Skype VoIP headed to PSP

Sony's PlayStation Portable has experienced a renaissance of functionality in recent months. Aside from the full-scale revision rolled out worldwide that trimmed down the size and weight of the portable and added video-out capabilities, among other improvements, Sony has announced or launched a number of PSP-related services in various regions, including downloadable games (via a PC), Internet radio, and a TV tuner.

One of the more anticipated new features is voice over IP support, which was announced during the Leipzig Games Convention as coming to European PSPs this month as part of the Go!Messenger service. At the time, Sony limited its reveal of the Internet-enabled phone service to PAL territories, but it now appears phone functionality will indeed be coming to stateside PSPs as well.

Jumping the gun on its Consumer Electronics Show lineup, Sony's site for the tradeshow indicates support for VoIP provider Skype will soon be added to the PlayStation Portable. "Call friends, talk trash to fellow gamers, or catch up with acquaintances via Skype for PSP system," reads a bullet point listing the portable's functionality.

Details on the service were not immediately available, and Sony representatives were unwilling to elaborate on the issue. However, the representative did note that "further details will be announced shortly." This year's CES runs January 7 to 10 in Las Vegas.