Sony PSP: North America gets GPS attachment by 2009, GPS-based games to follow

Posted Jul 21, 2008 at 8:09PM EST by QJ Staff

Listed in: Accessories, News Tags: GPS, Japan, John Koller, North America, psp accessories, Skype, Sony

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John Koller, SonyÂ’s senior marketing manager for the PSP, confirmed during an E3 interview that the handheld's GPS attachment will be arriving in North America by next year. The accessory Koller discussed appears to be the same one Sony announced back in CES 2008, following their announcement of Skype support for the PSP

While a 2009 release does seem a long way off, Koller indicates it won't be arriving alone. The Sony exec also stated that the company is already looking into ways to use the handheld's GPS functionality for games.

Sony is currently looking towards other publishers who may be interested in implementing the technology for their titles. "It changes the dynamics of GPS but also changes the way developers think about games on PSP because you can start integrating GPS into it," Koller said.

On that note, some of the readers may recall Konami's Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops. The game was made famous - among other things - for its use of the PSP's GPS receiver to enable players to locate and recruit additional personnel. Aside from adding a new level of depth of to the game, it also made for a perfectly good reason for the player to step outside and get some fresh air.

Koller hasn't announced exactly when North America's GPS attachment will be arriving, though, so check back with us for any more details.

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Comments 

 

# - — mr.x256 2008-07-22 01:24

I wish it would come a little earlier!

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# phat psp — GR1M 2008-07-22 02:16

will this be made available for the phat psp or just the slim?

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# about Time — Dartan 2008-07-22 02:30

About Freaking Time ... I've been waiting and waiting for this to arrive. I didn't want to get the Play-asia one cause I want US maps on UMD



Thought this would have been out by last X-mas ... now maybe another year??



Dam they really need to get faster boats to get stuff here

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# . — Binary 2008-07-22 04:26

about *****ing time.





my god never thought they ever get their thumb outta their ass and give it to the North America.

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# Typo? — nzrock95 2008-07-22 04:48

"Metal Gear Sold: Portable Ops" should be "Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops". Anyway, am looking forward to seeing GPS-based games.

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# both — GW2 2008-07-22 05:02

and what about the camera!

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# Probably not coming anytime soon... — xploren 2008-07-22 07:55

Look what happened to the camera. Sony announced it should be coming within 2007, but it still hasn't come out yet. Let's hope this time it's true.

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# - — mr.x256 2008-07-23 02:10

Wow, even australia got the Go!Cam.

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# - — mr.x256 2008-07-23 02:12

Wasn't this made before the Slim was ever heard of?

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# Would be the same... — PSPMAN90 2008-07-27 10:16

I mean if U buy the EUR GPS Adapter and use it would be the same as the US GPS adapter? And if u use it with the MGS:PO would be the same?



There's always e-Bay to buy stuff that hasn'y arrive to your country...



Thanks just curious



PSPMAN90

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# RE: Sony PSP: North America gets GPS attachment by 2009, GPS-based games to follow — Wily Wonka 2010-08-17 06:30

So it's almost the year 2011 and Sony still hasn't released a GPS for the US?

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