Ultra Slim Guard Skin Advance for PSP

"Ultra Slim Guard Skin Advance". Now that is quite a long name isn't it? What it is really is a skin case for the Sony PSP Slim. This is one of my first cases for the PSP. For users who do not like the hard casings or the pouch alternatives, these skin cases can provide the protection your PSP needs.

The difference between this skin case and others that I have seen is that, this one is very slim in its profile, meaning that it is not thick. It has cutouts for all your buttons, jacks, UMD door, triggers. It's all there. They are aligned properly as well, and it does not interfere with the pressing of the buttons. However, because of its design, like all other skin cases, there is no protection for your screen, and there is a large opening for the UMD door access.

In conclusion, it is as good as the current lots of skin cases gets, but does not offfer suffcient protection by itself. When combined with a soft pouch for example, this could be an ideal solution.

PSP Video Converter

If you are familiar with your PSP, you will also realize that the PSP will not read just any video format. So if you have a nice video clip or two that you want to load into your PSP and watch them on the go, you will need to convert them into PSP mp4 format that it can understand.

One of the best free converters is the PSP Video 9 software.

"PSP Video 9 is a free PSP video conversion and management application. It can convert regular PC video files (avi, mpeg, etc) into PSP video files, as well as manage/copy these PSP video files between your PC and PSP."

I use it personally, and I find it easy to use, and gets the job done.

Capdase Luxury Hard Case Review

The Capdase Luxury Hard Case draws its concept from the Logitech Playgear Pocket Case. At first glance, it looks sleek with an aluminium top, and a rubberized bottom construction, and it feels light and rather thin, but still feels sturdy enough.

The aluminium top looks like it should stand up to some rough handling over time. The rubberized bottom is thinly coated and have some grip for your fingers too. However, because of this thinly coated rubber, it will wear off over time. So, if you accidetally scratch the bottom with your keys, it is going to leave a mark.



Opening up the case, you will find the top portion is padded and there is a provision for 2 memory sticks. Nice touch, but once again, I feel that the padding is a bit too thin as well. Running your fingers along the top padding, you can actually feel the contruction underneath it.

The bottom of the inner case is once again coated with thin rubber, and it does a good job holding your PSP snugly in place. Even the sides which clip on to your PSP is coated with rubber. This is good because you will not want your PSP scratched when removing it out of the case, and this does the job fine. Once the PSP is in place, it is secure, and will not fall off.

So like the Playgear Pocket, with the top cover fully closed, it protects the PSP almost 100% except for the provision for the earphone jacks, the memory stick access, the power button, and the right/left trigger controls.In comparison however, you will notice that this case is lighter and less bulky.

Turning the case to the back, you will notice that it has a door for you to access your UMD. It is of a plastic and rubbery feel once again, but not too flimsy. This door can connect to the front case when opened to form a stand for you to watch movies on your PSP as well. Neat design. The only flaw on this stand if any is that, you cannot adjust the angle, so you have to watch your movie in one fixed position, whether you like it or not.

If you are looking for maximum protection so that you can throw yor PSP against a wall and still find it in one piece, I will not recommend this case. However, if you are looking for a slim line sleek case that does not add much bulk to your PSP, and still survive accidental drops, this case is ideal.

Skype for PSP

If you have recently bought a Sony PSP-2000 slim series, chances are that you have the latest firmware, which already has skype installed on your PSP. So what do you need for your PSP to run Skype?

Before we go into that, bear in mind that Skype on your PSP is only for Skype calls, and not chat. For Skype to run, you will need a headset or earphone set with a mic, wifi connection and 1MB free on your memory stick. Now you see, the PSP does not come with an integrated mic, which they really should include for this generation of PSPs.

The headset with mic requirement is easy to accomplish, but you need a wifi connection for it to work. What this means is that, you must be near a wireless hotspot for Skype to work. So, if you are thinking about Skype calling while you are on a bus or taking the train, it is not going to work. It would be perfect if they can utilize the mobile networks as well, but it does not.

If you can accept this, then you are ready to start. All you need then is to create a Skype account if you don't already have one. You can sign up on your PSP even. Signing in to the Skype account on the PSP over a broadband connection takes about 10 secs. Once connected, the call quality is crystal clear, and on par with what you would get using a PC.

Logitech Playgear Pocket Review

Logitech - a name we have come to know that makes good mice, keyboards and webcams. It is then no surprise that they have attempted to bite a big chunk off in the gaming market. It is after all a lucrative market to begin with.

The Playgear Pocket is not exactly a revolutionary idea, but more evolutionary. Think of it this way. The idea is basically the same as that of a crystal case we all come to be very familiar with. The difference is that, they improved on that idea, and came up with a winning product. So what's all the hype about?

