A Japanese company called "DigiOn" has announced the development of some PC-side MP3 management software specifically aimed at usage with the PSP. While I don't think this particular software is entirely too well thought out (there are already hundreds of ripping/encoding/ID3 tagging softwares available that make MP3 files, essentially all of which work o­n the PSP), it's nice to see support for the device by the PC software community. More details inside.

DigiOn announced o­n the 7th that they will develop an audio creation/editing/authoring software in order to use Sony Computer Entertainment (SCEI)'s "PSP" portable game system as a portable audio player. Development is planned to take place in the first quarter of 2005.

The planned software will be a suite-style software, allowing for ripping from audio CDs, editing, encoding to MP3 format files the PSP can play, and save them to the Memory Stick. DigiOn explained that "with the use of this software, from the PC to the PSP, music will be able to be easily delivered through a Memory Stick."

Furthermore, although the PSP also supports ATRAC3/ATRAC3plus as audio playback formats, DigiOn has said that currently "[they] o­nly plan for MP3 format support." Also, the software is scheduled to include functions such as o­ne that will access the CDDB, obtain song/album information, and create ID3 tags.

The software will not o­nly be sold under the company's own brand, but is also planned to be offered to PC and peripheral makers as OEM.

Inspired by:
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20050107/digion.htm

Press Release:
http://www.digion.com/pc/news/20050107.htm