British PSPs to get voice and video calls courtesy of BT

You lucky PSP-ownin' Brits. BT has developed custom VoIP software for use with PSPs fitted with new Go!Cams (pictured to the right). Using the Go!Cam's mic and camera, PSP punters will initially be able to make voice and video calls to other PSP users and some BT phones across the UK. Eventually, BT will distribute the software globally and allow users to call PCs, fixed line phones and mobiles from any WiFi hotspot. The new service takes advantage of BT's 21 century network (21CN) designed specifically for IP technologies. Now the bad news: while the Go!Cams are scheduled for release on 25 May in the UK, BT won't be providing any additional detail on the PSP VoIP service until sometime in August. Oh BT you saucy minx you.

[JeffNLA @ May 23rd 2007 9:49AM]

Now that is a cool use for the PSP!

(first post!)

[Deckard @ May 23rd 2007 9:49AM]

What a gimmick! Much like the PSP itself to be honest.

Really, can you see anyone bothering with this once the initial enthusiasm has worn off after the first 5 minutes?

British Telecom would be better off negotiating a deal with Nokia and getting a piece of the N800 Internet Tablet VoIP action. Then again, an official Skype client is coming to the N800 any day now and along with Google Talk and Gizmo the N800 pretty much has VoIP wrapped up - all it needs now is Bluetooth headset support...

[riggs @ May 23rd 2007 10:33AM]

youre an idiot if u actually think making phone calls using the psp (much less anything else) is a gimmick.

[hunglikehorse @ May 24th 2007 9:23PM]

moron. you suck. just stop posting about this stuff. Gimmick my ass.

[Ange @ May 23rd 2007 10:32AM]

I am a dirty fucking spammer: [e-mail]

[Deckard @ May 23rd 2007 10:41AM]

I'm not saying VoIP calls are a gimmick, foo, I'm saying that this product is a gimmick, because making a VoIP phonecall with a PSP strapped to the side of your head is ridiculous.

This is an example of a product looking for a purpose - if I want to make VoIP calls there are better products around that will let me do that.

[riggs @ May 23rd 2007 6:02PM]

you need to re-read the article then since it says youll be using the camera and the mic, i dont see where u get "strapped to the side of your face" from.

[cduran01 @ May 23rd 2007 10:50AM]

Bet ya if Nintendo had this for the DS it wouldnt be a gimmick.....

[Deckard @ May 23rd 2007 11:54AM]

VoIP for DS was released in 2005 - the fact nobody mentions it might give an indication of how naff this idea really is.

OK so you don't hold the PSP to your head, instead you have to shout at it while you are sat down at a table. The appeal of this product only increases! NOT. :)

This is a rubbish idea for a dying product (yes I own a PSP, also a DS).

[JeffNLA @ May 23rd 2007 12:29PM]

Gimmick?
If this was done right - it could be awesome. Of course you would not hold the PSP to your hear - it would be a speaker-phone/chat device. I have full wi-fi in my home - could video-chat by the pool!

[Sam @ May 23rd 2007 11:55AM]

The British get everything!
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news_detail.html?sku=1640

Of course, you not only get to watch Big Brother... Big Brother is also watching you... watching Big......

[Corey @ May 23rd 2007 12:33PM]

I swear the ignorant comments on here are getting worse daily. The psp has a mic port you nubs. So for voip you'd just use a headset. It doesn't have a built in boom mic for better or worse. I myself can't wait to have a skype client for my psp, then I won't need to buy a $180 skype wifi phone or lug my laptop around. Psp with Voip + palm ir keyboard = mini laptop. Now about linux on the psp....

[Marty @ May 23rd 2007 12:45PM]

"to calls PCs"? Did George Bush write this article? Excuse me -- this six sentence, double-spaced paragraph?

[Tak @ May 23rd 2007 12:46PM]

And this is superior to using a PC for VoIP or a real cell-phone, why?

[myscrnnm @ May 23rd 2007 5:02PM]

"And this is superior to using a PC for VoIP or a real cell-phone, why?"

*sardonicism* Oh, I don't know. *sardonicism* Maybe because it costs hundreds of dollars less?

[tkn0spdr @ May 23rd 2007 2:04PM]

I'm guessing at $20 US, this will be a popular accessory after we get that ability over here. Or do you really think we'll all be yelling at our PSPs?

http://www.us.playstation.com/PSP/Accessories/PSP-270

Thanks,
David
http://www.FloridaPets.org

[Tak @ May 23rd 2007 7:00PM]

PSP costs more than a phone capable of making phone calls I think you'll find. Most people have PC's anyway, even if they don't a VoIP phone would probably cost less than the attachment there.
Also consider than most people in the UK have their own mobile phones already. Add again that most people who use these WiFi points are going to be equipped with PDA's which are VoIP compatible anyway. Add once more that BT service includes a home-hub which has a built in VoIP phone anyway.
Aside from using it as a show-off item, this is pretty much entirely useless.
(LAST POINT, WiFi coverage isn't exactly great in the UK right now anyway.)

[Deckard @ May 23rd 2007 8:08PM]

> (LAST POINT, WiFi coverage isn't exactly great in the UK right now anyway.)

Picture this: A WiFi hotspot on the high street, your PSP perched on a table that you shout at (or attach your headset). All well and good until someone runs past and swipes your PSP.

I'll put a pound to a penny this service and this product sinks faster than the PS3.

It's a cheap gimmick that will be bought out of curiosity by people that won't use it - adults definately won't use it, however kids might use it for a bit before getting bored. Kids would be better off with a proper VoIP phone as it's far more comfortable to use than this crud and a proper VoIP phone will last longer (ie. better investment) as the PSP will be rapidly outgrown (Christ, who still uses theirs? Mine collects dust). Sure this might only cost $40-50 (or whatever) but that money would be better spent on a cheap VoIP phone.

THIS PRODUCT AINT GONNA FLY! GET A PROPER VOIP PHONE IF YOU WANT VOIP!!

[kye @ May 24th 2007 1:10AM]

well you cant ignore the potential.....hey use your imaginations video calls on your psp,,,,video streaming,,,,,,,,, or is my head in the clouds and its all imagination only and could never be implimented shit give the psp just general phone capabilities or a good camera attachment and notice i said good and you got somethin there .....and yeah i got one ...and i like it....so what

[Deckard @ May 24th 2007 11:47AM]

http://www.theinquirer.org/default.aspx?article=39835

An honest commentary regarding VoIP on PSP. This idea is going to bomb so bad - Sony should focus on fixing the current problems with the PSP rather than bringing out cr@p like this.

[Deckard @ May 24th 2007 9:32PM]

Sure, enjoy your toy fanboi - you and the other 200 people that plunk down their cash for this pointless and desperate gimmick will no doubt have minutes of fun.

Note you can only talk to other PSP VoIP owners, making it even more useless than it first appeared. Hoho.

[hunglikehorse @ May 24th 2007 9:52PM]

Yeah so? XBOX Live players can only play against other XBOX Live members. What is your point? This is hardly a gimmick, it is an add on that those who enjoy the video game system can use. BIG FRIGGIN DEAL if you can only chat with other users, that is the point! You are just a Sony hater, admit it. get a life

[Deckard @ May 24th 2007 10:55PM]

Not a Sony hater, I just hate desperate and sh1t gimmicks such as this.

You, on the other hand, appear to appreciate mediocrity. Did you read the article I linked to by the way? It pretty much sums up where Sony are going wrong with the PSP, although you sound like their ideal customer - dumb and gullible with over indulgent parents.

[hunglikehorse @ May 24th 2007 11:14PM]

You really are a cocksucker