Hacking the PSP Blog

New PS3 Hack from a PSP Team?

kid101skater let me know last night his team's working on "Project E". I'm not quite sure what it is, either, and I'd like to know how it enables things beyond running Linux on the PS3. Should be interesting!

Check out the info here.

(sorry it's been a week or two folks, I'm super busy at work!)

LuaPlayer GM v3.0 Released

Homemister has released a new version of LuaPlayer HM, bringing the application to version 3.0. The application has a couple of neat changes, though perhaps the most notable of them is the change that allows you to play all the sound files from old luaplayers.

Here's the current list of features in LuaPlayer HM v3.0:

    * Fixed old sound files from other Luaplayers now able to be played.
    * Can Run Eboot.pbp files now from lua code.
    * Mount and unmount flash and UMD's.
    * Free up unused memory.
    * Show what LuaPlayerHM version it is.
    * Put Limit on cpu speed set to 10mhz - 333 mhz.
    * Slim and Phat Enabled.
    * New Functions and ability to play new audio files

Installation procedures can be found in the readme included in the download. If you want to know more about LuaPlayer HM v3.0, or simply want to send HomeMister some much-needed feedback, feel free to join our forums and drop him a line via the link below.

Download Here

Source: PSPUpdates

Gamestop Weekly Deal: Super Smash Bros. Brawl trade-in, Patapon and more

The holidays may have ended (or may not yet have arrived, depending on how you look at it) but the gameplaying still continues. With that in mind, Gamestop is upholding its tradition of holding weekly deals, with the week of March 3 to 17, 2008 seeing some new games in the lineup.

Some of the deals that Gamestop is offering for the said week include:

• Super Smash Bros. Brawl - US$ 49.99 (or US$ 9.99 if you trade-in two select Nintendo Wii games towards the reservation or purchase of this title)
• Super Smash Bros. Brawl Strategy Guide - US$ 19.99, get 10% if you purchase it with the game
• Patapon -  US$ 19.99
• Army of Two - US$ 59.99
• NBA Ballers: The Chosen One - get an NBA licensed ball bag with a reservation of the game

As with all deals, Gamestop's offerings are available only while supplies last, so if you're interested in any of the products mentioned above, or if you'd like to check out the store's other wares, feel free to click on the source link below.

Source: Gamestop via PSPUpdates

Sony tests digital copies on DVD releases, puts time-limited play

It seems that Sony is stepping up on its efforts against piracy, as well as push sales of its in-house movies. This is through embedding digital copies of its movies on DVD with a digital copy ready to be watched on your PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 3, and even on your PS3.

This means that when you buy one of Sony's movies on DVD, that DVD will have a digital copy for you to take with you and watch on your other Sony gadgets, not just at your home player.

Where does the anti-piracy angle come in? It comes in the form of the digital copy having a shelf life. Buyers will have to register their purchased movie online first before being able to use the digital copy. Once registered, Sony will keep track of just how many days has passed since the registration. If the digital copy times out, then it's rendered unplayable.

That's all well and good, but how can one transfer content from the purchased DVD to the PlayStation 3 and/or PlayStation Portable? Simple - one only has to insert the DVD into their computer, let it bake for a little while, and then transfer the file onto a memory stick. From there, it's just a matter of sticking that memory stick either onto the PS3 or the PSP for on-the-go or console playback. Simple, easy and convenient.

And even though Sony is still in the experimental phase with the whole digital copy thing, they're pretty happy with the results. Resident Evil: Extinction, a recent Sony movie that also offered digital copies, generated 30,000 copy transfers. Not bad at all!

So, if you're thinking about buying DVDs, you might want to consider one of Sony's. After all, having the ability to watch it anywhere you go is a great plus.

Source: Videobusiness via PSPUpdates

Update Toolbox v1.0 - Easy Custom Firmware Updates and More

For the Sony PlayStation Portable homebrew novice, there's definitely a lot to learn even before installing the simplest homebrew game onto your PSP, even a lot more to install major homebrew such as custom firmware (i.e., CFW 3.80 M33). Sony PlayStation Portable homebrew developer Luv knows this and has made a homebrew just for this cause: the Update Toolbox, an application that streamlines and newbie-proofs the installation process.

So, just what does Update Toolbox do? It pretty much automates major homebrew installation processes and works with the homebrew that could potentially brick your PSP if you do your installation wrong. It copies firmware installers into the right place, checks if the firmware file is in the root before copying - that sort. A lot off your shoulders, yes?

Note that there are a few bugs with Update Toolbox, one of the major ones being that it will not start in CFW 3.71 M33. Not to worry, though, as Luv is definitely on the case in this one. In any case, enjoy, and be sure to check the readme file before doing anything!

Download Here

Source: PSP Updates

Take-Two's Strauss Zelnick on takeover deal, company consolidation

After Take-Two Interactive rejected Electronic Arts' US$ 2 billion dollar takeover bid, there have been quite a number of speculations regarding the decision. Strauss Zelnick, the executive chairman of TT Interactive recently gave a simple answer on why they didn't take the offer: the shareholders.

When asked by The Hollywood Reporter, Zelnick pointed out that they are here for the shareholders. EA gave a specific offer, and they rejected it. However, this doesn't meant that Take-Two's chairman doesn't see the value of consolidation in the gaming industry. In fact, he even expects it:

I think we can expect consolidation. I'd rather not speculate on the nature of value creation. It has a lot to do with the capabilities of individuals and the goals of employees. This is not just a math lesson, this is a creative enterprise.

Still, Zelnick posed a few important questions that he feels have to be answered before a company even decides to consolidate. In the same statement, he reiterated the need to take care of the stakeholders of the company:

Does consolidation create better games for consumers? Does it create better careers for the creatives? Those questions are just as important. If all stakeholders aren't taken care of, then none of the stakeholders will benefit.

At this point, many are probably wondering what's next for the company. Well, to answer your question, we'd like to leave you with some final words from Zelnick.

We've been at Take-Two only for 10 months and are really proud of the progress we've made. And we think this company has a really bright future as an independent company. In the absence of an opportunity that our shareholders value more than this approach, that's our business model.


Source: PSP Updates via Hollywood Reporter

Go! Cam and Skype combatibility set-ups revealed

If you've ever wanted to use your shiny new Go!Cam Sony PlayStation Portable accessory in conjunction with Skype, then here's we've got some very good news. The little camera that could is in fact compatible with the online voice-chat program, you just need the proper setup for it.

But what, pray tell, is the proper setup for Go!Cam-on-Skype hotness? A direct response from Sony reveals just what you should have in order for the pairing to work like peanut butter and jelly. Here are the set-ups you could use:

OPTION ONE

    * PSP Slim & Lite
    * Headset & Remote Control
    * Memory Stick
    * Wi-Fi Connection

OPTION TWO

    * PSP Slim & Lite
    * Go!Cam & Headphones
    * Memory Stick
    * Wi-Fi Connection

Well, that settles it, then. What's the most important thing (besides Wi-Fi and having Go!Cam at the first place, of course) are the headphones. Without them, you're pretty much stuck - so be sure to have one if you plan on using Go!Cam with Skype.

Image courtesy of ThreeSpeech blog.

Source: PSP Updates