Unrecognized memory card seems to be a common problem for PSP owners. If this problem occurs, your PSP won’t recognize your Pro Duo card (it says that no memory card inserted). Sometimes, you can’t even read the card using your computer’s card reader. As a PSP owner, I’ve also experienced this problem for a couple of times. At first, I thought the card was broken so I just throw it out and buy a new one. This new card works, but only for days. I then tried to read the card using my laptop, saved the data, and formatted it. It worked, but again, only for a few days before the PSP unrecognized the card.

Most people on internet suggested that the card might be fake. But the same thing happened when I used the original card from the PSP package, so I’m sure the problem is from the PSP itself, not from the card. There are many alternative solutions on the web, but almost all of them didn’t work for me.

Except one.

Yes, this simple method solves my PSP vs memory card problem… whenever it happened.

What I do is simply connect my PSP to my computer using USB connection. Once it appears on Windows Explorer, I right click on the drive and choose Safely Remove Hardware. Finally, I turn off the PSP, restart it, and voila, the card is now recognizable again.

With this solution, there’s no need to format the card and lose those hours of playing experiences. Nice, isn’t it?

These two latest generation handheld consoles finally evolved (again), bringing the console war between Sony and Nintendo to a new beginning. Sony’s weapon, PSP-3000, now features an anti-glare screen for non-stop daylight outdoor gaming experience, WiFI connectivity, USB 2.0 interface, 3.5mm audio and analogue video output, up to five hours of battery life, and built-in microphone; while Nintendo’s little boy, DSi, proudly boasts a wider 3.25-inch touchscreen display (its predecessor has 3-inch display), WiFI connectivity, SD card slot, up to six hours of battery life, and built-in 0.3MP digital camera. So, who’ll be the sole winner?

While I own both devices — the original though (PSP Fat and NDS) — I think there is NO real winner here. On the specs department, PSP 3000 surely beats DSi with its better display, faster processor, and a load of features. But Nintendo DSi does come with touchscreen display and stylus approach that delivers a whole new level of gaming. Most hardcore gamers would buy PSP with no question asked, but the others, who love to play game for fun would definitely enjoy DSi. So in the end, it depends on what kind of gamer are you and what do you expect from a handheld console.

As for me, if I have to buy any of these two gaming consoles, I’d choose Nintendo DSi over PSP 3000. Many new great games are coming to DSi lately (ChronoTrigger anyone?) and I surely don’t want to miss them.

You can buy Sony PSP-3000 for $169.99 (Core Black edition) from Amazon (or the original PSP Fat at BuyPSP.Net) and Nintendo DSi for $279.95 (white-colored Japan version) also from Amazon.

Rejoice PSP and Playstation 3 owners, the new firmwares for your lovely gaming consoles are now available. The latest firmware for PSP, version 5.00, features support for Playstation Network that allows users to access the Playstation Store and download content directly to their PSP, a sleep timer function, full screen keyboard, and new XMB background design. As for the new PS3 v2.50 firmware, it comes with the ability to take a screenshot during a game (cool!), enhanced voice chat, and several power saving options, as well as a video scene search function (like on PSP) and SOCOM Bluetooth headset support.

Both PSP and PS3 firmware can be downloaded from Playstation’s official website. Not a happy owner of PSP or Playstation 3? Quick, put them on your Christmas list and when the time comes, get them from here or here.

A nice limited edition of Sony PSP has emerged — the Stella Artois PSP. The gorgeous Stella Artois-themed portable gaming console is only available for Fosters employess — who are currently brewing Stella Artois for Australia — and only 50 of them could get the PSP which features a custom velvet drawstring bag with a hand-stitched Stella logo that match the Stella logo on the back of the PSP itself. Moreover, when they boot up the PSP, they will be greeted with a Stella Artois films as well as special artwork and a Stella Artois logo right smack on the home screen. Wonderful, isn’t it?

Anyway, I don’t really care about this Stella Artois PSP. All that makes me drool is the upcoming Sony PSP-3000 model. Can’t wait ’til I get my hand on it.

Sony recently updated its line-up of PSP (Playstation Portable) with the new J-20003 series featuring a metallic blue case. Price for the original PSP Metallic Blue pack is set at €146 (about $230), while the extended PSP Metallic Blue-1Seg pack, which include a 1Seg Tuner and a 1GB memory stick, is retailed for €185 (about $291).

In addition, Sony is also going to release a new color for the good old Playstation 2. Red is the flavour, and €100 is the price.

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Photofast showcased two new products for PSP during Computex Taipei 2008. The first one is a Dual Slot Adaptor CR-5400. It can take microSD / microSDHC card and convert it into Memory Stick Pro Duo. Up to 16GB of memory is supported by this adaptor. The second product is the CR-3100. This one provides up to 32GB of storage for your PSP by combining up to 4 SHDC memory cards. Wow! Now there’s no more “out of storage” excuse for keeping all your media files on your PSP.

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Not something new, but Sony decides to show off the latest add-on for PSP, a GPS module, at CES 2008. It brings both 2D and 3D maps on your hand, as well as one more reason to carry PSP along on your travel. Not sure which maps are preloaded, but it surely packs with thousand of POIs (Points of Interests). You can also download additional city maps / guides and avoid getting lost on unknown city.

ConsoleShop retails PSP GPS module for $74.95 (approx. €65.21)

The Self-Recharging Solar Battery USB Charger for PSP, priced at just $28.76, is a must-have peripheral if you own a PSP. It will boost the juice on your little portable gaming console and keep you in the game. As long as the sun is shining of course. Oh, incase you really want to know, this thing measures 6.46 x 2.76 x 0.79-inches and weighs 9.81 oz.

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Sony showcases the new PSP during TGS 2007 event. This portable gaming console is slighter and slimmer than its predecessor. It also comes with a handy PSP on TV” function that allows you to play the game or watch multimedia contents inside PSP on a bigger TV screen, as well as watch your favourite TV programme on PSP. You can see the demonstraton video right after the jump.

The new PSP will be retailed with a suggested price of 178,000 (KRW). There’ll be three different colors during its launch (piano black, ceramic white, and ice silver), follows by three additional flavours (rose pink, lavender purple, and Felicia blue) in October.

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Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) Korea unleashed the new version of PSP (Playstation Portable). No, it’s not the next generation of this popular portable gaming console. It’s just an upgrade of the original version featuring 19% slimmer and 33% lighter body. Other specs are the same as the original one.

The brand-new Sony PSP will be retailed with a suggested price of 178,000 (KRW). Currently, there are 3 different flavours are available: piano black, ceramic white, and ice silver. You can expect to see three additional colors (rose pink, lavender purple, and Felicia blue) in October.

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