PSP firmware 3.0 out in the wild

As expected, to accompany its spankin' new PS3 console, Sony has a bit of a "refresh" for the PSP, in the form of a 3.0 firmware update that packs a fair bit of functionality. The biggest news is that PlayStation Network downloadable games are now supported, previews of which (pictured) included fan faves like FFVII and Metal Gear Solid, so hopes are high there. The PSP should also now be able to access media stored on your PS3 via WiFi. Other functions include Remote Play, a visual music player, a Camera option under the Photo menu, and an option to disable UMD Auto-Start. A few other options might spark your interest, but you might as well just find 'em out for yourself -- the upgrade is available now via Network Update.

[Xavier @ Nov 21st 2006 11:11AM]

I'll download it... And install it when it's cracked!

[Calibur @ Nov 21st 2006 11:12AM]

This is so freaking retarded. I updated last night since I use locationfree tv anyway and you can't access the stupid store unless you have a ps3?! Could someone educate me if I am wrong. If this is true there is no way I am gonna go get a ps3 to just download older games. Wow, this is lame...

[Rohit Kapur @ Nov 21st 2006 11:16AM]

It's true. You can't download the PSOne Emulator and the games unless you own a PS3. The only way to do it is to connect the PSP with the PS3 and access the online network through the latter.

It's a slap on the balls for sure, but hey, this is Sony. It really shouldn't be that hard to believe. This has been a golden year for Sony concerning PR for sure.

P.S.: I own a PSP so I'm not anti-Sony. Just unbiased.

[Dipendra @ Nov 21st 2006 1:51PM]

Wow, I was excited for about half a second until I read the comments. Don't have a PS3, don't plan on getting one, but playing Final Fantasy and other PSX games would've been killer.

[Alex @ Nov 21st 2006 6:42PM]

What's stopping one from accessing the download pages (or just the games) with a web browser on any computer?

And... what's stopping people from sending the PSOne games and/or emulator to others who don't own a PS3?

[Jason @ Nov 21st 2006 11:21AM]

So is it really true that to get the older titles on the PSP you need a PS3?? That sucks. I was holding onto my PSP for the older titles. No need for that if this news is true. No way Ill buy a PS3 just to DL the older titles.

[Colin @ Nov 21st 2006 11:23AM]

The ability to get games WITHOUT a PS3 is coming...

But think of it this way...you are a PSP owner AND just plunked down $600 for a brand new PS3..shouldn't you get a bit of EXCLUSIVE content for awhile?

[Michael @ Nov 21st 2006 5:21PM]

In short:

No.

(If you got shot, maybe)

[Mr. Pibbles @ Nov 21st 2006 11:27AM]

Yeah, but think about this.

You are a PSP owner, waited in line for a PS3 with your blank check in your pocket, and ended up being number 57 with 52 PS3s available. And then your car battery dies.

Now you don't have a PS3, you have to buy a new battery, and you need to wait to download Metal Gear Solid. Sucks to be you eh?

[Colin @ Nov 21st 2006 11:32AM]

PSP has to get access to the Playstation Store that is available only through the PS3 for the moment. There is another expected PSP upgrade before Xmas that will provide PSP to Playstation Store functions.

[Cal @ Nov 21st 2006 11:39AM]

"you are a PSP owner AND just plunked down $600 for a brand new PS3..shouldn't you get a bit of EXCLUSIVE content for awhile?"

You already are getting EXCLUSIVE content, its called ps3 games.

[JinKazama @ Nov 21st 2006 11:41AM]

Downloaded this last night. It is an awesome update for the 3 of us who decided to keep their PS3's and not sell them. I have quite a few pictures of my family and some home movies already on my PS3 and it was awesome to be able to watch them via my PSP. My wife was even impressed and she hates anything with more than 2 buttons.

Games are only for PS3 owners (for now) but as of 11:30 am eastern last night there were none up in the store. Hopefully when I get home from work Fear Effect, MGS, and FF will be up for my Thanksgiving gaming pleasure.

[Castle @ Nov 21st 2006 11:42AM]

tried it out, works good.

Just watched media stored on the PS3 (via USB HDD) on my PSP via wireless. However, its recompressed video so it obviously doesn't look as good as on TV.

[stinkweed @ Nov 21st 2006 11:43AM]

Oh and don't forget that only the 60GB has WiFi. You poor 20GB owners can go scratch.

Thanks again, Sony.

[Porsche 911 @ Nov 21st 2006 3:14PM]

Stop bitching; Sony said that there would be another update before Christmas, which will allow direct PSP downloads. In addition, there might be another update, which will support PlayStation Network directly on the PSP.

[apeguero @ Nov 21st 2006 11:43AM]

Question to the Hackers among us:

Is it worth to mess around with the PSP hacks that are out there today? So far I have kept my PSP squeaky clean by not hacking it with any of the firmware hacks out there but now I'm curious. Is it worth it? If so, which one do you recommend? No need to give a big explanation. I can do the research and decide. Please let me know which hack worked for you and if you recommend it.

Thanks

[Rohit Kapur @ Nov 21st 2006 12:47PM]

Yes, it's definitely worth it. Even if you're an honest, decent, pay-the-man kinda guy and don't wanna run UMD games using emulators, you can still do a lot more with your PSP than you would be able to otherwise. Homebrew games are a lotta fun, but the real clincher are the apps you get. PSPRadio is a brilliant app, just to name one. Then there are the Nintendo emulators... I can't tell you how amazing it is to play Mario on the PSP. Seriously.

