Rumor Mill: The PSP 2 Has Touch Screen and Two Cameras

Even Sony has admitted that it is disappointed with the sales of the PlayStation Portable during last year and it seems that the Go version, which has no UMD media drive and no removable battery, has not managed to raise the interest of those looking for ways to play videogames while on the move. And rumors have surfaced that in June, at the Sony press conference at E3, Sony is ready to allow the world a first look at the PlayStation Portable 2.

British sources within the videogames industry have been talking to VG247 about the features associated with the PSP 2. It seems that Sony is taking some clues from Nintendo and its XL version of the DS handheld, with two cameras added to the new platform, one on each face of it, allowing the user to take photos of himself and of the world around him. There's also a touch screen which allows for input using a stylus or the fingers, but the console is also keeping its buttons for those users who have become used to them and do not plan to make a transition to a touch interface.

There are also indications that the new PlayStation Portable will be getting its content via digital distribution, with no physical media used, and that it will also support 3G protocols, in addition to the Wi-Fi that is already included in the Go. The processor powering the PSP 2 is likely to be a four core Cell unit, which is derived from the hardware that is also at the heart of the PlayStation 3. The launch window seems to be set for early 2011, with a reveal coming either at E3 or at the Tokyo Games Show.

Sony is not commenting on the rumors, but it seems pretty clear that it needs an answer to the failing fortunes of the current PSP. The only question is when we hear something official about it.