Sony has noted that their free PlayStation Network service has hit a new milestone, 20 million registered users.
The service went live with the launch of the PlayStation 3 in November 2006 and offers PS3 and PSP users access to demos, movies, wallpapers and other digital content as well as global multiplayer gaming.
Sony added that over 600 titles “now incorporate online play” and that PSN is available in 55 countries. There are also 14,500 digital items in the store with just under 6000 movies and TV episodes.
Over 380 million pieces of content have been downloaded through PSN since its launch, bringing in revenue of 180 million USD.
Result for: psp users
After it announced in mid-January that Skype would be heading to European PSPs, Sony has confirmed that the wireless communication package Go!Messenger will also hit European PSPs by the end of the week.
The package, jointly developed by Sony and BT lets users “send voice, video and instant messages to other Go!Messenger users from any wireless Internet connection, and will work over wireless Internet - including that provided by the 2,500-plus BT Openzone hotspots around UK city centers.”
The service is free in theory but you will need to purchase the PSP Go!Cam, which is a mic and video camera, if you want to use the package.
“Enabling more than 8.5 Million PSP users across the SCEE region to communicate with each other, through Video or Voice chat, truly confirms the always evolving nature and potential of PSP,” said PSP European marketing manager Stephane Hareau.
Result for: psp users
According to Sony’s PlayStation blog, the PSP has seen its firmware updated to version 3.93 today, which comes with 20 new Internet radio players.
The new players are “organized into more specific styles of music so that PSP users can easily find what they are looking for and listen to their favorite genres.” Sony has said that more than 50 percent of PSP owners use the music-playback feature of their gaming handhelds.
Internet Radio functionality was originally introduced with firmware version 3.80 and gamers can can enable the Internet Radio player by going to the Network section of the Xross Media Bar. After you install the Internet Radio feature, a new icon will appear enabling music Streaming.
Also coming with the new firmware update is Skype calling, but you will need to purchase the PSP Headset Kit to use it. The set is not available yet.
