With the PlayStation Portable Go! set to release this Thursday, October 1st, it leaves the question in mind of, “What’s next?” We’ve all witnessed the evolution of Nintendo’s hand held devices from the original brick model back in the late 1980’s to the GameBoy Advance to the new Nintendo DSi. However, Sony has been running on the same technology and device for the last half-decade. Are there any plans to finally move on to the next generation of PlayStation Portable? If so, is a new touch technology in place for this upgrade?

In all honesty, it only makes sense that Sony would eventually go with some sort of touch device for the next device in the PSP lineup. Nintendo’s rival hand held offers touch interactivity and with the iPod gaining further game development support for its iPod Touch, it seems as if it’s a no brainer. Of course, all of this is purely speculation, but with Sony’s recent decision to file a patent for a “TouchEngine,” it makes this possibility even closer to a reality.

On September 24th, Sony filed a patent through its head corporation for a TouchEngine. While there is very little details as to why the company has filed the patent, it’s worth noting that it is odd that the patent was filed through its headquarters and not Sony Computer Entertainment America. Of course, this patent could be for an upcoming cell phone or any other electronic device. However, the patent’s filing does specify that the touch technology could/would be used for video games.

We’ve contacted Sony’s Kevin Butler, Director of Rumor Confirmation, in order to find out more possible information about the TouchEngine and the company’s plans to utilize it.