Sony has just unveiled Go!View, a new video download service for PSP. The official blurb:

"This summer, PlayStation and Sky will launch Go!View, the first official PlayStation Portable video download service in Europe. Go!View will provide a wealth of programming from the worlds of entertainment, comedy, sport and movies for PSP owners to enjoy in addition to their usual gaming experience."

Created in conjunction with Sky, the new service will allow you to download and watch programs and films on your portable. No content, prices or exact release dates were offered, with "summer" as accurate as it gets for launch at the moment. More info as it develops.

Despite the number one success of Mario Kart Wii in the software charts, it is the sustained popularity of Capcom’s Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G which continues to drive hardware sales.

In 2008, the PlayStation Portable (PSP) remained the best-selling gaming console in Japan for several weeks, largely due to the immense popularity of Capcom's Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G. This game became a massive hit, consistently topping the software sales charts, which in turn boosted the sales of the PSP console. Despite the strong performance of Nintendo's Mario Kart Wii in software sales, it was the sustained demand for Monster Hunter that kept the PSP leading the hardware race during this period.

Clap Hanz' Hot Shots Golf series has always been touted as an easy-to-learn but difficult-to-master take on the sport. 

Clap Hanz has got arcade golf down. The last few editions of their Hot Shots Golf series have been very well executed, and Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 2 is hardly an exception. Open Tee 2 marks the return of the wacky golf title to the PSP. The gameplay mechanics are by no means innovative, but the addition of online multiplayer is a complete game changer. Fans of the Hot Shot series won’t find a whole lot that’s new, but the 12 challenging courses and hundreds of character customization options are very enjoyable indeed.

The PSP has continued to be electronics company Sony's top performer in the Japanese gaming market.

The PSP had managed to top the Wii and DS during a one-week sales period in Japan. This is extremely significant, especially considering the stranglehold the Wii has had on that region, and the fact the DS was once outselling the PSP by a depressing 4:1 margin.

Sony wants to enhance the connectivity and functionality of the PS3/PSP duality. Overall, the PSP has risen from a punch line to…well, punching the DS in the eye. It's now a fully realized multimedia and gaming portable device, and one that consumers around the world are starting to recognize.

A special edition of the new Final Fantasy prequel is set to be released in Europe for the PSP. 

It'll be priced at GBP 150 (EUR 189.99). For that you'll get a limited edition silver PSP, engraved with artwork and the game's logo, plus a copy of the game. The bundle will be released alongside the standalone version of Crisis Core on June 20th.