There has been some buzz about a press release from Sony Computer Entertainment Japan explaining that Skype will not be released this month in Japan. However, that news is for Japan and only Japan. I sent over an e-mail to Sony Computer Entertainment America who explained, “The SCEJ announcement regarding the delay of the PSP microphone peripheral and Skype service doesn't have any impact on the North American (or European) launches of Skype for PSP, which will coincide with the PSP firmware upgrade slated for the end of January, as previously announced.”
The microphone is the culprit behind the delay in Japan. Sony Computer Entertainment Japan planned on selling the Talkman microphone, which snaps on the PSP’s USB port, in Skype friendly packages. However, North America and the rest of the world will not be using the Talkman microphone, we have the PSP headset. Hmm… I wonder if Skype for the PSP will work with the Talkman microphone at all. I have one lying around somewhere…