A long time ago, rumors of a PSP2 being in the works emerged. Then, later on, word on the street was that a PSP phone would be developed. Today, we have confirmation for one of those rumors - The PSP phone. However, a new lighter PSP from Sony, exclusively dedicated to games, isn't out of the question either.

The patent application was dated May 31 2007, offering operability "for performing entertainment functions represented by gaming function," including a screen able to rotate 90 degrees "when a game is played thereby improving the operability of the keys," NextGeneration reports.

Great news, what can I say, I'm thrilled to hear about the possibilities of combining a gaming system's features with those of a cell phone's, but what bugs me is that Sony has totally forgotten to mention anything about that lighter PSP, or PSP2, or whatever they want to call it.

Not only did SCE UK managing director Ray Maguire confirm that the handheld is going to be lighter, but he also said the current PSP is a mere "first iteration." Of course, it has also been confirmed that changes occurring to the PSP system will not affect in any way the screen's size, as it is the handheld's most valuable feature. Rumors of an improved PSP had been around for months already, yet the 14th of March 2007 was the first time it had been officially confirmed by a company spokesman. However, Maguire didn't say anything other than a size and weight reduction to the system (such as a release date for it, or which development stages they'd completed).

So I guess we've missed our window of opportunity again, to find out more on what's cooking in Sony's labs. For all we know, they could have stalled the PSP 2 project. Sure, the PSP Phone is Sony Ericsson's, but it doesn't leave much room for the PSP 2 that's for sure.