A new model of Sony’s PlayStation Portable (PSP) — the PSP-4000 model — will feature a sliding screen, VG247 claims to have learned today.

The news means that recently-surfacing concept images of a new PSP model may be close to the handheld’s actual redesign.  The PSP-4000 may look a little like the Game Boy Advance SP when the controls are exposed during gameplay and may, presumably, be closed for video playback.

Sony has been adamant that it isn’t working on a PSP2 console yet, and the news that the next PSP model will be a drastic redesign explains that statement — Sony wants to focus on the updated model (and its sales) before marketing the next big handheld.

The new PSP model is rumoured to be due out sometime in 2009, although Sony has yet to make any official announcement about the model’s design or release.

Rumors have surfaced of late regarding plans by Sony to develop a new model of their PlayStation Portable (PSP) handheld. Sony has stepped in, however, to dismiss the rumors.

“No, there are currently no plans for a PSP2,” David Reeves of SCE Europe tells MCV. “I go to Tokyo quite a lot, and no one there has referred to it. I think they have their hands full at the moment.”

No PSP2 quite yet.

Sony has announced that it will release all future PSP games via online download in additional to its proprietary UMD format.

On October 15, PSP owners will get access to the PlayStation Store directly from their handhelds.  Japanese gamers will be able to download full titles from the online service.

There has been no word of an equivalent service outside of Japan.

Sony North America has announced that it will drop online support for several older PlayStation 2 and PSP games. The servers for these games will be shut off on June 30. The games being disconnected are:

PlayStation 2 (PS2)

• Amplitude
• Destruction Derby Arenas
• Everybody’s Golf
• EyeToy Chat
• F1 ‘04
• Jak X
• Lemmings PS2
• My Street
• Syphon Filter Omega Strain
• This is Football 2004
• This is Football 2005
• Twisted Metal: Black Online

PlayStation Portable (PSP)

• Lemmings
• World Tour Soccer 2