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Hands-on previews of the new edition of the PlayStation Portable, the tentatively titled PSP-3000 (aka PSP Brite), are pouring their way in with the release of the system next week. The first thing to point out, though you likely already expected this, is it's not as big of a jump from the original model to the Slim & Lite (PSP-2000). In fact, this one will still be called just that.

The first two apparent revisions to the hardware are the improved screen and built-in mic.

So first comes first: Sony says the colour range has increased, the contrast ratio is five-fold, 'ghosting' will be reduced due to the halved pixel response time, and it should be much more suited for outdoor play now with the "anti-reflective gubbins". Getting a little more technical, the "Color space" option on the system menu (which will include 4.20 firmware) says if you set it to 'Wide', the display will be more vivid. Eurogamer attests the system isn't lying, saying "colours at any level are much richer, warmer and deeper than the PSP-2000". The 'Normal' option makes things look brighter than the 2000 model, but not so much better. What about the actual games? Like with the overall package, it's not as big of a jump as between that of say, playing on the DS versus the DS Lite, but it is very noticeable if you go back to the older models.

As for the built-in mic, it won't do you much good in the way of gaming, as SOCOM, they say, is one of the few titles that really supports it. However, for using applications like Skype, the results were good, with no problems to speak of.

Other, less blatant updates include "USB Auto-Connect" (exactly what it says), "Flicker reduction", a much smaller AC adapter, and (cue fanfare) the option to play it on your TV (and hopefully monitor), something I'd always wished the DS could pull off somehow. A special cable is required for this, which you'd have to buy, but it's a nice option. Of course, you might end up feeling like a dolt, wondering why the game you're playing wasn't just released on PS2 or PS3 (or if it was, then you almost certainly will). Also, battery life is the same thanks to "engineers in Japan".

Interesting note: QJ speculates the system will feature direct PlayStation Network connectivity, citing the box (as shown on Amazon) as good reason to believe:

The bottom line seems to be this model will not be worth it for existing PSP-2000 owners, especially with future revisions expected, as early as this time next year, about. But for the gamer who has been thinking about a PSP and doesn't care to wait any longer for more updates which may or may not be terribly significant, this seems like a better time than any to pick one up.

The PSP-3000 will be released October 14, 2008 in North America (US$199.99 for the planned bundles and US$169.99 for the core, which will be released later on), in Europe on October 15, 2008, and in Australia on October 16, 2008 for AU$299.95.

The North American bundles will consist of a Mystic Silver PSP-3000, Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters, the National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets UMD movie, a 1GB Memory Stick Pro Duo and a voucher for a PS Store download of Echochrome. The other is the PSP 4GB Memory Entertainment Pack which includes a Piano Black PSP-3000, one 4GB Memory Stick Pro Duo, and a PS Store voucher for Everyday Shooter.

In Europe the console will be released in eight different bundles, three games of which to get the treatment are FIFA 09, Harry Potter, and Buzz! Master Quiz.

Japan's release will see a Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Gundam as well as a Patapon 2 Donchaka bundle.