Under the Spotlight: PSP v2.0 Feature

Since its launch in Japan and N. America Sony has released a number of firmware updates to the PSP; although the vast majority of these have focussed around security issues, last months release of â??Ver 2.0â? certainly increased the functionality of the PSP with its web-browsing capabilities and other features.

Ver 2.0 finally found a release recently in N. America and will come as standard when the PSP launches in Europe. Weâ??ve been busily browsing the web and checking out its capabilities since the update became available in Japan, and have largely come away impressed by its functionality.

Arguably the most difficult element in bringing browsers to mobile devices is handling the different screen ratios in comparison to a standard PC browser; Dreamcast owners will remember the difficulties faced, however in conjunction with Access Co., Ltd. the NetFront browser does a surprisingly good job of bringing the worldwide-web to the PSP.

A number of different display configurations are available (Normal, Just-Fit, Smart-Fit), re-sizing pages to fit the PSP and largely handing various different styles with ease. The browser offers most of the standard functionality of those found on the PC, allowing users to easily create bookmarks, homepages, etcâ?¦ and also takes a leaf from Mozillaâ??s book by offering three tabs to view different pages.

Arguably the biggest complaint about the web-browser is the fact that itâ??s restricted to the PSPâ??s internal memory and doesnâ??t utilise the MemoryStick; as such heavy browsing sessions will often pop up a â??Memory Fullâ? error, especially when using the multiple tabs. Itâ??s this basis that appears to be behind the decision not to support Macromedia Flash, which can place heavy demands on processors and memory although Sony have confirmed that tests are currently underway as to whether support will feature in a further update.

Itâ??s not just browsing the webâ?¦

Ver 2.0 doesnâ??t just open the possibility of browsing the web but also provides support for the MPEG4 AVC format, which is based on the h.264 codec that facilitates higher quality compression at approximately the same file size as older MP4 codecs â?“ ideal for downloading trailers from the net!

Downloading PSP compatible video from the net can actually be a little cumbersome if you not sure what youâ??re doing, requiring strict file-types to be saved in the correct destination folder.

Ver 2.0 also improves the Picture aspects of the PSP facilitating users to share photos between via an Ad-Hoc Wi-Fi connection as well as storing any as a wallpaper to the PSPâ??s main operating system.

The Future

With future upgrades in the pipeline the PSP looks likely to expand upon the offerings made in Ver 2.0; Sony has already commented and demonstrated the possibility of GPS devices, mini-keyboards and increased internet functionality while providing a glimmer of hope to fans of HomeBrew that the ability to create and share applications created by users would be an â??interestingâ? addition.

Hopefully Sony will look at utilising the MemoryStick to avoid the dreaded â??Memory Fullâ? errors, while a custom media player would be helpful to avoid having to download specific files, store them correctly and exiting the browser just to watch them.

More importantly for gamers will be the ability to play games over a wireless service and not just the Ad-Hoc mode featured in present titles; Sony has yet to confirm the plausibility of this however itâ??s certainly technically feasible.

Taking full advantage of the PSP's future direction our coders have been working incessantly to create a "PSP friendly" version of TVG. Featuring the latest information, reviews and trailers encoding specifically to suit the PSP, make sure to check out www.totalvideogames.com/psp when you pick up Sony's handheld later in the week...