Rumors say that Sony is preparing the launch of a PlayStation Portable based phone to hit the shelves as soon as Christmas 2009. Japanese and Korean sources state that Sony is working on converting the current PSP into a phone, while analysts say that it would be “relatively easy” to do since the PSP already has wi-fi.

Although right now the PSP has skype and VOIP so.. Why on earth dont they just leave it as that or, will they suprise us with a new phone to compete with the big boys in the cell market right now?

Although there seems to be a few little problems with its patent.

We’ve all heard rumors about a PlayStation (or PlayStation Portable) Phone by Sony Ericsson for some time now, but this is the first time that we’ve actually seen what one might look like. Filed back in 2006, this patent application features a touchscreen with haptic feedback (yeah, like the iPhone) that can transform the button layout from phone to PSP just by turning it. Here’s what the application had to say:

In another embodiment there is presented a system and method of reconfiguring the graphical user interface (GUI) of a mechanically vibrated touchscreen display associated with a portable mobile communications device that is operable in a variety of modes. An orientation sensing mechanism senses whether the portable mobile communications device is currently in a portrait or landscape orientation and accesses an orientation profile that associates each mode of operation with either a portrait or landscape orientation. A list of modes of operation associated with the sensed orientation of the portable mobile communications device is presented to the user. The user is prompted to select a mode of operation from the list. Input indicative of a selected mode of operation is received and the GUI of the mechanically vibrated touchscreen display is reconfigured for the selected mode of operation associated.

Ahh, there’s nothing like a huge quote of patentspeak to get the blood flowing on a Monday morning.

Apparently it looks like it could come Febuary 2009 allthough this is just super-internet-buzz-talk .. Lets just wait and see.