Its funny but at the same time that PSP2 sounds awesome, it makes me develop a different kind of appreciation for the direction Nintendo took with the 3DS. They realize that first and foremost they are strictly a video game company and as such chose to focus on bringing something to the table that does one thing and does it well enough to set it apart from other devices that might do it as a side thought.
Well there in lies the difference with Nintendo. They, unlike Sony & Microsoft, are solely a video game company and really have no interest in expanding further beyond that. This is both their greatest strength as well as their greatest weakness. The upside of this is that because their systems are for the most part solely gaming devices, not only can they charge less but they can also focus more on gaming innovation than trying to make it "do everything." The downside of this is that when a certain system stops selling as well as they'd like, they put out a slightly better one or one with different colors and we pretty much go along with it. They also, in this regard, tend to neglect the other things that a huge chunk of gamers like nowadays, like better online support and such. With that said, I think we are looking at a new Wii announcement either this E3 or next E3 or sometime sooner than that.
Here's the thing with the PSP2, as I see it. Like STM said, they are most likely trying to compete with Apple's iPhone/iPod Touch. The problem with this is the same problem that the PS Move & Kinect might have competing with the Wii. It's trying to compete with a market in which one company already has an absolute monopoly on. Now, this isn't to say that the PSP2 is doomed to failure. Far from it. The techie crowd will support it and the Sony PSP fans have been looking forward to this thing for a long time now. Honestly, I see the thing as a "long term investment" for the Sony PSP brand, much like the PS3 is Sony's "long term investment" for their Playstation brand. In all fairness to Sony, the PSP2 is a step in the right direction for the most part. It's where the system needs to go, and it's what the PSPGo! should have been. The PSP brand will most likely never capture the handheld gaming market like Nintendo, nor will it capture the handheld mutli-tasking device market like the iPod Touch/iPhone. But there's no shame in being second, as well as offering things that both Nintendo & Apple cannot offer in either field. There is still profit to definitely be made here. Here's what I would do.
If I were Sony, I would fully try to market the PSP2 as "the gamers Multimedia device."
-First and foremost, the most important thing they can and should do is make the "mobile connection" thing an optional cost. Do not, repeat, DO NOT charge people extra to connect to cell phone networks (if that's what the thing can do) as well as force as monthly data plan on people, because the device is definitely screwed if they do that. Even the fuckin' iPad gives people that option, because Apple's not stupid enough to not give people that option. To be honest, making it have the capability of a phone makes sense, and ultimately there's no reason not to. But you have to give people options. With the ever growing market of data phones, it'd be negligent for them not to do this, especially when Sony is already in the phone market as it is and the PSP has the capabilities to do this anyway. Plus, you have the added benefit of the Camera & Mic for both Skype and that whole Face Chat thing that the iPhone does, as well as the already decent PS3 Bluetooth headset. But please please please, make this optional.
-Second and Dos'most, the difference between a PSP2 & and iPhone/iPod Touch should be that the PSP2 is a gaming device first, and "extra [parasitic bomb]" device second. From the looks of it, this will be a quality gaming device and offer a connectivity between the PS3 & PSP2 that makes a lot of sense, and one that I think is good for people that own both systems. With the power of each system, it could truly be a remarkable and innovative thing. However, with the beautiful OLED touch screen & possible use of the back touch pad, it has the potential to also be a powerful multimedia device, one that can show movies without the insane idea of having people pay DVD prices for UMD's, as well as a decent MP3 player as well, as well as a device that can check your E-Mail, Tweets, etc. Like with your PS3, market it as a "It Can Do Everything" device, but just remember that it's still for gamers. You are NOT getting the Angry Birds gaming crowd with the PSP2, so do not try to.
-Third and Treize Khushrenadamost, at E3, do not try to compare or compete with Nintendo or Apple. If anything, do your best to create your own niche fanbase for the thing. Thus far, the responses to the PSP2 announcement have been positive. You listened and gave people 2 Analog sticks. You added a touch screen, and brought something new to the table with the back touch pad. The OLED screen is beautiful. The device looks snazzy. You've shown that games can really look good on it. Try your best to build on that and do not target the iPhone or 3DS, nor their customers. You're not getting them. If you do your best not to embarrass yourselves at E3, the gaming public you are marketing this for and the crowds you are hoping to get will respect you more and more likely jump on board. It's simple business logic; when you respect your customers, they will be willing to pay more for something.
-Fourth and $most, be gentle with the price. A reaaaaaaaaally high price point will definitely scare away early adopters, much like the PS3 debacle did. I'd guestimate the majority of gamers are expecting it to be at least $300. Absolutely try your best to charge exactly that or less. Hell, if you can get away with $275, do it. Even though it's $15 less than $300, you can be assured that it still won't scare people as much as $300 or higher. If you market it exactly as I stated above, promoting everything it can do, giving people options and respecting your clients, $300 can seem like a bargain for the promise of the future of a true, true gaming multimedia handheld device. Plus, you'll also have 2nd phase adopters ready for the eventual price drop as well.
-Fifth & Crazymost, CUSTOMIZABLE NETNAVIS like in Megaman.EXE. That is all.
Wow that was long and fun.