PSP to Feature Wireless Networking

[Seb]

It's fairly well known that the PlayStation Portable will feature a wireless networking system for multiplayer gaming between PSP devices, but new news suggests also to link the PSP to the PS3 using wireless internet "hot spots" to enable online multiplayer gamming and internet communication. This explains why Sony have opted for the more expensive/power-hungry 802.11 standard rather than the seemingly more logical Bluetooth wireless system.

The system will work by using Wireless "hot spots" (offering Internet access at speeds of up to 10mb/sec which is 20 times faster than the average home broadband connection!!). These connections are appearing in towns and cities around the world, and Sony plans to take advantage of this new form of connectivity to offer a range of media services, multiplayer games and online functionality for PSP.

Unfortunately, wireless hotspots have a problem. Currently they are operated by a wide range of providers, and an individual subscription is required for each network of hot spots. For example, in the UK, hotspots located at Starbucks outlets are operated by T-Mobile, while hotspots at McDonalds and at airport departure lounges are operated by BT Openzone - and a subscription to one service is no good when in a service location belonging to the other provider.

To get around this problem, Sony is planning to negotiate with a wide range of hotspot providers to create a unified "PSP Wireless Service", which would mean users of the console paying a single subscription fee which gives them access to hotspots operated by a number of different providers, as well as Sony's services. This sounds very interesting for PSP and will really make it the Handheld of choice come release later on this year.

[gaming ultima]

yup 802.11, has some pretty decent speeds and decent range as well
good old wireless LAN, good for multiplayer gaming
and u can download things very quick in some of these hotspots but when they are in places like starbuckes, they no doubt say you have to buy something if you want to stay in there and use the hotspot
another problem is power consumption, okay there not using the most power hungry version but battery life might be a problem, though i doubt it will be that bad because of all sony's products usually have longer battery life then all their competitors, look at sony ericsons for example, they have usually around 12 hours talk time compare to nokia's which only have a couple of hours talk time. and sony's laptops use less power and have longer battery life then all the other laptops so......
also i just thought of another possibility, if you have a phone attachment and maybe a camera attachment as well you could talk to some1 with another psp for free using a hotspot to connect you to the internet and then do a web cam like thing

[Rebon]

The possibilities are endless if you think about it. It wont be long before you can have a high qaulity, face to face conversation with anyone in the world, at any time - from anywhere.

The day the notion of privacy becomes little more than a theory.

[gaming ultima]

for mobile phones all the networks are gonna make sure that stuff like phone calls and video phone call remain expensive, i mean phone calls on your mobile and sms picture messaging should be getting cheaper all the time as it becomes cheaper for them to provide the service as time goes on but they are all collectively gonna try and make sure that you keep paying high amounts of money for things like ive said, that’s why i think some1 should make a phone in the future that uses the internet 100%, so u can make e-mails for free, calls for free and everything for free, the only thing u pay for is your connection like with the internet and that shouldn’t be that expensive either because tech is getting better all the time
what i hope is these hotspots to grow and fast and then for phones to be build to use the internet, it would still cost you but it would be a lot lot lessas the internet gets cheaper

[Blake]

It'll be a long time before cell phones can take full advantage of the internet but I like what your saying. Assuming Im following you correctly. Right now accessing email and typical stuff like that on your phone is broken down into simple script and httml so your not hit with serious lag time.

[gaming ultima]

what’s the cell phones cultural position in the states
over here its just mad, I mean cell phones here are a part of culture now and your expected to have 1 and texting or sms's are also a part of culture to an extent now, its mad the amount ppl use texts even though u cant put much in them and they cost money, quite allot if u send them a lot of time

[Blake]

It's probally crasier here then it is there, I just dont care to have a cell phone yet. Just about everyone I know owns a cell phone...owning a cell phone now days is as common as having a tv in the house.

[gaming ultima]

It's probally crasier here then it is there, I just dont care to have a cell phone yet. Just about everyone I know owns a cell phone...owning a cell phone now days is as common as having a tv in the house.

ALL the people i know owns 1, all my family all my friends (which keep nagging me 2 get 1) and all the people that I’m not friends with
that most stupid thing of all here is that loads of people text each other when their both in their houses with a computer in it and the internet, sometimes they have whole convo's via texts which gets very expensive but they can just e-mail each other or use a instant messenger
its crazy
anyway i have desided that i have to get a cell/mobile phone because u cant exacly not go to party's without 1, well u can but u always wish u had 1 when u do

[darklove]

this looks hot

[Sir.Laughsalot]

poeple will continuosly make new consols and people will continuosly get dissappointed and the more they make the more impossible it will to make it more advance just face it people are sooooooooooo spoiled these days

[Blake]

What on earth does that have to do with this thread?

