Sunday, November 18, 2007

Amazon Black Friday/Thanksgiving Deals

- Amazon have setup pages for their Black Friday deals and some great gaming bargains are expected.
- Infact, they have announced the 40GB PS3 could be yours for $139 on Thursday November 22nd if it is the most popular choice in the "Customers Vote" promotion. Make sure you get there and vote!
- Amazon Black Friday Deals
- Amazon "Customers Vote" Deals

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Color PSPs - Spiderman Red and Simpsons Yellow

- After news of some pastel colored PSPs comes word of some movie tie-ins from Joystiq:

Sony recently announced two different types of red PSPs for Europe and Japan. Europe will receive the Spider-Man PSP, which features a red face with black buttons and back. It will also include Spider-Man 3 the game and the UMD movie. We're currently unaware of price or official release. There is also a similar Simpsons bundle planned, which will have a yellow PSP with Simpsons movie and game.

In Japan they will receive a deep red PSP model beginning December 13. The handheld will come in two versions. One will include a pouch, hand strap, 32MB memory stick and the other includes a Sig TV tuner, stand and 1GB memory stick. We are currently unaware of these units coming to the States.

Saturday, November 03, 2007

Sony Release PSP Firmware v3.72

- From Sony:

"An update to the PSP system software was made available on October 30, 2007. With this update, the system software is version 3.72. Features updated in system software update 3.72 include:
Network
* Support for PLAYSTATION Network titles have been expanded."

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Multiplayer PSOne gameplay emulated over WiFi-linked PSPs

- From Joystiq:

"A hacker called "AhMan" has created a software mod that enables two PSPs to play PSOne games over an adhoc WiFi connection, although apparently this software is in early development -- really, when isn't this kind of hack? For now the evidence is a YouTube video showing a pair of PSPs playing synchronized two player PSOne games, so we'll have to give them to [sic] benefit of the doubt that it's actually legit. If it is, you should be able to procure the software required within a reasonable amount of time: if you're willing, of course, to jump through the usual series of firmware related hoops to get there."

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

PSP Firmware 3.70

- You can now set custom themes in [Theme Settings] under [Settings].
- Support has been added for assigning buttons in [Remote Play].
- A scene search feature has been added under [Video].
- Sequential playback is now supported under [Video].
- Simultaneous playback of content under [Music] and [Photo] is now supported.

PSP Slim Hacked

- News from MaxConsole:

PSP Slim Security defeated in record time - M33 PSP Custom Firmware v3.6 RELEASED!!!
It didn't take Team M33 long did it now? Just FIVE days after the official European release of the PSP Slim & Lite, M33 have released custom PSP firmware v3.6! Moreover, this release confirms Pandora's Battery can be fully compatible with the new PSP Slim & Lite! Sony will have to try harder than that to 'protect' their system from avid homebrew fans!
Support the guys and send them a donation to the address at m-33.narod.ru

- From the read-me:

"We are proud to present the first custom firmware for the PSP Slim, and the first custom firmware that runs using a 3.XX IPL (3.60)
3.60 M33 for PSP Slim has all the features of 3.52 M33, except the 1.50 kernel support, as that kernel doesn't work properly on psp slim (hardware problems, screen problems).3.60 M33 will load homebrew from GAME, GAME150 and GAME360 directories, but all will be executed with 3.60 kernel.
This mean that some homebrews done specifically for the 1.50 kernel cannot work on 3.60 M33. However, the adaptation of code to 2.XX+ kernels is not difficult, and homebrew developers can port their aplications to work in these firmwares.
Included with the release is the M33 sdk for programmers."

Friday, August 31, 2007

Comparison of PSP-1000 and PSP-2000

- Joystiq take a look at the new model PSP:

This September, Sony will be unleashing the first ever revision of the PlayStation Portable. Codenamed PSP-2000, the system sports a new slimmer design, and the ability to display content on a television. There are a lot of mysteries surrounding the new system -- but tonight, we're going to clear things up. We asked the readers of PSP Fanboy to submit their questions and received about a hundred responses. That's a lot of ground to cover, so we're going to spend the next few days answering as many as we can. Let's begin.

The PSP-1000's volume wasn't that loud. Did they increase the volume?
Submitted by: dapurplebyrd
As you can see, the speakers on the new PSP (right) are not louder than the old PSP (left). With headphones on, the volume output is identical as well.

What firmware is shipped with the PSP?
Submitted by: mike



The system includes firmware 3.60. Some new features of the firmware include: USB Charge, new background colors (27 in all!), and Connected Display Settings (for TV output).

