PSP vs iPod Video, and leave homebrew PSP alone...
Apple's recent release of the iPod video - though evidently not in the UK as I could find no high street store with one this weekend - has produced lots of column inches recently. Since I have been banging on about downloadable TV for ages I think I might bang on about the iPod video - PSP debate that seems to be raging in the media.
First I must at this point say I am now proud owner of a PSP, but do not own an Apple iPod video.
So first lets turn to the iPod video. All the net pictures give it a shiny apple look, but I have to say I felt quite underwhelmed by it. Why?
* Its quite big.
* It still connects by USB - so you need a computer. Where's the wifi??
* It just plays videos
* I am developing a strong loathing to the iTunes services munching all my memory.
Having said that the iTunes platform is Apple's strongest card. Sony seem to be finding themselves as yesterday's company when it comes to neat tie ups on the net. First the PS2 had it's hotch-potch network interface to counter the XBox, not realizing that it is the XBox Live platform that is important. Seamless connection is what its all about. The PSP is no different it appears. Despite having a wifi network, there is no automatic PSP homepage in the webbroswer for Godsakes! Sony just don't seem to "get" the net...
The PSP seems to have been given a drubbing in the media - great screen, no games, not downloadable, not an iPod. I think such comments are foolish.
The PSP is suffering from lack of titles - interestingly seem to have
Gamespot access (and claim) that many games I cannot find here are already on the shelves. This situation is bound to change. GTA is the first major release, but the similarity with the PS2 should give a large catalog once they get round to publishing them.
The platform is fun to use. I have had countless handhelds, but the PSP is the first to make me actually sit down and use in exclusivity. The controllers are a bit awkward over time, but must importantly you can sit infront of the TV and play a game, allowing "participation" in the evening with loved ones ;).
The webbroswer is actually quite good too - if that sort of thing flips your boat. Personnally I cannot see something other than my laptop being used by me for webbrowsing in the near future, but maybe I'm just a luddite. What is most interesting is it supports the download and playback of movies - just like the iPod Video.
I know that in my valuable pocket space I cannot add much more to them. I have two phones, keys, a hankerchief and a wallet already making them bulge, and if I am going to add I want but one more thing. The PSP fiits the bill. Games and films or just films?
So now the challenge is on Sony to realize that software is the most important part of the platform: make the PSP shine in a new web based environment, allowing people to purchase films permanently against their user id, for download and playback to the PSP.
Currently the homebrew crowd have released more games than Sony by porting MAME and UAE. This is a sorry state of affairs when hobbiest can so easily trump the manufacturer. Undoubtably Sony will constantly try to close loopholes in the system, but this really isn't the point. People *want* to use it, so why not sell it.
Hypothetical: If you had a PSP that was hacked. You download a few games and get them working on your £100 1 Gig memory stick. More come out. Each is around the 500 Meg mark. Quickly you are either going to want another memory stick or to go legal, since the games are only 35 quid.
But you won't. Why? Because the homebrew stuff is getting better, and going legal will require you to upgrade your PSP to locked down rom again. Instead you wait around for a hacked version to be released.
A far better approach is to leave the homebrew working. Yes you may loose out on a few sales of some games, but the flipside is people will not be forced into the life of crime. The iPod has already won that argument - people *are* willing to pay, but you must make the legal methods quicker and easier than the illegal.
So in conclusion: PSP is great with old fashioned platform, iPod video sucks, but has the delivery medium to bang heads together. Let's see what market forces choose!
First I must at this point say I am now proud owner of a PSP, but do not own an Apple iPod video.
So first lets turn to the iPod video. All the net pictures give it a shiny apple look, but I have to say I felt quite underwhelmed by it. Why?
* Its quite big.
* It still connects by USB - so you need a computer. Where's the wifi??
* It just plays videos
* I am developing a strong loathing to the iTunes services munching all my memory.
Having said that the iTunes platform is Apple's strongest card. Sony seem to be finding themselves as yesterday's company when it comes to neat tie ups on the net. First the PS2 had it's hotch-potch network interface to counter the XBox, not realizing that it is the XBox Live platform that is important. Seamless connection is what its all about. The PSP is no different it appears. Despite having a wifi network, there is no automatic PSP homepage in the webbroswer for Godsakes! Sony just don't seem to "get" the net...
The PSP seems to have been given a drubbing in the media - great screen, no games, not downloadable, not an iPod. I think such comments are foolish.
The PSP is suffering from lack of titles - interestingly seem to have
Gamespot access (and claim) that many games I cannot find here are already on the shelves. This situation is bound to change. GTA is the first major release, but the similarity with the PS2 should give a large catalog once they get round to publishing them.
The platform is fun to use. I have had countless handhelds, but the PSP is the first to make me actually sit down and use in exclusivity. The controllers are a bit awkward over time, but must importantly you can sit infront of the TV and play a game, allowing "participation" in the evening with loved ones ;).
The webbroswer is actually quite good too - if that sort of thing flips your boat. Personnally I cannot see something other than my laptop being used by me for webbrowsing in the near future, but maybe I'm just a luddite. What is most interesting is it supports the download and playback of movies - just like the iPod Video.
I know that in my valuable pocket space I cannot add much more to them. I have two phones, keys, a hankerchief and a wallet already making them bulge, and if I am going to add I want but one more thing. The PSP fiits the bill. Games and films or just films?
So now the challenge is on Sony to realize that software is the most important part of the platform: make the PSP shine in a new web based environment, allowing people to purchase films permanently against their user id, for download and playback to the PSP.
Currently the homebrew crowd have released more games than Sony by porting MAME and UAE. This is a sorry state of affairs when hobbiest can so easily trump the manufacturer. Undoubtably Sony will constantly try to close loopholes in the system, but this really isn't the point. People *want* to use it, so why not sell it.
Hypothetical: If you had a PSP that was hacked. You download a few games and get them working on your £100 1 Gig memory stick. More come out. Each is around the 500 Meg mark. Quickly you are either going to want another memory stick or to go legal, since the games are only 35 quid.
But you won't. Why? Because the homebrew stuff is getting better, and going legal will require you to upgrade your PSP to locked down rom again. Instead you wait around for a hacked version to be released.
A far better approach is to leave the homebrew working. Yes you may loose out on a few sales of some games, but the flipside is people will not be forced into the life of crime. The iPod has already won that argument - people *are* willing to pay, but you must make the legal methods quicker and easier than the illegal.
So in conclusion: PSP is great with old fashioned platform, iPod video sucks, but has the delivery medium to bang heads together. Let's see what market forces choose!
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