TGS 06: Sony debuts PSP GPS

  • By Hirohiko Niizumi, GameSpot
  • Posted Sep 24, 2006 6:28 pm GMT

PlayStation Portable GPS receiver shown to the public for first time; no touching allowed.

TOKYO--One of the anticipated products at Sony Computer Entertainment's TGS booth was the PlayStation Portable's GPS receiver, which is coming out in Japan in just two months on December 7. The peripheral was available for viewing by the public for the first time at Sony's TGS booth. But, unfortunately, an eyes-only experience was as far as it went. Four PSP units with GPS receivers were on display in a showcase, but they weren't available for hands-on and photography was strictly prohibited.

Sony's GPS unit for the PSP was shown off to the public at TGS.

From what we saw, the PSP's GPS unit seemed fairly portable. The receiver is extremely compact at less than two square inches (45mm x 41mm x 17mm), meaning it's a little bigger than an average person's thumb. Plus it supposedly only weighs 16 grams, which is about half an ounce (0.56oz).

While there wasn't any new GPS software at TGS, we got to see the four titles that Sony announced will support the GPS unit last month:

Minna no Golf-jou (SCEI, 2007) Minna no Golf-jou is a spin-off of SCEI's popular Hot Shots Golf series, and it functions as a map utility for real golf courses. The software includes data of all golf courses in domestic Japan and lets the golfer check out everything from his distance to obstacles, as wells as the greens. The software can also be used as a management tool for keeping track of score data.

Note the relative size of the GPS unit compared with the PSP itself.

Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops (Konami Digital Entertainment, December 2006) Metal Gear Solid's new PSP action adventure game will make use of the GPS receiver to search for and collect new characters that can be recruited as soldiers.

Planetarium Creator Ohira Takayuki Kanshuu: Home Star Portable (Sega, October 2006) Sega's constellation navigator is coming out two months before Sony's GPS receiver, but it's going to have support for the peripheral. Using the GPS receiver, players can acquire their current location and display the exact stars that they should be seeing up in the sky.

Navigation Soft (Edia, December 2006) This standard car-navigation software features all the roadmaps in Japan. Aside from searching for car and walking routes, the software can also be used as a directory to search for nearby shops and other facilities. The maps and database can be updated using the PSP's network capabilities.

Here it is on a white PSP.

Product detail:

Sony PSP GPS Receiver (PSP-290)

Release date: 12/07/2006

Price: 6,000 yen ($51)

Comes with case accessory

Hardware specs:

Reception Frequency: 1575.42MHz (L1 ban, C/A code)

Reception System: 20 Channels

Reception Sensitivity: Following: -153dBm, Captured: -140dBm

Position Update Interval: Approximately 1 second

Position Precision: 5m (2DRAMS, -130dBm)

Hardware size: 45mm x 41mm x 17mm (Width x Height x Depth)

Weight: Approximately 16 grams

222 Comments

  • YeoCS

    Posted Jan 9, 2008 5:06 am GMT

    My friend give me one. Cool. But no software support, no maps for purchase or download. I was wondering will this thing go far. Will people really need a PSP GPS system. I don't think so....

  • killer71416

    Posted Jun 18, 2007 10:56 am GMT

    Woolworth seems to have that item in catalogue but do they actually have it in store?

  • erritty

    Posted May 28, 2007 9:11 am GMT

    I was in woolworths today and noticed that in their catalogue alongside the newly released PSP camera, they were advertising for sale the GPS device for £50. However, there's no mention of it on the website and I can't find anything about it having been released for sale yet.....

  • firesatr

    Posted May 10, 2007 4:14 am GMT

    sweet! so far all the navigator had a very small screen. if psp can use as one then it will be great.

  • Unleashed666

    Posted Mar 30, 2007 7:21 pm GMT

    when is it coming out in the U.S.?

  • glass_flame

    Posted Mar 29, 2007 8:56 am GMT

    My uncle's going to Japan for a year, so I'm gonna send him some money and he'll (hopefully) send me one of these. Awesome!

  • heavybotpoko

    Posted Jan 21, 2007 6:30 am GMT

    i will definitely get it because I will love to use it for MGS Portalbe Ops and to see how it actually works. I have seen the images and videos but it is nothing like actually using it yourself and seeing it work in person. AHH ,just can’t wait.

