The story broke when one of Sony's infamous questionnaires breached the topic of a subscription download service, and now another report from develop supports that "Sony was informing various studios of the new rental service at GDC [Game Developers Conference]...providing info and documents in closed-door meetings."

A subscription plan on the PSP just sounds doomed for failure (though the $50 yearly price is about the same as Xbox Live), as no one wants to be locked in to monthly contracts for a single (portable even!) system that has a mediocre selection of games to begin with. Then again, if the price is right and the selection is expansive...well, we'll be interested to hear what Sony eventually rolls out. [Kotaku and develop via Electronista]

You can learn more-or-less all there is to know about the new text chat feature from the short video below; it's not an overly complicated system, and there aren't that many ways to use it. Basically, you can chat, either one-on-one or in a group of up to 15, through the same single window. The chats run in the background, which is to say they can be used in-game, so PS3 owners can finally perform what have become the three holy sacraments of multiplayer gaming: strategizing, taunting one another and hurling nonsensical racial slurs in no specific direction. It's no voice chat, but could be workable with a keypad attachment or wired keyboard.

It's generous to call the new video portability an additional feature; more accurately, we've seen a pointless prohibition lifted. Now your PS Store videos, whether purchased for the PSP or PS3, can be stored on an external HDD for later viewing, which is especially useful if you've got the wimpy 20GB model. The update should be available now—let us know how it works in the comments. [PS3 Blog—Thanks, Joel!]

Comic books are not a completely new medium to reach the PSP platform, with the Metal Gear franchise already releasing some incredible quasi-motion graphic novels on the handheld. But the video's promise of "the world's largest comic book store" coupled with a pretty solid navigational interface has our interest piqued for certain. [Joystiq]

Here's what Sony's head of US marketing told MTV Multiplayer:

In general there's a lot of discussion about [publishers'] back catalogs that will finally find its way to PlayStation Network in the back half of this year.

PSOne is included, but everything is on the table…We look for some of those big hits from all of the past games in their history and look for ways we can bring them over. It's not always easy. There's obviously technical areas that need to be bridged. But when those are solved, consumers will see a wide variety of retro games and brand new games coming to PSN.

These claims are probably intentionally vague, but send promising signals: Sony was never going to leave the homebrewers be, but opening a legit door to emulated, Non PSOne games would do just fine. Shame that they're still locked in competition with the provider of a lot of the most coveted vintage games, but maybe the Playstation Store can become the yin to the Virtual Console's yang, assuming that handheld vintage gaming exists as some kind of giant, twee Chinese symbol (NOTE: it does not). [MTV Multiplayer]

New Media Manager for the PSP System

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) released a new Media Manager for the PSP System today. Designed to accommodate the expanding functionality of PlayStation®Portable (PSP), the Media Manager grants access to the PlayStation®Store through the PC, easing the process of browsing, purchasing, and downloading of games, movies and television shows. The Media Manager also allows for organizing and syncing your music, photos and other digital content for PSP.

“The latest firmware update for the PSP provides today’s entertainment enthusiasts with a truly mobile entertainment device by enabling the downloading of content on the go,” said Susan Panico, senior director of PlayStation®Network, SCEA. “Because of the enhanced functionality, we felt it was necessary to expand the role of the PC application by giving users a means to further acquire and organize content for their PSP in a way that is intuitive and familiar.”

With the recent PSP firmware update (v. 5.01), PlayStation added direct access to PlayStation®Store on PSP, enabling consumers to browse the store and download games whenever they’re at a Wi-Fi hotspot. With the launch of the new Media Manager for PSP, the current URL http://store.playstation.com will re-direct visitors to the new home page.

Users of the legacy Media Manager will be able to update their software to incorporate the new features including access to the PlayStation®Store. Consumers who own the retail version of Media Manager (v2.5) will be able to upgrade to the online Media Manager PRO (v3.0) for free.

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today announced that the next system software update for PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) system, slated for release next week, will add DTS-HD Master Audio™ and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, enabling consumers to enjoy Blu-ray movies with studio-quality, high-definition audio. The technologies, from DTS, Inc. (NASDAQ: DTSI), provide PS3 users with the complete high-definition Blu-ray movie experience, matching the format's crisp visuals with rich, lifelike sound. In addition to the new audio capabilities, the free system software update (v. 2.30) will allow PS3 owners to access the revamped PLAYSTATION®Store, as previously announced.