[watashi]

*starts laughing histerically* Blake you need to calm down...you could probably just delete useless posts, like this one, or ones that has nothing to do with anything

[PLaYabb_619]

wait so does this mean that if you want to play online you will have to pay a fee??? hmmm is there going to be a way that you can connect an ethernet port or if you have your own wireless router (which I do not have.. I have wires ) Can you use our own internet to log on and play anyone around the world??/ is this how its going to work?? im so confused.

[knowitman]

I am no where near an expert on this topic, but it seems Sony is just charging for the access to the hotspots. I have no idea if this fee will also cover a kind of gaming fee similar to Xbox Live or not. If it isn't and is just for the access to the hotspots then I don't see a problem with Sony letting you play on your own connection assuming it is fast enough. I don't know though.

[PeanutButterMunky]

Why would Sony charge for hotspots? Nobody else does? T-Mobile has set up a boatload of hotspots in places like Starbucks and many other companies, and they don't charge a dime to use their service. You just go in there, grab a cup of coffee, and browse the internet with your laptop. Why the funk would Sony charge for hotspots? You're already buying their 200 dollar handheld. That should suffice for a while.

/end rambling

[knowitman]

Unfortunately, wireless hotspots have a problem. Currently they are operated by a wide range of providers, and an individual subscription is required for each network of hot spots. For example, in the UK, hotspots located at Starbucks outlets are operated by T-Mobile, while hotspots at McDonalds and at airport departure lounges are operated by BT Openzone - and a subscription to one service is no good when in a service location belonging to the other provider.

Living in a very rural part of the country with the nearest big city that could have hotspots being a couple of hours away I have never used one. I was under the impression that these hotspots required a kind of monthly fee to be able to access.

[PLaYabb_619]

man I just hope that sony will be smart enough to let you connect at your home so you can play online that would be great.

[watashi]

I think you can....we won't know....we'll see what the 1 percent of US gamers who get there region free sony PSPs...of the 200,000 gonna be sent out the first day...

Who pre-*dang it I just blanked out on what that word was called* the game?

[PeanutButterMunky]

The word would be "ordered". Pre-ordered...

I just saw a commercial for Nintendo DS's wireless capability. It was a cool commercial. I still want the PSP though. I've given Nintendo enough money already with the ten-thousand different versions of GameBoy...

[watashi]

I meant the system, lol...well PSP has wireless capatibility also, no worries...although there's is nice because each screen is for each person...*now for the typing...*

lol the typing will be hard...PSP has an EXTRA PERHIPAL *they sell too many perhipals* that you can press

[luxurys]

PS3 Online Survey
By: Justin Pinter

The Sony Playstation 3 has been said to be the ultimate gamer machine but has not been promoted to support online services such as Xbox Live or something like Battle.net.

Now there are talks that Sony does in fact have a plan to satisfy both hardcore gamers and online gamers.

A survey was sent out last week to registered beta testers asking questions about preferences with online layout and gaming. The survey posed questions about every aspect of online gaming including online lobbies and Eye-Toy chat.

Here is the Survey:

“Dear .....
The launch of the PlayStation 3 this year is an exciting time for all of us and presents many opportunities. We are constantly looking to improve our online service so that it meets all of your expectations.

Featured in the below link is a survey, giving you the chance to help shape the future of online gaming. We value your input and would like to receive your feedback and suggestions. Please take some time to fill out this survey before February 1st 2006 by clicking on the following link. You will be unable to access and complete this survey once it has expired.

1. On a typical day, how often do you play games online?
2. Do you own a PSP?
3. What is your preferred Online gaming format?
4. What Online Gaming Formats do you own?
5. Do you think you will purchase a PS3?
6. A single identity and password for all online games?
7. Global Lobbies allowing you to play against anyone in the world?
8. Game Lobbies should be language based. (English, French, German etc)
9. Game Lobbies should be based geographically.
10. A standard, interactive lobby structure for all games.
11. Headset support in all online games?
12. A QWERTY keyboard as standard for messaging.
13. USB Keyboard support for every online title.
14. Friend List allowing you to see online/offline status?
15. Friend List allowing you to see what game your friends are playing?
16. Private Messaging across games?
17. A feedback rating allowing you to choose who you play against?
18. Ability to remove players out via a majority vote?
19. Game Host has the ability to remove players?
20. Automatically filter opponents based on connection quality?
21. The ability to download music, game demos and other content?"

From the questions asked in the survey, Sony looks to incorprate some things we have not seen in Xbox Live service including USB keyboard support, screenshot support, a web browser, and EyeToy compatible lobbies.

[luxurys]

ready for submission

[heerokenshin]

I think that you should end the article with something other than just the email, maybe make a speculation to what their service may be like, or say something about how Sony has hired the creator of Xbox Live. It just seems kind of awkward how it is. But besides that, great article.

[luxurys]

there fixed it...ready for submission

[Rebon]

Editted and live Justin!