With Sony's Next Generation Portable set for a worldwide launch sometime before the end of this year, the publisher has begun to drop the price of its current generation of portable hardware in preparation.

　　PSP gets a price drop Down Under.

　　Today, Sony Computer Entertainment Australia announced a new Australian price for the PSP system, which currently retails for a recommended retail price of A$279.95. It will now retail for RRP A$189.95 starting today, April 11.

　　SCEA also announced that starting April 14, PSP owners will be able to access Music Unlimited, a new, cloud-based digital music subscription service, via their PSN IDs. The service lets users listen to music and provides access to personalised music channels and synchronisation through the PlayStation 3, PC, and other network-enabled Sony devices.

　　In February, Sony pulled a similar move in the United States, cutting the cost of the PSP by US$40, from US$170 to US$130. Originally, the system was offered for US$250 at its North American launch before having its price cut to US$200 in 2006 and to US$170 in April 2007.