Sony PSP and Mylo

I recently received a new Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) gaming console. To actually use the PSP, I first had to spend about $100 on a memory stick PRO Duo. I then forked out another $75 on two games: Cars and HotShots Golf. For a handheld device, the audio and graphics quality on the PSP is awesome. The two games are not bad - for my kids.

After the gaming novelty worn off, I tried to browse the web using the PSP. The PSP comes with native 802.11 WiFi support for internet access. The biggest drawback of using the PSP for browsing the web is the lack of a keyboard like the one on the new Sony Mylo or a more usable text entry method like T9 on a typical mobile phone. The browser on the Sony PSP is quite good but the version I have can not support the Macromedia FLASH plug-in. The implication is that many of the FLASH-based online games are not usable on the PSP device. If the Sony Mylo is anything like the PSP, then it will have the same problem.

The PSP can play music, view photos, play videos, and of course games. The new Sony Mylo supposedly can do all that plus Yahoo and GoogleTalk Instant Messenger, and Skype. But the Mylo is not a gaming device, and with PSP prices dropping, users are paying a pretty high price premium for a dedicated device that supports IM chat and Skype.