Sony Computer Entertainment Japan president Shawn Layden shows off the company's new PlayStation Portable game console, the PSP-3000, during a press preview in Tokyo. Sony announced it will launch its new PlayStation Portable in Japan on October 16 as it seeks to catch up with rival Nintendo Co.'s DS consoles.

Japan's Sony Corp. announced Tuesday it will launch its new PlayStation Portable in Japan on October 16 as it seeks to catch up with rival Nintendo Co.'s DS consoles.

The PSP-3000, featuring a high-resolution liquid crystal display and a built-in microphone, will sell in Japan for 19,800 yen (183 dollars). Nintendo's double-screen DS is priced at 16,800 yen.

"We need to, and we will, advance our software and hardware without restraint," said Sony Computer Entertainment Japan president Shawn Layden, presenting a new lineup of games ahead of the crucial winter holiday season.

The new PSP is Sony's latest bid to broaden the appeal of its consoles against fierce competition from Nintendo, which is seeing strong demand for its Wii and DS units.

The PSP-3000 can also be used as a telephone through the Skype service that Sony added earlier this year. But the console is no iPhone, Layden said.

"For me (the PSP) has been Sony's entry into handheld gaming and that's where my focus remains," he said, adding that the company wants the console to become a "lifestyle application."

According to data gathered by publisher Enterbrain, more than 80 percent of PSP buyers use the console for other activities than playing games, including listening to music, watching movies, sharing photos or using the Internet.

Sony hopes to add a GPS receiver or a video service in the future. It has sold more than 10 million PSPs in Japan since the launch nearly four years ago. The DS sold 23 million units between December 2004 and June 2008 in Japan.

© 2008 AFP