The video iPod has met its match. Sony has just launched what sounds like the video version of iTunes for the PSP. It’s the first phase of a brand spanking new service called Portable TV, which provides Japanese consumers with downloadable video content — starting with free stuff like trailers and indie flicks for now, but will move on to paid-for content later. Paid content will include TV episodes, music videos, even movies.
This service goes hand-in-hand with the new PSP 2.0 firmware upgrade that allows for the playback of high quality H.264 video. The upgrade’s inclusion of a web browser also allows users to browse the Portable TV site through their PSPs. Word is that each download will be around 256 MB per 30 minute segment.
We’re fervently hoping that this service will expand beyond Japan and make its way to the US, so that we can someday walk around with the entire season of The Simpsons in our pockets. It may be a pipe dream, what with all the crazy red tape that they’ll have to go through, but we can dream, can’t we?
PSP video download service launches in Japan [GamesIndustry via First Adopter]
