Licensing and porting iTunes to the new PSP is such a logical move that I figured it couldn't possibly happen. So instead of guessing, I called Sony of North America and rather to my surprise was put through to their new CEO , Howard Stringer. Their PR department has lots of regard for bloggers, it appears.

Here's how the conversation went:

Dave Taylor: Konichiwa, Stringer-san!

Howard Stringer: huh? Oh, yeah, Hi.

Dave Taylor: I'm calling to inquire about the new Sony iTunes/PSP launch. What can you tell me about it?

Howard Stringer: What publication are you with? How did you get through to me?

Dave Taylor: I'm a blogger with an international audience, I don't write for a publication. How 20th century of you, Mr. Stringer.

Howard Stringer: Oh, uh, okay. Blogger. What's a blogger?

Dave Taylor: Do you have Internet access?

Howard Stringer: Internet. That rings a bell. Oh, yes, of course I have access. That's how I transmit memos to my employees and keep up on Hollywood gossip. What about it?

Dave Taylor: Blogs are the new form of newspaper reporting, all Internet-based.

Howard Stringer: Ah, whatever. So you want to know about the Sony iTunes/PSP, yes? How did you learn about that anyway?

Dave Taylor: Us bloggers have our sources, Howard. When will the iTunes/PSP ship, then?

Howard Stringer: I can't comment on that. (pause) Well, off the record...

Dave Taylor: Okay, off the record.

Howard Stringer: Off the record, it should be announced later today if we can just figure out how to buy enough cool white earbud headphones to put in the boxes and, oh yeah, get Steve [Jobs] to sign off on the plan. Damn. Forgot about that one entirely! Do you know his number?

Dave Taylor: Ah, shouldn't you have checked with Apple first, Howard?

Howard Stringer: What publication did you say you were with?

Dave Taylor: I'm a blogger, Howard. An Internet journalist.

Howard Stringer: $#*&*@$#(& (hangs up phone)

So there you have it. If Sony can get final approval from Steve Jobs and the team at Apple, they'll be announcing iTunes on the popular Sony PSP today, April 1, 2005.

That would definitely be cool.