Hacking the PSP Blog

Map This!::: MSN/Virtual Earth maps support

More excellent MAP This News - From the release of Deniska`s GPS Map Viewer for the PSP, heres his latest newspost:

I have updated the scripts section with a new cygwin script, which gets the maps from MSN maps/ Virtual Earth engine (http://local.live.com)

usage:
./getVEmap.sh [latitude] [longitude] [base zoom] [map size]
example:
./getVEmap.sh 40.619442 -73.970926 1 16
latitude/longitude must be in decimal format
base zoom: 0-16
map size: number of 256x256 pix tiles in 1 row
map size: 16 will create an equivalent of 4096x4096 pixel map at base zoom
==================================================

You'll need to install cygwin (cygwin.com) and Java (JRE) from java.sun.com to run the script.
Both distributions are free and there are plenty of instructions & tutorials on how to set them up.

MSN Maps/ Virtual Earth seem to have a better than Google coverage of some areas, for example: Eastern Europe.

Here is a screenshot of a map for Riga, Latvia, which, according to Google just does not exist :-) :


Go to http://local.live.com to check the coverage for your area..
Once you find your map, you can get the GPS coordinates this way:
1) Center your map on the location you want.
2) Click on "Share" tab and select "View Permalink"
3) You'll get something like: _http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=56.945724~24.145804&style=r&lvl=15&scene=1935198&rtp=null~null - The highlighted number are the coordinates that you'll need for the getVEmap.sh script

Here is the same area mapped my Google and MSN:



Download it here.

Source: DCEmu

XCM PSP *CHROME* Face Plate

The Chrome XCM PSP face plate has been colored using a special process that makes the faceplate extra smooth, enhancing your gaming experience.

New mold. New lens. Special smooth coating . The best quality plastic.

This is a high end faceplate, also available in regular 'Smooth As Silk' colors.

What's in the box:

- Includes the digital pad (D-Pad) & analog stick
- Includes all face buttons (start, select, volume, display, audio & home)
- Includes all 4 main action buttons (2 sets)
- Includes screw driver

Get it here.

Source: DCEmu

Kaz Hirai talks PSP, denies redesign

There's no real new info in his interview with Gamespot, but it's always interesting when a Sony exec goes on the record about the system. Here are some bullet points summarizing what he said:

Sony is still "hard at work" on Connect. (Note: It was originally supposed to come out in March.)

PSone downloads will come "close" to the PS3 launch. "Obviously, we certainly are not going to have 1,200 titles come out at once. You also need to realize that some of the games just don't translate well onto a PSP environment, games that require the use of the two analog sticks, for example."
No plans for a PSP price drop OR redesign. Sony is "happy" with PSP; it is their "fastest-growing product."

So are we getting a PSP redesign or not?

Source: PSP Fanboy

SanDisk Memory Stick Pro Duo 4GB w/ Adaptor $141

Success HK have let me know they have in stock the SanDisk Memory Stick Pro Duo 4GB for a new lower price of $141 which is just over 70 pounds for UK people.

Other sites may claim to be cheaper but are usually out of stock or other stipulations, lets hope the price keeps coming down.

Source: DCEmu

Neoflash Coding Contest Summer 2006 Reminder

Those coders who are thinking of entering the Neoflash Summer coding Contest which is supporting PSP, Nintendo DS and GBA have only 1 day to get submitting to get a chance of winning a Nintendo Wii.

The competition has created some excellent entries so far and i must compliment all coders as theres some great entries amongst them.

We also publically thank Neoflash for creating the best PSP/DS/GBA Coding Contest

More details on the Comp Here

Source: DCEmu

Just a reminder, folks - Sony's GPS Add-On for PSP Coming in October

For those of you who didn't know, this is a kind reminder the GPS add-on (and maybe even the camera add-on) for the PSP is due this October. Knowing Sony it will be released in Japan first. I'll let everyone know when I get my hands on one.



For more info, check out this link to I4U.

-Auri (Author, Hacking the PSP)

Article: Sony Fights to Define the PSP

The PlayStation Portable was born a thing of entertainment convergence, a portable gaming device that would let people play games, watch movies, listen to music and surf the net.

But somewhere on the way from announcement to the hands of gamers, the PSP dropped the multimedia ball.

Now, a year and a half and 4.6 million in sales since the PSP’s launch, Sony is striving to revive the non-gaming functions of its svelte player, heeding the cry of PSP owners who say they want more from their portable.

Sony has renewed its push to make music and movies available on its system while adding new elements for the PSP such as an add-on Global Positioning System and camera.

