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PSP O Rly? Modder adds camera, custom firmware to Slim, films own infomercial
Very rarely are we rendered speechless by a mod, but we have just seen a video that seriously blew our minds. It seems that someone called JoblessPunk DESIGNS has managed to imbue a PSP Slim with dual nubs (more on that in the video below), a second USB port for charging, a camera, custom firmware (for emulators and the like), and switched out the UMD for 32GB flash memory. But that's only the beginning: this gentleman is on a mission to single-handedly destroy the PSP Go by bringing his own vision of handheld gaming to the masses -- and to help him do just that he's put together one hell of an infomercial, complete with multiple camera angles, a vintage cable access set, and a truly mystifying soundtrack. See for yourself after the break. KK THANKS BYE[Thanks, Robin]
White PSP Assassin's Creed Bloodlines bundle to sell for $199
Did anyone else think that Sony would have finally killed off the UMD movie for real by now? Guess again, suckers. The company just spilled some more details on that Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines PSP Entertainment Pack, and in addition to that sexy white PSP-3000 and 2GB Memory Stick PRO Duo, your $199 will get you an as-yet-unnamed feature film on UMD. Yes, even as Sony tip-toes into the future with the PSPgo, it's still trying to peddle movies on a garbage proprietary format no one ever really wanted and that most studios have stopped supporting. Old habits die hard, we suppose. Video after the break.
Limited edition Bronze PSP now on sale, likely to remain that way
We're still trying to piece together why in the world Sony would choose matte bronze as the color for its latest PSP Slim, but now that it's out, we're focusing our attention on just how long it takes these so-called limited edition units to actually sell out. The Value Pack it comes bundled in includes a Japanese version of the handheld, 32MB memory stick, cleaning cloth, a case, AC adapter, battery pack and an AV cable for good measure -- unfortunately, a can of black spray paint actually isn't in the box. A last minute exclusion due to shipping regulations, we're sure. Grab one if you're into it for $278.97.[Via DCEMU]
PSP turns three, sniff
Whoa, has it really been three years since the PSP had its glittery North American debut? It seems like just yesterday we were watching UMD movies on our chubby first-gen unit -- and now here we are, with the PSP Slim all grown up, multicolored, and in a serious relationship with the PS3. (All we're missing is built-in storage.) You know the crew at PSP Fanboy's doing it up right, hit the read link to join the fun.
Sony announces the creatively-named PSP Cradle
It's been a while since the PSP Slim got all up on your TV, but Sony wasn't going to leave you hanging forever without a slick docking solution -- say hola to the new PSP Cradle. Apart from some of that old-time Sony design flair, there's not much else to it: you dock your PSP, images show up on your TV, and you control things with the included remote. On sale April 24th in Japan for ¥4,800 ($46), or ¥6,500 ($62) bundled with a D Terminal AV cable.
Japanese PSP brandishes bronze bundle, cradle
As tempting as it'll be to import Japan's latest PSP-2000 when it releases on April 24th (for a limited time), we simply won't stand for Bronze triumphing over brains. Debuting in a new Matte Bronze Value Pack priced at ¥23,800 ($228) , the third-place color will finish in matte "for the first time for PSP." The bundle will include an AC adaptor, battery, pouch, handstrap, cloth, D-Terminal AV cable and a why-even-bother 32MB Memory Stick.Expected to launch on the same day: A ¥4,800 ($46) cradle and charger for the PSP-2000. It's the ideal device for those 1Seg watchers and mediaphiles who would prefer to interact via the included remote whenever the PSP's hooked up to a relatively distant television. The cradle will also be available in bundled form, with a ¥6,500 ($62) package tossing in a D-Terminal AV cable.Read -- Matte Bronze Value PackRead -- Cradle
PSP slim gets super-hackable PSP firmware v1.50?
PSP hackers will probably be pleased to learn that the next step has supposedly been taken by homebrew hacker Dark_AleX, who claims (with video!) to have the original and most hackable PSP firmware ever, v1.50, running on the new PSP slim hardware. The YouTube clip is posted after the break; take it as you will, but c'mon, it's an eventuality.
