Hacking the PSP Blog

E3 2006: The PSP Reel

Source: IGN

May 9, 2006 - Sony Computer Entertainment was not expected to puts a big focus on its PSP presentation at this year's pre-E3 event -- it was always going to be all about PS3 -- but we still couldn't help but be disappointed with what was shown. Only one surprise title was in the line-up of games shown, and one game in the reel was actually already out stateside (a few others have already been brought out elsewhere but are premiering in the US this year.)

Death, Jr. returns to the PSP

Konami's young Grim Reaper returns for more, starring in Death, Jr.: The Root of Evil. The game is the second game in the Death Junior series and will use hdr lighting and framebuffer effects. A two-player cooperative mode is being introduced to the series, as well as the introduction of Pandora as another playable character.

See the entire article, screenshots and more here.

Source: IGN

Off Topic: Sony Press Release on the PlayStation 3

After all the hooplah, the PlayStation 3's details are finally set. I'm glad they went back to the old controller style but I don't know how consumers will feel with the vibration function being removed while adding the motion sensing feature. I'm glad that the thing will come with a HDD standard. The conference seemed a too long to me and they tried to cram many games in there to show. It easily could've been cut down to half the time. Anyways, here's the PDF for the official details on the machine.

Source: Gaming Nexus

Off Topic: The Nintendo Wii's Control Has a Speaker & a Mic?

This just in ... apparently the Wii's controller has a speaker and microphone built in...

From Digg:

If this post at Lakitu's Lair has anything to say about it, the controller for the Wii will have a mini speaker and what seems to be a mic. What's so nice about this you may ask? Well imagine gun shot sounds coming from the controller instead of the gun. There might even be a possibility of talking in one controller and have the voice be repeated on another controller.. perhaps over the Internet even. Sounds pretty interesting if this is true.

SOCOM boys back in action for PSP

Sony has fed us new morsels on the sequel to PSP squad shooter SOCOM US Navy SEALS Fire Team Bravo. It has the same name but with a '2' on the end. (Come on, you didn't expect us to type all that out again).

The gritty, sophisticated military franchise may be shrunken down, but it has peppered up the sequel with new non-linear mission progression (choose what to tackle and when), a persistent performance rating system, bonus objectives, and the ability to purchase airstrikes, satellite intelligence and supply drops.

You will even be able to up your influence in civilian areas, using your know-how to buy weapons and information from the black market. As for multiplayer, 16 players can compete/co-operate in close proximity (via Ad Hoc mode) and nationwide (via Infrastructure Mode). Three new multiplayer modes consist of Tug-Of-War, Capture The Flag and Target.

document.write(''); Capcom Freedom to Launch MPU, advert_format=Video Rectangle, advert_id=6723, site=cvg_fut_ros --> ' + tz_bit2 + 'script>'; document.write(tz_tag); //--> if(command.indexOf('tz')!=-1)eval(command); It all shapes up to arguably one of the deepest and most absorbing titles for the PSP thus far, with expanded online support keeping the human aspect alive. It's out this Autumn.

Source: CVG

Fanjita & Ditlew: THERE IS NO 2.01 DOWNGRADER! (stop asking us <grin>)

Apparently there have been rumours going around that Fanjita and Ditlew have created a v2.01+ firmware downgrader for the PSP. This notice is just to say, all these rumours are untrue. Fanjita and Ditlew have been inundated with questions about a 2.01+ downgrader, so much so that they have had to post a message on their website.

Here's what Fanjita and Ditlew said:

"It seems that someone has been spreading a rumour that we have made a downgrader for v2.01+, but won't release it because we don't like downgraders. We'd like to just set the record straight, because it's getting annoying.

We would never hold back on an interesting hack for the PSP, without good reason. That's because, generally, we'd never work on something that we didn't think was safe to release - which is why we've never bothered to mess about with ISO loading."

If there was a 2.01+ downgrader, rest assured that it would be released, and you'd know about it. Read the full post on their website, Noobz.eu.

Source: Noobz.eu & PSPUpdates

Off Topic: Halo 3 Trailer Now on XBox Live!

For those of you who have been waiting for the teaser trailer for Halo 3... now's your chance...

Two ways to see it:

• Log onto XBox Live on your 360 and check out the kick ass high definition trailer!
• Go to the XBox web site

Note it says 2007 at the end... bumr!

Enjoy!

Best,

-Auri

Sony Unveils PSP New Titles at E3 2006

PSP gamers will have a great new lineup to choose from this year. Just a few of the titles that Sony is bringing out at this year's E3:

- ATV Offroad Fury® Pro :With a choice of 30 vehicles and 64 new race courses (in addition to those from the original) through 30 types of terrain, this promises to be some of the most  intense virtual offroad racing available for the PSP platform.

