Hacking the PSP Blog

AFKIM Instant Messenger Updated to Version 1b

Danzel has just updated his AFKIM (Away from Keyboard Instant Messenger) to version 1b to fix a bug in version 1a. AFKIM is an instant messenger for almost all the major IM protocols, including AIM, ICQ, MSN, Google Talk and Yahoo! For more details, please refer to the enclosed README in the package.

Download it here.

Here is the changelog:

version 1b

• Fixed account creation to actually create the correct account types (gtalk and yahoo were creating msn accounts!)
• Thanks to Lordsturm and pspfan on the pspupdates forums for noticing this one!
• It seems that the crashfix for too many buddies doesn't work always (or maybe something else is causing a crash), if you have one then record the UPC and RA hex values (thats the top most and the bottom right ones) and drop me a message with them telling me what you were doing.

version 1a

• Fixed the crash bug from having too many friends ;) - This is only a cheap fix to stop it crashing, you will have trouble selecting buddies that are off the screen, a proper fix will come next version.
• It should also fix the new message bug (people who send messages weren't highlighted correctly)
• The server chat window now shows the bitlbee status so you can see why your accounts won't connect.

Source: PSPUpdates

NEW HACK: Customize Your PSP Font Today!

Team Overload has released a new hack where you can change the fonts used on your PSP! SCHAWEET!

Check it out here!

Charger Grip For PSP Provides Comfort While Extending Playtime

Nyko Technologies, a peripherals manufacturer dedicated to enhancing the digital lifestyle, ships the Charger Grip for the Sony PSP. The stylish, PS2-like grip includes a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery that extends the PSP play time by five hours. PSP fans can now acquire the new Nyko product from retailers nationwide.

The Charger Grip's unique design emulates the popular Sony Playstation2 console controller feel, allowing for familiar handling while the ergonomic design reduces strain on hands, permitting a longer and more enjoyable gaming experience. Easy to carry in a backpack or handbag due to its collapsible design, the Charger Grip for PSP is tough, durable and easy to install with an original clip-on design for attachment and removal.

Nyko's new accessory features a rechargeable lithium-ion battery providing players with up to five hours of additional battery life, making it perfect for long trips. The PSP recognizes the Charger Grip as an external battery source allowing the grip to transfer its power to the PSP, recharging the unit. The Charger Grip's power is always used first, before the PSP's, so users can enjoy extended videogame/movie sessions.

"The most important things about handheld gaming are portability, comfort and battery life. This product addresses all three," said Susan Corben, vice president of marketing, Nyko Technologies. "The new Charger Grip allows customers to play longer and more comfortably without detracting from the portability of the PSP."

The Charger Grip for PSP features:

• Ergonomic grip design reduces strain on hands, emulates PS2's popular controller style
• Built-in lithium-ion battery adds an addition five hours to the PSP's battery, allowing players to enjoy games for longer periods of time without having to recharge the PSP
• Simple clip-on design allows for easy attachment and removal - lightweight device is collapsible making it portable and easy to transport like the PSP
• Compatible with the existing PSP AC adapter, players can charge the PSP and the Charger Grip's simultaneously
• Nyko's Charger Grip is compatible with the standard PSP AC adapter for re-charging and is currently available for $29.99. Visit Nyko.com for a list of retailers.

Source: Game Info Wire

PSP Hacks Fight Night Round 3 Contest Sponsored by Lik-Sang - Entries Must be in by Midnight on March 21st - TONIGHT!

Update: We made an error in interpreting the prize pack from lik-sang the Datel hard drive is actually paired with the X2 battery pack and is only 1 prize. The number of contestants selected has been adjusted to 3.

Ok, so here’s the deal - we at PSP Hacks are putting on a little contest courtesy of Lik-sang.

The rules are simple - we’ll be accepting email entries for 2 weeks. Afterwards we’ll be selecting 4 random applicants. You may only submit once. All emails will be screened at the end for duplicates. Anyone that sends duplicate emails will have all their emails deleted and forfeit their entry.

The 3 selected winners will then move forward in the contest. They will each receive a chance to play both founding members of this site Alias420 and I (greg) in a match of Fight Night Round 3 for the PSP online via infrastructure mode. In the order they were randomly selected. If someone manages to beat both of us they can then select which ever prize they want. If any prizes are left because some contestants failed to win both matches they will be carried over into a second round and after that a third etc… Until all the prizes are gone. We will carry over all previous entries for automatic inclusion in following rounds and accept more entries for a brief amount of time that has yet to determined.

