Sony Reveals PSP Translation Software

Officials from Sony have revealed a number of new details about the PlayStation Portable (PSP), specifying that sixteen people will be able to connect together using the console’s wireless LAN in ad hoc mode (i.e. without the need for a central hub device). It was also confirmed that the PSP will be able to connect to the PlayStation 2 (and presumably the PlayStation 3) through its USB port. Also of interest was a new translation program for the PSP called Talkman. Sounding superficially similar to the communication system in Phantasy Star Online, the program will be able to translate nine different languages with voice output. However, it is not clear whether the incoming languages will have to be in text form or whether the software can actually handle spoken words. The company also made a slightly disingenuous announcement about the number of publishers for the format increasing from 34 to 59 in Japan. In practice most of the new companies are merely Japanese subsidiaries of Western companies that have already signed up to the format, such as Atari Japan and Eidos K.K. Source: gamesindustry.biz