The PlayStation Portable (PSP) is a handheld game console and a product of Sony Computer Entertainment Japan. It is Sony's fourth installment in its successful PlayStation line of video game consoles and their first handheld system. The PSP was first announced during E³ 2003 and was unveiled on May 11 2004 at a Sony press conference during E³ 2004. First released in Japan, its official retail release date was December 12, 2004. It was released in North America on March 24 2005. It will be released in Europe and Australia on September 1, 2005 [1]. Sony had delayed the European launch (originally set for March) to meet demand from other regions. The PSP launched in South Korea on May 2, 2005 and was followed by a joint launch in Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan on May 12, 2005.

The PSP can play video games, video content, and digital audio, as well as display digital photos. Instead of being distributed on traditional ROM cartridges with battery-backed RAM for saves, games and other content are sold on Sony's new 1.8 GB Universal Media Discs (UMDs). The Memory Stick Duo (regular or Pro, but the high-speed mode of high-speed Sticks isn't supported) is used for storing saved games and moving multimedia to the PSP from other devices. Other notable features of the PSP include WiFi wireless networking support, a rechargeable and removable battery, 4.3 inch (109 mm) TFT LCD 480x272 pixel flat screen, and a sliding flat panel analog stick. According to claims made by Sony at E3 2005, the PSP may be able to connect to the PlayStation 3 using its WiFi connection to be used as a "video enabled game controller," similar to the connectivity feature of the Game Boy Advance and GameCube.

The system has some drawbacks for prospective buyers. The battery's life is limited, with one charge lasting about only 6 hours if used for gameplay; battery life if used for playing music or videos can vary. The storage medium for the device is the Memory Stick Duo; due to the recently increased demand for these memory cards, they are now priced higher than memory sticks of comparable capacity from other formats. The retail PSP box comes with one 32MB Memory Stick Duo.

The Nintendo DS is currently seen by many analysts to be in the same market as the PlayStation Portable, although representatives from both companies have stated that each system targets a different audience. Nintendo particularly is attempting to differentiate the DS from other game machines, including the PSP, which is a somewhat more traditional gaming device. The Nintendo DS is currently the leader of the two in total worldwide unit sales, though the two devices debuted in different places at different times.

Games

The PSP's inputs are geared for gaming rather than multimedia, with two shoulder buttons (triggers), the iconic PlayStation face buttons, (△○X □: triangle, circle, cross and square buttons), start and select buttons, a digital 4-directional pad, and an analog input. There is also a row of secondary controls along the underside of the screen, for controlling volume, music settings (either switching the audio off and on in games or selecting different equalizer settings in the OS), screen brightness, accessing the system's main menu, as well as the standard Start and Select buttons. The UMD disks games ship on are small enough to fit comfortably in a pocket; however, the disk surface lacks a protective shutter.

The PSP's analog input, commonly called the "analog nub" is not a traditional stick, but a sliding flat panel; its odd placement originally led to speculation it was a speaker. Concerns existed regarding the practicality of the input (its position requires a slightly asymmetrical grip on the unit to adequately use, with the left hand being lower than the right.) While it is used in the same way as the analog thumbstick of a modern console, the resistance springs are calibrated differently: they are softer, making quick, coarse adjustments a bit easier, but fine-grained ones a bit more difficult.

A list of PlayStation Portable game articles and List of PlayStation Portable games is available.

Movies

Because of the UMD's relatively large storage space, and the PSP's large display screen, some film studios have released feature films in the UMD format. They are priced similarly to DVD videos. Companies releasing UMD movies include Disney, Twentieth Century Fox, Lions Gate Entertainment, Sony Pictures, and Paramount Pictures. Most releases will provide alternate audio languages and content, subtitles, and special features. (Japanese releases have been somewhat more eclectic, and include UMD/DVD combination packs [2] and pornography.) On June 22nd, 2005, Sony confirmed that both House of Flying Daggers and Resident Evil: Apocalypse had both surpassed the 100,000 mark in sales[3].

Movies were first made available in April 2005. The initial North American releases included House of Flying Daggers, xXx, Hellboy, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, and Resident Evil: Apocalypse from Sony Pictures, along with Kill Bill: Volume 1 and Pirates of the Caribbean from the Miramax wing of Disney Pictures.

A List of PlayStation Portable movies is available.