Let's take a look.

This case looks sleek, and comes in black or white. I prefer the black one, but I am sure if you have a white PSP, and getting a white one to match can be pretty cool as well. It is made of polycarbonate with a snap closure. It is said to be a very tough material and is able to absorb impact of a drop and a few hard knocks. This is important, as in real world conditions, drops and knocks do happen. I have tried dropping a test case on the floor, and the lid stays closed. Quite impressed. Fitting in the PSP in the case is a breeze, and it fits snugly.

When the lid is open, you have access to all controls as you would if the PSP is bared body without a case. The good news comes when the lid is closed. Get this, all jacks and ports can be accessed without removing the PSP from the case. This is nice to know as I personally listen to my music on the go, and it would be annoying to have to remove the PSP from the case each time I want to plug in my ear phones.

The lid design on this case is pretty good and sturdy. It can shield sunlight when you are playing your games outdoors and can even act as a stand for watching your movies. Pretty cool. I guess it is just marketing jargon that they use, but it works in real life situations. At the end of the day, I feel this is one solid case to own. Personally, I have a few cases on hand, and this is one of my favourites.

Game Werks PSP Retailer - 1st Impression Review

I don't usually do retail store reviews, unless it is from personal experiences. So drawing from my personal experiences, here you are. Game Werks is a retailer dealing with gaming consoles and accessories, and since this is a PSP review blog, my focus is going to be more towards the PSP crowd.

This store is based in a HDB estate, Clementi to be exact. I know some of you prefer to buy your PSP stuff from air conditioned fancy shopping malls, but this location is quite convenient. I drive, and it was my first time there, and was delighted to find that there was ample parking space in the cash card operated car park right behind the block of shops where Game Werks is located. Very convenient.

If you are looking for a mega store, you will be disappointed. The set up is small, but this is expected of most PSP retail stores located in these areas. Although it is small, I did not feel crammed and gasping for air when inside the store. It gave me a good neighbourly feel. The staff there are friendly, taking their time to explain the products to the customers, and a no rush attitude is present. I like it, and I think this is important, not like some other stores I came across before, where they just can't wait to take your money and rush you out of there.

What is also important is the pricing of the items. The pricing is one of the best I have come across. I will not mention any items here, but I have bought the exact same item for twice the price elsewhere. So, you can't go wrong as far as value for money is concerned.

In terms of web presence, they have a website. It is pretty well done with information on the products as well as prices listed! This is something I don't see in some of the competitor's websites. People want to see prices, it is just more convenient for potential customers to decide if they are going to buy it or not. No point hiding the prices. One more thing that they have is a cbox chat box in their website, and it enables people who browse their websites to ask questions and get respones. I tell you, they have the fastest responses I have ever came across, now I call that service! I know, as I have tested similar websites to see their responses.

If I have not already own a PSP, I will without a doubt buy it from them. This store is worth a look in my opinion.

Joytron PSP Slim Crystal Skin Case

Joytron is a Korean company which specializes in gaming accessories, and their products are distributed by a company in the USA called Nuri Tech. Among all the accessories for the PSP, one of their shining stars has to be the crystal skin case.

I had my share of testing out various skin cases from Japan, China and now the Joytron crystal skin case from Korea. This is by far the slimmest skin case I ever came across. I think this is an important feature, as it keeps the slim profile of the PSP as much as possible. Most skin cases are rather thick, and I am glad this is different. It is clear too! Crystal clear. At last, PSP fans do not have to put up with smoked rubbery feel of the average skin cases.

One more thing that I like about this case is that it covers the entire PSP. Unlike other skin cases which leaves the back of the PSP exposed for the UMD access, this is what I have been looking for. All in all, I feel this is an innovative case that should be at the top of the list.

The Importance of Screen Protector for PSP

For the PSP, it has a large shiny LCD screen. Unfortunately, it is also the part which is most vulnerable to damage. The screen is highly polished, and without any form of protection, fine scratches will show up in no time. It makes sense to protect your new investment.

Unless you are like me, I did not have a screen protector when I bought my PSP, and within a week, some fine scratches showed up. Alas, it is too late for me. :) Now for the screen protector, there are various grades available and they range from $5 to $10 each. It is not exactly easy to apply the protector on the PSP if you do not have any experience. Many people who are new to this have tried and failed, only to waste their protectors and have to get a new one.

The thing about these protectors is that, the adhesive side is like a dust magnet. If you accidentally put your finger on it, you have pretty much messed it up. Another alternative is to buy at a local PSP retailer and have them apply it for you. That way, you can get it right the first time.

