Sony has announced its plans to launch a brand new PlayStation Portable this October, with a new high-resolution screen and a built in microphone than enables it to be used as a telephone.

The PSP-3000, set to go on sale in Japan, Asia, North America and Europe, will feature the same basic design as the current PSP Slim Lite, and will be available in three clours - black, white and silver.

It will be able to make telephone calls using the Skype technology and service. Skype uses a peer-to-peer network that enable users to make free Internet telephone calls to one another through their computers, or low-cost calls to standard telephones.

The new PSP will also come with a new price tag - $199.99 in North America and 199 euros in Europe.