DTS-HD Master Audio brings Blu-ray movies on PS3 to life, delivering everything from explosive sound effects to intricate orchestral scores with pure, high-quality audio that is bit-for-bit identical to the original studio master. DTS-HD Master Audio has the capacity to deliver audio at the incredibly high variable rate of 24.5 mega-bits per second (Mbps) on Blu-ray disc, a rate significantly higher than standard DVDs. DTS-HD Master Audio also offers 7.1 audio channels at 96k sampling frequency/24 bit depths. More than 100 Blu-ray movies and concert videos featuring premium DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks are available.

Additionally, the DTS-HD High Resolution Audio codec allows content creators to deliver uncompromised, high-definition audio on Blu-ray, while requiring less disc space than DTS-HD Master Audio. DTS-HD High Resolution Audio streams audio at a high constant bit rate of 6.0 Mbps on Blu-ray discs, and is also capable of up to 7.1 audio channels at 96k sampling frequency/24 bit depth resolution, thereby producing outstanding sound quality.

Beyond enhancing PS3's audio capabilities, installing the latest system software update will also enable users to seamlessly access the new, more dynamic interface and enhanced navigation of the PLAYSTATION Store. As part of a revamp, the PLAYSTATION Store will transition from an integrated online storefront to an application living natively on PS3, enabling customers to more easily and quickly locate and purchase games, and download demos, game videos, Blu-ray movie trailers and other game-related content for PS3.

The upgrade also contains new PlayStation store functionality—Japan preview shots in gallery, plus SCEA's details after the jump.

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today announced that the next system software update for PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) system, slated for release next week, will add DTS-HD Master Audio™ and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, enabling consumers to enjoy Blu-ray movies with studio-quality, high-definition audio. The technologies, from DTS, Inc. (NASDAQ: DTSI), provide PS3 users with the complete high-definition Blu-ray movie experience, matching the format's crisp visuals with rich, lifelike sound. In addition to the new audio capabilities, the free system software update (v. 2.30) will allow PS3 owners to access the revamped PLAYSTATION®Store, as previously announced.

DTS-HD Master Audio brings Blu-ray movies on PS3 to life, delivering everything from explosive sound effects to intricate orchestral scores with pure, high-quality audio that is bit-for-bit identical to the original studio master. DTS-HD Master Audio has the capacity to deliver audio at the incredibly high variable rate of 24.5 mega-bits per second (Mbps) on Blu-ray disc, a rate significantly higher than standard DVDs. DTS-HD Master Audio also offers 7.1 audio channels at 96k sampling frequency/24 bit depths. More than 100 Blu-ray movies and concert videos featuring premium DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks are available.

Additionally, the DTS-HD High Resolution Audio codec allows content creators to deliver uncompromised, high-definition audio on Blu-ray, while requiring less disc space than DTS-HD Master Audio. DTS-HD High Resolution Audio streams audio at a high constant bit rate of 6.0 Mbps on Blu-ray discs, and is also capable of up to 7.1 audio channels at 96k sampling frequency/24 bit depth resolution, thereby producing outstanding sound quality.

Beyond enhancing PS3's audio capabilities, installing the latest system software update will also enable users to seamlessly access the new, more dynamic interface and enhanced navigation of the PLAYSTATION Store. As part of a revamp, the PLAYSTATION Store will transition from an integrated online storefront to an application living natively on PS3, enabling customers to more easily and quickly locate and purchase games, and download demos, game videos, Blu-ray movie trailers and other game-related content for PS3.

Besides getting small games in the same arena as PS3's flow onto the PSP (not going to happen right now, but may come in the future), Eric also says it's a way to distribute PSOne titles without the PS3.