Launches

Japanese launch

The first shipment of 200,000 PSP units were made available for purchase in Japan on December 12, 2004. All units were sold out within the first two days. Some users reported problems with the launch units, including dead pixels (discolored squares) within the screen and game discs ejecting abruptly if the system is twisted (the latter being restricted to the Japanese units from the initial launch). In Japan, Sony is offering to replace PSPs under warranty as normal, with the caveat that they do not consider a display to be faulty unless four faulty pixels are within 1 cm (0.39 in) of each other.

In Japan, two sales packs are available. The basic package contains the console, battery, and AC adaptor for ¥20,790 including tax (around US$193, €148, UK£106). The "Value Pack" contains the console, battery, AC adaptor, 32MB Memory Stick Pro Duo, headphones with remote, slip-case, and wrist strap, for ¥26,040 including tax (around US$245, €192, UK£133).

Japanese launch games

• Armored Core: Formula Front (From Software)
• Mahjong Fight Club (Konami)
• Minna no Golf Portable (known as Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee in North America) (SCE)
• Lumines (Bandai)
• Ridge Racers (Namco)
• Vampire Chronicle: The Chaos Tower (Capcom)

North American launch

The PSP was released on March 24, 2005 in North America (the United States and Canada). The only package on sale is the Value Pack, identical to the Japanese release save for the inclusion of a UMD of preview videos and a cleaning cloth for US$249.99 or CDN$299.99. Sony claimed it would have one million units available for sale in these territories by the end of the 2004-2005 fiscal year (ending March 31, 2005). In order to accommodate the large demand in North America the European release date was pushed back several months. In the US, the first million units included the movie Spider-Man 2 on UMD, free of charge. In Canada, PSP bundles were made available with Gretzky NHL (a Sony-developed hockey game).

After user complaints, Sony has instituted a replacement policy for dead pixels more liberal than the one instituted in Japan. In North America Sony will replace a PSP for a single dead pixel, but asks users to wait for "a week or two" of use to see if the dead pixel is truly intrusive. It is unclear what stance other regions will take on LCD quality control issues.

North American launch games

Available at launch:

• Ape Escape: On the Loose (Sony Computer Entertainment America, SCEA)
• Darkstalkers Chronicle: The Chaos Tower (Capcom)
• Dynasty Warriors (KOEI)
• Gretzky NHL (SCEA)
• Lumines (Ubisoft)
• Metal Gear Acid (Konami)
• NBA (SCEA)
• Need for Speed Underground: Rivals (Electronic Arts)
• NFL Street 2 Unleashed (Electronic Arts)
• Ridge Racer (Namco)
• Spider-Man 2 (Activision)
• Tiger Woods PGA TOUR (Electronic Arts)
• Tony Hawk's Underground 2 Remix (Activision)
• Twisted Metal: Head On (SCEA)
• Untold Legends: Brotherhood of the Blade (Sony Online Entertainment)
• Wipeout Pure (SCEE)
• World Tour Soccer (SCEA)

Available shortly thereafter:

• "Archer MacLean's Mercury" (Ignition)
• ATV Offroad Fury: Blazin' Trails (SCEA)
• Coded Arms (Konami)
• FIFA 2005 (Electronic Arts)
• MLB (SCEA)
• MVP Baseball (Electronic Arts)
• NBA Street Showdown (Electronic Arts)

European launch

The PSP is to be released in Europe on the 1st of September, considerably later than releases in other territories. This, according to Sony press releases, was due to high demand for the system in other territories—namely the North America and Japan. Like the American launch, the Value Pack will be the only available package type, retailing for £179 or EUR249. An undisclosed number of users (on a "first come, first served" basis) will receive a free Spider-Man 2 Video UMD after registering their systems on SCEE's Your PSP web portal.

SCEE have been much maligned for the delayed launch in Europe and for issuing legal proceedings against small independent retailers selling imported consoles. SCEE argue that their Intellectual Property rights are being infringed, while some argue that SCEEs claims are groundless. The PSP has been widely available in Europe prior to the official launch; retailer ElectricBirdLand Limited claims to have shipped several consoles to SCEE's own employees[4]. ElectricBirdLand Limited have been issued with proceedings at the Royal Courts of Justice, SCEE and SCEI are seeking to Injunct them to prevent them from selling imported PSPs. ElectricBirdLand are represented by Managing Director Dan Morelle, they do not have legal representation.

At this time the PSP trademark is owned in the EEA by a small IT company based in Great Britain named OwtaNet Limited. It and several other key trademarks are currently disputed in the European Union, and it is unclear what impact this may or may not have on the launch of the PSP in Europe. Sony's current press releases no longer utilize the 'PSP' acronym.