-  Gangs of London™ : Immerse yourself in the seedy underbelly of organized crime as you choose from 60 different missions. Features new gameplay, including a Game Share mode that generates new levels unique to the user's system, making each mission experience a new one.

- Killzone™: Liberation : Gamers are challenged in rescue hostages being held by the Helghast in this third-person action title. While resembling the previous version, this one features a "smart" third-person camera and more advanced graphics.

- Lemmings™: A resurrection of an old favorite, the players must safely guide a group of cute, furry lemmings through an obstacle course of raging rivers, high cliffs, volcanic vents, pits with spikes, and more.

- LocoRoco™: Players must navigate a level using the "R" and "L" keys to tilt the landscape. This version has 40 levels, featuring lush rain forests and a new "captivating" musical score.

- NBA '07: Take your team on the road and challenge other teams across the country, or put together your own "dream team" in Pick-Up mode.  One new feature is the Highlight Reel, which allows the player to view particular shots, passes, steals and dunks.

- Ratchet and Clank®: Size Matters: This is a new science fiction action game exclusive to the PSP platform. All the laughs you remember from the old version are still there, with enhanced graphics and the ability for up to four players to engage in a wireless free-for-all.

- SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 2: This title, developed with the assistance of the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command, will be released this fall specifically for the PSP.  With new non-linear missions and 40 real-world weapons at your disposal, you will be able to  take on the toughest missions in a wide range of terrains and environments with up to 16 other players via a Wi-Fi connection.            

Source: PSPUpdates

Sony's PSP E3 Content Pack... All yours! (93 megs!)

PSPUpdates has a cool download available on their site with Sony's PSP E3 Content Pack... check it out:

Because we love you so much, and because loving is sharing, and sharing is giving etc, etc, we'd like to let you have a look at some of the videos, music and screenshots Sony provided at their press conference yesterday.

Included are videos for:
ATV Offroad Fury Pro, Gangs of London, Genji 2 (developer interview), God of War 2, Killzone: Liberation, Lair (developer interview), Lemmings, Loco Roco, NBA 07, Resistance: Fall of Man (developer Interview), Rogue Galaxy, Singstar, SOCOM US Navy SEALS: Combined Assault, SOCOM US Navy SEALS: Fireteam Bravo 2, Stranglehold (developer interview), Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom (developer interview), Warhawk (developer interview), world Tour Soccer '06.

Screenshots included:
ATV Offroad Fury Pro, Gangs of London, God of War 2, Killzone: Liberation, Lemmings, Loco Roco, NBA 07, Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters, Rogue Galaxy, Singstar, SOCOM: Combined Assault, SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 2, World Tour Soccer '06

Music included:
ATV Offroad Fury Pro - Six songs from the game.

Instructions: The videos are in AVC format so you'll need to have firmware version 2.0 installed. If you wish to watch the videos simply go into the videos folder, select the desired title, and transfer both the mpeg file and its accompanying .doc file into the "200ANV01" folder of your PSP. For music, you may simply transfer the entire folder over to your "MUSIC" folder on the PSP. Note that the audio is in AAC format. The pictures can be transferred directly to your "PHOTO" folder on the PSP, no specific firmware is required to view these.

Alternatively, you can also view all these files on your PC without having to upgrade firmware. Be sure to stay with QJ.NET for all our Live E3 Coverage!

Download: [Sony's E3 PSP Content Pack] (93 MB)

Latest PSP Software Upgrades Allows TV Viewing in Europe via LocationFree (no this does *not* mean there is a TV tuner for the PSP!)

Previously only available in the U.S., the new PSP operating system software now allows users to receive LocationFree™ TV. People can watch their favorite programmes anywhere, anytime. While this may be old news to some of the more dedicated PSP fans, Sony has released a press release today just to make sure the entire world knew.

LocationFree™ TV requires a Base Station, a unit that connects to AV devices (for example, a DVD recorder). The Base Station plugs into a home network, and can also connect to the PSP™ system directly via a wireless link. Designed for people with a low G.Q. (Geek Quotient), the setup requires little in the way of technical know-how, and can be accomplished in a few minutes.

Additional features enable users to control STBs and HDD recorders from their PSP anywhere there's a network connection wireless -  or not. Remote access allows for programming home recorders from all over the world, then downloading the program for later viewing. Automatic Bit Rate Control also allows the device to monitor the bandwidth of the available Internet connection, and optimizes the bitrate of AV data accordingly.

This software release includes a free DNS (Domain Name Server) service that adapts to the user's changing IP address during travel. And,  just in case you had privacy concerns (well you should), Wired Equivalency Privacy encryption and WiFi Protected Access is a standard component.

