Released in U.S.A on March 23 2005 but play station portable was available before it and it was the Japanese version which was released in Dec 2004. I bought it a couple days ago and have been hooked onto it from then onwards .
Went to Palika bazaar in delhi and found that shops were flooded with Xbox, PS2 ans PSP. All were giving it at nearly same price and I got it for Rs 13500.
The value pack was given to me which includes memory stick duo , remote control , headphones , hand strip, and a case and one game was given to me (Twisted Metal Head - ON). On reaching home I opened it instantly and started it (5v sony adapter is given and a Li-ion battery which can last upto 7 hrs.)
I pushed the power button and it started , I looked at various options given , there was music, photo , video and game. I inserted the UMD disc of the game and it started . The processor is fast and loads the game in about 7 sec or so . You can save any game data on the MS , if the battery goes out in the middle of the game , it will start from that point only after you recharge it . The LCD screen is bright and gives sharp pictures . Speakers are good and sometimes I connect it to my external speakers to listen music . Buttons are ergonomically placed but I don’t know why a joystick has been provided since I don’t found much use of it. The quality of the headphones is also good and Sony has delivered a very good product but it slightly at a higher price .
Recently I updated the software version . Version 1.5 was released for PSP America but works fine for Japan model too .
Various system settings, phot and video setting are also given .
If Sony just had provided a little 4gb or 8gb of hard dick it could very well tackle the IPOD.