Be envious of Japan's new green PSP
On February 28th, the Japanese PSP-2000 is set to arrive in yet another fresh new color: Mint Green. This subtle and unnervingly attractive addition to the rainbow riot going on over there will cost ¥19,800, or roughly $181. Its qualities can likely be analyzed for several more sentences, but we don't want to make it too obvious that this simple news story is in desperate need of filler text. Best we end it off quickly with another play on the "Mint Green" name. Will this PSP color become available in America? Don't hold your breath. [Via PSP Fanboy]
Skype skipping original PSP due to memory limitations
Following the news of impending Skype support on Slim PSPs, some were left wondering why the plumper PlayStation Portable failed to answer the voice over IP call. Speaking to SCEE's director of corporate communications Nick Sharples, Pocket Gamer has ascertained the simple answer. It has nothing to do with looks, and everything to do with the older PSP's waning memory and inability to remember long strings of numbers (just like grandpa)."We had studied the possibility of supporting Skype with PSP-1000 but had to give it up because of the smaller size of main memory on PSP-1000 series," said Sharples. If you recall, the PSP-2000 benefits from 64MB of internal memory (as opposed to 32MB in the older model) which is used for UMD caching and the reduction of game loading times. The same enhancement also enables Skype to run and thus excludes the original PSP from online chatting. We certainly hope early adopters don't get too hung up on the disappointment [Goodbye! - Ed].[Via PSP Fanboy]
Slim PSP to get Skype functionality late January
Many game companies have already proven that you can't make good games on mobile phones -- in a few weeks, Sony will find out if the reverse is also true. With a late January software patch to the new PSP Slim, the Skype service will be accessible through the handheld. The press release we received from Sony didn't specify exactly why PSPhat isn't compatible with the service -- probably because it would try to eat any microphone attachment that tried to plug into it. Fatty.For those not in the know, Skype is a voice chat program with nearly 250 million registered users worldwide. Any Skype user accessing the program from the PSP can chat with another user free of charge -- however, for a fee, the SkypeOut and SkypeIn features allow users to make and receive calls to and from regular phones.Sony hasn't done a great job of keeping this news under their belt, but regardless, we're intrigued to see exactly how well the service will work on the handheld. We'll make sure to keep you updated when more details arise.
PSP Slim sells 1 million in Japan
Wonder why you see so many iterations on portable hardware instead of actual iterations? Here's your answer: Japanese people love them. If you need proof, check out this new release from Sony that says that the new PSP Slim (our name, not theirs) managed to sell 1 million units in two months in Japan. The kicker? That's two weeks quicker that the PSP reached the same milestone there.Sure, there are other factors you could chalk it up to (a lower price point leaps to mind) but you still have to admit it: A million people rushing to buy a console that's been on the market for nearly three years is pretty darn impressive.[Via PSPF]
Sony not selling S-Video cables for PSP Slim in US
We've got all ideas that this tidbit won't infuriate too many users, but nevertheless, Sony will reportedly not be bringing S-Video cables to America for its PSP Slim. According to GameInformer, Sony wanted to "streamline its selection, giving owners a choice between cables supporting composite, the de facto standard, and component inputs." Interestingly, both of the cables that will be for sale here will cost the same $19.99, and if you're somehow still using a television that rocks an array of S-Video ports but not a single component input, the import option is always there.[Via PSPFanboy]
Dave Perry: PSP Lite a 'head in the sand' move for Sony
Shiny founder Dave Perry has been very vocal about consoles as of late. After estimating Wii's death clock, the Earthworm Jim designer has set his sights on Sony's PSP. In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Perry refers to redesign as a "head in the sand" move while saying that Sony should "restart the PSP program" and specifically calls for the removal of UMD in favor of digital download. Perry also suggests that the transition to an UMD-less PSP would be relatively painless, asserting that it would be easy to create software to authenticate and re-download for free titles you already own. While we agree that digital distribution is on the rise, we're not sure if there's financial benefit for the consumer. A 1.0 GB memory stick can cost over $30, and then you still have the buy the titles (which may not drop in price should they go download). If you want to carry more than a few games around, you're going to need multiple memory sticks. If Sony does heed Perry's advice (and we see no evidence as to why they would), maybe they could replace the UMD slot with a decent hard drive, instead.
