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BT and Sony unveil PSP tool
Wednesday August 22nd 2007.
BT and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe(SCEE) have announced the launch of a new wireless communications package they have jointly developed for the Play Station Portable (PSP) gaming device, which has shipped more than 25 million worldwide.
The package, called Go Messenger, enables PSP gamers to keep in touch with each other using the latest in voice over internet protocol (VoIP) technology.
Go Messenger - which is due to be commercially launched in January - was unveiled by BT and SCEE at the Leipzig Games Convention.
The software for the PSP - which was developed in BT's research centre - will be available for new and existing PSPs, downloaded simply from the web or shared between users.
PSP gamers connected to any wireless internet point will be able to contact each other using high-quality video calls, voice calls and instant messaging (IM). A new and intuitive screen keyboard allows gamers to message each other, and a headset with an attachable video camera allows them to use voice chat, make video calls and leave video messages.
Calls and messages will be free to a range of existing BT softphone products, with paid calls to fixed and mobile phones.
As its lead wireless communications partner, BT will work with SCEE to promote the product in five European countries initially - the UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy - before marketing it to the remainder of SCEE's global market.
As part of SCEE's wider global offering, BT is also planning to make the service available to regional wireless internet suppliers and device manufacturers on a wholesale basis, to allow communications providers in other countries to offer the wireless package under their own brand.
BT chief of mobility and convergence Steve Andrews said: "The Go Messenger suite of communications will add a new dimension to PSP users' busy lifestyles.
"By offering a variety of communications options to help stay in touch with other gamers, Go Messenger truly brings the entertainment potential of PSP to life."
SCEE chief executive David Reeves said: "With Go Messenger, PSP is pushing new boundaries, adding unique communications features to all the existing multimedia experiences.
"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."
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