Hori Hard Pouch Review

Hori, a well known brand for PSP accessories sells what they call the "hard pouch". A rather suitable name for it in my opinion, as the outside of the pouch is made of hard rubber fibre. It comes in a range of colours which includes the traditional black and white as well as blue and pink. Pity they do not have a deep red one, to go along with the limited edition deep reds. I know a lot of deep red owners would love it.


Now, more on the pouch. They have a dual zipper design on it. The zippers have a stiched nylon ribbon attached to it to facilitate easier handling especially if you have bigger fingers. Operation of the zipper works fine, but due to the construction of the hard pouch, it may feel a little stiff at times. Not a big issue though.

Opening the pouch up, you will find 2 main compartment areas. First thing you notice is that it is all well carpeted inside, good protection and feels good. The two compartments are seperated by a divider. The top compartment consists of 1 pocket and 2 small meshed pockets. The center divider consists of 3 small pockets for your memory sticks, and the bottom compartment is where your PSP goes.




It is all in all a well designed case. You may notice that the case is rather high profile. I would like a slim case but being able to store more accessories like an extra battery and my earphones in the same pouch, it serves its purpose very well. Even if you have a crystal case or a skin case on your PSP, it will also fit in there fine. I think that is just excellent.

God of War: Chains of Olympus Review

I remembered the 1st God of War game when it was launched for the PS2. It was indeed one of the most exciting action game that I ever came across, and one of my all time favourites. Now it is available on the PSP.

Yes, if you are anthing but aware of what the God of War game brings, you will get gory combat mixed in with a nice mythical storyline with a hint of sex themes. What more can you ask for? In case you are wondering if this is exactly the same game as it was on the PS2, well not exactly. The events are set prior to the first God of War game for the PS2. Kind of like jumping in time backwards to the past.

The controls are great, with a good set of combat skills that grow as you go along. You can upgrade your skill set by collecting red orbs, and powering up in the menu, which is quite neat. With each new skill acquired, it actually has instructions of what buttons to press to activate them. So you will never get lost.

The cut scenes are pretty well done as well, and integrate with the story. From the very first cut scene, it sucks you into the world of Kratos. Very involving. I would say that the levels are well designed as well, with some puzzles along the way which you can solve most of the time. Hints are not that great, and if you ever stuck on a puzzle, you can always check the forums. No big deal here.

It is one of the best looking games on the PSP. I am used to playing this type of action game on the big screen, as on the PSP, although it looked fine, it makes Kratos look so small. Maybe they should have made a zoomed in version of this game for the PSP, especially when combat starts. If you really must play on a big screen, you can hook your PSP up via component cables anyways. All in all, it is a must get for the PSP.

Dragonball Z: Shin Budokai Review (PSP)

The popular Dragonball Z franchise has made it into anime movies, DVDs, several game consoles, and most importantly here to the PSP. Admitedly, it is more popular in Japan and Asian territories than the USA. Maybe the white boys have a different cup of tea? I really don't know.

Like all Dragonball Z games before it, there are no surprises. What you expect to get, that is exactly what you are getting in this PSP title. You get a story mode, a versus mode and a practice.training mode. Each character gets a set of their own unique moves, but true dragonball fans really like the huge finishing moves. Really, that has to be the most satisfying move in each fight round.

Game play is pretty quick and flexible, and it looks good. Although some may call the graphics simplistic, but it is meant to be this way. However, there are just too many loading screens. It is after all adapted from an anime. This game is enjoyable especially if you are pitting against a friend, which can be extremely addictive, and character selection from the 24 characters is plentiful.

I would give it a 8/10 on one of the best fighting games on PSP. Plain senseless fun!


Play-Asia.com - Your One-Stop-Shop for Asian Entertainment

Price Check For Memory Sticks

As any seasoned PSP owner will tell you, memory sticks are the essence of any PSP. You need them to store all your backup games, photos mp3s and videos. So, it is easy to see why people will want to get the largest capacity possible, only limited by the size of their pockets.

Currently, in Singapore, the standard is the 4GB and 8GB memory sticks, along with the new release of the 16GB memory sticks by Sony. The 4GB sticks and the 8GB sticks from Sandisk are $55 and $100 respectively. Before you rush out to get the 16GB ones, be aware that they cost a whopping $299!

As with the trend of storage media goes, it is best to wait, as prices are bound to topple in a few months. :)

Taku Professional Screenguard for PSP

The Taku series of screen protectors for the PSP has been in the market for about a year now, and in my opinion, it is still one of the best. I still hear people saying why would you invest in a screen protector, which beats me, because, it is a small investment to protect the LCD of your PSP, and it is a no brainer that you should invest in one.

