PSP 2000 - Some intriguing details

Posted by multippt

Sony has decided to reveal a prototype of a possible successor to the current PSP, dubbed as PSP 2000. A rough look at the specifications can tell that this new PSP would boast several nicer features over the older one.

Here are some of the more significant changes:
-Increase in internal memory: from 32mb to 64mb
-Brighter screen
-Faster load time
-Improved battery life
-Video-out port
-Change in location of Wifi switch
-Removal of the IR port (since its not officially used by the original PSP at all)
-Change in design: The new model is lighter and slimer
-Change in motherboard: TA-85

Some things that remained the same:
-Overall design [looks almost the same, except for some slight differences]
-CPU

Another thing to note is that the PSP 2000 model in E3 might be using firmware 3.60 (which is not even out yet).

Older versions of the PSP are no longer manufactured, in favor of the newer models. The older versions would eventually be sold out, before Sony starts selling the newer PSP.

The new PSPs are expected to be priced at a higher cost, with the core edition (game console only) being roughly the same price compared to that of the earlier PSP normal pack (the core pack is cheaper).

Via Engadget

Good Bye DAX; Dark_Alex leaves the scene

Posted by signup

Recently, Dark_Alex aka DAX has now left the homebrew scene. Other’s think it was a rumor, and others are sad, angry, and worried.
You can visit Dax’s site here, containing his good-bye message. http://dark-alex.org/

His last message were:

Bye, scene.

I’ve decided to cease OE development, and leave PSP scene.
The reasons are various.
One of them is the time it consumes, which i’m losing from other things.
The other is related to my security. I didn’t like Sony menaces to PS3 hackers.
I think it is better to leave now rather than end paying the consequences.

He decidido cesar el desarrollo de OE, y abandonar la scene de la PSP.
Las razones son varias.
Una de ellas es el tiempo que me consume, que estoy perdiendo de otras cosas.
La otra esta relacionada con mi seguridad. No me gustaron las amenazas de Sony a los hackers de la PS3.
Creo que es mejor retirarse ahora que estoy a tiempo, que acabar pagando las consecuencias.

Dark_AleX

Shot at 2007-07-02

Dark_AleX skipping 3.50-OE working on 3.51-OE instead

Posted by signup

French PSP news site PSP-Generation has posted some pretty big news - both good and bad - concerning the PSP homebrew scene.

The bad news is that according to Mathieulh, Dark AleX will not be releasing custom firmware 3.50 OE, so those who have been waiting for it won’t ever get it. The good news is that Dark AleX will be rolling out custom firmware 3.51 OE instead to keep abreast of Sony’s most current firmware version for the PSP handheld system.

There has been no time frame yet for when 3.51 OE will come out, but rest assured that we’ll be reporting it as soon as it does. Keep checking back here for updates. Thanks to bhattsan for the heads-up on this news piece.

Source

HOT PIXEL demo now available on PSP

Posted by signup

PSP owners can now visit www.yourpsp.com and download the demo for the PSP exclusive HOT PIXEL.

The demo features one full episode of HOT PIXEL comprising 10 mini games and a boss battle. Weird and wonderful tasks thrown at the player include catching marshmallows, skateboard odd-one-out and staying on a diet in the face of an onslaught of hamburgers.

Source

PSP Fights Homebrew with 3.51 Firmware

Posted by signup

Sony targets Lumines-led loophole with incremental update.

PSP launch title Lumines received an unexpected shot in the arm last week, when it was revealed that the puzzle classic contained an exploit that allowed users to run homebrew applications on the 3.50 system firmware. Amazon.com reported a 5000% increase in sales for the title, and as of press time, it remains the most popular game across all platforms.

However, it may be a short-lived phenomenon, as Sony today released the 3.51 firmware update for the PSP. Next Generation is reporting that the firmware simply overwrites the exploit and adds zero functionality to the system. Until a game is released that requires the 3.51 firmware, users may continue to run 3.50 or whichever iteration currently rests on their handheld.

Those who feel the need to stay current can grab the 3.51 firmware via the Network Update option on the PSP.

Source

PSP downgrader for firmware 3.50 released

Posted by multippt

Fanjita and co (the Noobz team) in just a short space of a few days since their latest discovery of the Illuminati exploit have released their downgrader. This downgrader allows you to downgrade from the official firmware, 3.50, to lower firmwares like 1.50.

Why downgrade you may ask? Older firmwares have greater support for homebrew. This downgrader is tailored for firmware 3.50, so if you want to downgrade your PSP which is at a firmware lower than 3.50 (and higher than 2.80), you will need to update your PSP to that version. The downgrader will automatically detect the correct motherboard type to downgrade the PSP appropriately.

Note that if you downgrade a TA-082 (or tA-086) PSP with this downgrader, you may not be able to update to the latest version, since firmwares past 3.11 (3.30 onwards) will have checks that prevent downgraded PSP using new motherboards from updating (the problem is some corrupted registry values). However, you can use new custom firmwares (like the OE series).

To use the downgrader, you will need:
-A PSP, with official firmware 3.50. The language settings should also be set to “English”.
-A legal copy of Lumines, either the Europe or US version.

The instructions for using the downgrader is provided in the “readme” text file.

As with any downgrader, there is a risk that you may accidentally render your PSP unusable, so always read the readme.

In addition to the downgrader, they have released a port of HEN (Homebrew ENabler), which allows the execution of homebrew on 3.50.

You can get the downgrader from Noobz.

New PSP exploit (Illuminati) - Homebrew for all firmwares

Posted by multippt

Noobz has made major progress on PSP homebrew, especially the part on bringing homebrew to newer firmwares. The exploit, nicknamed the “Illuminati exploit”, is able to run on all firmwares, including the latest official firmware (3.50). This exploit is similar to the GTA exploit, except it uses the (official) Lumines game.

Here are the instructions (taken from the guide in Noobz)
-You will need a copy of Lumines (known to work with the US and Europe versions)
-Download the exploit which is packaged in a ZIP file, and extract the contents inside the “MS_ROOT” folder (meaning, excluding the folder) into the root of the memory stick.
-Start the Lumines game, and press START when the game tells you to “press start”
-The screen will go blank, and the exploit will start after a few seconds. The exploit is currently a “Hello World” application, so don’t expect it to do much yet.

The exploit may allow for the creation of downgraders and HEN. Though, it would only be possible once the Noobz team allows for Kernel access through the exploit (currently the exploit allows for user-mode homebrew, since its in the early stages).

*The Lumines game can be bought at a low price. At the moment, the Lumines game is not patched, but it WILL get patched soon if Sony does something (just like GTA: LCS).