Hacking the PSP Blog

Off Topic: In Memoriam: Mike O'Hara (1960-2007)

I always enjoyed my conversations with Mike at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. He will be missed. -Auri

The official release from Thomson:

Thomson has announced the passing of Michael D. O’Hara, 46, who served 24 years with the company and led the successful launch of the RCA DIRECTV Digital Satellite System in 1994.  
 
“Mike will always be known for his incredible energy and the joy with which he lived his life.  In addition to leading Thomson’s consumer businesses for many years, he was a man of very strong faith and helped dozens of people and causes throughout central Indiana. We have a lost a powerful and loving colleague, and a rare man who could assemble the right team to tackle nearly any task,” said Al Arras, Senior Executive Vice President of Thomson.
 
O’Hara succumbed to cancer, after a brief illness.  He left Thomson last year to form Summus Ventures, a consulting firm based in Indianapolis.
 
Although best known as the executive who led the launch of high-power direct-to-home mini-dish satellite systems under the RCA brand in the 1990s, O’Hara started his career in the consumer electronics industry with General Electric.  
 
In January of 2000, Mike was named Executive Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Marketing for Thomson’s TV, A/V, Accessories, and Communications businesses, a $3 billion enterprise with 10,000 employees.  
 
Mike’s immediate family includes his wife Diane and three children.  Funeral arrangements are pending.

T-Mobile offers free wi-fi for PSP users - but only if they update their firmware!

From PSP Fanboy:

Reluctant to update your PSP to the latest firmware? You may want to reconsider. The latest firmware offers PSP users the ability to access T-Mobile's wi-fi service for free. T-Mobile HotSpots can be found at over 8,000 locations across the US, and can be found in Starbucks, Borders, FedEx Kinko's, Hyatt, Red Roof Inns, Sofitel and Novotel Hotels, and select airports. Now, you'll be able to frag friends through Infrastructure almost anywhere in the US ... for free! How sweet is that?

I went to a Starbucks to test it out, and found the process is quite easy:

1. Bring your PSP® system to a location that provides a T-Mobile HotSpot. (Refer to the T-Mobile HotSpot U.S. Location Map.)
2. Select (Network Settings) under (Settings).
3. Select [Infrastructure Mode].
4. Select [New Connection].
5. Select [Use Wireless Hotspot].
6. Select the T-Mobile HotSpot icon.
7. If you have an existing T-Mobile HotSpot account, select [Enter User Credentials].
   Enter your user ID and password, and then press the right button.
   or
   If you do not have an account, select [Use Promotional Access] to sign up for a complimentary six-month T-Mobile HotSpot account. (To qualify for this promotional access, you must authenticate your PSP® system to the T-Mobile HotSpot network prior to March 28, 2008.)
8. Check the contents of the settings list.
9. Save the settings.

Andrew Yoon
March 29, 2007

Source: PSP Fanboy
 

Homebrew users banned from upgrading

Members of the QJ forums seem upset that they can't upgrade to Sony's latest official firmware. Why? Because they've been using custom firmware on TA-082 PSPs. The 3.30 firmware installer doesn't seem to run on these modified systems, giving a mysterious 'DRNffffffd7 error code." These glitches seem to mirror the many found when Ratchet & Clank was released. So much for respecting the homebrew scene, huh?

Firmware 3.30 gives users some important functionality, such as official support for full-resolution videos and free internet access at T-Mobile Hotspots nationwide. For now, it seems as though users of custom firmware will have to wait until Dark_Alex and the rest of the homebrew community work their magic again.

Andrew Yoon
March 29, 2007

Source: PSP Fanboy

Off Topic: Vivendi, Sony sued over epileptic seizure

When it was released in 2002, Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly was panned by critics who accused it of offering a choppy frame rate, buggy gameplay, lengthy load times, and a dull story. Last month, the game received a more serious knock against it, as a New York woman whose infant suffered a grand mal seizure while playing Enter the Dragonfly filed suit against Vivendi Games, Sierra Entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment America, and a defunct rental store called Hiawatha Video.

The suit, filed in New York State Supreme Court, claims that the defendants were "negligent, careless, and reckless with regard to the design and manufacture" of Spyro, such that the game was dangerous when used in the intended manner, and that they failed to properly warn consumers of that danger. According to the suit, the child suffered severe and permanent disabling injuries that will affect him "in all activities of daily living" and necessitate lifelong medical expenses.

The PS2 edition of Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly came with a notice on the inside front cover of the instruction manual advising consumers that "a very small percentage of individuals may experience epileptic seizures when exposed to certain light patterns or flashing lights." The notice also tells users to stop playing immediately if they experience specific symptoms of epilepsy, and to consult a physician before resuming play.

Read the full article here...

Brendan Sinclair
March 28, 2007

Source: GameSpot

School lessons by PlayStation (UK)

CHILDREN at a Birmingham school will be using PlayStations as part of their lessons in a revolutionary new education scheme.

Teachers at Holyhead Secondary School in Handsworth are being taught how to use the PlayStation Portable games machine to boost pupils' learning.

The hand-held console will be given to youngsters in the pilot scheme, which aims to turn computer gaming into a new educational tool.

But there won't be any 'shoot 'em up' or football games on offer -  the consoles will stay in the classroom and will be initially used to help French, history and geography lessons.

Software giant Sony is using the inner-city school as a pilot for the scheme, which could be extended nationwide depending on its success.

Holyhead was chosen as a guinea pig for the project after recruiting a former Sony high flyer to its teaching ranks.

French language teacher Lorna Diprose switched careers to join the teaching profession in September 2004 and has now established links with the hi-tech Japanese company.

The pilot has involved Holyhead teachers receiving training in the use of the £150 PSPs over the last two months.

Trials involving pupils will begin in the classroom immediately after the Easter holidays.

Head teacher Martin Bayliss said: "This is very exciting.

"It's not about using the console for games, but it does have a lot of exciting potential for learning opportunities.

"Sony are interested in developing education software and we are delighted that they are carrying out their PlayStation pilot at Holyhead."

Mr Bayliss said simulations were being carried out in key subjects, with teachers learning how to create podcasts, download pictures and videos, upload students' work and help students with particular learning needs.

Ms Diprose, who worked for Sony's marketing department for six years, said: "The big key is independent learning.

"The console is just like a mini-computer, but fast, and you can use it to tailor-make lessons for pupils who need support or stretching.

"You are talking about access to all kinds of resources, but it would be very obvious if anyone tried to load games onto them."

The pilot is expected to run until the summer when the results will be assessed.

The hand-held PlayStation Portable game console was officially unveiled by Sony in 2004.

It measures just 6.7 inches long and 2.9 inches wide, and weighs just over half a pound including the battery.

Tony Collins
March 28, 2007

Source: Birmingham Mail