Hacking the PSP Blog

Sony paints the PSP pink

Everything’s coming up roses for Sony as it unveils its second pink gadget today.

Now the PSP handheld comes in charming pink and is preloaded with a exclusive video tracks by singer Pink.

Bundled on the device is the limited edition Value Pack of UMD videos, including Stupid Girls, Who Knew, U + Ur Hand, and Crash and Burn, as well as an interview with her.

Headphones come with the PSP, as well as a pouch, wrist strap, and a 32MB Memory Stick Duo.

Look out for it to hit the shelves on 27 October at around £170.



Source: Pocket-Lint

XFlash Help Program Released

Linkinpark9812 and Branin, from [the QJ] forums, have released a new PC program that will help you with XFlash (PSP flashing program). The name of the program is XFlash Help Program, however the name of the actual application reads as X-Flash (small difference) Many have picked up XFlash and have found themselves lost, not knowing what to do and what the program does - this is a perfect solution for people like that. Even if you have flashed your PSP before, this is a great program to educate you on what each option of XFlash does before you open the program on your PSP and before you flash your PSP.

With a nice GUI setup, it's very hard to get lost in this XFlash help program, all you do is click a button and a description of that XFlash option is shown on the left. I have never used XFlash before - I prefer my PSP just the way it is, but this shows great descriptions to enrich us on what all the options are and do. I had absolutely no idea that XFlash included all of these options, something of which I will definitely check out now! So, if you are an experienced PSP user like myself, or a new 1.50 user - I suggest checking this program out.

Download HERE



Source: PSPUpdates

Downgrader for TA-082 PSPs could be here soon!

Some thought it might be impossible, others simply felt that only God's hands could code a software downgrader for the unfortunate TA-082 people. Well, let's just say that 0okm might have finally broken the shackles imposed by the TA-082 PSPs.

Firstly, a small primer for anyone new to the whole TA-082 thing. A while back, before the Undiluted Platinum modchip came out, most people were quite oblivious to the whole mobo-mania. Then it was revealed that the modchip wouldn't work with the TA-082 motherboards. Even Dark_Alex's "downdater" couldn't downgrade 'em. Few people who were brave enough to still try it were greeted by shiny bricks. Here's how you can check if you're one of the unlucky ones to have a TA-082 mobo PSP.

The reason was quite unknown. A lot of theories existed, but it was difficult to pinpoint the real problem. Well, we can safely consider it as part of the past now, because 0okm states that he has successfully downgraded a 2.50 TA-082 PSP using a software downgrader. Until now, the only other way to accomplish a downgrade was by using hardware hacks, like 0okm's multi firmware module.

Not anymore though, because we might just have a solution for the TA-082 motherboards! Here's what he states in his blog:

"Success SoftDown FW2.50 TA-082 to FW1.00/1.50

Had found a method SoftDown TA-082's FW2.50 PSP to FW1.00/1.50
But the method is quite complex, SoftDown a TA-082's PSP need about 45min

1. Use software Read Data From TA-082's NandFlash & DDR DRam
2. Analyzes the Data than make a "FW1.00/1.50 NandFlash img" that can Boot on TA-082
3. Use software Write that "FW1.00/1.50 NandFlash img" to TA-082

maybe late i will make a software to let "FW2.50 TA-082" user to dump "NandFlash & DDR DRam" data to me
than i can make the "FW1.00/1.50 NandFlash img" to help them SoftDown their TA-082 :P"

Well, so the method might take a while and it might be a bit complex. But trust the great programmers to make an easy installation method for everyone to use. 0okm has said that he might release something as a proof of concept. Keep the fireworks ready!

Source: PSPUpdates & 0okm

Games industry is 'failing women' says EA

David Gardner, chief operating officer for EA's worldwide studios, was speaking to a conference in Edinburgh.

He said: "We have all been talking about this for a long, long time."

EA's own research found that 40% of teenage girls played video games versus 90% of teenage boys and most girls lost interest in games within a year.

[...]

"We are only reaching a small proportion - not only geographically but also genetically," said Mr Gardner.

He said if EA cracked the problem the firm "could add a billion dollars to its sales."

He said the industry had to learn from the film business.

"The movie industry doesn't just make films for boys.

Darren Waters
August 21, 2006

Source: BBC News

Daedalus Updates: Tesselate Large Triangles

Optimizations was a word we can constantly find on previous articles regarding StrmnNrmn's Nintendo 64 emulator, Daedalus. Most especially on the most recent one with speculations that R8 will be released sooner than we expected due to the large amount of progress that StrmnNrmn's been making.

Now, he makes another one of the optimizations that he keeps on mentioning. Tesselate Large Triangles. Ring any bells? When R7 was released we were advised to set this option to "No" to boost the framerate aside from disabling "Texture Update Check." Of course, in doing so, you sacrifice graphics over speed. Well not anymore. When he started out ripping all the existing codes and starting from scratch, he has come up with an even better solution that the "quick fix" he initially intended. Optimization of his discovery is well on its way of course.

Thanks a whole bunch to Captain Morgan for letting us on the scoop.

Source: PSPUpdates