PSP gets web browser

Crack open the champers, people. Sony's just announced version 2.0 firmware for the PSP and it adds a web browser, AAC and WAV playback, better MP4 support and a whole load of new mods.

The firmware's available for download on 27th July in Japan, and we're confirming with Sony right now to find out when it'll be available for UK punters. We're guessing it won't be 'til 1st September, when new 2.0-loaded PSPs appear in the shops.

Anyhow. The new features:

• Web browser. It'll be HTML but won't support Flash sites. Typing addresses will be a bummer as it'll be done high score-style using the on-screen keypad.
• Improved music and video support. Better-looking and better-compressed MP4 AVC flicks will now playback. AAC tunes without Apple's DRM will work. Hi-fi junkies will be able to play uncompressed WAV files. You'll be able to transfer them all using Sonic Stage.
• You'll be able to add wallpaper to the home screen. About time too.
• Photo sharing. The new firmware will allow you to swap pics using Wi-Fi. It'll also display TIFF and GIF pics as well as JPEGS.
• WPA Wi-Fi support. The PSP will now be able to join networks encrypted with WPA (in addition to the ones with WEP that it can already join).

Read our Secrets of the PSP feature in the September issue of Stuff - it's out August 3rd.