Brewology

Just last week we ran an article detailing everything known so far about Sony’s next portable. According to various reports from respected sources around the globe, Sony is working on some type of 3G-enabled, Android-based device that features capabilities from Sony’s various other devices. Not only would the device be gaming-focused, but it would feature the functionality of e-readers, mobile phones and Sony’s Walkman brand, among other things.

A new rumor has now surfaced, giving more credence to these bold claims. Along with the rumor, the tipster mentions issues, possibly delaying the processor, along with a venue, and with that, a date it would likely be revealed.

We’ve also found a couple videos that show off what the games might look like if these rumors are indeed true. Check out the full details and videos, after the break.

The rumor mentions that an ex-Nvidia engineer let it slip that Sony’s next portable (it’s repeatedly called the PSP2 in the rumor) will use Nvidia’s upcoming tablet processor, the Tegra 2. Tegra 2 is a dual-core, ARM Cortex-A9 MPcore processor, capable of up to a whopping 1GHz. The Tegra 2 features 8 processors in total, and aside from the 2 aforementioned ARM Cortex-A9 processors, will also feature specific processors for video decoding and encoding (1080p!), an image and an audio processor, and what would appeal most of Sony PlayStation, a specific 2D/3D graphics processor. To view a diagram of the Tegra 2, click here.

For those of you who are tech-challenged, all of that means is that the “PSP2″ powered by Tegra 2, would be one beast of a device. However, the processor itself, and more-so it’s massive power lies the issue which may cause delays in the device. The Tegra 2 is said to be “massively over it’s power budget” and is being bogged down with “showstopper bugs”, which has Sony “very miffed at Nvidia right now”.

As for when the ex-Nvidia engineer ‘mole’ believes it would be shown, he says “It [PSP2] is now set for a CES showing, but it will almost assuredly be released at a later date”. CES is the world’s largest consumer electronics tradeshow, and will be held during January 6-9, 2011, in Las Vegas. It’s essentially the ‘E3′ of consumer electronics, for those of you unfamiliar. Sony usually hosts a Keynote and a Press Conference there each year, with last year Sony showing off its just released line-up of 3D capable TVs and other electronics.

So what could a device of this nature look like? And more importantly, how would the games look? We’ve found a video of an early Tegra 2 tablet prototype running the Unreal 3 Engine, along with another video of a prototype running 505 Games’ recently released Backbreaker, the gritty, non-NFL football game developed by Natural Motion. Check out the videos below:



Source: Playstation Lifestyle

Now those graphics look good in fine, but I sure don't want the PSP 2 to be a darn tablet! It's suppose to be a handheld, not a netbook wanna be. Plus there wouldn't be any actual buttons would there? Without buttons it EXTREMELY limits your game selection. You can't play a lot of good games without buttons. Plus I can't casually carry it around with me anywhere unless I have a backpack and that's no good. Granted if it is released at $300 I still might buy it for the internet capabilities, but that's only if they find a way to let us still play games that aren't severely dumb downed for the lack of buttons.

im sure itll have virtual buttons. anyone ever play an emulator on a Droid with the screen closed? virtual.

virtual buttons wouldn't be fun...

Also with the Ipod Touch emu's.

I will not buy it unless it has physical buttons. I hate paying emulators on my iPhone.

crait, give the android virtuals a chance man.

I agree, virtual buttons on the iPod Touch are awful if you really want to play a game.

go find a droid, then go get a copy of gbcoid or gameboid or whatever and try the virtual keypad. its pretty sweet

maybe they can make a choice of which one you want... Personally, I would want to play with physical buttons...

Okay... Let me rephrase...
I will not buy it unless it has physical buttons. I hate paying emulators without tactile feedback on a touchscreen.

Imagine games like GOW with virtual buttons... that would be pathetic... when you have to tap a button, you keep smacking the screen?

Oh and what about the analogs? virtual buttons with physical analog(s)? that would suck...

On the bright side, there would less wear and tear.

Being as, if you drop it, it's most likely going to be a one hitter quitter.

I wouldn't say there would be less wear and tear exactly, I've been using the same 360 controller for the past 2 years and it doesn't have a problem (then again I don't go all nerd rage on it and throw it across the room or slam buttons, or play street fighter) but I wouldn't want to tap the screen as fast as I can. But it wouldn't feel right at all if I had to press a bunch of "buttons" on a flat surface. You can feel the button on a controller, but you can't on a flat screen surface.

Right..

I hope no one throws their controllers! haha!

But I meant, like there would be less upkeep to keep it in pristine condition, all you would have to do is clean the screen.

yeah.. but one crack on that screen and ......