Sony's John Koller has stated that Sony will never walk away from the base, and that it includes the UMD format. Koller implies that any re-design of the PSP will stick with the format and proclaims that the future of UMD is bright.

Even if – or more likely, when – Sony Computer Entertainment unleashes downloadable movies and other content onto PSP, it won't mean the end of UMD. "We'll never walk away from our base," says Koller. "Whether it's movies or game content, third parties have an incredible opportunity to utilize it."

It's clear that Sony is far from abandoning its relationship with UMD, one that will endure through any rumored redesign.

"The future of UMD is bright," Koller proclaims. Like any relationship, only time will tell.