Sony announced today that it will be launching a new PlayStation Portable model in Japan on October 16.

The new PSP-3000, first unveiled in August, features a built-in microphone and an advanced LCD panel more suited to use outdoors, as well as a shorter response period that gives moving images a seamless feel.  "The LCD is the face of a PSP," boasted Sony Computer Entertainment Japan President Shawn Layden (they need shorter job titles) at a recent press conference, "And it is an important feature of the 3000 model."

The 3000's built-in mic will also be an improvement over the current model by making the phone call process easier, though the PSP already supports a Skype Web phone function.

While the PSP has been outselling the DS these past few months, Nintendo maintains its sales lead in Japan.  Without a doubt, Sony is hoping to further close that gap with the PSP-3000, which will be available in time for the holiday rush.