Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

Rumors have been flying around for almost a year now of a next generation Sony PSP with added features. First and foremost is some sort of internal memory. Most believe that Sony would opt to go with a flash or solid-state based drive, as that would provide faster memory access and lower battery consumption, as compared to a hard disk based drive. But a leaked photo from a Samsung presentation may be the leak we are waiting for.

The photo above shows a presentation for Samsung’s new N-Series 1.8-inch hard drive and there’s some indication that a 60GB version of the drive may end up in a future PSP. What we have is certainly not clear by any standard so we will just all have to wait and see what Sony/Samsung have up their sleeves.

Read [Acrofan] Via [Engadget]

Designed specifically for PMPs (portable media players like the Zune, Sony PSP, and iPod) MediaCatcher allows users to select and capture unlimited video from cable TV for viewing whenever and wherever. 

While iTunes sells downloadable TV shows for $2 each, MediaCatcher allows you to select the shows you want prior to airing, and the shows are automatically captured, reformatted, tagged, and loaded into your media player, ready to go. Unlike TiVo, BroadClip does not charge a monthly fee, and its web-based architecture means users benefit from state-of-the-art social interaction features.

MediaCatcher is available on Amazon.com and on BroadClip’s web site for a one-time price of $79.99. Users lacking the required video tuner can purchase hardware “bundled” with the product for $139.99 (PCI) and $199.99 (USB) respectively. The system requires a Windows PC, a cable TV subscription, and and iPod. Macintosh and Linux support will be provided by Q1 2007.

Read [MediaCatcher]

It’s happened to all of us, either you’re on a business trip or you took your family out for a vacation. Within the first couple hours of arrival it’s either your children or your inner child saying.."I’m bored, when are we going to do something?” Well Fairmont Hotels and Resorts finally have an answer. After teaming up with Fuji, HP, and Sony you no longer have to look for something to keep you occupied. How about a brand new digital camera for the weekend, simply take your pics hand the hotel staff the camera once your finished, and walla! The staff puts your pictures on a CD for you to take home. What’s that, already got a camera? You hotshot! Okay, how about the new and highly popular Sony PSP. Go ahead, rip it up with Tony Hawk or bust your brain with an intense game of Lemmings. Whatever your poison, you’re sure to get your fill at the next Fairmont Hotel. So the next time you check in and are once again disappointed by the high cost of bottled water...just remember a PSP or digital camera is only a hotel away.

*Fairmont Hotels are not responsible for giving you free water...stop being so freaking cheap.

read [NYTimes.com]

Sony released Firmware 2.71 for the Sony PSP in Japan and the US. The new PSP firmware allows you to download game demos directly from the PSP web browser onto the memory stick. Currently available are the LocoRoco demo and a demo of Kazou (Sudoku game). The minor upgrade as corrects issues with Sony’s LocationFree Player.

Download Page [PlayStation.com]
Read [I4U]

Vaja challenges themselves to add style and beauty to the many gadgets and devices we own. All products are hand crafted with attention to the smallest detail. This Moto V3i leather suit features a sporty design along with mesh protection, a camera cutout and easy access to external display, USB port and the keypad. Finally you will feel exotic with this case as it is made from genuine high quality Argentine leather. Cases are also available for the Palm Treo, Blackberry’s, various cell phones, the Sony PSP, and Apple, Sony, Creative and the late Rio MP3 players.

Via [geekBlue]

JBL announced a sleek, portable-audio system and accessories pack designed to be the perfect companion to gamers, road warriors and music lovers alike. Weighing in at less than a pound and small enough to fit in a briefcase, backpack or purse JBL On Tour Plus comes with everything needed to enjoy rich sound, anywhere in the world. The JBL On Tour Plus is powered by either four AAA batteries or universal AC power, and comes with a zippered nylon carry case.

With six watts of total power, this portable speaker system utilizes two aluminum-domed Odyssey transducers that provide rich, full frequency response at any sound level. Additionally, the included game-console bracket allows users to neatly and easily attach digital devices such as the Sony PSP.

JBL On Tour plus is available in black, with chrome accents, for $129.99, and is compatible with all portable gaming systems, digital music players and personal CD/ DVD players, as well as laptop and desktop computers.

[Press Release]
Via [T3]

A source close to VoIP company Vonage told T3 that the company is in the process of creating an interface that would allow users to convert the Sony PSP and Nintendo DS into internet-powered phones. Both devices are compatible with VoIP, since they have built in microphones and can connect to the internet via Wi-Fi. All they need the necessary interface and software.

Vonage’s partnership with Wi-Fi operator Cloud means that its customers can get internet access at over 7,000 Wi-Fi hotspots across the UK and there are thousands of hotspots here in the US as well.

There is no word on when Vonage and Sony/Nintendo will roll-out these features but this week’s upcoming E3 is a better time than ever.

Read [T3]

Sony’s Core system has been out for a while in Japan but today is the day that they will ship the ceramic white units. Street price in Japan is about $175 but Play-Asia is exporting the white PSP-1000 CW for $209.90 (only $35 more, not bad) to the US, not Europe.

As with the black Sony PSP Core the while does only come with a power adapter and the battery.

Read [I4U]

Griffin everyone’s favorite iPod accessory maker has now branched into the gaming market. They have announced three new accessories for the Sony PSP. All gadgets focus on the audio functionality of the device and are available on their online store The and in stores soon. iFM radio tuner turns your PSP into an FM radio with a wired remote control. It can automatically scan the FM band and save six radio presets. The iTrip FM lets the PSP transmit audio from games, music, or movies to nearby FM radios, like the iTrip. Finally, the SmartShare is a headphone splitter with individual volume controls for each headphone.

The iFM and iTrip FM for PSP are $49.99 each, and the SmartShare is $14.99.