UMD
UMD is an abbreviation for "Universal Media Disc," a media format created and used by Sony. While Sony may have initially planned to use it for many devices, it's only used in the PlayStation Portable video game system.
It's the first optical disc format used by a mainstream portable gaming system, storing 1.7 gigabytes of data – a little over three times as much as a CD, but about a third as much as a DVD. UMD discs with PSP games are sold in stores, and for a while, movie discs were available too.
The format has not been quite the success Sony had hoped for. It never built up steam as a video format, and while it's still the primary format for new PSP games, most analysts speculate that Sony's next portable console will abandon UMD in favor of digital downloads.
Technology news All News
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06/04/09 3:50pm Gaming Sony will offer downloadable versions of your UMD games, maybe for free
Gizmodo: http://bit.ly/8vD7P dig deeper
Around the web: gizmodo.com (3 comments)

Profile pages: Sony, PSP-3000, Sony PlayStation Portable, Sony PSP Go, UMD
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06/02/09 4:10pm Gaming Column Reality check: PSP Go is here, but UMD isn't going anywhere
Despite everyone heralding the arrival of the PSP Go as the end of UMD, Sony is dual-releasing all future titles on both UMD and digital download. dig deeper
Profile pages: Sony, PSP-3000, Sony PlayStation Portable, Sony PSP Go, UMD, E3 2009
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05/30/09 3:14pm Gaming Sony PSP Go confirmed, detailed in June issue of Qore
Sony's new edition of the portable handheld will lack a UMD drive, be 43% lighter than the PSP-3000. dig deeper
Around the web: gamingconsolenetwork.com (2 comments)
, joystiq.com (50 comments)
, SlashGear 
Profile pages: Sony, Sony PSP, E3 2009, Sony PlayStation, PSP-3000, Sony PSP Go, UMD, Sony PlayStation Portable, Bluetooth, Memory Stick Micro, PlayStation Network, Flash memory
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New PSP
05/28/09 11:14am Gaming Sony mole confirms PSP-Go! will be next iteration of gaming handheld, to be announced at E3
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05/22/09 11:37am Gaming PSP game rental service was already in the works at GDC
Develop Mag: http://bit.ly/mrbTR dig deeper
Around the web: developmag.com (2 comments)
, macnn.com (3 comments)
, Electronista
, Ubergizmo
, Joystiq (27 comments)
, Joystiq (27 comments) 
Profile pages: Sony, UMD, Sony PlayStation, Sony PSP, Sony PlayStation Portable, piracy, PlayStation Network
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05/21/09 2:26pm Gaming Sony in early talks with labels about a music downloads store for the PSP
Cnet: http://bit.ly/USVxt dig deeper
Around the web: Gizmodo (2 comments)
, T3.com News
, Kotaku
, SlashGear
, digitalbattle.com
, news.cnet.com (5 comments) 
Profile pages: Sony, Sony PSP, PlayStation Network, Sony PlayStation, Sony PlayStation Portable, UMD, DRM, iTunes Store (iTMS)
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05/11/09 5:21pm Computing, Gaming, Home A/V, Imaging, Mobile Column Sony's plans to bring PlayStation Network to other devices is smart leveraging
Sony CEO Sir Howard Stringer says keeping PSN a PS3-only service is too limiting; we agree. dig deeper
Around the web: T3.com News
, TechRadar
, Kotaku
, Electronista 
Profile pages: Netflix, Amazon, Sony, PlayStation Network, Sony PlayStation, Sony PSP, Sony PlayStation 3, PSP-3000, Sony XEL-1 OLED TV, Sony PSP Go, Sony Ericsson W760a, Sony Ericsson K850i, Sony Ericsson W910, Sony Ericsson, Sony PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Home, Sony Bravia, DRM, Sony Handycam, UMD, Sony Cyber-shot, XrossMediaBar (XMB), Blu-ray, Sony Walkman, Sony Ericsson Walkman, Blu-ray profile 2.0, Sony Vaio, iTunes Store (iTMS), Sony WEGA
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04/29/09 4:15pm Gaming Sony PSP Go! aka PSP-4000 supposedly detailed, dated for this fall
Gaming site 1UP claims to have seen the new PSP, which it says comes in a flip form factor without a USB drive. If the rumors are true, it will hit Japan and North America this fall. dig deeper
Around the web: 1up.com (120 comments)
, techmeme.com
, Kotaku
, CrunchGear (120 comments)
, TechRadar
, electronista.com (2 comments)
, Gizmodo
, news.cnet.com (43 comments) 
Profile pages: Sony, Touchscreen, Sony PSP, Sony PlayStation Portable, Sony PSP Go, UMD, PlayStation Network
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02/27/09 8:03pm Gaming Sony's PSP 2 could ditch physical discs entirely, play only downloaded games
A well-known game developed claimed on Twitter to have the scoop on the new console. dig deeper
Around the web: Engadget (18 comments)
, Gizmodo
, Kotaku
, playstation.joystiq.com (50 comments)
, twitter.com
, gamedaily.com (10 comments) 
Profile pages: Sony, PlayStation Network, Sony PSP, PSP-3000, Sony PlayStation Portable, Sony PSP Go, UMD
Big Nexus One update includes 3G fix, multi-touch, Google Goggles image-based search