As some of you remember, not long ago, there was a rumor about this. Well, Sony has officially announced that Skype for PSP will come out in a future firmware update. Unfortunately, there's a strange restriction on it. It will only work on the new slim PSP's (PSP-2000). Sony hasn't announced why this restriction is in place. It may be a hardware thing, it may be that the old PSP isn't powerful enough for it, or it may just be that they want to promote sales of the newer, slimmer, PSP.

As if we didn't already know, Sony just spit out a press release announcing the availability of Skype on PSP courtesy of a firmware update due later this month. After the update, a Skype icon will be available under the Network menu, allowing users to create a new account or login with their existing one. Otherwise, it's Skype as usual: free calls between Skype users; SkypeOut to make calls to regular old phones; SkypeIn to receive calls on your PSP (just don't answer the phone in front of a potential mate). There is one notable caveat however: Skype will only work on the PSP-2000 (ie: PSP Slim, PSP Lite, PSP Petite). We're not sure if there's a hardware limitation preventing the original PSP from using the service but our best guess is that whatever microphone attachment is released may not be compatible with the older model. Also, no word if Skype functionality will be enabled in-game. More as we hear it, folks.

Guticb via engadget.com »