Sony’s long-rumoured PlayStation Portable mobile phone is planned to be released in North America and Europe as early as the summer, according to a Japanese newspaper report Wednesday.The device would likely be based on Sony’s portable PSP Go game console, would be made by Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications and run Google’s Android operating system, said the Asahi Shimbun’s English edition, citing un named sources.
Sony hopes to take on Apple’s iPhone, Research in Motion’s BlackBerry and Nokia devices by offering the first smart phone that is based on a portable game console, with a set of controls that allows very enhanced gaming.
The PSP Go, released in November 2009, already functions software downloads through a wireless connection, allowing players to also browse the Internet, watch movies, play music and read books and comics.
The new PlayStation phone would likewise work with Sony’s online media platform, the company’s answer to Apple’s iTunes.Sony hopes the cell phone will promote sales in the sluggish videogame console market, said the Asahi.
Sony called the newspaper report “speculation” and rejected to remark.
