Sony PSP Users Get HotSpot Access

The latest firmware update for the Sony PlayStation Portable has added functionality that would allow users of the device to access wireless Internet at any T-Mobile HotSpot location.

Each PSP user would receive six months of free Wi-Fi at those locations following the first date of login. Following the promotional period, users would be offered a special rate for access via the device.

T-Mobile operates more than 7,000 locations, including at Starbucks, Border's, Hyatt Hotels, and 70 major airports. In order for a customer to take advantage of the promotion, they would have to make their first login by March 28, 2008.

"More and more PSP users are going online to challenge each other in multi-player games, and we can now make it more convenient to access online gaming as well as the Internet, showcasing the rich feature set that PSP has to offer," SCEA marketing head Peter Dille said.

Sony says online gaming would work at HotSpot locations along with the multimedia features of the device.

In addition to the new HotSpot functionality, two other upgrades will be provided as part of the firmware release, version 3.30. PSP users would now be able to view videos stored on Memory Stick Duos in full resolution (720x480), as well as display thumbnails for RSS and video content, the company said.