You've read about it on the internet. You've begged your parents to buy you one. You've probably even had inappropriate dreams about it.
Yes, it's the PSP 3000, the latest version of that delectable Sony handheld. Featuring a brighter anti-glare screen, crisper audio, a wider color range, and a built-in microphone, the PSP 3000 is a step above its older brother, the original Slim & Lite PSP 2000.
Today I purchased the PSP-3001 XMS package - the Mystic Silver bundle, including one silver PSP 3000, a 1GB Sony Memory Stick Pro Duo Mark2, a 3.6V/1200mAh battery, a copy of the Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters game, a copy of the National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets movie, and a voucher for a free download of Echochrome from the Playstation Store.
The PSP itself comes loaded with firmware 4.20, which looks like it's going to be exclusively for this system like 3.60 was for the old Slim & Lite. Of note in this version are a few things not previously seen on either PSP:
- "Color Space" (wide/normal; defaults to 'wide') and "USB Auto Connect" (on/off; defaults to 'on') options in the System Settings menu
- "Flicker Reduction" (on/off; defaults to 'on') setting in the Connected Display Settings menu - enables flicker reduction in PSP games while connected to an interlaced display
- When you test a network connection, "UPnP" (disabled/enabled) and "NAT Type" appear in the results (like with the PS3)
The color space setting makes an obvious change in the vividness of the screen's color, as well as greatly changing the contrast. The USB autoconnect option is a little spooky, since it takes you out of whichever XMB menu you're currently in, highlights the USB connection option, and connects.
Apart from the software, the PSP 3000's most noticeable changes are all physical. The Sony logo has moved, the "Home" button is now a Playstation button (like the PS button on a PS3 controller), the big fat metal ring on the UMD bay door is now much slimmer, the slippery gloss finish of the Slim & Lite has been replaced with a matte finish with a much better grip, and (as we all know) a microphone has been added.
Now, for the bad news. No, scratch that... TERRIBLE news.
The Pandora battery does not work. I've made Pandora batteries out of the original PSP 1000's battery and the Slim & Lite's battery. Neither of them turns on the PSP 3000. So it looks like Sony's got something else for servicing the new kid on the block...
In spite of this blow to the hacking scene, the PSP 3000 is still a nice little system. It has all the advantages of the old Slim & Lite, plus a much more solid-feeling construction, a better screen, and noticeably clearer speakers. If you're a prospective PSP buyer and you're not too concerned about homebrew, I'd say you should definitely get one. Not only are you getting the most advanced PSP hardware, but you save the extra cost of a headset and remote control plug that you'd need if you wanted a microphone on the old Slim & Lite.
Besides... who knows what the future holds? If the Slim & Lite is any indication, we may see features that are exclusively for the PSP 3000.
Until you get your anxious little hands on your own PSP 3000, here are a few photos to help tide you over:
And how about a couple videos?
