Hacking the PSP Blog

PSP firmware 3.60 reveals hidden USB Charge feature

Andrew Yoon over at PSP Fanboy got his hands on the redesigned PSP and has posted a few tidbits on the site. Most notably, there is a new USB charge feature in the new upcoming firmware 3.60. Here's what Andrew had to say about the new PSP:

(Also check out Joystiq hands-on with the new PSP)

We got our hands on a fully functional redesigned PSP, and we immediately grabbed pictures of the firmware that was installed on the system. Currently unreleased, version 3.60 was installed on the system. All of the features that are available in 3.60 will not work on the old PSP system, and it's unclear whether or not an older PSP system will even display the features found in this update.




UMD Cache is used to increase the load speeds of games. As revealed earlier, the cache is added RAM found in the redesigned system.



USB Charge allows players to charge their PSP battery by connecting their systems via USB. Previously, the system would drain power when stuck in USB mode.



Connected Display Settings contains the settings for the new video-out feature.



Within the display settings, PSP owners can change the type of TV that's connected, and settings for screensavers. We connected a PSP to a TV and were impressed by the results: UMD movies look fantastic, but games will be bordered. PSP games are rendered at 480x272, progressive scan only. Because it's output at 480x272, there will be black borders all around the image when playing on the television.



Andrew Yoon
July 13, 2007

Source: PSP Fanboy

No PS3 price cut, no 80GB model for Europe

Starter Pack with 2 games and 2 controllers for GBP 425

Sony will not be cutting the price of the PlayStation 3 in Europe or releasing a 80GB model – instead it will be offering a Starter Pack containing the console, two games and an extra controller for GBP 425 / EUR 599

SCEA has greatly benefited from the USD 100 price cut announced earlier this week in North America, but Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has chosen to bundle first-party titles and a second Sixaxis controller with a combined RRP of GBP 115, rather than adjust the price.

Due on sale in the UK on July 18 and in Europe August 1, the Starter Pack will offer two Sixaxis controllers and a choice of two first-party titles from a list of Resistance: Fall of Man, Motorstorm, Genji: Days of the Blade, Formula One Championship Edition and Ridge Racer 7.

"With sell through of over 1.2 million units in the SCEE territories to date, PlayStation 3 has proved to be an instant and huge success," said David Reeves, president of SCEE.

Matt Martin
July 13, 2007

Source: GamesIndustry.biz

E3: No more 60GB PlayStation 3 in US after July, says Reeves

'All they're doing is taking their stock and marking the price down'

SCEE president David Reeves has told GamesIndustry.biz that the 60GB PlayStation 3 will no longer be available in the US after stock sells out - which he predicts will occur by the end of the month.

Reeves was speaking at an E3 event to announce the introduction of a new PS3 bundle in Europe. When asked about possible criticisms over whether SCEE should have given consumers the option to pay a lower price, as SCEA has done, he replied, "Well, they're not really are they, because what the US are offering from the 1st of August is a USD 599 version with one game.

"All they're doing is taking their stock in trade that they've got at the moment of the 60GB model, marking the price down and it will all be gone by the end of July."

When asked to clarify if this will mean the end of the 60GB model, Reeves answered, "In America, yes."

Read the full article here...

Ellie Gibson
July 13, 2007

Source: GamesIndustry.biz