New PSP Media Manager launched, 4GB bundle axed

At this year's Leipzig Games Convention, Sony rattled off a number of hardware-related announcements for the PlayStation 3 and PSP. Headlining these announcements for handheld gamers was the unveiling of the PSP-3000, the second redesign of Sony's portable in as many years that includes a built-in microphone and a controversial new screen, among a variety of other tweaks.

To promote that release, Sony said it would be offering a new $199 hardware bundle that would include the redesigned handheld, a 4GB Memory Stick Pro, and a voucher for Everyday Shooter for the PS3. The bundle would complement Sony's previously announced Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters Entertainment Pack, which contains a 1GB Memory Stick Duo, an UMD copy of the film National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets, and a voucher for the downloadable title Echochrome.

A portion of those plans, however, have now been nixed. "Based on ongoing discussions with our retail partners and the feedback they have received from their customers, SCEA has seen significant interest in the Ratchet & Clank Size Matters PSP Entertainment Pack in North America, which includes the updated PSP-3000," the publisher said today. "As a result, we will be streamlining our PSP hardware lineup and will no longer be offering the previously announced 4GB Memory PSP Entertainment Pack."

Sony noted that PSP owners can pick up the 4GB memory stick as a stand-alone purchase for $44.99 this fall.

In other PSP news, Sony also revealed today that a new version of its Media Manager for the portable is now available. A free download, the Media Manager lets PSP owners organize their "music, photos, and other digital content." The new version of the Media Manager also includes PlayStation Store access through the PC, which Sony's says will complement direct access to the shopping hub introduced with PSP firmware update 5.01.

A walk-through of the new Media Manager is available on the PlayStation Blog.