Wireless Networking with the PSP

The PSP can connect to a wireless network through Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11b which enables it to download files to the Memory Stick or surf the web via the built-in Access Co. NetFront browser. An RSS feature allows the user to download video web feeds or blogs to save on their Memory Stick Duo, or to listen to podcasts from websites.

In addition, users can connect to other PlayStation Portable units for world-wide multiplayer gaming, with the PSP the first game console to launch with games supporting online gameplay.

Infrastructure Networks

The PSP may be configured via the main menu to use across the Internet or an intranet via a wireless connection (known as infrastructure mode). The system supports connecting to WEP and WPA encrypted networks and can recognise non-protected and protected wireless networks within its range.

A small number of titles supporting online play were released at launch to take advantage of infrastructure networks. In addition, South Korean PSPs have shipped with software that provide multimedia streaming and web browsing features, but only through company-owned Wi-Fi hotspots, and with a monthly fee.

A peripheral called the Sony Location-Free Player can be used to enable users to watch live TV, recorded TV (via DVR), VHS tapes or DVDs on their PlayStation Portable over their Internet connection.

Ad-Hoc Networks

In addition to world-wide online gaming, the PSP may be used with ad-hoc wireless networking to enable up to 16 consoles within range to communicate directly to each other, typically for multi-player gaming. In this system, one unit acts as the host for a game, with the other PlayStation Portable units within that system's range selecting that console from their list of available hosts. The ad-hoc network may also be used to send images from one PSP unit to another by use of the 'send' and 'receive' functions that appear in the PHOTO menu.

Gamesharing

Some games for the PSP support a feature known as gamesharing, which allows a limited number of multiplayer features between two PlayStation Portables with only one copy of the game disc (UMD). A reduced version of the game is transferred to the console without the disc via the Wi-Fi connection, whereupon it is loaded into RAM and runs. The game features are usually reduced due to technical limitations, as data for the game can only be transferred to the second PSP at a rate of 11 megabits per second.