  • BoogieX614

    Posted Dec 6, 2006 5:59 pm GMT

    this comeouts 2morrow and im gonna get it prolly for christams i dont know if i can wait that long

  • DamianW

    Posted Dec 6, 2006 12:38 pm GMT

    they cudvle made it a u shape going round the psp, so it doesn break as easily, and u can just disconnect it easily when u wanna use UMD. I think I'll get it, if it comes before the 19th in Europe.

  • salafro

    Posted Nov 22, 2006 12:23 pm GMT

    sweet. its worth it if u need it.

  • knightsofwar

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 4:59 pm GMT

    I so wanna get this but...................why did they make it look so stupid and ugly i just wanna break the frikin thing right off the psp!

  • rudebwoy_jay

    Posted Oct 18, 2006 9:36 am GMT

    Damn a GPS for the PS....now i definitely need an in car mount. but if its under $100 how good can it really be...hmmm i guess we'll just have to wait and see.

  • Pav_01

    Posted Oct 10, 2006 4:16 pm GMT

    Seems interesting... although I hope they bring out the software supporting Australian roads

  • MoldOnHold

    Posted Sep 30, 2006 11:53 am GMT

    HXCDEW has officially become my hero

  • SolidSnakeM9

    Posted Sep 30, 2006 8:31 am GMT

    cant wait till this comes out in the US, i am definately getting this, very helpful

    and PSP isnt JUST a gaming device, its a portable entertainment device. thats y it has music, videos, photos, internet, etc. which makes it better than JUST a gaming device. if u dont like having all these extra features, u dont have to buy em. just buy games and use it as JUST a gaming device.

  • _Sam_

    Posted Sep 27, 2006 6:41 pm GMT

    probably going to be pricey

  • REVRIN

    Posted Sep 27, 2006 6:02 am GMT

    Awesome! I want GPS for sure! I've always wanted a navigation system for my car, but wasn't really happy with them being around $600-$800 for a decent one.. Now I can add GPS to my PSP (which is with me all the time anyway) for relatively cheap! AWESOME!

  • onlineps2player

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 11:54 pm GMT

    can be interesting!

  • adompe

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 10:12 pm GMT

    Finally! An affordable (and hopefully practical) GPS solution. I don't have to outfit my car with $600 worth of equipment. It'd be nice to download directions and feed them to your PSP for directions on the go too. Really hoping this works out.

  • Inuyasha5262

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 9:30 pm GMT

    seems great to me. i'll be getting it

  • a336061

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 8:04 pm GMT

    Absolutely needed, i hear some people saying it's just a gaming device, and granted i only play games on this... but i can't find myself when i know where i am... this officially will make the psp the ultimate carry on device, the screen is just big enough and ipod, eat your heart out... your gps is going to be tiny and obnoxiuos, unless they do the unthinkable... i'm too excited i wish i didn't see this, now i wish i lived in japan behind the glass case with it...heh

  • HXCDEW

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 7:44 pm GMT

    1) The receiver is only about the size of an average person's thumb. 2) It can be folded behind so it's NOT chunky. 3) No one is forcing you to buy it you frickin haters. 4) It's most likely the cheapest GPS receiver out there. 5) Who wants it? DRIVERS!!! May be people who are older than 10 and do not have the oh-so-innovative DS! People who get out of their house and actually go places! HOW CAN YOU BE MORE IGNORANT?!!

  • dj_pritpal

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 7:32 pm GMT

    is the gps reciever going to have any voice activity? and will it work worldwide?

  • greystone227

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 3:09 pm GMT

    This looks really interesting. I wouldn't have much use for it personally, but I still think it's a really good idea. With all of the capabilities the PSP has and is going to gain, such as a camera, this device is really becoming a jack of all trades. And for those of you who are saying things like "Why is Sony doing this, it's a game system," I have to disagree with you. Sony never wanted the PSP to be strictly a gaming device. Otherwise, it wouldn't have given it media playback capabilities and things such as a web browser.

    However, I have to say that I am curious to why they would give the receiver a metal look. I think I would prefer a polished black one, to match the style of the PSP.

  • Agreb91

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 3:07 pm GMT

    This GPS feature looks awesome and how it is incorperatated into games as well. I just hope this is brought over to the US.

