Could Sony have been ahead of Nintendo's touch screen?

[Domination]

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20040513/psp25.jpg

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20040513/psp26.jpg

I didn't think anything about this when I saw it over the PSP at E3,
but now that I have a closer look, what could this possible be used for?
Is this Sony's idea of a wireless chatting solution? Look to the left of
the last picture. You notice there's a pen there (or stylus :shock: ).

[PSPFanatic]

I didn't think anything about this when I saw it over the PSP at E3,
but now that I have a closer look, what could this possible be used for?
Is this Sony's idea of a wireless chatting solution? Look to the left of
the last picture. You notice there's a pen there (or slylus :shock: ).

yes it will be used for sending messages but it won't work like a touch screen. u just touch the letters with the stylus. so far pictochat is the only thing in the DS that i find interesting

[Domination]

If this thing IS something like picto chat , then the PSP might have a
greater chance than what I thought it would, because this is what I found
the most impressive about the DS, the wireless chatting.

EDIT: Another thing I've notice about that little keyboard, it's about the
same size as the PSP's LCD screen. Maybe is built to fit right over it or
something.

[clc1986]

why couldn't Sony make the PSP screen touchscreen like the Zapwave Zodiac, plus it would of been easier then having an glass/plastic keyboard sticking out the top of the PSP...

[Domination]

why couldn't Sony make the PSP screen touchscreen
like the Zapwave Zodiac, plus it would of been easier then having an
glass/plastic keyboard sticking out the top of the PSP...

I believe this thing is going to manually be able to flip up and over the
LCD screen when you want to chat or something. Think of the DS handheld.
That's probably why it's a transparent keyboard.

[Abstract Emotion]

why couldn't Sony make the PSP screen touchscreen like the Zapwave Zodiac, plus it would of been easier then having an glass/plastic keyboard sticking out the top of the PSP...

Becuaase

a) they didnt think of it
b) they thought it would raise price
c) they figures most developpers would force games to use it thus ruining the fun by cramming the system full of worthless minigames.

[myname_is_ben]

Sounds and looks cool, but I hope someone else or Sony releases a bigger one with buttons instead of a stylus, I find trying to type w/ a stylus a tedious experience that I never want to relive again.
But hey, have any of you thought about voice chat? IIRC, PSP has a microphone in it, doesn't it? :?

[PseudoChron]

PSP has a microphone in it, doesn't it? :?
Not a built in one, although it's probably going to be an accessory.

[Abstract Emotion]

The headphones have a microphone on the cord.

[Gegenki]

what i wanted to know is why the heck did they show the keyboard on a fighting game???
And if the keyboard flips over then why didnt they have one of it up and one of it down. By the way im thinking thats a pen not a stylus. The end looks a slightly different colour asif from a pen nib. The top looks like theres a lid on it and it looks like theres ink down the middle.
By the way they look, i'm thinking that the keyboards at E3 were just designed to sit tere and look pretty, but of corse, that unattractive metal block on top of the PSP could plug into the USB

[Domination]

I'm assuming the metal support was only for show. The PSP also has
another one with some strange writing on it in the way of a touch tone
phone. Sony never mentioned anything about a phone having anything to
do with the handheld. But, just the look of this pad makes you wonder if it
will also utilise a phone in some way. Touch Screen 2 (http://playfrance.com/news/images/,9123331,/zoom/4624.jpg)

[Marjoh]

I'm pretty sure it's a stylus for one reason. Why would they display a pen a long side the PSP, PSP accessories, and all things PSP? Plus, I don't really feel the whole touch screen stuff especially for chatting. Voice chat anyone?

And yes, one of the reason the PSP doesn't features some of people wants is because not everyone is willing to pay $500 for PSP. Which is also a no no for the developers.

BTW Gegenki, I think they're just showing random videos. And if I'm correct, but I think the video on the second screen is a trailer of Hellboy.

[Abstract Emotion]

I thought that was a dynasty warriors screen XD.

Actually, Id like to see talkman develop into a voice chat perphrial, but if not, thats cool. 4rth party (unliscenced developers) will probably release one anyway that uses the mircrophone on the headphones anyways.

[Domination]

I'm pretty sure it's a stylus for one reason. Why would they display a pen a long side the PSP, PSP accessories, and all things PSP? Plus, I don't really feel the whole touch screen stuff especially for chatting. Voice chat anyone?

And yes, one of the reason the PSP doesn't features some of people wants is because not everyone is willing to pay $500 for PSP. Which is also a no no for the developers.

BTW Gegenki, I think they're just showing random videos. And if I'm correct, but I think the video on the second screen is a trailer of Hellboy.

I guess it's a great time to be upfront with you on this, but the PSP DOES
have voice chat. It's called Talk Man. It can translate up to eight
different languges out loud or in written text once spoken. I still felt that
inscriptional chat was just as important as voice chat.

[PseudoChron]

The headphones have a microphone on the cord.
Where is this confirmed?
And
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20041027/psp140.jpg
Where is the microphone?
Why does it not say "Headphone with remote control and microphone"?