What video sizes does it play? Hopefully 640x480.
Submitted by: Surtur



Nope. PSP 3.60 still does not support 640x480 video, which means many iPod-compatible video podcasts still don't work on the PSP.

Is the system quieter when loading data from the UMD?
Submitted by: Brandon
In some ways. The PSP will still make that scratching noise when loading data from a UMD. However, it does seem to happen slightly less often. Listen to the video, though. You'll notice that both systems will make the same disc loading noise.

Do files open faster on XMB?
Submitted by: TheHood



We loaded up our 4GB Memory Stick Duo with tons of 1080p images and had the PSP generate thumbnails. In our test, we noticed one thing: the two systems performed identically.

Is ghosting still noticeable?
Submitted by: Saigon



Yes, ghosting is still noticeable on the screen, particularly in scenes involving bright whites. The screen isn't bad -- let's not forget that the original PSP screen still produces fantastic video.

Does the web browser take advantage of the added memory? For instance, can web sites that cause the old PSP's memory to run out work on the Slim?
Submitted by: J@F



We were trying to read our favorite gaming blog when this error message struck. Seemingly, the browser is another thing that hasn't been improved in the new PSP.

What happens if you press the screen button long enough to start video out if it isn't plugged in?
Submitted by: Don
The screen simply turns off, just as it did before. This will help you conserve battery.

Is it possible to play music while viewing a slideshow on the PSP with this new release?
Submitted by: Sai
No. When you enter a different part of the XMB, your music will stop just like before.

How is the Wi-Fi connection? Can you test the range?
Submitted by: Makiyura



The range for both PSP-1000 and PSP-2000 seem nearly identical. For us, the system lost a signal once more than 30 feet away from our wireless router. In terms of download speeds, we saw that the PSP-2000 had only a marginal advantage, one that could have been caused by random network speeds, rather than an inherent system design. Regardless, PSP-2000 constantly outperformed the original PSP in our RSS download tests.

Do the buttons actually have a better response/feel to them?
Submitted by: Dennis
Yes. The buttons have slightly more resistance, which makes it much better to the touch.

I heard that when you output games to your HDTV (through component), the picture is framed. Is it true?
Submitted by: Sephiroth_FF



Yes it is true. On our 61" TV, the image produced by the PSP was 42" on our TV. That means, in diagonal terms, less than 70% of your screen will be devoted to the game. The XMB, however, will appear in full screen, as will movies and everything else accessed from there:





The image quality of games is particularly impressive. Ignoring the somewhat significant borders, the games we played looked like they were being output by a PS2. Movies, on the other hand, fared worse. Our Spider-man 2 UMD looked good, but didn't match the quality of a properly upscaled DVD running on the PS3.

=====
There are still a lot more questions to answer. However, we need to spend a little more time with the system. Expect answers to burning questions on PSP-2000's load times, battery life, TV out functionality, and more in the next few days.

Monday, August 27, 2007

UK PSP Owners Finally Have Something to Smile About

- Sony have announced three new services for the PSP in the UK, with possible plans to expand out to other countries in the EU.
- Go! Messenger offers voice and video, (using the Go! Camera,) calls over Wi-Fi. Sony is working with telephone operator BT to roll out this service across Europe next January as part of a firmware update.
- Go! Explore turns the PSP into a portable GPS system. Slot a small peripheral into the mini-USB port on top of the system and you can plan routes and take 3D fly-throughs of them. A free service launching next February, though the GPS addon has yet to be priced.
- Finally, SKY are planning on offering downloadable movies, sports, TV shows and music available on either a pay-per-view basis or through subscriptions to particular channels. They also emphasised this is only for the PSP and no other platforms.

1Seg TV Tuner for PSP in Japan

- From IGN:

"Sony has slowly been upping the functionality of the PSP, taking it beyond just games and movies and into, most recently, the high tech world of global positioning. But it appears that the company is just getting started.

As part of a flurry of announcements from today's PlayStation Premiere event in Tokyo, Sony Japan announced a 1Seg Tuner device for the PSP. Attach this to the PSP USB port in much the same way that you attach the GPS receiver and camera to the system now, and you'll turn the system into a portable TV that's capable of receiving digital television broadcasts.

The 1Seg Tuner will go on sale on 9/20 at a cost of 6,980 yen. It will be compatible exclusively with the new PSP-2000 redesign, so current PSP owners are out of luck."

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

New PSP Gets Jap Price/Date

- From Engadget:

"According to Reuters, Sony will launch its trimmed down PlayStation Portable on September 20th in the Japanese market, and it plans on listing it for ¥19,800 ($162)."

