Remember claims made in August 2006 that Sony is planning to redesign the PlayStation Portable? It turns out they were true. Sony Computer Entertainment UK chief Ray Maguire yesterday confirmed a "smaller, lighter" version is on its way.

Maguire said the PSP's screen size will remain fixed, but indicated future versions of the handheld games console would be more sleek than the current model, which he described as a "first iteration".

Maguire was speaking at the launch of a campaign to promote the PSP as an educational tool - no, really - where he was asked about potential PSP changes, GamesIndustry.biz reports.

The Sony executive gave no timeframe for the redesign, though last year's forecast put its debut down for some time this year. Maguire made no comments on other changes to the device's specifications. Past rumours have hinted at the addition of an EyeToy-style webcam and 8GB of on-board storage.

Maguire's words shouldn't come as a surprise. Sony has form here, having redesigned the original PlayStation as the PSOne, and later replaced the first PS2 with a slimmer version. Greater levels of component miniaturisation and integration are likewise going to make a thinner, lighter PSP certainly a possibility if not a reality.