[Domination]

I'm sure the mic is built into the handheld. I remember reading it somewhere. I believe it came up in the Talk Man discussion.

[milleniumloco]

Hm, I thought that PSP didn't have an internal microphone but did have a microphone port...... Although I can't find it in the photos, Sony's spec sheet says otherwise, so it must have a microphone port. But I don't remember Sony saying something about internal microphone. It would be great though. :o

[munza]

I believe the Keyboard or Keypad is clear so that it can be easily illuminated. Light emmited from the metal support would illuminate the frosted symbols.

I don't beleive it will flip down, it looks to ridged.

One thing that really puzzels me is where are the numbers, people sending messages usually use numbers, times, dates, phone numbers, and addresses. Numbers are crutial. To much to think why or why they are not included.

they have also included function keys like shift, Ctrl, Tab, Alt, and even an actual Fn (function) key like on Laptops... Why????

I believe the pen is for the keypad.

I though I was understanding that Talk Man is just Translation program and not used for chating Wireless or over internet. I stand by that unless other evidence can be produced.

I think Voice Chat is very possible and would most likely be programed into games, not saying that there wont be software made just for this purpose. I would love to be able to use ICQ or any other PC chat program on it. I'm not expecting it to happen though.

I believe one of the early reports on PSP did infact mention Mobile phone capabilities and the image Domination found is just that, plus it also looks like it has the characters next to the numbers on it for sms.

What I would love to see is a flexable touch screen that you could layer onto the PSP screen. So you could play with a stylus, like Sticky Balls.

[jasperlife]

why couldn't Sony make the PSP screen touchscreen like the Zapwave Zodiac, plus it would of been easier then having an glass/plastic keyboard sticking out the top of the PSP...

Becuaase

a) they didnt think of it
b) they thought it would raise price
c) they figures most developpers would force games to use it thus ruining the fun by cramming the system full of worthless minigames.

You got worse display quality when comparing TFT touch screen to TFT LCD.

[*G*spot]

The headphones have a microphone on the cord.
Where is this confirmed?
And
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20041027/psp140.jpg
Where is the microphone?
Why does it not say "Headphone with remote control and microphone"?

yes, good question. so give some answers.....

[D.R.Speed]

As a PDA user, I'm not new to touch screen interfaces. A touch screen was actually one of the reasons that drove me away from the DS, because using both the integrated buttons AND a stylus is a very laborous thing to use. On a PDA for instance (the Sony UX50) I use the keyboard to write text and then take out the stylus to navigate, switching between the two every once and a while. And I assure you that that sort of complexity is not what you want on a portable gaming device that should be simple and easy to use. The PSP will definitely appeal with this simplicity.

I hear that the DS will utilise it's stylus for 1st person shooter games and apparently alot of people are excited over this, but it's been around for PDAs for years now and the public never embraced the control layout. Although it sounds like u can use the stylus as u do with mice on computer based 1st person shooters, but no, it's nothing like that. In fact its quite annoying because the way you grip the stylus doesnt promote the precision you get with a mouse.

Speaking of keyboards, I think Sony will come up with a wireless keyboard of some sort they developed for use for PDAs. There are more possibilities such as voice recognition since a real time voice translation software is already announced, showing off the machine's voice recognition capabilities. And in the long run, even VoIP is possible.

They are taking alot of technology and resources from their recently discontinued Clie PDA line, so considering that Nintendo is starting to implement very basic pda functions to their DS, Sony has massive advantage by utlising their own PDA resources.

If you're not familiar with PDAs, rest assure that there are plenty of innovations and surprises you will get with the PSP in the immediate future.

[freakyfreak]

I believe the Keyboard or Keypad is clear so that it can be easily illuminated. Light emmited from the metal support would illuminate the frosted symbols.

I don't beleive it will flip down, it looks to ridged.

One thing that really puzzels me is where are the numbers, people sending messages usually use numbers, times, dates, phone numbers, and addresses. Numbers are crutial. To much to think why or why they are not included.

they have also included function keys like shift, Ctrl, Tab, Alt, and even an actual Fn (function) key like on Laptops... Why????

I believe the pen is for the keypad.

I though I was understanding that Talk Man is just Translation program and not used for chating Wireless or over internet. I stand by that unless other evidence can be produced.

I think Voice Chat is very possible and would most likely be programed into games, not saying that there wont be software made just for this purpose. I would love to be able to use ICQ or any other PC chat program on it. I'm not expecting it to happen though.

I believe one of the early reports on PSP did infact mention Mobile phone capabilities and the image Domination found is just that, plus it also looks like it has the characters next to the numbers on it for sms.

What I would love to see is a flexable touch screen that you could layer onto the PSP screen. So you could play with a stylus, like Sticky Balls.