Monday, July 16, 2007

PSP Lite

- From Joystiq:

"We already uncovered a couple of the details gleaned from the newly redesigned PSP's manual from our own experiences with the unit, but there's a couple we weren't aware of. Here's the list:

* RAM has been doubled to 64MB, games should load faster
* The new system will support charging over USB
* The 1200mAh battery is rated at 3-6 hours, the same as the original PSP's 1800mAh battery (good news: more efficient, bad news: same overall runtime)
* Original PSP remotes will not work with the new PSP
* The fancy component AV cable will not be included (big surprise)
* The PSP Lite features a TA-085 PCB ... so, uh, yeah ...

We'll admit it, we feel silly coveting this thing. Like the DS Lite, the PSP Lite is the same old PSP with a svelte new bod and yet, we're powerless to resist its charms. That new video-out functionality is pretty amazing though ... yeah, that's it."

Sunday, June 24, 2007

All-Firmware Exploit Found

- Homebrew group Noobz have some interesting news for us:

"Following research in conjunction with Archaemic, Noobz are proud to present the first ever all-firmware exploit for the PSP. Based on Lumines, the "Illuminati" exploit is a user-mode exploit using a buffer overflow in the savedata file - similar to the GTA exploit.

That's right - if you've got a legal UMD copy of Lumines, then you can run homebrew on your PSP - whatever the firmware version. That includes v3.50! Right now, the only homebrew is the Hello World demo released below - but in future we intend to release a HEN and downgrader."

Saturday, June 23, 2007

PSP Clockspeed Upped to 333MHz Officially

- From Engadget

"Sony has admitted that it sneakily upgraded the PSP's clockspeed to 333MHz (from 266MHz) in the version 3.50 firmware update that was released last month. This admission is confusing for a couple of reasons: for starters, Sony originally underclocked the PSP in order to increase the stated battery life of the console. Does that mean they'll be forced to decrease the stated battery life, so as to avoid false advertisement? It's also rather odd that developers are only now being granted access to the extra MHz oomph, prompting mutterings of a new PSP model which -- as one Joystiq commentator points out -- could take as long to appear as games that take full advantage of the 333MHz clockspeed. Or, maybe this upgrade simply enabled the PSP to cope with all that "remote play" malarkey that 3.50 enabled. That would be the logical assumption."

Monday, June 04, 2007

PSP Plays Nice (Remotely) With PS3

- From Engadget:

"Just released in Japan, Sony's 3.50 firmware for the PSP should making the global rounds soon enough. That, coupled with the latest PS3 firmware update, means you've just scored "Remote Play" functionality -- access to videos, music, and pictures on your home PS3 running 1.80 -- over the Internet. In other words, you can stream media but can't actually play games remotely. The update also includes an RSS Channel Guide but we know it's the remote play you want. The new firmware should already be available via your PSP's Network Update option even though many of Sony's download sites are still pegged at version 3.40."

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

PSP Becomes Voice/Video Phone

- From Engadget:

You lucky PSP-ownin' Brits. BT has developed custom VoIP software for use with PSPs fitted with new Go!Cams (pictured to the right). Using the Go!Cam's mic and camera, PSP punters will initially be able to make voice and video calls to other PSP users and some BT phones across the UK. Eventually, BT will distribute the software globally and allow users to call PCs, fixed line phones and mobiles from any WiFi hotspot. The new service takes advantage of BT's 21 century network (21CN) designed specifically for IP technologies. Now the bad news: while the Go!Cams are scheduled for release on 25 May in the UK, BT won't be providing any additional detail on the PSP VoIP service until sometime in August. Oh BT you saucy minx you.

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

The Game Onion: Gaming Stories That Fell Through The Cracks

- Weekly World News a reliable, infallible source of fact? The Colbert Report full or Truthiness? If you believe that then you'll love the in depth reporting over at The Game Onion.
- Go check that bad boy out.

Monday, February 05, 2007

PSP Firmware v3.10 Open Edition Rev A

- From LAN.st:

"Just days after the release and immediate decryption of Sony's PSP firmware v3.10, homebrew developer Dark AleX has released a new edition of his custom brand of firmware: 3.10 OE-A (Open Edition). As the name implies, Dark AleX's custom firmware includes all of the functionality provided by Sony's latest firmware update, plus the ability to run homebrewed (and pirated) applications and files, and further exploit the PSP hardware (e.g., speed up the processor, unlock maximum video resolution, bypass region coding, etc.). The new custom firmware also grants access to the PSP's fourth level of brightness without the use of a power adapter."