Hacking the PSP Blog

Sony Connect Big PSP Push This Fall; Internal Politics Rule

So here's some news from the fabled land called Sony Connect...the music/video service from Sony Connect will launch on the PSP by September, according to sources, and will have extensive music and video downloads to the handheld devices. Among the companies its has tied up with includes Vongo, the online movie service from Starz.

This is in keeping with Sony's earlier statements about opening up the PSP and enabling Wi-Fi. It has done some piecemeal efforts, but this is supposed to be the big push against the likes of say iTunes (well, there is only iTunes as competition, for now).

But what might trip up the effort for this undeniably logical push from Sony? Internal politics. If only various Sony divisions and even the Sony Connect division can get their act together. I have heard through my sources that Jay Samit, the GM for Sony Connect, has effectively been sidelined by Phil Wiser, and that his fate within the company is a bit of an unknown for now.

So while things are being done within Sony Connect (and the general feeling within the company is that there is still a window of opportunity to compete genuinely against iPod and iTunes), the infighting continues...

Source: PaidContent

EVENT ALERT: Sony Online Fan Faire 2006 this Weekend in Atlanta

WHO

Sony Online Entertainment, a worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online gaming, is hosting an event in Atlanta for the dedicated fans of their best-selling online multiplayer games— EverQuest®, EverQuest® II, Star Wars Galaxies™, The Matrix Online™, PlanetSide® and more. Hundreds of thousands of gamers from around the globe pay a monthly fee to play these hit massively multiplayer online games.

WHAT

Fan Faire is a real-life social event held in various cities throughout the United States. Fan Faire is designed to allow Sony Online Entertainment’s players the chance to meet other players in a fun environment, as well as meet the people behind some of the world’s most successful massively multiplayer online PC games. Attendees will have plenty of opportunities to mingle freely with one another, make new friends and have the chance to participate in a number of panel discussions and game-themed live events. Attendees will also have the exclusive opportunity to get sneak peeks of upcoming Sony Online Entertainment games for the PC and the PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable).

WHEN

Thursday, April 6th4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Friday and Saturday, April 7th - 8th
10:00am – 10:00pm

WHERE

Atlanta Mariott Marquis
265 Peachtree Center Avenue

PHOTO OPS

• Special appearance by Curt Schilling, All Star pitcher for the Boston Red Sox and EverQuest II fan, on Thursday, April 6.
• Costume contest during the Fan Faire banquet on Saturday night, April 8. Fans clad in exotic EverQuest and EverQuest II character costumes inspired by the incredibly popular massively multiplayer online games.
• Hundreds of fans from all over the world meet Sony Online Entertainment game developers and their online friends for the first time in real life.
• Huge Fan Faire party at the Tabernacle nightclub (152 Luckie St.), with local Atlanta music acts.
• EverQuest “Best of the Best” Tournament: On Friday, from 9 AM to 3 PM, 50 players will represent their servers and fight in-game for their fellow Norrathians’ glory -- the last one standing wins!
• EverQuest II “Take to the Sky”: Saturday, from 9 AM to 3 PM, dozens of players compete in a timed race to complete a high-level adventure within EverQuest II.
• Real-life quest and wild scavenger hunt, featuring actors in EverQuest and EverQuest II costumes.

For more information check out our website: http://events.station.sony.com/fanfaire/

Source: Video Game Generation News

The Online Portable War: DS vs. PSP

The portable market has exploded remarkably over the past year. Think about it. There was a time that we were all comfortable playing our Game Boy Advance SP's and basking in the sunlight that Nintendo's classic library provided. But then the Nintendo DS arrived on the scene and slowly began to build up steam, becoming something of a contender with its reasonable $130 price and its growing library of quality software.

Not to be outdone, Sony has managed to provide some muscle for the PlayStation Portable, also known as the PSP. Despite its somewhat weak launch, the portable system has seen a number of superb releases, from classics like Ridge Racer and Lumines to terrific new games such as Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror and Daxter. In its one year of age on the market, it's grown quite well.

Read the entire article here.

Majesco Ships Bust-A-Move Deluxe for Sony PSP

Addictive, bubble-bursting gameplay hits retailers across North America today as Majesco ships Bust-A-Move Deluxe for the PSP (PlayStationPortable) system. In this handheld iteration of the popular series, players fire bubbles from the launcher in an attempt to match and pop three bubbles before the allotted time is up. Bust-A-Move Deluxe is available for a suggested retail price of $39.99.

“Bust-A-Move Deluxe remains true to the series’ classic puzzle gameplay while adding new features exclusive to the PSP™ system,” said Ken Gold, vice president of Marketing for Majesco. “The 500+ puzzles in game offer a great deal of depth for players on the go.”



Offering addictive fun for both casual players and hardcore gamers, Bust-A-Move Deluxe includes four exclusive new modes and four new characters to the series. Whether playing solo or head-to-head with a friend in two multi-player modes, gamers will be challenged by more than 500 different puzzles in Bust-A-Move Deluxe.

