Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today announced the launch of Skype™ on PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, enabling PSP-2000 owners to make free calls over the Internet to anyone using Skype anywhere in the world, as well as call and receive calls from any landline or mobile phone for a small fee. This new functionality – available through a free system software upgrade (ver. 3.90) released today – connects the PSP-2000 user base with the more than 276 million registered Skype users around the world.

The new slimmer and lighter PSP system can now be used as a social communications device, whether you want to call a buddy before playing SOCOM together or just want to stay connected with your friends and family when you’re on the go. The addition of Skype expands PSP’s broad set of entertainment capabilities and demonstrates how SCEA continues to add innovative services that benefit PSP owners.

How it works

·         Download and install the 3.90 firmware upgrade to the PSP-2000 system.

·         Connect the PSP system to the Internet at a Wi-Fi hotspot*.

·         Attach a PSP Headset ($19.99 MSRP) and the Remote Control from the PSP-2000 Headphones ($29.99), and insert a Memory Stick Duo to save the Skype software.

·         Access the Skype/Sign In icon within the Network category of the XMB menu. First-time Skype users need to create a free account, while existing Skype users can simply enter their username/password.

·         To make a call, either access the Contacts icon and click on a name or scroll to the Dial icon.

Communicating with non-Skype numbers

While calling other Skype users is free, PSP owners can also purchase Skype Credit to make SkypeOut calls to landline and mobile phone numbers around the world. Skype Credit can be bought online at http://skype.com, accessible on your PSP system or a computer.

There are two ways to pay for SkypeOut:

·         Pay As You Go: Place a pre-paid amount of Skype Credit in your account and then refill it as you need it. It’s just 2.1 cents per minute to Skype’s 30 most popular destinations around the world.

·         Pay Monthly: Sign up for the Skype Pro premium subscription for just $3.00/month. This gives you free calling to landlines and mobile phones within the U.S. and Canada (with no connection fee**); a discounted rate for a personal online number (SkypeIn) to receive calls; voicemail; and other features, such as the ability to pay nothing per minute for local calls when travelling to 29 other countries (connection fee** applies).

You can also purchase a personal online number so you can receive calls wherever you are in the world with a subscription to SkypeIn for $60.00/year or $18.00/three months (save $36 on this feature with a Skype Pro subscription).

When using Skype, PSP owners can also view and modify their Skype settings and account details (including username creation, SkypeOut settings, voicemail settings and call forwarding), manage their contact list, and see which friends are online and available to talk.

Further details and instructions on how to update the PSP system software are available at http://www.us.playstation.com/PSP/About/SystemUpdate.

*User responsible for Wi-Fi fees.

**Details about Skype’s connection fees are available at http://www.skype.com/prices/callrates/connectionfee.