Hacking the PSP Blog

Sony Releases PSP Firmware 2.71

WARNING: Firmware 2.70 and 2.71 block the ability to run homebrew! If you want to run homebrew, DO NOT UPGRADE!

Sony released Firmware 2.71 for the Sony PSP in Japan today.

The new PSP firmware allows you to download game demos directly from the PSP web browser onto the memory stick. Currently available are the LocoRoco demo and a demo of Kazou (Sudoku game).

Other improvements related to the Location Free player support.

You can download the new Japanese firmware 2.71 on this page. Note that this is a Japanese update, and its effects on non-Japanese PSPs are unknown.

Sony released the 2.70 Firmware update on April 25th and tried to motivated us to update with a downloadable demo game of LocoRoco.

Source: I4U News

Nyko PSP Power Tuner

Unlike yesterday’s craptastic PSP accessory, the Power Tuner from Nyko may be a bit more useful. The Power Tuner can do everything you would ever want for your PSP in a vehicle. It acts as an FM transmitter over a choice of three different frequencies—so everyone in the car can enjoy a movie on the 4-inch screen. It also includes a 4-foot cable and can also charge the PSP through the cigarette lighter or power port. It is available now for 20 bones.

 – Travis Hudson

Source: Gizmodo

Sony Japan Begins Downloadable PSP Demos

Sony Computer Entertainment Japan has begun digital distribution of demos for two titles on PSP, LocoRoco and Kazuo. Gamers in the territory can download the demos either via a PC or directly through the web browser of the PSP itself, though an update to firmware version 2.71 (which has been released in Japan and Europe today) is required to do the latter.

Players can go to the download sections of the official websites of either LocoRoco or Kazuo and follow the instructions from there. There are warnings that the demos are for Japanese PSPs only and that Sony cannot guarantee that systems from outside of Japan won't be negatively affected by playing the demo, so be warned if you are tempted.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe are yet to confirm any demos for European PSPs at this time, but hopefully an announcement will be made shortly.

John Wilcox
June 1, 2006

Source: TVG

Superdock: Park your iPod, PSP, phone all in one place

Now here's something that plays few favorites. With this docking station from iDea, you can recharge a whole host of your electronic devices all in the same place. They don't fight each other for power; rather, they co-exist in a harmonious, continuous power-up cycle mode.

The ports are more numerous than you usually get in a docking station. You can park an iPod, a PSP, another MP3 player, and a mobile phone, all on this one docking station. Did I mention it's wireless as well?

You can also get video and audio receivers, so that you can use the staion not only as a power charger but also as a signal transmitter. Park your video iPod and watch the latest episode of your favorite TV show on a a bigger screen. Listen to your favorite digital tunes on your home stereo. You probably can't hook up the PSP to a larger screen, but that's not the point of PSP, anyway.

Check out the product page.

Source: Mobile Magazine

PSP facing more Connect-ion woes?

In January, Sony announced that its long-suffering Connect digital music service would be completely revamped with new functionality, including the ability to download movies, video, and games to the PSP. March was pegged as the date of the re-launch, but the month came and went without word of any new functionality.

Eventually that plan was scrapped, as a Sony representative told GameSpot sister site mp3.com that no major re-launch was planned, with the company instead opting to make incremental improvements.

Now more questions about the Connect service have arisen. According to a report on GameSpot sister site News.com, Sony Corporation of America chief technology officer and Connect advocate Phil Wiser is on his way out of the company, effective Friday. Wiser will reportedly be replaced by Sony senior vice president Steve Bernstein. The article also details a frequently contentious relationship between Sony and Kinoma, an external media company whose chief executive had been put in charge of the Connect project.

It's unclear what impact this will have on the system's planned addition of support for the PSP. A Sony representative declined to speak with News.com for that story, while GameSpot's own attempt to get clarification on the status of Connect's planned PSP support has not yet been answered.

Brendan Sinclair, Gamespot
May 31, 2006

Source: Gamespot