This fall should prove to be an exciting time for all PSP owners. Sony Computer Entertainment Japan today announced that the long-awaited direct PSP store will launch later this year via a firmware update. Designed as a native PSP application, the store will be accessible straight from the XMB, meaning you’ll no longer have to log-on to your PC to download PSP compatible content from the PS store and transfer it through USB connection.

Additionally, Sony dropped word that owners of a PlayStation 3 will be able to use their console to enable online play in select ad-hoc only PSP titles, such as Monster Hunter 2nd G.

Although we can’t say for certain, expect the aforementioned services to hit all three major territories — North America, Europe and Japan — at the same time, considering that firmware updates have always been released on a worldwide basis in the past.

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