LocationFree PSP By Darryl Wilkinson November 14, 2005 — Sony's PSP (PlayStation Portable) can now utilize Sony's LocationFree technology.

After upgrading the PSP with Sony's free Firmware 2.5 update, PSP owners will be able to access home audio/video content via a LocationFree Base Station connected to their home entertainment system. (Yeah, it's that easy.)

Sony's LocationFree Base Station accepts audio and video signals from connected A/V gear and sends them to a Sony LocationFree portable LCD TV monitor (such as the 12.1-inch LF-X11) or to any broadband-connected computer running LocationFree software. Users can be halfway around the world and still watch a TV show recorded on their lonely home PVR or a movie sitting in their home theater system's DVD player. (Although the LocationFree technology allows viewers to control functions like fast forward, pause, and rewind, Sony has yet to perfect the system to the point where it can actually remove a DVD from the player, put it back in its case, and load another disc for you. But, hey, isn't that what kids are for?)

The portable's new firmware update provides the same functionality to PSP owners as long as they're able to access a high-speed internet connection using the PSP's built in Wi-Fi connectivity. For PSP owners who want LocationFree features for their PSPs but don't feel the need for one of Sony's larger-screen LocationFree LCD TVs, Sony offers the LF-PK1 package with includes a base station and LocationFree Player PC software.

Sony's LocationFree TV components include:

• LF-X5 (WVGA 7-inch Wireless LCD Touch Screen Monitor and Base Station unit) $ 1,099.99
• LF-X11 (SVGA 12.1-inch Wireless Touch Screen LCD Monitor and Base Station unit) $ 1,499.99
• LF-PK1 (LocationFree base station and LocationFree Player software for PC) $ 349.99

Kids can now soothe their parents' worried minds and claim they're watching the latest "NOVA" on PBS when they're really playing "Grand Theft Auto". Or that brainy kid at school who everyone thought was such a nerd can now look cool by telling everyone he's playing "Grand Theft Auto" when he's really watching that episode of "NOVA".