Read the full article here. (Rocky Mountain News)

Source: Newsvine

Activision Anthology Coming to the PSP

Activision will send your PSP back to the past - when the Atari 2600 was the hailing king of consoles and when nobody complains of blocks for graphics - as Activision Anthology hits your PSP soon. For those that weren't even born then yet, Activision Anthology is a compilation of various Atari 2600 games that even includes some homebrew games, would you believe? It also has a PC and Mac versions called Activision Anthology Remix.

Same as the PlayStation 2 version, the portable version will also feature an 80s-themed soundtrack as well as a modernized front end that spotlights the original game's artwork and manuals. It will also host the PSP's Game Share option for multiplayer support, with only one game copy needed to enjoy hours of playing Chopper Command, Megamania, Space Threat Deluxe and Vault Assault to name a few.

Although the details are still a bit up in the air, Activision said they will release the collection sometime around Fall.



Source: IGN via PSPUpdates

God of War Coming to PSP?

The PS2 monster hit God of War, already rumored to be on its way to the PS3, is once again crawling through the netvine. This time the new God of War rumor says it's about to appear on the PSP. According to a short post on Jeux-France, God of War creator David Jaffe announced in PlayStation Magazine that his team is currently working on a secret title for the PSP. How they manage to connect that with God of War isn't clear. But that's how rumors are born.

We browsed Playstation.com and couldn't find anything about God of War for the PSP or any secret projects. But we'll keep a watchful eye on this.



Source: Jeux-France via PSPUpdates

Limited-edition PSPs at PlayStation Signature Site

Those looking for some fancy-shmancy PSP accessories should make their way to Sony's PlayStation Signature Collection site and check out the sleek, soft, and shiny stuff they have to offer. They've got pretty PlayStation items up the wazoo over there: PlayStation bags, PlayStation coasters, PlayStation shirts - they're even selling a watch with most of the numbers missing.

The Signature site is also offering 2 limited edition Signature model PSPs. The one in white is called the Kachofugetsu and the one in black is called the Tsukimi. Good god, they both look sweet. Both models ship with the usual accessories: a battery pack, an AC adaptor, and a pretty little stand for your new PSP Signature Model. Each model retails for 31,500 yen ($272 US), including taxes.

Kudos to QJ.net reader for pointing us towards this piece of info.



Source: PSPUpdates

Introducing the London Games Festival 2006

London Games Festival! Festival London Games! Games Festival London! Games London Festival! Festival Games London!

It doesn't matter how you place the words, because it's still going to rock.

That's the hope of its many organizers and sponsors as the First London Games Festival opens its doors for consumers and trade from the 2nd to the 7th of October. They hope to show that London is a place where you can buy Fish and Chips AND Frag people in a deathmatch, showcasing the talent and ability of both game makers and the businesses that get these games out for the public.

Not only that, but they want to cater to the tastes of everyone, a far cry from the now-dissolved Electronic Entertainment Expo's penchant for attracting only the big fans of gaming in all its forms. As they mention on their website,

The London Games Festival is designed to engage and immerse everyone wanting to be a part of this modern cultural and entertainment experience. Events will be tailored to appeal to different audiences, from families and children to the hard-core gaming communities.

In addition to the usual game previews and show-stopping events planned, the LGF 2006 site also mentions a London Game Career Fair, which will probably something that every gamer aspiring to work in the very field he loves will be waiting for. There will also be a Video Games Awards hosted by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, or BAFTA, and what will probably be film showings of game videos or games adapted into movies, if the title Playing Films, Watching Games is any indication.

All in all, it's looking to be a jolly good show.

You can check out their website for more information, as well as the locations of specific events.

http://www.londongamesfestival.co.uk/default.aspx

Source: PSPUpdates

Will Sony's Mylo Compete with Sony's PSP?

And here we go again - Sony releasing a product that competes with Sony... "not entirely, but sorta," as Sony is prone to do :)

Maybe the Mylo and the PSP will be combined to create the PSP2? Stay tuned...

Check out the photo and this link:

Rumor: PSP2 to be released weeks before PS3?

So I've heard a lot of crazy rumors from my retail sources lately. One is that the PS3 will have a Blu-ray DVD recorder built-in (BS!).
However, a more plausible rumor is that the PSP's price will be dropped to a more amicable $149 a few weeks before the Playstation 3's release, with a new PSP being released in tandem with the PS3.

Of course, these are both rumors, the second being tons more likely than the first. But what do you think, dear readers?