Confirming what was found listed on Sony’s CES 2008 page, SCEI today officially announced plans to introduce Skype features to the PSP, in effect turning the handheld into the long-fabled “PSP Phone.” The available features will include the following:
— Free voice calls between Skype users
— Skype contact list management (view existing contacts, add new ones)
— Skype presence (see which friends are online and available to talk)
— SkypeOut(TM) calls to make calls to landlines and mobile phones anywhere in the world (requires the purchase of Skype credit)
— Optional SkypeIn(TM) number that lets users receive calls on Skype from landlines and mobiles anywhere in the world (requires the purchase of Skype credit)
— View and modify Skype settings and account details (including username creation, SkypeOut settings, voicemail settings and call forwarding)
A system update will enable Skype for PSP owners worldwide sometime in “late January.” After applying the update, a Skype icon will then be found under the Network category of the XMB. A Memory Stick Duo, wireless Internet connection and a Skype-compatible audio input device will all be needed to take advantage of the new service. The only catch here is that these new features will only be compatible with the PSP slim model, for reasons that weren’t explained in the press release. Owners of the original “fat” PSP, including myself, will apparently be shit out of luck on this one, unfortunately…
Matt Litten is the full-time editor and owner of VGBlogger.com. He is responsible for maintaining the day to day operation of the site, editing all staff content before it is published, and contributing regular news, reviews, previews and other articles.
Matt landed his first gig in the video game review business writing for the now-defunct website BonusStage.com. After the sad and untimely close of BonusStage, the former staff went on to found VGBlogger.com. After a short stint as US Site Manager for AceGamez, Matt assumed full ownership over VGBlogger, and to this day he is dedicated to making it one of the top video game blogs in all the blogosphere.
Matt is a fair-minded reviewer and lover of games of all platforms and types, big or small, hyped or niche, big-budget or indie. But that doesn't mean he will let poor games slide without a good thrashing when necessary! 