I'd suggest getting the custom-made 2.71 firmware.

Here's a guide detailing every step.

http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/401672

[Brad @ Nov 21st 2006 11:55AM]

Well I had hoped I could eventually get the classics on the PSP. A little FF7 or Resident Evil goodness. I just didn't expect to pay $600 to get access to it. Goly gee, thanks Sony!

[Nate @ Nov 21st 2006 11:56AM]

No way! I can play all my OLD games on my PSP?!? I can't wait to rebuy all of them again... God forbid developers come out with new content and innovation instead of selling these rehashed titles.

[Mrfreezie @ Nov 21st 2006 11:59AM]

Hey PSP owners, come to the DS side! It's better over here, and Nintendo isn't constantly only thinking for themselves!


Plus we have cookies.. >_>

[Castle @ Nov 21st 2006 12:12PM]

>>Oh and don't forget that only the 60GB has WiFi. You poor 20GB owners can go scratch.

You can add any cheap WiFi dongle to add wifi to PS3, and this is only for the remote play. Also, IGN says there is a possibility to connect via WPA-PSK (AES), so if you have your PS3 connected via LAN it may be able to connect via your wifi network.

Plus you can connect via USB cable to DL PS games to your PSP.

[sycks @ Nov 21st 2006 12:37PM]

And let's not forget that SONY had REPORTED that they the Playstation network would first be accessible using the PS3, and THEN using just the PSP.... sheesh read people.

[friktionn @ Nov 21st 2006 1:20PM]

Nintendo DOES treat its fans well.
I'm proud of Nintendo for the way it handled the Wii's launch.

I feel so bad for Sony fans, especially those who waited in line for a PS3.

I'm a Sony fan myself but I take the unbiased approach because Sony, Microsoft, & Nintendo each have strengths and weaknesses.

[Brad Lane @ Nov 21st 2006 1:42PM]

does it work under DevHook?

[Adam Gallegos @ Nov 21st 2006 1:53PM]

I remember seeing that picture at pspupdates.com a while ago! I think its a fake... I'm probably wrong though..

[jedd @ Nov 21st 2006 2:13PM]

>Is it worth to mess around with the PSP hacks that are out there today?

For me yes. Several of these said "hacks" add functionality to the PSP. Besides, not all "hacks" messes with the PSP's firmware. Most are actually just applications that you can run on your PSP. Kind of like being able to run programs on your PC. My PSP still has the original 1.50 firmware that came with it on release date (US).

For those who have already installed firmware 3.00 on their PSPs, is it true that you can play full resolution (480x272) videos now? And for those who have both a PS3 and a PSP w/fw3.00, any updates on the PSOne emu front?

[DG @ Nov 21st 2006 2:48PM]

Why is that the best part of Sony consoles seems to be the ability to play older games?

Really, who cares?

[OXfire @ Nov 21st 2006 3:36PM]

ugh, im still trying to downgrade from 2.82!! anyone know how?

[GJP303 @ Nov 21st 2006 5:33PM]

its hard... but why do you want to downgrade?

[GJP303 @ Nov 21st 2006 5:09PM]

"the update cannot be started.
the battery level is low.
charge the battery and then try again"

does everyone else always get this message when they try to update it, when there battery is like 3/4 full and can obliviously handle it. I still have yet to get 3.0, charging it... lol

[Vinn @ Nov 21st 2006 7:05PM]

Wee, old games and music visualizations and stuff on my psp... okay now I'm bored again. More/cheaper games pls Sony kthx. No? k, ds lite.

Seriously, isn't this thing a GAMING machine? Meh, it wouldn't be so bad if this thing had oodles of storage and was open source like the GP2X.

[sahas @ Nov 21st 2006 7:46PM]

I just put up a little review and a video of the firmware 3.00 running on my psp
check it out if you are interested.
http://skattertech.com/2006/11/psp-firmware-300-released/

i'd say the update is worth it just because of the disable feature for umd auto load

[Davis @ Nov 21st 2006 8:41PM]

That picture is fake. Faked MONTHS ago, and that looks nothing like the interface anyway since thats not how you'll get the games. There were two faked shots of that interface and they were dismissed because the wavy lines were in the same spot on each picture. Meaning the guy who faked em' used the same picture to edit for both pics.

[Ali @ Nov 22nd 2006 7:41AM]

ROFL WTH is wrong with you lot PSP is part of the sony brand u lot are treating it like its single.

[bahumut @ Nov 22nd 2006 1:23PM]

Whats with the 'camera' option? Is that for a PSP eye toy or something?

[J-K @ Nov 22nd 2006 8:44PM]

Yea, that whole you need a ps3 to download ps1 games on psp sucks. Pretty stupid move sony, then again when does sony not make a stupid move.

[LR @ Nov 23rd 2006 3:31AM]

If you dont have WIFI or arent in the us like me then you can download it here http://www.anyo.org/psp/UPDATE/EBOOT.PBP

[E71 @ Nov 23rd 2006 3:51PM]

Can't believe it took this freakin' long just to get a UMD Autoplay option in there.

[max @ Jun 26th 2007 8:26PM]

i got the old titles on my psp without a ps3 it easy, i got 127 games onto my psp

[Alexis @ Jun 19th 2007 5:42PM]

Can you email on how you got the games on your PSP having problems.