The Taku screen protector has the features that will protect the LCD of the PSP from scratches, dirt and dust. More importantly, it is easy to apply the protector and you can barely see it after it is on the PSP, which is great.

It is available at: Play-Asia.com - Your One-Stop-Shop for Asian Entertainment

Good Earphones for Sony PSP

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Get Rich Playing the Stock Market

No matter where your passion lies, be in in PSP games, cars, vacations, it is a fact that all these need money, like everything else in life.

Why do people bet on lotteries every week? They hold the hope of winning more money, so that they can afford more things which they like.

I am sure you have heard of people getting rich playing in the stock market. Why then is it that so many people are afraid of the risks? What if there is a way to minimise those risks, and easier then you imagined?

Learn How to Make $300 Per Week With a Stock Trading Bot, Running on your very own PC!

PSP Game Downloads

Now that you have just spent maybe a few hundred dollars on a spanking new PSP - your new found pride and joy. It is now time to get some of those games to get into the gaming of the PSP.

You have 3 different choices to do that.

1. Buy original games from a retailer.
2. Download games via torrents.
3. Download games via a membership website.

1. It will be great to always own original games, but if you are like me who like a rather good selection of games in my library, it will cost you a bomb to keep buying games, unless you are rich. :) If this is your choice, Play Asia has a good selection at reasonable prices.

2. You can download games from torrents. As you might already be aware, torrents are often virus infected, and are slow. Depending on your internet connection speed, you may finish downloading 1 game in a couple of days. That is assuming you want to leave your PC on for a few days. So, the risk is there. If you intend to go this route, you can visit Mini Nova.

3. Finally, the 3rd way is via membership website. You can download games via these websites by paying a small fee. In return, you get access to games, themes, mp3s, movies, all can be down loaded at very fast speeds, as they host their own files in their servers. Not to mention, it is safe, and virus free.

If this is the route you intend to take, below are 3 top recommendations.

• PSP Blender
• All for PSP
• All PSP Games

Crazy Over Metallic Blue PSP

The PSP world must be seeing BLUE lately, with 3 different versions of limited edition PSP sets being launched. Not just any blue, but metallic blue!

John Koller, the director of hardware marketing for the Sony PSP, announced on The PlayStation blog that a new Madden NFL 09 PSP Entertainment Pack will be heading your way by August 12 this year. According to the announcement, The pack includes a limited edition "Metallic Blue" PSP, a copy of Electronic Arts' Madden NFL 09 for the PlayStation Portable, NFL: In Just One Play UMD video, a PlayStation network voucher for Beats, and a 1 GB Memory Stick Pro Duo.

Gamewerks is selling this set for $419.

PSP Metallic Blue Value Pack, comes with a Metallic Blue PSP, a pouch, hand strap, cloth, 32MB Memory Stick Duo, and a D Terminal AV Cable. The AV Cable allows users to hook their PSP units up to the television so they can enjoy their games on a bigger screen.

PSP Slim - Metallic Blue LIMITED EDITION *Standard Value Pack* $379

PSP Metallic Blue 1 Seg Pack, comes with a Metallic Blue-colored pouch, a hand strap, cloth, a 1GB Memory Stick Pro Duo, and a 1 Seg Tuner. For those who haven't heard of it, the 1 Seg Tuner is a device that connects to the PSP and allows the PSP to view digital broadcasts in Japan.

PSP Slim - Metallic Blue LIMITED EDITION *1SEG Value Pack* $429

Free Mapking Map for Singapore

Are you looking for a free Mapking routable GPS map for Singapore? It can be downloaded here.

For other vesions of GPS maps and more updated ones, check out http://gpsmaps.jwpixs.com

Not another limited edition PSP!

So what makes a limited edition PSP set? You would expect that Sony will bundle some exclusive accessories to make it unique, but no. Like many past limited editions, it comes in a "special colour", and in this case it is red with an imprint, a God of War game and a Superbad movie. That is it. Nothing more. All this for a $100 premium over a standard set.

Unless you are a fan of the God of War game, this one is not exactly a value for money bundle.

PSP TVCs

Most needed PSP accessories

Okay, so you just shelled out a big chunk of your hard earned pocket money on a spanking new PSP. Guess what? Now you realise that you are going to spend even more to enhance your new investment.

Accessories is the big word, and if you get crazy over it, you will be broke before you know it. There are too many PSP goodies to know them all, but I have listed here the essentials to get you going.