That illumination idea is pretty cool...I hope they implement that. On the other hand, there was talk of the keyboard being an OLED screen, because that would allow it to be very thin and such. It would be cool if it changed accoring to what you were doing(typing, inputting numbers, etc). I still do not get how it works though. Sony hasnt released anything about the Keyboard since E3 so I wonder if they will even produce one. I hope they do, as it will be easier to type things in and such....It would also be cool if they revised it to fit exactly over the screen, so you could use it as a touch screen like the DS. When the thing flipped down, it would notice that you did so. I am expecting A LOT more information about the PSP and all of its accessories by tomorrow...seeing as tomorrow is one month before the release of the PSP(in Japan)

TalkMan IS just a translation program...it is not capable of sending or receiving messages... none of the information Sony has said about talkman points in that direction.

[*G*spot]

NOW....that's some info guys. :lol:

[munza]

On the other hand, there was talk of the keyboard being an OLED screen, because that would allow it to be very thin and such. It would be cool if it changed accoring to what you were doing(typing, inputting numbers, etc).

It would be an excellent idea to use OLED. You wouldn't need the backlight then. The concept of having it respond to key press would be cool. I imagine coloured rings eminating out like ripples from pressed keys.

The flip-down feature, if implemented would have to be redesigned.
the keyboard displayed is the right way up. If you flip it down it will be upside down, if you rotate it before flipping it down, it will be back to front and the pressure sensitive side will be on the other side. So to make it dual purpose you would have to make it touch sensitive both sides and only activated on the side currently in uses cause when pressed agained the screen could cause all keys to be pressed at once.

[blackshadow96669]

if u ever had messed with a sony palm pilot u would know that its a stylus because the sony stylus collapse. so like one minute its small the next u can pull it out and make it big YAY, u can probably find it on the sony website

[Wobbleshot]

The headphones have a microphone on the cord.
Where is this confirmed?
And
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20041027/psp140.jpg
Where is the microphone?
Why does it not say "Headphone with remote control and microphone"?

yes, good question. so give some answers.....

The microphone will connect thru the headphone port.

You can just make out the icon:
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20041014/psp_2130.jpg

I have not seen any pictures or info on what the headset will look like. Maybe it will be the mic on the cord type like cellphone headsets? Gahh... I hate those. :evil:

[milleniumloco]

I have not seen any pictures or info on what the headset will look like. Maybe it will be the mic on the cord type like cellphone headsets? Gahh... I hate those. :evil:
Maybe Logitech will make PSP headsets just like they did with PS2......? Just guessing, but since PSP's announcement in E3, they had said that they will make accessories for PSP, after all...

[Wobbleshot]

I have not seen any pictures or info on what the headset will look like. Maybe it will be the mic on the cord type like cellphone headsets? Gahh... I hate those. :evil:
Maybe Logitech will make PSP headsets just like they did with PS2......? Just guessing, but since PSP's announcement in E3, they had said that they will make accessories for PSP, after all...

Something like this would be cool:
http://www.logitech.com/lang/images/0/5627.jpg
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=103,CONTENTID=9523

[milleniumloco]

WHOA... :shock: Now that really looks wicked, unlike lame-o PS2 headset... :(

http://www.logitech.com/lang/images/0/1682.gif

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=2258,CONTENTID=6730

EDIT : Come to think of it, if Plantronics, who made Halo 2 edition XBox headset, made PSP headset, it could be cool-designed too, not to mention light-weight...... :)

http://www.plantronics.rite2u.com/htm/imagesProd/H2WEB.jpg

[Wobbleshot]

WHOA... :shock: Now that really looks wicked, unlike lame-o PS2 headset... :(

If your going to be outside you have to be styling. Hopefully someone at Logitech thinks the same way.

The coolness of the PSP would be canceled out by wearing a "drive thru" headset. Can I take your order please? :lol:

[lepermesiah]

:shock: i sure would hate to be on the recieving end of those comments.
But ya anyways even though headphones like that look awfull most people suprisingly actually dont care. I just love it when i see some poor shmuck walking down the streets with headphones slapped to his head about half the size of normal stereo speakers. I do admit they have excellent sound but there freakin huge.

:D would love it though if sony made some tiny cordless headphones because it kind of sucks when your cords are getting snagged on everything.

[Wobbleshot]

Hey I wear big headphones sometimes :? Not just for the nice sound but also to have complete isolation for the outside world. :wink:

[lepermesiah]

hehe i know the feeling all to well but personally i just dont like using them outside.. just the indoors. Call me conceited but i believe they make me look like i have a monkey on my head :shock:

[nesman]

My headphones suck cuz they're from a cheap CD player. I miss my iPod... :(

[Danus Maxwell II]

WTF u all are stupid thats been there since ever where the hell have you been under a rock damn


Danus Maxewell (DS Master)

also youll have to buy that thing it doesnt come free.

[milleniumloco]

also youll have to buy that thing it doesnt come free.
In most cases, external mics tend to sound better than internal mics.
(And don't tell me NDS is an exception, because they are the gaming company, not A/V company, remember?)

[lepermesiah]

They usually are for the simple fact as you said ... there external so they can prioritize on making an excellent mic instead of cramming a halfway decent one into the device.

Havent really had the opportunity to try out the DS except at the store so i dont really know how well the mic actually does work