GC: Sony details wealth of new PSP features

Sony has detailed a range of rich features for the PlayStation Portable, all due to launch in Europe early next year.

Fleshing out previously announced deals with BT, Sky and sat-nav specialists TeleAtlas and NavNGo, the new functions all appear under the Go! branding.

The Go! Video Download Service will be offered to UK and Ireland consumers first, with Sky promising a range of sports, movie, entertainment and music programming, as well as third-party programming — marking the first time Sky has offered content through a non-Sky branded service.

Consumers will be able to access content via WiFi direct to their PSP.

PSP users with a headset and the Go! Cam will be able to make use of the Go! Messenger service developed in conjunction with BT, offering video calls, instant messaging, voice chat and voice messaging for the handheld.

Go! Messenger will also launch in Europe early next year, allowing over 8.5 million users across the SCEE regions to communicate for free with each other, via any wireless broadband connection.

The third feature detailed at today's conference is Go! Explore, a satellite navigation package for the PSP. Using a GPS receiver and maps on UMD, the service will offer 3D city maps for pedestrian and in-car users, as well as supporting 11 audio languages.

Seven geographic versions are confirmed so far: UK and Ireland, Iberia, France, Germany/Austria/Switzerland, Italy, Benelux and Scandinavia.

As well as the features offered through the Go! services, Sony has also used the Games Convention event to reveal new PSP gaming bundles.