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The title read:
"PSP to get a 50 Gig Hard Drive"
http://www.joystiq.com/2005/02/25/rumor-psp-to-get-50-gb-hard-drive/
It all sounded like bullsquat to me. I mean, who trusts joystiq.com anyway?
Then a couple of months later, the same story popped up again. Only this time the industry analyst firm of Piper Jaffray made a public claim that Sony would release a redesigned PSP by the mid point of 2006.
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3144208
"We also expect Sony to launch the next generation of its PSP (including an audio/video hard-drive) in mid-2006.
Anthony Gikas, Piper Jaffray"
Now most people will read this man's prediction and still think it's BS. However you must remember that analysts from Piper Jaffray were among the first to accurately predict Sony's entry into the portable market.
To say the least, they have a good track record. They are also a more reputable source than joystiq.com. (For the record Sony fans, Piper Jaffray also expects Sony to win the next gen console wars.)
With all the talk of a possible psp redesign, one web site attempted to decipher the reasoning behind Sony's thinking.
http://www.nlgaming.com/nl/asp/id_6319/nl/newsDisp.htm
Here's an excert:
"It's also possible that Sony is trying to expand the PSP's multimedia capabilities (something the portable is already doing very well with) by including greater storage space—this is particularly interesting if Sony is looking to compete with Apple's iPod. Other possible explanations include offering a new PSP as a stopgap before the launch of the PS3, or selling a new model with a HDD instead of memory stick access to help counteract piracy/hackers; however, that would cut into lucrative sales of memory sticks for Sony."
Enter the iRiver G10.
http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news-10902-iRIVER+G10+attacks+the+PSP.html
"iRiver Attacks PSP"
The biggest competitor to the iPod comes to market with a new gaming enabled portable machine. Let's face it, this machine is not much of a threat to Nintendo's portable crown. If the Nintendo fans aren't going to buy a PSP, then they certainly wont buy this. However, PSP fans are a different breed of technical connoisseur. Something like this may very well appeal to a potential psp owner.
Here's some details on the machine:
"The parent company of iRIVER, Reigncom, has announced the G10 for CES 2006. It's a console similar to the PSP but it runs on Windows Mobile 5 and has between 4 and 8GB of storage space. You'll be able to play 3D games on the $" WVGA (800x480) screen and the console will probably be offered by Wibro. Something to look into at the CES 2006."
The funny thing is...there have been rumors of a gaming enabled iPod for the past several months. It seems like the folks behind the iRiver have beat the Apple team to the punch.
Finally. we cant forget all the other psp wannabes. The Gizmondo, the Tapwave Zodiac, and the GPX32.
Could a PSP redesign be Sony's way of fending off these new competitors?
Let's face it, the iPod have a massive audience. If a gaming enabled iPod were to hit the market it could really do damage to the psp's sales.
So what do you think? Are the rumors true? Will we see a new model PSP by the mid point of 2006?
Magic Eight ball what do you have to say?
"All signs point to yes."
cryptic...
