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It looks like the PSP will be joining the digitally distributed content arms race, as sources this week are claiming that the Sony handheld is developing a vested interest in not one but two new avenues of digital content with hopes to ignite additional hype for the brand. Looking to expand the entertainment options of the unit, it is being reported that Sony is considering both music and game rental downloads for the PSP.
On the music front, CNET News first broke the story that music industry insiders claim that Sony has been speaking with a number of the major record publishers about providing music for the PSP through the PlayStation Network. Supposedly no deals have been struck yet, but already analysts are predicting that such a move could put the handheld in direct competition with devices like the iPhone.
"This makes total sense that Sony would try to get content for the device," said Michael Pachter, a Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst. "If Sony is smart, they would manage it the same way iTunes has and be device-agnostic. Whatever you get on a Sony site should play on an iPod as well.
As for the potential addition of game rentals, the rumor of the rental service started when Joystiq published a consumer questionnaire that had been sent to PSP owners for the purpose of gauging interest in concepts like subscription options and a games-on-demand service. According to the survey's forward notes, "the service will enable you to download a fixed number of games during your subscription period," adding that by launch time "there will be an extensive catalogue of games to chose from, with more titles added each month."
Additional fuel for the rental fire was sparked when Develop confirmed that developers had been briefed about such a service, going back as far as March of this year. One source told Develop that Sony was providing info and documentation on the proposed service during closed-door meetings at GDC, however, Sony has still not made any official statement confirming or denying PSP-based game rentals.
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On the music front, CNET News first broke the story that music industry insiders claim that Sony has been speaking with a number of the major record publishers about providing music for the PSP through the PlayStation Network. Supposedly no deals have been struck yet, but already analysts are predicting that such a move could put the handheld in direct competition with devices like the iPhone.
"This makes total sense that Sony would try to get content for the device," said Michael Pachter, a Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst. "If Sony is smart, they would manage it the same way iTunes has and be device-agnostic. Whatever you get on a Sony site should play on an iPod as well.
As for the potential addition of game rentals, the rumor of the rental service started when Joystiq published a consumer questionnaire that had been sent to PSP owners for the purpose of gauging interest in concepts like subscription options and a games-on-demand service. According to the survey's forward notes, "the service will enable you to download a fixed number of games during your subscription period," adding that by launch time "there will be an extensive catalogue of games to chose from, with more titles added each month."
Additional fuel for the rental fire was sparked when Develop confirmed that developers had been briefed about such a service, going back as far as March of this year. One source told Develop that Sony was providing info and documentation on the proposed service during closed-door meetings at GDC, however, Sony has still not made any official statement confirming or denying PSP-based game rentals.
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