Latest PSP firmware update includes free T-Mobile WiFi, too

So along with new video resolutions, some slight PSone tweaks, and what was no doubt a bit of homebrew-busting code, it looks like the recently released 3.30 firmware for PSP also came bearing another little gift, in the form of a six-month pass to T-Mobile's WiFi Hotspot network. To cash in this sweet little freebie, all you have to do is setup a new connection when in range of any of the Mob's 'spots, and a new icon will appear that allows you to trigger the promotional period. Now of course nothing in this world is totally free, and the real reason for this present seems to be hooking users on the service and then offering them a "special rate" at the end of the trial -- but hey, since you don't need to submit a credit card or remember to cancel anything, we don't see any reason not jump right in.

[LukeA @ Mar 29th 2007 11:09PM]

So when the 6 month trial is up, can you downgrade and then re-upgrade the firmware to get six more months?

[AndrewNeo @ Mar 29th 2007 11:14PM]

They probably register your PSP's MAC address the first time you use it.

[craze3 @ Mar 30th 2007 1:35AM]

That's why you use a User Agent Spoofer and sign up from your computer :D

[kingofwale @ Mar 29th 2007 11:27PM]

LMAO.... nice try Sony.. seriously, NICE try

but I think I can speak for all custome firmware users and say... NO THANKS!

[Matt @ Mar 29th 2007 11:37PM]

You don't speak for anyone. And custom firmware users know how to spell custom. So seriously STFU!

[darkstar @ Mar 29th 2007 11:46PM]

im thinkin of gettin a psp. what can it do besides umd games? i heard u can rip ps1 games onto mem sticks... whats a good website i should visit for doing all of these custom mod?
tia

[kingofwale @ Mar 29th 2007 11:54PM]

>im thinkin of gettin a psp. what can it do besides umd games? i heard u can rip ps1 games onto mem sticks... whats a good website i should visit for doing all of these custom mod?



well, they aren't exactly legal. but the law is extremely sketchy with Sony pushing a total ban.. no surprise.

I can give you a few keywords you can search or.. fair? no law against freedom of speech. ;)

Keywords:

PSP downgrade; Dark_Alex: custom firmware; popstation;


good luck

[tiuk @ Mar 30th 2007 12:03AM]

If we had T-Mobile in Canada I'd probably give it a try.

[darkstar @ Mar 30th 2007 12:06AM]

thanks for the keys.
i dont see why it should be illegal. i bought the hardware, i should be able to do whatever with it. they would be selling like hot cakes if sony know what we really.. really want! :)

[garver @ Mar 30th 2007 12:09AM]

Its the playing of ps1 roms that is illegal.

[kingofwale @ Mar 30th 2007 12:09AM]

>i dont see why it should be illegal. i bought the hardware, i should be able to do whatever with it.

I would sell the hardware, but with Sony being sued by every game manufactures out there.

It's illegal if you define 'illegal' as.. anything that doesn't use Sony'S disc format or purchased directly on PS3 (any undesigned code from outside of Sony)... you see what i'm saying here. When you're the big companies, you make the law.

[PreGHz @ Mar 30th 2007 12:07AM]

And I pay for T-Mobile HotSpot service why?

[St. Stephen @ Mar 30th 2007 12:28AM]

I bought my PSP @midnight on release day and loved it. Through the years it's been my favorite portable system, but the last few months it has beaten out my PC as my favorite system. Why? Dark_Alex and Demonoid my friends! LOL Seriously, Darkstar do yourself a favor and take the plunge, you won't regret it! In fact FFVII and a spliff are calling my name! cheers!

[jake buck @ Mar 30th 2007 12:58AM]

i give it three days before they hack the new update, the last update was done for in two days

[leschan @ Mar 30th 2007 1:40AM]

Running unsigned code is not illegal per se. It just voids your warranty. I believe there was even once a webpage (Sony Europe, iirc) where homebrew programmers can submit their applications for review so it can get "signed" (for free), although I don't think it ever amounted to anything.

What's illegal is downloading rips of commercial games from the internet and playing them on your PSP. Since Sony makes money from games and not consoles, that's what they're trying to avoid.

I myself use custom firmware. I would have upgraded my PSP to official firmware 3.00 just for the PSX emulator, however, a couple of things stopped me:
1) Access to the PlayStation Store required a PS3
2) There are barely any PSX games available in the PlayStation Store

Alas, before Sony could expand their library of PSX titles in the store, Dark_Alex released his custom firmware creator and with Popstation, I am now happily playing Xenogears on my PSP.

[Nick @ Mar 30th 2007 1:46AM]

I wonder if anyone could perhaps hack the PSP with some modem scripts to steal, I mean, use the T-Mobile wi-fi on their laptops. I mean, Treos do it, as do several other devices that aren't actually built to be modems, but just have the right hardware. (Yes, I realize the Treo is one of those devices.) But Cingular's PDA Connect is painfully slow.

[BAMF @ Mar 30th 2007 1:47AM]

People actually pay for WiFi?

[KC @ Mar 30th 2007 5:26AM]

Heh. I totally agree with BAMF. All the uber geeks always say that it's too easy to get free wifi, hijack a hotspot, etc...

[JeffNLA @ Mar 30th 2007 2:03AM]

That's a nice surprise. I will try it tomorrow.

[godgivemestrength @ Mar 30th 2007 2:04AM]

The UK has T Mobile, how about letting us know if its available here

[AdamThePirate @ Mar 30th 2007 2:33AM]

"Here" is the UK... Here.

... Don't be so narrow minded ;).

As for the offer, it seems cool enough; I'll have to wait until one of the PSP Homebrew team crack the firmware before I'll load it up - but apart from that there's nothing you can really complain about right?

[Tech^Cellfish @ Mar 30th 2007 2:31AM]

Dark_Alex: Fixie fix hack now

[jacobyte @ Mar 30th 2007 4:27AM]

Lame - US only.

[James @ Mar 30th 2007 8:11AM]

so, how bout using the User Agent Switcher in Firefox to get this thing for free on a laptop? Anybody got success?

[CircusFreakGRITZ @ Apr 2nd 2007 7:19PM]

now all they need is to add AIM to the sony mylo and they MIGHT start selling!

[MGSfan @ May 8th 2007 8:18AM]

i have a psp, its system software is 3.11 and i have a 2GB mem stick. its not homebrew... i never really got into that kind of thing but now i want an emulator for it and i need to know whatever way i can put three emulaters on my psp memstick without f***ing up the psp. the three games i really want are Metal Gear, Metal Gear 2, and Metal Gear Solid. please e-mail me wih any info that could help me get these great games! thanks for the time!
( [e-mail] )

[Adil @ Jan 17th 2008 6:22AM]

Well my PSP is "PSP 1004 - CHINA". when ever i download an update in my psp and then open it, the psp screen comes, then after that there is written, "The game could not be started. (DADADADA)"
What does this mean, and how can i troubleshoot it or update it...plz let me know. i am using version 2.60 and was updating version 3.03 OE-C, it is still in the memory stick. but i cannot update it. plz help...
reply here or plz mail me at:
[e-mail]

[zimbarak @ Mar 21st 2008 6:38AM]

well i have a psp version 1004 with a system software vers 2.71 so i want to upgrade my firmware to be able to run psp games from my memory stick