Sony announces PSP Go! Entertainment services including Go! Messenger, Explore GPS & TV program downloading

24 August 2007

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Posted by:Josh

At the Leipzig Games Convention 2007 Sony announced their new PSP “Go! Entertainment” brand of services.

Go! Messenger will add a fully functional Instant Messaging service (using the systems built-in wireless capabilities, although you may need a broadband connection) and it will be available via a firmware upgrade to the PSP in January 2008, via a joint venture with telecom giant BT. Using a new on-screen keyboard you’ll be able to instant message your buddies via text. But if text doesn’t suit you well, that’s okay, because you can also plug-in a headset and voice-chat! But that’s not all, pick up a the PSP Camera and you’ll also be able to send Video Messages.

Go! Explore is a new GPS-based service for the PSP. Using a receiver and a UMD-disc loaded with up-to-date 3D maps from around Europe, it will ensure that you will never be lost as long as you got the PSP with you. Bundled with Go! Explore will even be a Car Adapter and a Car Mount accessory. Collaborators TeleAtlas and NavNGo will be helping Sony provide updated language support and more maps over time via the PlayStation Network and so far The UK, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and Scandinavia will be supported, with localized languages for each country.

Last but not least, a Go! branded video download service is also scheduled for release in early 2008. A joint venture with BSkyB, it will let PSP users stream their choice of programs from the popular SKY channels, including sports, entertainment, movies, music and animation. These can be downloaded straight to your PSP or to your desktop first, and will be supposedly easy to use.

No word on when these features will be release outside Europe, but it’s a sure bet that they will be coming eventually, or else Sony can’t fulfill they’re whole multimedia Playstation dominance strategy.