PSP browser, "ceramic white" model en route

Sony unveils new firmware update for eerily iPod-like version of its popular handheld.

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When the PSP was first unveiled at E3 2004, Sony showed prototypes of the handheld in three colors: matte black, flat white, and custard yellow. However, when the PSP finally went on sale on March 24, it only came in a black that roughly matched the Playstation 2.

However, that will soon change...in Japan, anyway. Today at its PlayStation event in Japan, Sony announced it will release a "ceramic white" PSP (pictured) on Thursday, September 15, 2005. The unit will be sold as part of a "Value Pack" at a suggested retail price of 26,040 yen ($235.87), including tax. Similar to the $249 black PSP Value Pack sold in the US, the ceramic white PSP will come in a bundle that includes the unit, an AC adapter, a battery pack, a 32MB Memory Stick Duo, headphones, a remote control, a pouch, and a hand strap.

As with other nonblack versions of the PlayStation 2, the ceramic white PSP will not be available in the US. Currently, Japan is the only territory the device is scheduled to go on sale in, as neither a European nor a North American release date for the console was announced. In the past, though, Europe has seen various alternate-color releases of the PlayStation 2, meaning a release there is more likely (from a historical perspective, anyway).

Sony also hinted that, like Nintendo's Game Boy Advance and DS, the PSP will soon come in a range of new hues in Japan. "To provide more fun as a personal system, SCEJ will introduce various new colors for PSP and its accessories," read a release from the company, which referred to the ceramic white PSP as only the "first" alternate-colored PSP.

Of more importance to Yankee and Canuck PSP owners is Sony's announcement that it's releasing a firmware update for the unit that includes an Internet browser. "System software for PSP will also be updated to version 2.00 on July 27th on the SCEI official Web site," revealed Sony in a statement. "With this update, the various additional features such as installation of the internet browser which allows users to have the internet access available to make PSP a more attractive entertainment system."

Previously, PSP owners who wanted to view the Internet on their PSPs had to download a hack that exploited the Web-browser subfunction of the popular game WipeOut Pure. However, since this was technically illegal and required some technical expertise, it was not pervasive among the handheld's consumer base.

No date for a US version of the Web browser was announced, although tradtionally, all Japanese firmware updates have also been released in North America in English.

9 Comments

  • REGG1234567890

    Posted Jan 26, 2007 9:04 pm PT

    IS A WHITE PSP EVER GOING TO COME OUT IN THE US I SWEAR IF THEY DO ILL BE THE FIRST TO GET ONE. I WANTED A WHITE PSP SINCE I EVER HEARD ABOUT PSP AND IT IS STUPID THAT THEY HAVE IT IN JAPAN AND NOT US WHY DO THEY DO THAT REALLY

  • Xanthesis

    Posted Oct 28, 2006 4:14 pm PT

    umm its passed september 15 05 and it hasnt came out here in toronto????? whats the dealio

  • stevensnewest

    Posted Aug 19, 2006 7:19 pm PT

    you can just buy the white psp from the internet and ship it to the u.s.

  • GeneralFighter

    Posted Apr 23, 2006 3:54 am PT

    But Valupack is kinda bad cause it comes with only 32MB Memory Stick! Why pay more for a White PSP (Value Pack) while U can get a GIGA PAck if u pay about $30 more...
    Here in Korea it costs $330 for a White one..

  • GeneralFighter

    Posted Apr 23, 2006 3:50 am PT

    I have one! It kinda annoying cause it gets dirty easily ! Anywayz everything is the same except u don't have to update it!

  • emeraldqueen

    Posted Apr 21, 2006 3:52 am PT

    White PSP sounds cool to me, but we need to go to Japan to get it? That's not cool

  • andre_rappa

    Posted Mar 3, 2006 9:10 am PT

    but hey...they're wrong about that web browser part...you can get teh web browser in the US now...so who knows about teh white psp...

  • 7h3_pUn15h3r

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 7:13 pm PT

    aww man, i wanted the white psp too, i was planning to get one from my birthday money but now since they said theyre not gonna be available to the us im very upset. =[ the white one is cool btw and noone has it thats why i want it too

  • godoubledizzle

    Posted Jan 10, 2006 10:40 am PT

    I would really like a white PSP because no one has one. Sony already had me sold and I am sure a lot of other Americans too, but who knows. I'll wait...

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