Posted Jan 08, 2008 at 02:35AM by Ryan A. Listed in: PSP Tags: Sony, SCEA, CES
Ó

CES 2008: Sony to launch PSP Keyboard by mid-2009 - Image 1More exciting details are being revealed as the Consumer Electronics Show 2008 in Las Vegas continues to unfold. Sony, in particular, has been very active in the show, unveiling new features for both the PlayStation 3 and the PlayStation Portable.

After announcing both the Skype and GPS functionality, as well as a new USB microphone, representatives from SCEA have now confirmed that the GPS receiver and the add-on camera will be made available in the U.S. before the year ends. Finally. No exact date, however, has been set.

But more excitingly, the same representatives also mentioned that their developers are currently developing an add-on keyboard for the PSP to do away with the mobile phone-like test entry feature.

Those who've been following the PSP scene ever since will remember that a similar design was shown during the 2005 outing of Electronic Entertainment Expo. When asked about the same, the spokesperson said that they currently considering several designs.

Lastly, it was also revealed that the said peripheral will be made available during mid-2009.


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24 Comments


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   by 123PSP - 2008-01-08
 » kool

i hope the keyboard comes to australia (cos im in australia)


   Re: Pwn3r1001 - 2008-01-08
 » uhhh....

ya i would assume you want it to come to australia because you live there...
   by xLinkinwormx - 2008-01-08
 » ok

the keyboard will be good for the homebrew scene, i can think of many pc to psp uses, and psp only homebrew uses, aswell as the homebrew that already used the IR keyboards

   by bigman606 - 2008-01-08
 » Abvout time!

Good to hear that a keyboard will finally be coming, but why so long in dev?


   Re: hush404 - 2008-01-08
 » .

really tho. I mean, they finially show it off and its not till mid 09 that it'll be out?
   by Santhiel - 2008-01-08
 » But...

But the camera has being selling since months ago at Amazon here in America...


   Re: mohaas05 - 2008-01-08
 » ...

becuz its imported smart one.
   by soopergooman - 2008-01-08
 » 3 great things

Too bad I own the cam and the gps, well not to bad cause at least we'll get a umd with maps of Canada and this keyboard with which I will make a adaptor and use it for my ps3.

   by Advertising -
   by Loonix - 2008-01-08
 » Again?

I belive this was announced 3 times before...
/me votes for more SIO keyboards and PiKey for everyone.

   by TruthSayer - 2008-01-08
 » exactly.

What took you so long Sony???

   by billylee8 - 2008-01-08
 » Hmm..

Something tells me I'm just going to be a cheapskate and learn how to be a pro with the mobile phone-like text entry just to save the $30 or whatever it costs.

I doubt the keyboard would fit in any carrying case (like PlayGear Pocket) anyway.


   Re: leo9891 - 2008-01-08
 » hmmm

well in the playgear pocket, u can cut out a peice of the foam (which protects the psp) the size of the keyboard and make it fit. then u'll have all the protection u need lol
   by ro0kie42 - 2008-01-08
 » homebrew scene > sony

has anyone noticed that the homebrew scene has implemented all of these things before sony has? i'm talking about keyboard, gps (ty deniska), skype (furikup psp sip phone), and remember how we had a browser first (wipeout exploit) and even homebrew flash...not to say sony is stealing all of the ideas (they probably planned to put these in eventually) but i'm thinking that some of our great homebrew enthusiasts need to get recognized.

   by stingray_shrey - 2008-01-08
 » and then there are ppl like me

who ruin it for the whole community with piracy

Owned a psp for 2 yrs, never bought a game :P


   Re: Justingraziano - 2008-01-08
 » YOU IDIOT! YES YOU!!!

YOU ARE AN IDIOT! YOU DONT DESERVE A PSP! GOTO A DAMN GAMESTORE YOU IDIOT! STOP STEALING GAMES YOU IDIOT.

   Re: stingray_shrey - 2008-01-10
 » lolz

how am i an idiot? Paying thru the a$$ for moderate games, or getting as many as i want for free?

In fact, its the most sensible thing to do, as long as ppl like u exist to keep the market up.

Selfish? yes. Leech? of course. Idiot? No, not as far as I see.

have a nice day, and remember, dont stop buying them games! :P
   by Pwn3r1001 - 2008-01-08
 » hold on...

i have a question: If this keyboard is connected through USB-b port....wouldn't the usb connection need to be activated in order for it to work, leaving you not able to play games(like socom) and use chat? lol well not a problem for custom firmware users but sony will probably have a new update for psp supporting that anyways.


   Re: Advertising -


   Re: mr.x256 - 2008-01-09
 » -

What do you mean?
Doesn't the SOCOM Headset use the Earphone/Serial Port?


I am more worried about how I am supposed to use this and the Go!Cam at the same time for Skype.
   by Korlithiel - 2008-01-08
 » Mid-2009?

Why the hell is it going to take so long? I guess I should hold off buying a Slim until then since they may just continue their trend of screwing their existing consumer base and release yet another PSP before then.

   by dexcaliber - 2008-01-09
 » yeah right!!

sounds like vaporware to me.
psp has been the hot target for bright ideas that do not come to fruition.

2009!!! wtf!!!


   Re: mr.x256 - 2008-01-10
 » Release Date

It says 2009 for SONY to release it.
But maybe another companies one will come out first.

Also: Is it just me, or does the keyboard look like it also functions as a screen cover. If that is true it would an awesome thing to buy.
I wont really need a case anymore.
   by Hotdogbunker - 2008-01-10
 » Why a keyboard?

Seriously, why would they make a keyboard though? It's not like theres anything good to type up. Well, except for some of those instant messengers that you load off your browser. Now that I think of it, it would make sense to have one if skype happens to have a text feature...

   by Pinoyboy22 - 2008-01-12
 » Hey...

Wouldn't the keyboard be really small? It looks like the same size of the screen. Won't it be hard to type if each button is so close together and as big as the X^[]O buttons?


   Re: mr.x256 - 2008-01-13
 » -size

I think you would have to type with one hand, I bet that some of those idiots complaining about psp divx would be used to that. ;-)


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