Hacking the PSP Blog

Off Topic: Playstation 3 Controller To Debut Sans Rumble?

It appears that Sony, likely partially due to its lawsuit with Immersion Inc., who owns the patents for vibrating controllers, is not going to have vibrating/rumble controllers for the Playstation 3. This also means PS2 and PS1 games run in backwards compatibility mode won't vibrate either. Check out Sony's official press release...

Pursuant to the introduction of this new six-axis sensing system, the vibration feature that is currently available on DUALSHOCK® and DUALSHOCK®2 controllers for PlayStation and PlayStation®2, will be removed from the new PS3 controller as vibration itself interferes with information detected by the sensor.

-Auri

A little trick: get "Devulated" 2.71 up to 333mhz

Many of you may have noticed the one annoying thing about DevHook: that it freezes when you try to run firmware 2.71 at 333Mhz in the Devhook menu. Although some of you may have already figured this out, IndianCheese has posted a little trick that allows you to run emulated firmware 2.71 using DevHook at 333Mhz without it freezing just by using Ahman's legendary shell application, iR Shell. Here it is:

1. Run iR Shell.
2. Press R+Start repeatedly until the PSP is clocked up to 333mhz (Check the green numbers at the top of the screen).
3. Run Devhook 0.46 through iR Shell.
4. Choose "CPU Speed".
5. Choose 333/166.
6. Choose "Start".
7. The PSP will successfully boot 2.71 firmware clocked at 333mhz.

This workaround is quickest for iR Shell regulars who put their PSP on sleep in iR Shell in order to bypass the PSPs XMB when turning it on, but there is also another workaround. You can just start devhook then hold home and hit select until you get to 333mhz, which also doesn't crash the PSP.

We guess it is because the PSP doesn't like you changing it to 333Mhz when you boot up in 2.71, maybe due to a bit of Sony's security coding during 2.71 startup. Anyhow, either of these 2 methods will enable you to boot up firmware 2.71 in DevHook at 333Mhz without crashing, just use whichever method is quickest for you. Just remember - running your PSP at 333Mhz drains your battery much quicker than at 222Mhz!

Source: PSPUpdates via Indian Cheese

PSP To Be Sold Cheaper Soon?

With the imminent release of PS3, which comes with a hefty price tag of almost $600, analysts believe that Sony may be formulating a plan to balance this out by cutting the price of their handheld units. There are currently rumors that as the holidays approach, the PSP's price will be reduced by up to $50, which will bring its retail price down to $149 - a much closer distance to their main competitor, Nintendo DS, which retails for only $129.

This prediction has been prompted by the recent stockpiling of finished game systems that many believe would be PSP, thereby suggesting that Sony may be planning to move these units soon.

Before we start rejoicing, however, it should be noted that Sony remains tight-lipped about this matter, and whether this price cut will push through remains to be seen.

Source: PSPUpdates, CNN Money

Want microSD Card for Your PSP?

Taking advantage of the fact that different digital products today support different memory card specifications, a company called Kingmax has began offering the new multi-function microSD card. According to the company, the multi-function microSD card is made up of three parts - microSD, SD Adapter, and Memory Stick Duo Adapter.

When the product is paired with the SD Adapter, it becomes compatible with digital thingamajigs that uses SD Cards and when it's paired with the Memory Stick Duo Adapter, it becomes compatible with all devices supporting Sony Memory Pro Duo - including your beloved PSPs. And here's the deal, Kingmax could only supply 512MB multi-function microSD Cards which are way less than the 4GB Mem Sticks offered by Fry's Outpost which we reported days ago.

But if you don't want to use it for your PSPs (because the memory is relatively small), you can always use it for SD Digital cameras, PDAs, some mobile phones. The company also claims that their proprietary patented PIP technology enables their microSD products to be completely waterproof, shock/fold-resistant, and heat-resistant for greater product longevity. No price tag has been divulged for now.



Source: PSPUpdates

Death Jr. On Sale at Sears for $9.99

Remember Death Jr.? In case you have forgotten, this is the very first PSP game ever shown publicly and advertised as a killer-app. It is also going to be made into a feature film as well. It was released to fairly mediocre reviews and noted for numerous problems about the camera, gameplay and uninspiring graphics, but was praised for its Tim Burton-esque themes and quirky characters. A slightly more well-received graphic novel was released alongside it.

But as they say, the best things in life comes to those who wait. So if you weren't able to buy this game when it was released and you plan on trying it out, well you're in luck. Do you have $10 in your pocket or in your couch? Because if you do, you could buy Death Jr. at Sears for the cheap price of $9.99. At that price, it's a great game regardless of the lukewarm reviews that it got dealt with.

How to Get a Man's Attention: Tekken and a Huge PSP

One of life's greatest mystery has been solved: How to get guy's attention and keep it... even for 5 minutes or so.

As a follow up to the Tekken: Dark Resurrection PSP Bundle that was released last July in Korea, Sony has installed huge 15:1 scale models of PSPs encased in glass on bus stops, which can be found around twelve selected locations along the popular commercial district near the Han River in Seoul.

Make a mental note of these girls, do away with the long trips to the salon, ultra-micro-mini skirts or even love potions, the images that will follow will prove just how potent a PSP can be. Now witness the power of the mighty PSP.

Source: PSPUpdates