European launch titles

• Ape Academy (SCEE)
• Everybody's Golf (SCEE)
• Fired Up (SCEE)
• F1 Grand Prix (SCEE)
• MediEvil (SCEE)
• Ridge Racer (Namco)
• Untitled football game (SCEE)
• Wipeout Pure (SCEE)
• World Rally Championship
• Metal Gear Acid (Konami)

Note that this is not a complete list. More titles are likely to be confirmed as the European launch comes closer.

Singaporean launch

The PSP is to be released in Singapore on the 12th of May, retailing at SGD$455 for the Value Pack. There will be no free Spider-Man 2 Video UMD included in the package. However, MySony members are entitled to participate in a pre-order programme from 28th of April to 3rd of May. The special pre-order package, retailing at SGD$499, consists of a Value Pack, an extended 18 month warranty, a PSP "Goodie" Pack (PSP pouch, UMD case, handstraps and wristbands) and a pair of tickets to the Singapore PSP launch party on the 5th of May at renowned dance club, Zouk.

Australian and New Zealand launch

The PSP is to be released in Australia and New Zealand on September 1, 2005. In line with most of the launches, the only package available will be the Value Pack, containing the usual contents and non-interactive demo UMD. It will retail for AU$399.95, after consumer anger led Sony to reduce the price from its original AU$429.95.

As with the European launch, a copy of Spider-Man 2 on UMD Video will be available to early purchasers of who register their PlayStation Portable through the Australia and New Zealand YourPSP web portals.

Design and specifications

Technical specifications

The unit measures 170 mm (6.7 in) in length, 74 mm (2.9 in) in width, and 23 mm (0.9 in) in depth, and weighs 260 grams (9.17 oz) including the battery. The most noticeable element of the PSP is its 4.3" 16:9 ratio TFT LCD screen sporting a 480 x 272 pixel resolution capable of 16.77 million colors.

The PlayStation Portable's CPU is a MIPS R4000 (32-bit) CPU, split into two cores each operating between 1 and 333 MHz. During the GDC, Sony revealed that it has currently capped the PSP's CPU at 222, apparently in an attempt to lengthen battery life. It has been speculated that this was one of the reasons for the cap, because this speed cap was listed on the 'Power Management Features' slide. Overheating concerns have also been cited as a possible reason for the cap. Sony has not yet stated whether they will release this cap. The cap is programmed into all games and is not capped through the firmware as previously believed. The primary CPU core is responsible for traditional game processor functions; the secondary core, dubbed the "Virtual Media Engine", is responsible for decoding multimedia, for example the H.264 decoder.

The system has 32 MB of main RAM and 4 MB of embedded DRAM.

The independent 166 MHz 90 nm graphics chip sports 2MB embedded memory and through its 512 bit interface it provides hardware polygon and NURBS rendering, hardware directional lighting, clipping, environment projection and texture mapping, texture compression and tessellation, fogging, alpha blending, depth and stencil tests, vertex blending for morphing effects, and dithering, all in 16 or 32 bit colour, along with handling image output. Specifications state that the PSP is capable of rendering 33 million flat-shaded polygons per second, with a 664 million pixel per second fill rate. [5]

Unlike Sony's PlayStation 2 console, the GPU (PS2 Vector Unit equivalent) is not programmable, meaning that many effects that the PS2 can resolve in hardware must be implemented in software on the PSP. Nonetheless, the implementation of a GPU in the PSP is still a significant technological advance, in that it implements robust hardware-rendering for 3D graphics in the handheld market. The PSP was preceded in this regard by Nokia's N-Gage in 2003, and the Nintendo DS in 2004.

Multimedia & codecs

The PSP is capable of displaying still image, movie, and audio files stored on the UMD disk format or a memory stick. The system supports MP3 and Sony's ATRAC3plus formats for audio, AVC (MPEG-4 Part 10 encoding) for video on UMD discs, and JPEG images. The PSP also has the capability to decode MPEG-4 Part 2 and MPEG-4 Part 3 from the *.mp4 container, if located on the Memory Stick. The file(s) must be placed in the /MP_ROOT/100MNV01 directory on the Memory Stick, and be named in the following format: M4V#####.MP4 (where "#" is any digit). A corresponding thumbnail image file (160x120 pixel JPEG files renamed with the .THM extension) with the same file name (besides the extension) of the movie file can optionally be placed in the same directory.

