The new PSP better look like this fan-made prototype

Do you want hard facts about the PSP 4000? Too bad, you’re not going to get them. As it stands right now, about the only thing we know for certain is that the PSP 4000 will be receiving a complete aesthetic overhaul.

I have, however, taken it upon myself to throw in some delicious speculation as to the specs, look and future of the PSP. Crystal ball reading after the jump.

UMD: Will it have one?

Answer: Probably. Sony has gone on the record as saying that the UMD business is big business to them. Although the UMD eats battery life and creates unwanted heat and noise, the presence of an entirely digital device is probably unlikely in the upcoming future. Although the portable system has good wi-fi abilities, not everyone has the internet necessary to operate a completely digital device. Physical Media also helps to circumvent a bit of piracy, as some people are still honour bound to actually purchase their media.

What I think might happen (which I believe will be a stroke of genius) is that Sony will release 2 versions of the new PSP. One with UMD, one without. Taking a page out of the Xbox 360’s playbook and creating a 2-tiered pricing system for the same device could be the single biggest thing to happen to the PSP in 2009. Obviously the cheaper one would have no UMD and be solely digital which would turn off consumers such as myself. But I’m willing to wager that there is a large component of people who game on their Ipods and Iphones simply because of the lack of fussing with physical media. And you better believe that Sony wants those people playing and buying games on the PSP as opposed to the Iphone.

Sliding Screen: Will it have one?

Answer: Dear god I hope so. Have you seen that picture? That thing is about as nice as handheld ANYTHING comes. It also allows the console to be more streamlined and aesthetically pleasing. Most sources have confirmed some kind of sliding screen as a means to lower the profile of the device itself. You can pretty much guarantee this one.

See you on the PSP young man; Bring your tools.

Games: Will it have any?

Answer: Count on It. With the resurgence in sales and the new found ability to download off the internet, Developers will have much easier access to customers and profits. It’s also simple wii-conomics. If you have 50 million owners of your device, chances are you’re going to make a big chunk of sales. Even if your game only sells to 1/100th of the people who own the device, that is still 500,000 sales, which is remarkable. If Sony adopts the 2-tiered pricing system that I documented before, it could create a massive sales boost as more people buy the console and spend the extra money they saved on games. And once LBP portable, the new Motorstorm and Rockband start raking in the cash, reluctant developers will be quick to throw themselves into the sea of money before them.

Price: Will it be costly?

Answer: Yes, but not unreasonably. Sony has already felt the pinch from an “expensive” console. Although the ps3 is still a reasonable price, the PSP-4000 will be under heavy scrutiny. It’s perceived cost will be crucial to its selling. Fortunately, it has been practically confirmed that the chipset in it will be the same. From a strictly logistical standpoint, it would make no sense to make it less expensive than 3000 or 2000, but making it anywhere more expensive than the $249 price point is risky. Look for $279, $300 max. You might also see a price drop on the older models, but come on, have you seen this thing? If it looks anything like this fan made prototype, who would want an old one?

2009 is shaping up to be a great year for Sony in general. With company restructuring saving billions of dollars, the PS3 assuming more console dominance (especially after the inevitable price cut) and the economy eventually rebounding, the PSP 4000 could become an even bigger hit than it is already sure to be. As the DS has shown us, people are more than willing to “upgrade” to a system that functions exactly the same as their old one did. And with more money hopefully being in the consumer pocket by Christmas, Sony is hoping that millions of people will pick up the PSP for both the first and second time