  • BranKetra

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 2:58 pm GMT

    GPS games will lead the future in Wifi games for the PSP.

  • snakepliskin35

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 2:43 pm GMT

    _-SMILEYDUDE-_ idk if you have heard or not but tyehy are making a camera for the PSP. and The GPS is an awesome idea.

  • _-SMILEYDUDE-_

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 2:40 pm GMT

    why not make a digital camra first
    gps why not a map are you lazy

  • princeofgames90

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 2:22 pm GMT

    What do i need a gps for if i had one already

  • gokuxdbz2

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 1:44 pm GMT

    This GPS thing will sell me and also n Sony or 3rd partys needs to make a place to store the PSP in the car because accessing the PSP and driving is kinda hard and dangerous unless you are in traffic.

  • oxygene

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 11:28 am GMT

    i don;'t get what everyone is whinging about. It's a $52 GPS for god's sake!! Maybe most of you can't drive yet or just don't ever leave your home town if you can drive. If you don't think you'll use it...then don't buy it!! I for one think this is amazing. It maybe the first time I will have used my psp in months when this comes out. At least this can justify the $300 bucks I spent on this thing at launch, seeing that a normal GPS costs around $400-600

  • swe_hotshot

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 11:07 am GMT

    Who wants a GPS on a handheld console?

  • ScottHFC

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 10:38 am GMT

    That looks very ugly sticking out the top, a stuipid idea and i bet that is the most fragile piece or equipment ever made. Tut tut tut sony.

  • Dinghy_Dog

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 9:16 am GMT

    That's probably the stupidest idea I've ever heard of. It's a freakin' gaming system, Sony!

  • PureLegend

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 9:07 am GMT

    Hmm...bit chunky, no?

  • DFTricks

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 8:08 am GMT

    Most interesting adon to the Psp and actualy make it wort something but will the program be good enaught and will there be enaught detailed map to be sailed at a good price witout being over the psp?!?

  • hemakm3

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 7:08 am GMT

    Interesting.

  • HXCDEW

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 5:08 am GMT

    lol just look at the haters flock in! comments like "Don't see what the point in this is", "what a waste of money" shows just how pathetic some people can be. $51 for a GPS receivers? I'm sold. With software for different regions, updates via wireless (hotspots?), I can see this device has a lot of potential.

  • zenntench

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 4:46 am GMT

    Hmm now I can find those hidden streets around at my place. Wait there's none. Ill just google it

  • shamarke

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 2:54 am GMT

    lol i maybe gonn a buy that!

  • Danngerus

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 2:43 am GMT

    The idea of a GPS is great. If a new software comes out with Europe's road maps it will be great since it has a big high resolution screan, but there are some problems with it. The screan would be clear on sunny days, the speakers aren't very loud so u would be able to use it in the car if u have the radio on and u need a type of stand so you can look at it while driving. It's a great idea but i'll stick with a TomTom.

  • DJ-PRIME90

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 8:41 pm GMT

    You would think they'd just put the software for it in the PSP and just get a small antenna on top of it

  • desert-sniper24

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 7:48 pm GMT

    Are those antenna's on the top of it, or are they a piece of glass, like a sattelite? I am a little confused because it looks like it's a satellite.

  • DiscGuru101

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 7:42 pm GMT

    Looks neat. Now I want to see a crome PSP to match it! =D

  • Alcotamaysees

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 7:40 pm GMT

    Don't see what the point in this is.

  • alberto2045

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 7:33 pm GMT

    i thought it was going to b big, can u really see in that thing it looks so small for a country like Japan, they should have done it on the screen. that sucks i thought it was going to b something bigger and better

  • enoslives7

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 7:26 pm GMT

    what a waste of money

  • Kooleman8

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 6:52 pm GMT

    it be more Cheap right? Ok sure... because who wants to play with an expensive technology with a PS2 memory card Screen? hehehe

  • Deimos27

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 6:17 pm GMT

    Hehe... Sure you wanna have a GPS transceiver stuck to your PSP??? By the gods... Now your trackable everywhere! Imagine the consequences??? "Missile lock detected... ETI (Estimated time of impact) 23seconds..."

    Heheheeeee....

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