There’s been numerous rumours in the past surrounding a PSP2 from Sony. Many thought that Sony’s next portable device after the PSP 3000, aka PSP Brite, would be the PSP2. Instead we found another “PSP1 model” to complete the range of PlayStation Portable devices, the PSPgo.

EA recently revealed in an interview that as developers, they had gained early access to the next gen portable gaming device from Sony. Patrick Soderland, Senior VP has added that ” “Obviously as a developer we have had that access but, I’m not allowed to talk about it.”

Unfortunately in what way the access was provided we don’t know, whether they were given just specifications, a prototype, or a near finished product. It’s quite possible that it would be either the specifications, or an early prototype that developers are given access to, as many believe that the PSP2 will not begin shipping until late 2011, in time for the holiday season.

When it launches it will have to compete with Nindendo’s DS, both DSi and 3D models, as well as Apple’s iPod Touch and iPhone. Sony has led the way before in the portable gaming market but, will the PSP2 be enough to revive that energy and support that the original PSP had?

Sony haven’t confirmed the existence of a PlayStation Portable sequence and the above picture is one of many concept images of the PSP2.

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After seeing E3 2010 come and go without a hint of a PSP2 on show from Sony, chief Operating Officer for Capcom in Europe David Reeves has told gamesindustry.biz, quite wisely, that he feels that Sony simply have to release a new PSP in order to keep up with Nintendo in the handheld market. As he is the former European Sony Computer Entertainment boss, he may just know what he is talking about too.

He also made reference to the PSPgo which unfortunately was a bit of a flop for Sony, despite recently offering customers 10 free games to download to the system. The PSPgo is perhaps successful enough for Sony but  not as, in Mr Reeves words, “shit hot” as Nintendo’s forays in handheld gaming whom he states “always get these things right”.

The largest gaming conference in the United States -E3, is almost here and Sony sure has big plans. The video game industry is looking forward to a new gaming console and it looks like Sony is planning to give them one.

Sony have confirmed that they will unveil new hardware at E3. It remains to be seen if they are simply unveiling the PlayStation Move or presenting the more awaited PSP 2 or the PS4.

Apart from games, Sony will also showcase their latest technology like full-body motion capture. Apart from this, they will also showcase new motion-control inputs and 3-D systems at the video game expo.

Sony is also expected to show more titles that will play in 3D on the PlayStation 3 console.

“This is good for the industry because it gives consumers new ways to play on the boxes they have in the living room,” said Frank Gibeau, president of the EA Games label.

With Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo drawing big plans for E3, we can surely expect a few cool launches.

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.