In a presentation further explaining Sony's Transformation 60 restructuring plan, Sony Computer Entertainment president Ken Kutaragi showed one of Sony's first concept models for the PSP, its upcoming handheld game system. While the model isn't intended to represent the final product, it does show Sony's design ideas moving in some interesting directions.
Most conceptions of the PSP have envisioned a clamshell design like that of the Game Boy Advance SP, but this concept obviously favors a simpler, one-piece, horizontally arranged design. The Universal Media Disc loads into the back, and there's a loop for a handy carrying strap in one corner.
The perfectly smooth face certainly looks sharp, although it raises questions about the ergonomics of the directional control. It looks as if it would be pretty easy to slip your thumb off the smooth surface and hit the power button underneath it. This concept also seems to be missing the analog stick that Sony confirmed would be part of the unit earlier this year, unless there's some sort of pop-up analog controller on the left side.
This image provides more food for thought than facts upon which to base hard conclusions, however. We look forward to learning more odds and ends about the device leading up to its planned unveiling at next year's E3 exhibition.
From: 1UP.com
Cool stuff.