411 On PSP GPS

location based services

ITmedia Games has shots, as well as new info, on the upcoming PSP GPS attachment and the software that will take advantage of it. The (pictured) MAPLUS navigation system will ship in December and have GPS mapping and navigation functions tailored for folks walking, biking, or driving and will include points of interest. It appears that mapping information can be updated via the Web and be stored on the Memory Stick. Pricing for the software is currently undecided.
The GPS attachment will also be used for games, including the upcoming golf title Everybody's Golf Course, a spin off of the Minna no Golf series. Using real world golf courses, the GPS functions can be used during your real life golf game to give you location feedback while on the links.
Metal Gear Portable Ops will also take advantage of the GPS attachment to give you location specific maps. This new gameplay mode will require you to go to specific locations to interact with enemies. This all sounds pretty cool, but I hope it doesn't require me to actually go outdoors. That's scary! Michael McWhertor