Looking in the future, stuff like iTunes-esque syncing of content when your PSP is docked is a possibility, more UMD titles available and lack of support for PSOne titles that use dual analog controls (because the PSP doesn't support it). Other than that, there's not much really fantastic stuff unless you count some handwaving about future Mac support, but head on over if you're really interested in downloading titles to your PSP via your PC. [MTV]

SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT AMERICA UNVEILS PLAYSTATION(r)STORE FOR THE PC, EXPANDING PLAYSTATION(r)NETWORK ONLINE ENTERTAINMENT TO PSP(r) (PLAYSTATION(r)PORTABLE) USERS PLAYSTATION(r)Store for the PC Marks Evolutionary Step in PLAYSTATION(r)Network, Providing Access for PSP Users Via the Internet

FOSTER CITY, Calif., Nov. 20, 2007 - Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today unveiled PLAYSTATION(r)Store for the PC in North America, enabling PSP(r) (PlayStation(r)Portable) users to access PLAYSTATION(r)Network games, video content and services over the Internet through a personal computer at http://store.playstation.com. This new free service allows users to establish a PLAYSTATION Network
account, download free content or purchase content directly from the PLAYSTATION Store for the PC to their PSP without the use of PLAYSTATION(r)3 (PS3(tm)).

Through the PLAYSTATION Store for the PC, PSP users can now download classic PlayStation(r) game titles as well as all-new PSP titles only available from the PLAYSTATION Store. Available immediately, full-game
downloadable content exclusively available on PLAYSTATION Store for the PC include titles such as Syphon Filter(r): Combat Ops. Users can also download existing PSP games such as Gangs of London(tm) and WipEout(r)
Pure, as well PS one(r) classic titles including favorites such as JetMoto(r) and Crash Bandicoot(r). In addition, trailers for forthcoming titles, add-on game items, promotional videos and themes for PSP that allow users to customize their PSP menu color, background and icons of XMB(tm)(XrossMediaBar) will be available through the
PLAYSTATION Store for the PC.

Through PLAYSTATION Store for the PC web site, PSP users will be able to establish and use their PLAYSTATION Network accounts and "virtual wallets" for PLAYSTATION Network, providing a seamless online commerce
experience on both PS3 and the PC. In addition, users who already have a PLAYSTATION Network account can use their existing username and password to log in to the PLATSTATION Store for the PC.

"The library of innovative, downloadable games, videos and entertainment content available through the PLAYSTATION Store provides a new way for PSP owners to get content and demonstrates the continued evolution of PLAYSTATION Network," said Peter Dille, senior vice-president, marketing and PLAYSTATION Network, SCEA. "PLAYSTATION Store for the PC will give the millions of PSP users who do not yet own a PS3 access to PLAYSTATION Network, and enhance the online entertainment experience for users who own both a PSP and PS3 whether they are at home or on the road."

Exclusive PLAYSTATION Store tiles for PSP Check out the exclusive PSP games from the PLAYSTATION Store including Syphon Filter: Combat Ops (US$9.99), the latest addition to the Syphon Filter(r) franchise.

Play PSP UMD games
Play some of your favorite PSP games without the UMD(tm) (Universal Media Disc), exclusively available from the PLAYSTATION Store, including WipEout Pure, an adrenaline-filled racing action game, and Gangs of London, part of the hit franchise The Getaway.

Classic PS one games for PSP
Now you can bring your favorite PS one games, from the original Crash Bandicoot(r) to Hot Shots Golf(r) 2, on your PSP by simply downloading them directly to your PSP from PLAYSTATION Store. It has never been easier than now to play your favorite games across all PlayStation platforms.

Download free PSP playable demos and trailers
Download the latest PSP demos from PLAYSTATION Store for the PC including the anti-terrorist thriller, Syphon Filter(r): Logan's Shadow, and SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Tactical Strike, the latest addition to the
popular SOCOM gaming franchise. At no cost, you can check out the latest PSP games today before you decide to buy them tomorrow. Check out exclusive previews of upcoming games for PSP including game trailers for
exclusive PLAYSTATION Store titles such as Beats, an enthralling rhythm action game based on the PSP owner's music collection.

The overall layout of the store is straightforward, presented with tabs and a download list. The thing is, there's no way (that we could find) to consistently add stuff to the download list. There's only a "download" option and not a "queue" option, and when you're downloading, the only thing you can do is press circle for cancel. Sometimes this adds your download to the "Download List", sometimes not. And once it's on the list, you're still limited to downloading one item at a time. So we're going to say there's no queue at the moment. – Jason Chen

Previous PS3 Coverage [Gizmodo]