A Pocket Gamer report citing an anonymous Sony hardware developer has a major PSP revision coming to stores as early as this winter.

According to the source, the "PSP 2" will feature a compact form and a full-sized touchscreen. The touchscreen can supposedly be used to play simple downloadable games, and will slide open to reveal dual analog stick controls and other standard buttons.

As in the case of recent similar rumors, this version of the PSP... Read more

While Sony has repeatedly denied that it's working on a successor to the PSP, industry veteran David Perry has chimed in with details on the supposed device.

"I hear Sony FINALLY has the PSP 2. And thank goodness, they've removed the stupid battery-sucking UMD disc drive," reads a Twitter from Perry, a self-described "executive video game industry consultant" who founded Shiny Entertainment in 1993.

"I can't reveal my sources, but you can be certain there's no UMD, which means fully digital online device, and you know I know people," Perry added to GameDaily BIZ.

A recent rumor from VG247 claims Sony is preparing a "complete aesthetic overhaul" of the PSP, complete with a sliding screen, for release this year. However, the site was clear that this would be a redesign of the existing hardware, not the PSP 2.

Late last year, Eurogamer reported that Sony was working on both the PSP 2 and a redesign of the existing PSP, but that the release of the PSP 2 was still a ways off.

At the time, Sony quickly denied the PSP 2, saying that it was encouraging developers to create downloadable PSP games instead of UMD disc titles, and rumors had misinterpreted this push as proof of PSP 2 games under development.

More rumors regarding Sony's oft-denied PSP successor have begun floating around, this time filling the internet with conflicting words from unnamed sources.

The first wave comes from IGN, which was informed by "several credible sources" that the next PSP will feature "a widescreen multi-touch interface comparable to that of the iPhone for both in-game control and menu navigation." Such functionality was hinted at in a recent Sony survey, which asked users about their interest in a PSP touch screen.

But, according to MCV's own "source close to Sony," the IGN report is "nonsense."

"Clearly, being a quiet time of year, many, what we thought to be credible websites, are making up stories about PSP2, and how it allows you to teleport across the globe, travel through time, and will be powered by the horns of baby rhinoceroses," wrote the source.

"Hopefully, you can sense a mild tone of sarcasm, which should hopefully indicate how 'on the money' IGN are. Needless to say, we don't comment on rumour or speculation, but this is nonsense," concluded MCV's source.

Would you be more likely to buy a new PSP if it had a touch screen? Faster load times?

These are just a few of the questions contained in a Sony-issued survey regarding the handheld, claims PSP Fanboy.

The company has repeatedly denied rumors that it's readying a successor to the PSP, often referred to as the PSP 2, instead opting to focus on the existing hardware. However, the survey suggests Sony is, at the very least, considering more than just another simple hardware revision.

With the touch-screen controls of the Nintendo DS and iPhone continuing to gain traction in the portable marketplace, Sony's touch screen inquiry comes as no shock. In fact, a third-party has already created a PSP touch screen add-on, via a screen overlay.

Other questions pertain to a better screen, increased internal storage, a smaller profile, better battery life, social networking, a TV tuner, book downloads, and more unit colors.

Sony has once again denied the persistent rumors that it's preparing a follow-up to the PSP, with Sony hardware marketing director John Koller reiterating the company's claim that "no plans for a PSP 2 are underway."

Sony is moving away from the UMD disc format, Koller explained to Silicon Alley Insider, and instead encouraging developers to create downloadable PSP games.

He claims that this newfound push towards digital distribution was misinterpreted, leading to the recent rumors of PSP 2 games in development.

Since the portable system debuted, some have complained of the load times, which stem from the use of UMD optical media. While downloaded games may still have load times, the times are shortened due to the faster capabilities of memory sticks.

In response to Koller's statements, Eurogamer wrote that "our sources are adamant that Sony has specifically discussed both products [another PSP hardware revision and the PSP 2] with them, and that games are in development for a PSP successor."

Sony will release a new version of its PSP handheld next year, with the true successor to the hardware coming later, according to a Eurogamer report.

While release of the PSP follow-up seems a ways off, sources told Eurogamer that publishers are already working on games for the PSP 2.

The report runs contrary to Sony Computer Entertainment Europe president David Reeves' recent statement that Sony has "no plans for a PSP 2."

"I go to Tokyo quite a lot and no one has referred to it--I think they have their hands full at the moment," said Reeves. "We just launched the PSP-3000 so we are still focused on this generation of the platform."

Though rumors have persisted for years, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe president David Reeves has declared that "there are currently no plans for a PSP 2".

"I go to Tokyo quite a lot and no one has referred to it--I think they have their hands full at the moment," he told MCV. "We just launched the PSP-3000 so we are still focused on this generation of the platform."

Reeves added that software for the four-year-old portable has been its "weakness," though he vowed that "PSP games will come--they just take a while longer."

"That's because developers, when it comes to placing their bets, have to choose PS3 and 360, then Wii, then DS, maybe even PS2 before PSP," he explained." It's the same at our internal studios, where the focus has been on PS3. They've also focused a lot on PS2 as well because we have to get the SingStars out for that format."

Though it has not seen a flood of new releases, PSP hardware has been outselling both the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3 in the United States since August.