All emails must include your full shipping information to receive the prizes
The most important part the email address to send your entry to: contest@psp-hacks.com

The prizes are:

1. Datel 4GB PSP Hard Drive with USB Cable and 3600mAh X2 Clip-On Battery Pack
2. 6000 mAh External Battery Pack
3. Replacement PSP Faceplate and set of Replacement Colored PSP Buttons

All prizes are supplied by the online retailer Lik-Sang.com.

Source: PSP-Hacks

Unconfirmed: Xbox Portable Coming

Hopefully, it will weigh less than 8.5 lbs

According to the blog of Dean Takahashi, correspondent to the San Jose Mercury News, Microsoft and J Allard are hard at work on a new handheld system. The device will apparently have multimedia functions along with game capabilities, not unlike the PSP. The device would apparently compliment an iTunes-style digital music distribution service, codenamed Alexandria that the company has planned.

"In a bid to capture the huge audience for handheld entertainment gadgets, Microsoft is designing a product that combines video games, music and video in one handheld device, according to sources familiar with the project," says Takahashi's blog. "The Microsoft product would compete with Sony, Nintendo and Apple Computer's products,

including the iPod. And Microsoft has some of its most seasoned talent from the division that created its popular Xbox 360 working on it. Game executive J Allard leads the project, and its director is Greg Gibson, who was the system designer on the Xbox 360 video game console. Bryan Lee, the finance chief on the Xbox business, is leading the business side of the project."

Takahashi's claims are not to be dismissed lightly; he wrote a book on the original Xbox in 2002 and is publishing another book on the Xbox 360 later this year with the help of high profile Microsoft insiders.

Source: Game Daily

PSP 'base pack' to ship Wednesday for 149.99 (U.K.)

Sony has revealed it will demand punters pay a penny under £150 (approx. $263 U.S.) for the basic PlayStation Portable package when it launches here on 22 March. Announced last week, the box contains just a PSP and a mains adaptor, unlike the bundle-heavy Value Pack that launched in September 2005.

Note from Auri: This means the 2006 PSP Base Pack will cost about $13 more than its U.S. counterpart AND not include the value pack's options - I hope this is all typos!

A Sony Computer Entertainment Europe spokesman confirmed the £149.99 price and its Europe-wide debut this coming Wednesday. Eurozone consumers will pay €199 for the package - the equivalent of £138 based on today's exchange rate.

The company blamed the £12 price differential on local tax levels and a wide number of other factors that boost UK prices above their Continental equivalents.

Sony already offers the £180 Value Pack, which adds headphones, a case and a 32MB MemoryStick to the contents of the basic package, and a £210 Giga Pack, which drops the 32MB MemoryStick for a 1GB version.

Source: The Register

4GB Hard Drive SOLUS Pack from Datel

Datel have now released their 4GB hard Drive as a standalone product for a price of $149.99. That's about half the price of two 2 gig Memory Stick Pro Duos.



More Details Here --> http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?products_id=8735&lsaid=219793

Source: PSP-News

Homebrew Releases for March 20, 2006

With the NeoFlash Coding Competition ending today, a swarm of entries has arrived, and the winner is - you! (wow, couldn't I have come up with something better than that? -Auri < (: )

Games
Alientetris HACKAH Mod - Mod for the PSP Tetris game HACKAH.
Beats of Rage v1.00 - Finally, 1.0 release! And it's been worth it. This version adds a save state capability.
Pointless Tormenter v2.0 - What the heck?
PSPitfall v1.0 - Yes! Pitfall for the PSP! SW33T!
SuperDog 2 for Lua - Control SuperDog and save babies falling from the sky!

Applications
AFKIM v1b - Updated! Instant messenger app for the PSP - supports AIM, Yahoo, and more!
Blackboard v1.0 - A virtual blackboard for your PSP!
Etch A Sketch v1.0 - Need I say more?
PSPJABBER 1.03 - Another AIM/Jabber IM client for the PSP!

Utilities
Titan Homebrew Manager - Manage your homebrew games, and even download them from your home computer when you're away!

Firmware Hacks & Launchers
PSP-OSS v0.3 - Just in time for the NeoFlash Spring Coding Competition!

PSP Magazines
PSPWeekly Issue 11