Sony's blog has stepped up to confirm that their new PSP Extended Life battery kit will go on sale in the US for a suggested price of $44.99 in mid-December. The new 2200mAh battery is compatible with the new PSP slim and is said to be capable of doubling the life of the unit.

Hi everyone. As you may have heard, we’re introducing a great solution to get longer battery life from your PSP. The new PSP Extended Life Battery Kit includes a 2200 mAh battery pack that can double the battery life of the new PSP model (PSP 2000). Because the extended-life battery is slightly thicker than the one that comes with the new PSP, we’ve included two custom covers in “Piano Black” and “Ice Silver.” Those of you with the original PSP (PSP 1000) may recall that we offered an extended life battery pack (the stamina battery) previously, and this battery remains compatible with that system as well.

The new battery kit will be available at retailers for $44.99 (MSRP) in mid-December – just in time to get you through your holiday travels and any long delays at the airports…