In a few months Sony Corp. hopes to reconnect with the hearts of consumers worldwide with the release of the Sony PSP - a new portable gaming device with video and audio playback capabilities. The PSP also features Wifi capabilities and a USB 2.0 interface for connection to your PC. With rave reviews since the Japanese launch on December 12, 2004. and a price tag of just $199 the Sony PSP is expected to sell millions of units worldwide once stock permits. Sony recently issued a statement in Japan thanking consumers for the support and apologized for the PSP shortages, which probably only increased demand. The PSP is expected to help Sony regain some of the dominance it once had in the portable media player market, where the iPod has become the audio player of choice. If there is one feature on the PSP that could cause a few frowns -- it's that the player only supports Sony's 60mm, 1.8 gig UMD (Universal Media Disc) -- for video playback that does not come on a UMD disc you can purchase converter software to change file to MPEG-4. Like with the iPod which has spawned a market around the player, the Sony PSP could have the same effect and the UMD format would be a small issue once companies embrace the format.

Great Start to 2005. Best for 2005.

- The Sony PSP is available at Play-Asia for $499 - i4u