Currently, LocationFree™ TV is available only in the UK, France, Germany, Belgium and Netherlands, but should be coming to other European countries soon. In the meantime, the software upgrade can be downloaded to your PSP browser at www.yourpsp.com.

Source: PSPUpdates

Interactive City guides for PSP coming September

Sony has confirmed the launch of 'Planet PSP' (Working title) for September 2006. Planet PSP will have interactive City guides for 6 European Cities: Amsterdam, Barcelona, London, Paris, Prague and Rome. Each guide has been developed with the young city breaker and frequent traveller in mind and comes packed with information on how to experience the very best places in town - from the latest restaurants to the most underground of clubs - along with videos, audio walks, photography, maps and pre-planned itineraries to suit every sort of visit, and every type of adventurous traveller.

Planet PSP will feature 3 main Information categories:

    * Points of interest: Each city has 250 main points of interest covering eating, sleeping, nightlife, shopping and sights with original photography, key information and contact details
    * Essential information: The bits you just must know from pharmacies to embassies, hospitals, airlines, money and costs
    * Getting around: Comprehensive and detailed zoom-in, zoom-out maps covering transport systems and roads

Planet PSP will also feature audio tours, video content, and Intineraries; and there are plans for more content and map updates to be made available to download  via the Internet after launch. It's a shame this 'game' won't be released before Summer, you'll have to make your summer trip to Europe without this handy application!

I'll leave you with a bit of advice. If you ever find yourself in a foreign country and needing to use Planet PSP, I'd advise you don't flash it around so much. Thieves can Identify foreigners in seconds, especially if your looking up maps on your PSP. It'll be gone before you have the chance to say 'Save me from firmware upgrades'.

Source: PSPUpdates

Ceramic White PSP hits European shores this month!

We reported on rumours last month of Europe getting the long-awaited White PSP on May 15th. Today, that rumour has become a reality. SCEE have officially announced that the Ceramic White PSP will be available in Europe from May 15th.

Stephane Hareau, PSP Senior Brand Manager for SCEE said "We are delighted to be launching the Ceramic White PSP in Europe. The sophistication and elegance of the Ceramic White PSP will encourage many more people to discover the unique entertainment experience of PSP. With the features and benefits of PSP expanding all the time, and with more PSP innovations on the horizon, PSP will soon become an essential companion for everyone’s entertainment needs".

And a just little note: I noticed that in last months article, we had a few readers saying that White PSP's were available in certain parts of Europe already. Although this may have been true, these would have been imported from another region. No official European White PSP's have been released yet, and will not go on sale until the 15th May.

Here's the Specs for the Ceramic white PSP:

Product Codes
PSP-1002KCW (Australia)
PSP-1003KCW (UK)
PSP-1004KCW (EU)
PSP-1008KCW (Russia)

Release Date - May 15th, 2006 (Monday)
Recommended Retail Price - €249

Included:
AC Adaptor
Battery Pack
Memory Stick Duo™ (32MB)
Headphones with Remote Control
Pouch & Wrist Strap (White)

Source: PSPUpdates

Control Your iTunes Music from a PSP with Playerpal v4

PlayerPal recently announced the release of the PlayerPal Version 4. This latest version now shows some love to iTunes and Sony PSP since it has added support for controlling iTunes from a Sony PSP as well as from other browsers like Pocket IE, Firefox and Internet Explorer.



For those who aren't that familiar with this software, it is a companion product of both iTunes and Windows Media Player, wherein all you need to do is install it once and it will connect to your music player and display your music collection in any web browser.

The previous versions of PlayerPal supported the control of WMP but has limited features for iTunes and Sony PSP, now the new version brings all the same features to iTunes and Sony PSP users. Rather than scroll through a big list of tracks in your player, the software presents a list of album covers for you to browse. You can then navigate your music collection by artist, year or genre and add individual tracks or whole albums to your playlist. PlayerPal offers a choice of interface skins, optimized for different devices - an iTunes-like browser interface, and two smaller interfaces for PSP or PDA access.

Unknown to many, the PlayerPal Version 4 was already released in the website as early as March. This quiet release worked to their advantage because existing customers and trial users were able to provide the PlayerPal people with their insights and feedback which equalled to lots of improvement for the software.

Anyone interested can download the free trial on their website, but if you are more interested in getting the real deal, you'd have to shell out $19.95 for registration fees.

Source: PSPUpdates

Off Topic: iWoz Book Preorder Announced

My good friend Steve Wozniak, who co-founded Apple and invented the first mass market personal computer, has finally finished his autobiography - iWoz.



The funny thing is it's paired up with Steve Jobs' book - iCon :)

Preorder it on Amazon here.