Sony has announced that Image Converter 2, a piece of PC software for converting video files to AVC for playback on CLIÉ PDAs, will be available before the end of the year, and may be used with the PSP. A preview version was made available shortly after the PSP launch. It can convert *.avi, MPEG1/2/4, QuickTime and *.wmv movie files to AVC, as well as the "Giga Pocket" and "Do VAIO" files used by VAIO PCs to record television. It will also convert most common still image files into JPEG format. Sony's SonicStage software can be used to copy *.mp3 and ATRAC files to the PSP as well.

Sony's software is not the only toolset for getting music or movies onto a PSP, and a cottage industry has grown around offering useful tools for converting and copying files for use on the PSP. Some popular alternatives include PSPWare, iPSP, Mobile Media Maker, PSP Video 9 and PSP Multimedia Extender all simplify the task of converting and transferring files to and from the PSP's Memory Stick. Using these tools, nearly any digital video file (including movie files ripped from DVDs or digital video recorders like the TiVo) can be played on a PSP, after conversion to AVC.

Though file sizes largely depend on the audio sampling rates and video resolution, a 22 minute movie file (for example, an episode of a television show) at an aspect ratio of 320x240, a video bitrate of 500 Kilobit per second, and an audio sampling rate of 22050 kHz is roughly 55 megabytes in *.mp4. This means that a 512 MB Memory Stick can hold approximately nine of these files. A hundred minutes feature film would fit a 256 MB Memory Stick.

Many movie files, both free-to-distribute and pirated, have been encoded for the PSP and are available on the internet. Game and movie trailers, in particular, are increasingly available even from the studio's official site.

Wireless networking

Wi-Fi support allows the PSP to connect to wireless networks, other PSP units for multiplayer gaming, the Internet, and Sony's upcoming PlayStation 3. As the PS3 has only recently been unveiled, details on link-up features are slim, however Hideo Kojima has discussed the possibility of a link-up between Metal Gear Solid 4 and Metal Gear Ac!d 2. Use of wireless network features increases the power consumption and lowers the battery life of the system.

PSP hackers have used the web browser built into Wipeout Pure (for the purpose of downloading extra content) to view legitimate webpages and search via Google. This merely involves setting up the PSP's primary DNS server to a specially set-up PSP webportal (example) and the secondary DNS server to the router's IP address. Whenever the downloads section of Wipeout Pure is accessed, the PSP's broswer will be redirected to the webportal.

Ad-hoc networks

Ad-hoc wireless networking allows for (in theory) up to 16 PSPs within range of each other to communicate directly, typically for multiplayer gaming. The launch titles Ridge Racer and Lumines, for example, support this. One unit can act as the host for a game, which is available to other PSP units within that systems range, and appears in a list when the client PSP searches for available hosts. Hosting a game in this manner increases power consumption and reduces battery life.

Infrastructure networks

The PSP's main menu allows the user to configure the system for use across the Internet via a wireless connection, known as infrastructure mode. The PSP's menu can recognize protected and non-protected wireless networks within its range (although it has been criticised for only supporting the insecure WEP encryption method instead of the more secure WPA and WPA2 protocols), and attempt to request a firmware update from Sony's servers.

A handful of titles, including three U.S. launch games and an as-of-yet untitled MMORPG, have been announced which use this wireless network functionality. Packet tunneling systems are in development by third-parties which allow any Wi-fi game to operate across the Internet (see external links, below).

Use of infrastructure networks in PSP software began with a small number of titles at the US launch, supporting online play. South Korean PSPs will ship with software providing web browsing and multimedia streaming features, but only through company-owned WiFi hotspots, and with a monthly fee[6].

Game sharing

Sony has confirmed that it will be possible for hosts of games to transmit playable game files to PSPs lacking that game (listed on the main menu as "Game Sharing"), in a manner similar to single-cartridge Game Boy Advance or Nintendo DS multiplayer. The first title to use this was a Namco Museum title, which can send single-player games to other PSPs. Since then various titles have been announced which use Game Sharing for multiplayer. For example, Burnout Legends will allow the player to compete with one opponent lacking the game over the wireless network.

Wired networking

The USB connection allows the PSP to connect to the PS2 or PC. Armored Core: Formula Front, for example, allows players to connect their PS2 and PSP versions to share information, such as parts and AI configurations, between the two. Also, users can connect their PSPs to the Internet via a USB or wireless connection to a PC, and copy their vehicles temporarily to other players' PSPs, in order to compete.

