Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. at Electronics Entertainment Expo trade-show in Los Angeles, California, unveiled yet another version of its PlayStation Portable video game console. The PSPgo will be available by the end of the year and will rather substantially change the way the PlayStation Portable is used.

The main difference between PSPgo and PSP is the design: instead of locating controls on the sides of the device, PSPgo features a sliding display panel with controls located under it. In addition, PSPgo replaces the UMD drive with 16GB of flash memory to store a variety of digital entertainment content. In addition to Wi-Fi, PSP Go also sports Bluetooth that allows to connect PS3 controllers, such as DualShock or SixAxis, but not for playing games, but in order “to be used when watching video content on TVs via PSP at home”.

In order to get games for the new portable game console, users will have to utilize PlayStation Store directly from the PSPgo through its Wi-Fi capability. In addition, users will also be able to access and download a variety of content via their PCs using Media Go, a new software application.

Sony did not release too lot of technical details about the new PSPgo at this time. For example, it is unclear whether Sony installed a screen with higher resolution or battery with higher capacity. What is certain is that PSPgo is still a purely entertainment device and cannot be efficiently used for communications or Web browsing.

PSPgo will be available in Piano Black and Pearl White. PSPgo will become available in stores in North America, Europe/PAL territories and Asian countries and regions on October 1, 2009, for recommended retail price (RRP) of $249/€249 ($353) and on November 1, 2009, in Japan at a RRP of ¥26 800 ($280).

Tags: Sony, Playstation, PSP