Sony may be changing some of the technical specs for its next portable console in order to compete with Nintendo"s new 3DS device. IndustryGamers.com states that a French language web site named 01net reports via unnamed sources that Sony"s NGP console could have its RAM amounts cut down by half. The report says the base model will have the RAM amount cut down from 512MB to 256MB. In addition, the site reports that the base model, which won"t have 3G wireless connections, also won"t have any internal flash memory. Instead the NGP base model will have an external memory set up, according to the reports.
Sony first announced its plans to launch the NGP (Next Generation Portable) console in January 2011. The first true successor to Sony"s Playstation Portable (PSP) console, the company announced at the time that the NGP will be released sometime before the end of 2011. In addition to the game console features such as dual analog sticks, the NGP will have a number of smartphone-like features such as a five inch multitouch screen, a front and rear camera set up and support for both 3G and WiFi wireless connections. NGP game titles will be provided via Flash-based memory cards. It will also have access to the Playstation Network and will also be able to play PSP games, Playstation 1 titles and more.
At this time, Sony has yet to reveal a pricing model for the NGP (the final name for the console is expected to be different). More info should be revealed at E3 2011 in less than two weeks.