Licensed through Taito and developed by Dreams, Bust-A-Move Deluxe is available now at retail outlets nationwide. More information can be found online at www.majescoentertainment.com.

Source: Mobile Tech Review

Thrustmaster USB WiFi For PSP - Wireless Without a Base Station!

Today is a good day for Playstation Portable owners everywhere. Thrustmaster, the PC and video game accessories manufacturer, announces the release of its WiFi USB Key for PSP FunAccess. This year the PSP is expanding its catalog of online, multiplayer games and Thrustmaster has the perfect solution for gamers without WiFi internet access.



Now you can play online and surf the Web on your PSP, wirelessly and from the comfort of your own home.

The latest product from Thrustmaster is a USB WiFi adapter which plugs into your computer connected to the Internet via a modem. WiFi USB key for PSP FunAccess provides PSP consoles with wireless Internet and online gaming access and without requiring a wireless router.

"Sony's portable console is a fantastic gaming machine which can be connected to the Web via its WiFi system. Thrustmaster has created this new accessory to enable all gamers who don't have a WiFi system at home to get the most from their console's online capabilities, from anywhere at home and wire-free," said Bertrand Gasnier, Wireless Product Development Manager for Thrustmaster.

In practical terms, all you need is a PC connected to the Internet (512k minimum via USB line connected Modem or Ethernet card). Connect the Thrustmaster Wi-Fi USB Key via the USB port and your PC becomes a real WiFi router.

Installing FunAccess on your PC and configuring the PSP couldn’t be easier, thanks to the special software which takes users through a brief step-by-step set-up process. The installation has been specially designed to recognize Internet connections automatically, whatever the modem used, whether USB or Ethernet. FunAccess was developed using the Hercules brand's expertise, which has an outstanding reputation for the simplicity and quality of its WiFi peripherals for PC.

Surfing the net, playing other gamers around the world and downloading audio, image or video files directly to your portable console is so simple and straightforward you can start using the PSP to its full potential immediately. You can even share the connection with friends. FunAccess opens up the online world to several PSP consoles at the same time: connect up to 5 players at once!

If you have other Internet-enabled equipment with integrated WiFi technology such as a laptop or PDA the Wi-Fi USB key for PSP allows you to connect them to the web as well.

Thrustmaster’s new WiFi USB Key for PSP™ will be available in May 2006, at a recommended retail price of $39.99.

Source: Myth Games

Sega's "Brain Trainer" game released for PSP

A version of the popular Brain Trainer tests designed by Japan's Touhoku University. The Nouryoku Trainer test, in addition to being turned into a popular book and TV program, was also made interactive via a Nintendo DS title of a similar name, as well as seveal pocket LCD trainers by Sega Toys. The title features the game drills you in such areas as music and math, aiming to strengthen your brain in the process. By simple button taps on the PSP, any player young or old can progress through the game's increasingly demanding intelligence exams. Measure your intelligence and develop your brain with these simple but stimulating tests.



View screenshots here.

Source: GameSpy

GameDaily Announces Free Video-on-the-Go for PSP and iPod Video

Sean Connery Stars in First Bond Game Available on the PSP

Electronic Arts announced today that From Russia With Love for the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system has shipped and is on store shelves. Making its debut as the first Bond game on the PSP system, From Russia With Love gives players the opportunity to experience the timeless fiction of the classic James Bond movie. Invest in your character and customize the ultimate Bond for a whole new level of gameplay options, including an all new single player mode consisting of 8 exciting missions, multiplayer mode with ad-hoc wireless, 16 new Bond challenges, several new unlockable Bond villains and classic Bond gadgets and weapons.

From Russia With Love is the first game to put PSP players in the universe of the classic James Bond films. Set in the original 60's Bond era, the game features movie-based missions as well as original, action-intensive sequences, a broad and deep variety of gameplay, social multiplayer experiences, gorgeous women, and classic, upgradeable weapons and gadgetry with modern mechanics. Sean Connery, the original Bond, reprises his role as the dapper Mi6 agent in this innovative, retro-styled and highly anticipated console title from the infamous Bond franchise. The highly anticipated game currently is available on the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox video game system from Microsoft, and the Nintendo GameCube.

This game has been rated T (Teen) by the ESRB. More information on the game can be found on the official website at http://www.007.ea.com.

Source: GameInfoWire.com

Art downloads for Sony PSP users

The Institute of Contemporary Arts offers PlayStation Portable users a free 10-minute arts bulletin to download.

Homebrew: New PSP Homebrew Releases for April 4, 2006

No games today, but lots of great updates to awesome apps! Check 'em out!

Applications
PiMPStreamer v0.25 - Updated version of the video streaming application.
PSP Kick v3.0 - The awesome drum machine for your PSP! User's manual here.
PlayStreamer v1.0 - Streams RSS music directory to your PSP!

Firmware Hacks & Launchers
Cartoon Fonts for PSP - More fonts for you to customize your PSP with (requires the FontHack, of course).
FontHack v0.92 - Update to the popular utility that lets you use custom fonts on your PSP.

Shells and Operating Systems
iRShell v1.3 - Great PSP shell with universal remote control features!