News of the electronic entertainment expo (E3) event scheduled for June 2 – 4, 2009 has been overshadowed by rumours that Sony is set to launch a new version of its PlayStation Portable (PSP) during their keynote press conference on Tuesday, June 2. According to the BBC, the leak “came after an official video showcasing the new device was mistakenly posted to a Sony website”.
The new console is expected to be smaller with a 3.8-inch screen, 43% lighter than the PSP-3000 and be without the UMD disk slot which will be replaced by a digital download service from the PlayStation Network. It will also support WIFI, Bluetooth and have an integrated 16GB flash memory.
Sony is also expected to release a new slimmed-down PS3 in Fall 2009.
UPDATE: Sony has confirmed that the new PSP Go will not replace the existing PlayStation Portable. The device will go on sale in October 2009 and cost 249 Euros (£214) in Europe and $249 (£149) in North America.