The PSP can also be connected to a PC via USB to allow the computer to copy files to the inserted Memory Stick, using the mass storage device driver.

Power

The PSP uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery for power (an AC adaptor is included for charging and running from the mains). The system's manual states that the PSP is capable of 3 to 6 hours of gameplay, depending on the screen brightness or volume level selected.

Battery life is heavily dependent on the game chosen; technically simpler games such as Lumines tend to extend the battery life of the system, with graphically advanced games (or games that frequently access the UMD drive) such as Ridge Racer tending toward shorter battery life. Ken Kutaragi, president of Sony Computer Entertainment, has compared the system to the Walkman, in that battery life will be improved with each product revision, and has outlined some steps (switching to a different fabrication process, for example) which will be used to improve the system's endurance. Currently the PSP's CPU is fabricated using a 90-nm process, but Sony has 65-nm and 45-nm technology available.

In practice, tests using Ridge Racer have given between three and a half and slightly less than six hours of continuous gameplay, depending on screen brightness and volume. In one test[7], this dropped to approximately two and three quarter hours when using Wi-Fi multiplayer continuously. The system is capable of approximately ten hours of MP3 playback from memory stick on a full charge and around half this for AVC playback. While full-length movie UMDs were not available for this test, a repeating loop of the demo UMD bundled in the Value Pack provided a little over 4 hours of playback on a full charge.

The PSP's battery is removable for replacement by the end-user. This may be a response to the criticism of the nonremovable batteries in other portable electronics such as the iPod. One is thus able to purchase extra batteries as an accessory; at the Japanese launch, they cost ¥5,040 including tax (around US$47, €37, £26, AU$62). Sony has also announced a high speed charger as an optional accessory for release in the near future.

The system ships with a multivoltage power supply for recharging the battery, allowing it to be charged in any country with the appropriate power lead. This multivoltage power supply is internally and externally similar to but not compatible with similar ones used with Sony's CLIÉ PDAs, and the power lead is a standard figure-of-eight cable similar to the power cable used with the PlayStation and PlayStation 2. The PSU itself is about the same size as a deck of cards.

A number of companies are now offering other chargers for the device. These are typically either USB charging cables that allow the PSP to charge from any PC with a USB port or are simply a series of AA batteries with a voltage regulator. These are similar in concept to the cheap battery life extenders available for mobile telephones.

Operating system and interface

The PSP's main menu interface is the XMB ("Cross Media Bar") used by recent Sony TVs and the PSX hardware. It consists of a horizontal sequence of icons (Settings, Video, Music, Photo, Games) which when highlighted show a vertical sequence of sub-icons (for example, selecting Games allows the memory stick or a UMD to be selected).

The main menu system allows the user to, amongst other things, adjust settings such as date, time, and the PSP's nickname for wireless networking, play video or audio files from the memory stick, load games or movie UMDs, check on estimated battery life, and set the PSP into a "link mode" which makes the inserted memory stick available to a PC via USB. The OS may be accessed at any time in a game by pressing the "Home" button on the console.

The default background colour of the menus is blue, however it changes colour depending on the current month of year, as follows:

• January: Light Blue
• February: Yellow
• March: Green
• April: Pink
• May: Dark Green
• June: Purple
• July: Aqua
• August: Sky Blue
• September: Violet
• October: Gold
• November: Light Brown
• December: Red

User skins can also be made available from game publishers within their game discs, an ability that publishers have yet to take advantage of.

The PSP's firmware is updatable via WiFi infrastructure connection to a Sony server, by downloading the update application with a PC and transferring to the the PSP via USB, or from a UMD disk (allowing games to update the firmware automatically). The current firmware version is 1.52.

Region locking

The PSP supports region locking for games and movies, which limits which software may be played on each region's hardware. This scheme is based on the DVD CCA's DVD regional lockout scheme; Japanese PSP hardware already has a R2 logo on its box. However, support for regional lockout does not necessarily mean it will be used for all software.

Games for the PSP are currently being encoded as region-free, and an official Sony statement [8] states that this will continue indefinitely. There will be no limitation as to which country's handheld can play which country's version of the game. This will open up the "portability" of the handheld, as well as enable gamers who buy a PSP game while visiting another country to play it on their native PSPs.

Movies, on the other hand, are region-locked, and while no music UMDs have yet been released, these will also be region-locked.

