More buzz about PSP Go, slim PS3 in run-up to E3

A smaller, UMD-less PSP is starting to look like a sure thing at next week's E3 gaming conference in Los Angeles, while the grapevine continues to hum about a new, slimmer PlayStation 3.

Rumors of a revamped PSP—possibly named the "PSP Go," complete with slide-out controls, flash memory, and no UMD disc drive—have been swirling for a month now, and consensus in the gaming community seems to be that Sony will almost certainly unveil the device next week at E3.

And now we have Ars Technica, which is chiming in a confirmation from one of its most trusted sources, who adds a few more interesting details: namely, that we should expect the Go to be "lighter," with "lower power consumption" (presumably meaning better battery life) and "possibly a lower price."

More interestingly, Ars Technica's spy claims that the rumored PSP Go will be "sold right next to its bigger brother, which won't be taken from store shelves any time soon."

Huh … so perhaps the Go isn't so much the successor to the current PSP 3000, but more of a bargain-priced, "lite" version. And if Sony isn't planning on phasing out the 3000, then we'll probably have to hang onto our old, UMD-packing PSPs if we want to play our old UMD game discs (i.e., no conversion process for transferring legacy UMD games to a flash-based PSP Go).

Anyway, Ars Technica's mole also has word on the supposed slim PS3 console, word of which (along with a series of spy shots) leaked out earlier this month.

I have to say, I was pretty skeptical of the phony-looking slim PS3 photos, despite the cease-and-desist letters that followed their publication. However, according to Ars Technica's source, a slim PS3 is coming—just not next week. Think August or September instead, the spy said.

Again, interesting stuff—although personally, I'd be more excited about a quieter, slimmed-down Xbox 360 console. To my mind, the current, sleek (and whisper-quiet) PS3 is just fine; it's the glitchy, jet engine-loud 360 box that could stand for some major improvement.

However you slice it, sounds like we're in for a wild ride at E3 next week, so stay tuned.

What do you think of the latest rumors? Thoughts on the (supposed) UMD-less PSP Go, or a slimmed-down PS3? Fire away below.

Related:
Mole: PSP-Go details confirmed, smaller PS3 is on the way [Ars Technica]