In recent times we’ve had news that Sony Ericsson is to release a trio of high end multimedia phones, these are the ‘Yari’ featuring a 5 megapixel camera and motion controls – yes, motion controls – similar to the Wii. The ‘Satio’ will feature a 12.1 megapixel with MicroSD expansion – that’s right Sony Ericsson appear to be dropping support for the Memory Stick Micro format that will feature in the PSPgo. Finally the much looked-forward-to ‘Aino’ – this is the handset which will feature the Remote Play software found in the current PSP, giving it the ability to stream media from either the PS3 or a PC.

None of these handsets however are the much anticipated ‘PSPphone’ which has always seemed something customers want but Sony have never seen the need for. That could be about to change thanks to the hugely popular iPhone. Over in the land of the rising sun Nikkei are reporting that Sony are considering a “cellphone game-gear hybrid in a bid to better compete with Apple’s iPod and iPhone. Sony plans to set up a project team as early as July to develop a new product that combines functions of its portable game player and Sony Ericsson’s mobile phones.”

Sony are reportedly concerned about the growing number of game developers  focusing on Apple’s platform, and the danger this poses to the PSP’s future viability.

Obviously there are plenty of high end multimedia phones around, but none of them appear to have captured the groundswell of support that Apple’s iPhone has, either from end users or in the sheer number of companies that are falling over themselves to develop Apps for the hugely popular App Store, which features over 50,000 products which have been downloaded, amazingly, over a billion times. It appears that this overwhelming popularity is now too much for Sony to ignore, but where this news leaves the Aino and PSPgo is anyone’s guess, perhaps the PSPgo will be the equivalent of the iPod Touch, and the new venture will have the iPhone in its sights?

Source: Nikkei. Via: Reuters.