In a strange turn of events, well, an ambitious one at least, Sony and BT (British Communications) have just announced that the versatile little gaming-guidebook thing, the Playstation Portable, is turning into a phone.

Update

A recent news report made by BBC provides a few more details on the PSP phone project.

In the beginning the software will only allow communication between PSPs and some BT phones, however the capabilities will then be extended to PCs, fixed lines and mobiles. The service will also only be offered through a BT home internet connection or through a BT Openzone Wi-Fi hotspot.

End Update

Plans to add “wireless broadband communications functions, including high quality handheld video calls, voice calls and messaging” to the Playstation Portable were announced yesterday by BT and Sony.

Over the course of a four-year contract, the two companies have resolved to develop a “raft of extra features”, which will be available across a wide range of SCEE territories, starting in the UK and branching out.

Steve Andrews, BT chief, Mobility and Convergence, said:

“The combination of SCEE and BT working together is a natural fit. Sony is a world-class company producing some of the world’s most innovative electronic devices and BT is at the forefront of communications with the 21CN global platform. The PSP is an excellent device for both gaming and communications, because of its high quality screen and audio capabilities. With over 8 million PSPs shipped across Europe, we are very excited by the opportunity to give customers a whole new communications experience, connecting and seeing friends across the world through BT’s technology.”

David Reeves, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, said:

“It is very exciting for us to be partnering with BT on such a unique project. The opportunity to combine our market leading expertise with BT’s knowledge in communications opens up many possibilities and we look forward to bringing many exciting communication functions to PSP fans.”

The step seems to coincide with the release of the Go!Cam product recently offered by Sony, which is a small clip on USB webcam for the PSP. Mentioning “softphone” in the release, the technologies offered presumably will include VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), which allows voice chat over broadband services, and video chat. Undoubtedly a voice chat headset, as used in the PSP SOCOM games, would be also be taken advantage of.

Finally, here’s something to fully make use of PSP’s functionality. The device, whilst having a fragile screen, is one of the best pieces of portable gaming technology available and this proves it has yet to realise it’s potential.

It has yet to be announced, however, when the software and functions will be made available and what the, presumable, subscription fee to the service will be.

Original press release here.