Homebrew game development

As of May 2005 it has been found that PSPs using the 1.00 version of the firmware (meaning Japanese PSPs that have not been updated to the latest firmware) can execute unsigned code. What this means in practice is that these PSPs can run homebrew software, as the mechanism for checking to make sure that software has been approved by Sony hadn't yet been activated. A proof-of-concept "Hello World" program has been released to demonstrate this. This has resulted in a number of homebrew pieces of software including Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, NES, Neo Geo CD, PC Engine, Sega Genesis and SNES emulators, various small games and a number of simple applications such as a calendar and a calculator. All of these having been built with the GNU GCC compiler that has been primarily modified to compile PS2 code, with some command line arguments it can compile native PSP code.

In addition, the UMDs that games and movies are pressed on were recently dumped using a homebrew technique that allowed the discs to be read to files over USB. These dumped UMDs can be written to a Memory Stick and at least partially executed. There are reports that commercial games can be launched and played from the Memory Stick, albeit without sound. On the 30th of June 2005, hackers from Team Xecuter have released a patch that allows the game Lumines to be played this way, dealing a potential major blow to Sony's business model. It's widely expected that games will be shared for free over the internet to be run off a rewritable memorystick.

While the version 1.00 firmware has been dumped from the Japanese PSPs (by desoldering the firmware flash chip and reading it), there is currently no way to revert to previous firmware versions after updating, save for desoldering the equivalent flash chip, reprogramming it, and resoldering it. Thus, PSP owners who updated their firmware, or purchased their device in the US were temporarily unable to use homebrew software.

On June 15, 2005 a team called PSP-DEV released an exploit, called the "Swaploit", that allowed version 1.50 PSPs to run homebrew appplications. The trick involves 2 Memory Stick Duo cards: one with an empty trick loader, and one with the actual homebrew application; the former is swapped with the latter as soon as the trick loader is started. On June 22, 2005, PSP-DEV solved this problem using a bug of the FAT system of the Memory Stick Duo, making the loading of homebrew software possible with a single Memory Stick Duo. [9]

Ironically enough, on the same date, June 15, 2005, Sony released a minor PSP firmware update, version 1.52, which disables all currently known exploits and adds one new feature: direct access to UMD Music from the main menu. Newer PSP games will force this upgrade in order to play, and will include it on the UMD itself to install when the game is booted for the first time. The upcoming European, Australian, and New Zealand launch PSPs will have 1.52 or higher as the default firmware. As mentioned previously, there is currently no definite way to replace a newer firmware with an older one, although it is rumored to be possible, and there are numerous groups in the homebrew scene working to make rolling back the firmware a reality. In the future, Sony may open up PSP development as they did with the PlayStation 2 Linux kit (though it was very limited). They have already discussed running Linux on the PlayStation 3 and using the PSP as a secondary controller for it, similar to the GBA + Gamecube link, so it would seem logical to open up the PSP as well.

The PSP's vast homebrew capabilities currently rely on the firmware version 1.00 or 1.50. Upgrading your firmware will lock the system disabling the use of homebrew programs and games, although upgrades are necessary to play some of the latest games.

See also

• History of video games
• Nintendo DS

External links

Official

• Official Sony PSP Website (English, US)
• Official Sony PSP Website (English, UK)
• Official Sony PSP Website (Japanese)
• SCEA PSP Specifications press release

Third-party software and hacks

• iPSP – Converts and installs movies, music, and images onto a Memory Stick for use in a PSP; includes backup and restore for Game Saves.
• PSPware – Converts and installs movies, music, and images for use on a PSP; includes synchronization functionality (currently has Mac and Windows versions)
• PSP Video 9 – Free video conversion and management (Windows)
• Mobile Media Maker - Direct DVD-to-PSP conversion software. Also supports AVI, MPEG and Quicktime source movies.
• PocketMac – Sync Entourage or Address Book contacts, music & photos from your Mac to your PSP using iSync
• PSP Multimedia Extender – Convert video files (avi, mpeg, divx, etc.) into MPEG4, images (bmp, png, gif) and txt/html files to JPEG, and CD Audio to MP3 to be viewed on PSP. And mass file copying to the PSP while maintaining the directory and naming structures (Windows)
• XLink Kai global gaming network – Free online multiplayer PSP gaming, plus Xbox, PS2, and NGC, from one application
• XBConnect also provides free online multiplayer for the PSP in addition to the Xbox.

News & community

• PSP Wire – Information about games and homebrew. Accompanied by a growing archive of homebrew software and applications.
• PSP Vault – Community for trading and sharing game save files; how-to's on music and video transfer