Gaming website VG247 have declared that the ‘official’ release date for the next incarnation of the PlayStation handheld device, the PSP 2, will be “in time for Christmas 2011”.

Sony themselves have said nothing about a firm release date of a PSP 2 but, it they intend continuing with their PlayStation Portable gaming range then the PSP 2 will come at some point and a pre-holiday release would seem to make sense.

Apparently developers and publishers have been informed about the release date and the VG247 source told them that, “We’ve been told it’s coming in late 2011”. We will wait for the official word before getting too excited however.

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E3 is coming soon, but if rumors are to be believed the PSP 2 will not be unveiled just yet. The PSP 2 which is said to have exciting specs is expected to hit stores only in 2011. Sony Computer Entertainment remains defiantly tight-lipped on the matter.

Sources say the PSP 2 comes with a touchscreen and will have physical buttons as well. It has two cameras, one of which is forward facing while the other is at the other at the back.

Sources add the console could support Wi-Fi and 3G, which would be a first for the hand held series. UMD is likely to be removed completely, just like the PSPGo. More importantly, the hand held unit will be powered by a four-core Cell CPU.
It is not clear as to when exactly the PSP 2 will be released. Sony could possibly be aiming for a Tokyo Game Show or Gamescom presentation.