If I’m not mistaken Eurogamer was one of the first to publish rumoured details of the PSPgo — dubbed the PSP-4000 at the time (now modeled the PSP-N1001) — with the PSP2 to follow. So consider what you’re about to read speculation with perhaps a little credibility backing it up…

Eurogamer.es is reporting that PowerVR technology from Imagination Technologies will form the basis of the still-in-development PSP2. The site claims to have insider sources that reckon that a quad core iteration of the low-power SGX543MP chip, codenamed “Hydra”, will be present in the next generation handheld, not to be confused with the forthcoming PSPgo.

The chip itself appears to be very close indeed to the enhanced GPU experts say resides within the iPhone 3GS, providing a generational leap in performance over older PowerVR MBX processors found in the previous models. The same technology is also found in select netbooks such as the Dell Mini 12, as part of the new low power Poulsbo chipset. The single core version of the chip has been demonstrated at CES running Quake 3 Arena at 30FPS.

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So just how plausible is the original Spanish Eurogamer report? Having shared with us some of the more “off the record” information about the source of the info, it’s a likely proposition, not least because Sony is hotly rumoured to have been the mystery “major international consumer electronics company” mentioned in this press release issued back in November last year.

- source / full article: eurogamer

Worded oh-so elegantly in an article over at Pocket Gamer is more speculation concerning the PSP-4000 or the PSP2.

Allow me to quote Chris James –

…Unsurprisingly the console manufacturer has been comparatively mute in both cases, denying the existence of a PSP sequel and any threat from Apple. However, having spoken to an insider source – who’s not Dave Perry, but is a developer working on the new hardware – we can reveal that the new handheld will arrive before Christmas and will be far more similar to the iPhone than the current device.

Like Apple’s newcomer, the PSP 2 will be a compact device with a large touchscreen. However, where Sony’s machine has the edge is when the touchscreen is slid open as it reveals familiar buttons, D-pads and – praise the Lord of Handhelds – dual analogue controls.

This new format should allow for both existing hardcore console titles as well as simpler touchscreen games along the lines of those currently available in the App Store. And like the App Store, (and in the absence of UMD), the games will all be available for digital download via the PlayStation Store.

Although this hasn’t been confirmed, our speculation is that Sony’s initial plans for a small upgrade to a PSP 4000 model have since been accelerated by the success of the iPhone and arrival of Nintendo DSi…

And like I’ve said before — it’s all about E3. Till then, discuss here.

- source: pocketgamer

More PSP2 rumours continue circulating the scene… This time ’round we have David Perry, founder of Shiny Entertainment and respected industry veteran, who has chirped the following via Twitter:

“I hear Sony FINALLY has the PSP 2. And thank goodness, they’ve removed the stupid battery-sucking UMD disc drive. I’m excited!”

And just because, another PSP2 concept design to go with it…

Whatever the case — the PSP2 and/or PSP-4000 — we’ll likely have something solid at GDC (in March) or E3 (in June) this year. Stay tuned.

- source: vgtribune

Verbatim from Eurogamer; take it with a grain of salt –

Sony plans to refresh the PlayStation Portable product line with a PSP-4000 model in late 2009 and launch a true successor – a PSP2, if you like – later.

Publishing sources, speaking to Eurogamer, were unable to provide any further detail on next year’s update, which will presumably follow this year’s PSP-3000 in taking an iterative approach. The PSP-3000 launched this October and followed a 2000-series model, the first Slim & Lite, in September 2007.

Even fewer details were available on the PSP successor, but we’re told that developers are already working on games.

Sony has not ruled out either scenario, despite SCEE president David Reeves’ assertion in MCV last week that “there are currently no plans for a PSP2″. “I go to Tokyo quite a lot and no one has referred to it – I think they have their hands full at the moment,” he said, non-committally.

Sony UK told Eurogamer today that it would not comment on rumour and speculation.

Hrm… Publishing sources eh…

- source: eurogamer