will be a large disk drive integrated into an expansion port of the PSP. Maybe 40GB but I have no idea about how viable it is. The PSP has a number of ways of transferring the music, USB 2.0 being the most popular, so it would make sense that this device is just a large storage space, and a program that manages the music stored in the device (playlists, searching, and communicating with the PSP system). The program could be upgraded, but probably not, because the need to change the function greatly ins not necessary (like BIOS in a PC).

It's not going to be a stand-alone player, because then people wouldn't buy the PSP, and its not going to be the $60 PSP because that is insane.

And the article says that it could be as low as $60 *hears hype machine in background*
*gets spanner of truth* Mwahahahaha!

EDIT: More thoughts of how it works

[Uglydot]

I doubt even a lower end model would cost 60 dollars, the gbasp isn't even 60 and when has Sony focused on price that much?  Probably an add on or just fake.  

[mgcman]

Think Apple-Nintendo.  Visit MacGameCube

[manunited4eva22]

Lets think about this.

Apple has no capability to build or design chips, chipsets, or anything hardware related.  Why would nintendo want to go with apple?

[Avinash_Tyagi]

Simple my friend, the fact that Apple has so many things that appeal to the public like IPod make it an excellent way to appeal to a larger community, think about a GBA with Ipod connectivity, the Ipod carries the media while the GBA acts as the screen, boom, without releasing a new product you've already got the PSP beat.  The Ipod could also act as a stepping stone to optical media for the GBA, without having to release an new product and while retaining compatibility with the GBA's current library, and since the Ipod is so popular it will be far easier to get into the hands of the masses than Sony can get the PSP.

[manunited4eva22]

Lets think with our brains here.  I am going to pay 300 dollars, plus a gameboy, plus that accessory to beat out something that wont cost 300.  What is the point in that?  How is the ipod have anything to do with optical media anyway?  It uses mini hard drives, magnetic discs, you know thats why you dont put an electro magnet to your player... and define popular.  In no way is the ipod even remotely near what the gameboy advance sp is at.  The ipod has been around for about 2 years now.  GBA SP not even a year.

[Avinash_Tyagi]

First off you already stated why it'll work, the GBA is already saturated the maket so people don't have to pay anything else for it they'll get it anyways, if Apple releases a newer version of the Ipod with this connectivity already built in and with optical drive capability for about 300 or so dollars then people can choose if they want it or not.  No one has to get it but if they do they'll get all these extras on the GBA.

Plus its compatible with your PC, which the PSP won't be, and apple can integrate its OS X into it as well, turning the GBA into a PDA.

[manunited4eva22]

WTF?  Let me get this straight, you want to integrate a mp3 player, add an optical drive, add an operating system that requires far more power than any handheld has, which isn't and never has been compatibable with windows, and you think this has any chance of working?  If I wanted an ipod Im not going to buy a hook up to my gba, I am just going to buy an ipod.  It would be a waste of money and space to buy a hookup that wouldn't be worth a dime.

[Avinash_Tyagi]

All the GBA has to be is the screen, nothing else, I'm also not saying make all the Ipod's like this just make one specific version which does this.  

as for the OS it was just an Idea, and there are ways to transfer files in between operating systems.

[manunited4eva22]

There are ways to transfer from Palm OS (basically all BASIC) because it is easily emulated and is easily copied.  But if apple were to re-enter the handheld market as a PDA maker, bet on it being mac developed and only good for mac users.  Later on they may add some windows compatibility, but its still not worth it.

But what am I going to use it as a screen for?  If apple wants a color lcd for video next time, it is far more simple for them to add it then to go through a more expensive and far less effective third party.

[The Doc]

The GBA SP is outdated junk

[manunited4eva22]

Care to explain your opinion instead setting up a flame war?

[Cap]

i remember the doc bashing the gba a while ago in the gba section, and one comment stuck out in particular to me. here it is:

"The fact is this the GBA SP is a toy for children. N-Gage will be the future of mobile gaming. "

i still find that comment hilarious. i already responded to that comment and to the doc in the thread in the gba section, which can be found here:

http://www.planetgamecube.com/forums/messageview.cfm?catid=5&threadid=2655&STARTPAGE=1

[seven_chaos]

Nintendo and apple appeal to eachother because of the kind of companies they are.  Thats why they would team up and thats why the next GB, or whatever, might be co produced by Apple.  Yes, it is a long shot, but anything is possible.  Talking about the iPod though, the way the GBA has the handheld market, is the same way the iPod has the MP3 player market.  Apple is growing, each and every year.  The only reason Apple is not on top anymore is because of Microsofts monopoly, and the fact that Apple is very stubborn.  They like doing things their own way (just like Nintendo ).  Anywho if Apple and Nintendo somehow become connected I am all for it.  Not only because I'm a proud Mac user but because these two companies in my mind are far more superior than the ones they compete with.

[manunited4eva22]

The reason apple died was that they didn't do anything new for 5 years.  Jobs is the only reason mac is still alive.  Jobs and Iwata is something I just don't see happening.