When the processor power, system specs and hardware feature set of Sony’s debut entry into the handheld gaming market was announced back at E3 2003, the first question on everybody’s mind was, “How long will this sucker last?” With multiple processors (including a 32-bit MIPS core running at a max of 333MHz), a moving disc medium for software, 802.11b WiFi connectivity, a giant 480×272 screen, USB and infrared ports, and Memory Stick support, the whole total package seems more apt to be plugged into your home theater system than tossed into a backpack for play at bus stops. Most PSP user so far have been using the PSP for general use, mixing formats and trying different features. For exact results on what it is that drains the PSP’s battery the most, testers have gone back over most of the system’s features and put the handheld through intensive tests to drain its power in very specific ways. They designed unique circumstances to isolate specific features of the unit and see what it is that takes the most out of its runtime, as well as experimented with different features to find out how battery life might be maximized by players. Read the rest of this entry »