Video Wars of another kind : PSP v iPod

Video Wars of another kind : PSP v iPod

Sony and Apple are in a battle, or so it seems. The 14th of October saw Sony Computer Entertainment launching PSP 2.50, the new avatar donned by its Portable PlayStation, close at the heels of the Apple launch of the upgraded iPod, one claiming to possess the hottest features in TV/video streaming and the other maintaining that its video feature will herald the next big thing in portable video viewing.

The Sony launch took place in Japan and the 2.50 is available only in Japan right now. The American version will take some time.

The Sony PSP 2.50 boasts of myriad features, the most outstanding one being "LocationFree" streaming.

If you have a broadband connection and Wi-Fi, this feature will allow you to view favourite videos, movies and TV channels on your PSP, no matter where you are on the globe. However, you'll need a LocationFree base station, priced at $350. This base can be connected to the Internet and to your PC at home. Alternatively, it can join hands with your DVD or HDD recorder, enabling you to watch any video while on the move. If you think that's cool, starting the process is simpler.

Sponsors

After the setting up, all you need to do is click on the LocationFree icon and voila! Your favourite video begins playing on your PSP. You can surf, record and pause, all with the onscreen universal remote.

The Apple Threat: Since Sony's PSP 2.50 has followed Apple's new iPod closely, the comparative vein in the market says that the new iPod with a video device is a direct rival to the PSP. Sony spokespersons are maintaining that the Apple launch does not affect them a bit. But, music is a bigger umbrella, according to Steve Jobs, who is Head of Apple.

"Because millions of people around the world will buy this new iPod to play music, it will quickly become the most popular portable video player in history," says Steve. An add-on video feature on the iPod right now, but later, Apple may grow and develop the video functionality. It could revolutionize the portable video player segment tremendously.

The commercial viability of the brand new iPod has been thoroughly checked. Apple says their product is a portable music player cum photo viewer cum video-player now, and enables downloading too, from TV and the Net. The novelty is that one can pay and download licensed stuff from TV and movies to one's PC and subsequently stream to the new iPod. It will be priced at two levels, $299 and $399, varying as per the GB configuration and storage capacities. The looks are sleeker and the battery stronger.

The Sony PSP 2.50 caters to security concerns more effectively. PSP 2.01 took care of hacker threats but one couldn't upgrade. The 2.50 will allow both upgradation and security.

Co-inciding with the Japanese launch of PSP 2.50, Sony Philippines has finally introduced the PSP to the Philippines. To give impetus to sales, Sony has a scheme going wherein game lovers will get game certificates with each PSP, which they can utilize to buy a game of their choice, if the purchase happens on or before January 15, 2006.

The race is on for the best portable video player. The battles will be many. The war has yet to be won.