Last week, Sony announced plans to end production of the PSPGo and focus its efforts on its Next Generation Portable device.  At the same time, Sony also confirmed that its popular PSP-3001 portable will continue to be produced, and today Sony kept its word, passing a new version of the portable called the PSP-3001 E through the FCC.

FCC label pics of the PSP-3001 E, above, are nearly identical to the label pics of the PSP-3001, which hit the FCC nearly three years ago.  In fact, the only major difference with the PSP-3001 E is the use of a monopole antenna with a –1.5dBi gain, compared to the inverted F antenna with a + 3.5 dBi gain in the PSP-3001.  Otherwise, the PSP-3001 and PSP-3001 E seem to be very similar.

We’re not sure why Sony decided to updated its PSP-3001 now, especially with the NGP in the pipeline.  Either way, it appears the PSP-3001 will get an incremental update soon.