Memory Stick. You will need a good capacity memory stick to store your games, videos, mp3s, and so on. The 8GB ones are around $100 here in Singapore. A good choice to get it. If you cannot shell out that much at the moment, get at least a 4GB one, which is half the price at around $50.

Next, you have to get a 2 way charge USB cable. This will allow you to transfer data to and from your PC to your PSP, and enable you to charge it at the same time. It costs around $10. A no brainer must-get item.

Another one that you should really get is protection for your PSP. You can go fancy on some very nice pouches and cases, or you can just get the basic crystal case, which will set you back around $10 as well.

Okay, I see these as the most basic essentials for your brand new PSP. I will review some interesting accessories in my future posts.

50 of the biggest moments in PSP's history

Celebrating the Sony PSP's third birthday this week, we've pooled together a list of the 50 biggest moments in the PSP's life.

read more | digg story

Review: God of War-Chains Of Olympus: The Best PSP Game Ever

There's no doubt that the PSP has a lot of momentum going right now and it's only going to increase with the release of God of War: Chains of Olympus. Here's a great in-depth review:

read more | digg story

TV Tuner for PSP

Sony has launched the 1 seg TV tuner for the PSP. For those who are unaware of what 1 seg is, it is a standard for digital audio/video broadcast that is available in Japan. With the 1 seg TV tuner for the PSP, you are able to watch digital broadcast on your PSP on the move. Sounds cool, and I know some people residing outside of Japan have already bought this cool new toy, only to discover that it does not work outside of Japan. So, if you are thinking of buying it, don't. It simply does not work without the 1 seg support.

Why would you buy a PSP?

Why would an adult want to buy a PSP? Isn't it a toy for kids? Afterall, the conception is that, it is a portable game machine that you see kids play with at the bus stops, on the train, and in restaurants when waiting for food to be served.

I had that mentality 1 year ago until I saw my colleague playing with a shiny white PSP at lunch time. I was thinking..."will you grow up?" haha... Only when I took a closer look did I realise what I have been missing out on!

The PSP is not merely a gaming machine that you can bring around with you. There is so much more to it. Sure, you can play games on it. You can also surf the net, store pictures, videos, MP3s, and use it as a presentation tool. Very cool. One fine day, I brought along my PSP and hooked up to a projector to showcase our corporate video at a client's office. Boy, they were blown away! They started talking about PSPs after that. haha..it is that cool!

PSP Deal Hunter - June 2008

For this month, as I am hunting a brand new PSP for a friend, I have been scanning for good deals...package deals to be exact. The above ad is from game werks. It looks pretty impressive. $339 nett for a basic set plus 4GB memory stick, earphones, screen protector, 2 way usb cable, pouch and buttons.

Singapore PSP Dealer Shops

1. Seow Choon

2. Funz Square

3. Game Werks

4. Game Score

Play-Asia.com - Online Shop Review

If you live in Asia, and are into gaming, chances are that you might have heard of play-asia.com. Basically, it is an online store which caters to the gaming needs of customers. I must say, the items that they stock are pretty complete, covering hardware and softwares spanning over various platforms such as PC, PSP, PS3 and XBOX 360.

A good gaming website needs to be up to date. Play-asia fortunately is up there with the best. If you need a game, you most probably can find it there. I would say that the strength of this site is in its game titles, with almost all titles being listed. The shortfall of this site will be the hardware or accessories section. Although you can find some accessories there, there is still room for improvement. In terms of pricing, it is pretty competitve, and if you have a coupon, you can save yourself $10-$20 off the checkout price.

TVU Player

TVU Player is a nice little download which enables you to stream TV channels from various countries. You can get news, movies, variety shows, cartoons, etc. It seemed to work out pretty good for me with no lag. It can be downloaded here.

To stream channels from TVU Player to your PSP, look for the guide here.

Buying PSP in Singapore

So, the time has come when you are looking to buy a brand new PSP set in Singapore. With so many stores selling PSP nowadays, it can get quite confusing for the first time buyer. You need not be.

In reality, there are only 2 channels where you can buy your new PSP. One is through an authorised Sony dealer in large department stores such as Courts, and the other way is through an import dealer. The important issue to note here is that, buying through an authorised Sony dealer guarantees you an authentic brand new set, a 1 year warranty by Sony, and a complete peace of mind.

Buying through an import dealer is a different story altogether. While prices may be slightly cheaper, and they do conjure up some great package deals, you are most likely to find that the warranty is honored by the shop itself, and not by Sony. The warranty can range from 3 months to 1 year. Some of these shops are very small set ups, and you are fine so long as they are still around when you need them.

As a conclusion, I would buy from an authorised Sony dealer. You may save a little from buying at smaller shops, but the risk is there.