PSP Slim security trounced by Team M33's custom firmware
Well kids, you won't have to wait too long to be hacking, cracking, phreaking, duping, shooting, dumpster-diving, and generally getting biz-zay with your PSP Slim / Lite, as the outrageous tricksters known as Team M33 have just released their do-it-all custom firmware (version 3.6, for those keeping score at home), thus confirming Pandora's Battery as a "go" (amongst other things) on the new systems. If you understand what we're talking about, you'll be pleased to know that homebrews from the GAME, GAME150 and GAME360 directories load fine, though some homebrews written specifically for the 1.50 kernel won't run properly (due to some hardware and screen problems on the Slim). Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines, don your helmets, and get ready to seriously rumble.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Homebrew on PSP Slim via 3.60 M33 Custom Firmware
The M33 team has done it again. The PSP Slim can now run M33's 3.60 custom firmware. The new firmware has "all the features of 3.52 M33, except the 1.50 kernel support". This means that some homebrew that was developed specifically for 1.50 (e.g. homebrew games that would go into the GAME150 folder) will not work with the custom firmware.The installation is complex, requiring a Pandora Battery and Pandora memory stick, a non-Slim PSP with firmware 1.50 or custom firmware that supports 1.50 kernel, and of course, a PSP-2000. As always, this is not for the faint of heart nor anyone who hates carefully reading and following instructions, as there is always a possibility of bricking your brand new PSP-2000. As such, use at your own risk. Full instructions for the installation can be found here.Download M33's custom 3.60 firmware here (scroll down to the bottom of the first post).[via DCEmu, thanks everyone who sent this in!]
UK hardware sales: Xbox 360 roars, PSP whimpers
Thanks in no small part to a price drop and a new model, Microsoft's Xbox 360 scored a 260% sales increase in the United Kingdom from two weeks prior, according to ChartTrack (via MCV). The Elite model was released in the territory August 24 for £299.99, while the Pro and Arcade models received price drops to £249.99 and £179.99, respectively. The momentum is also likely to be helped by a certain Covenant-crushing behemoth set to deploy later this month.Though Microsoft may be having its (VH1) Best Week Ever, Sony's PlayStation Portable had its worst. ChartTrack is reporting the PSP had its worst week of sales since its launch September 1, 2005. Both SCEE and ChartTrack blame the sales drop-off on the impending launch of the PSP-2000 model, coming September 14 (sans ceramic white) and believe the redesign will boost the PSP's sales.Chart-Track did not provide specific numbers for either console's sales.Read -- 260% sales jump for Xbox 360Read -- SCEE looks forward after worst week ever for PSP
PSP Fanboy and Joystiq are all over the PSP Slim
Now that the PSP Slim is in the wild, we know you're aching to see what it's like up close, and Joystiq and PSP Fanboy have got you covered with an in-depth three-part series that should answer virtually every question you might have -- and them some -- about Sony's littlest console. Check it out!Read -- Part 1: Firmware, Video-out, button responseRead -- Part 2: Load times, size comparisons, pricingRead -- Part 3: Cables, cases, battery charging, battery life
White PSP Slim delayed in UK
They're definitely not available today in the United Kingdom, but on September 14 the PSP Slim will be released into the wild. Not appearing on launch day, however, is the ceramic white model.Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, a Sony representative refuted claims from a CVG article that said official TV cables for the portable will make launch, but confirmed rumblings that only the black model will be available on next Friday.British gamers looking for a lighter-shaded PSP Slim will have to wait until October, according to the spokesperson.
Sony's PSP slim cracked open: there's more NAND in there?
It didn't take long after the release of Sony's slim PSP in Europe for some over-anxious individual to get inside of his new handheld, and while dissection pictures are always a treat in and of themselves, this splaying led to an unexpected discovery. After inspecting the motherboard and comparing it to boards from prior (read: not slim) PSPs, it was reported that the newest iteration features "66MB of NAND memory including spare data," which certainly trumps the amount found in its predecessor; additionally, Mathieulh mentioned that the "idstorage area is now fully encrypted." Check out a few more pics for yourself after the jump.[Via MaxConsole]
PSP Slim and Lite now available for preorder in the UK at GAME
Game.uk.com have sent out an email today stating that the PSP Slim and Lite is now available for pre-order. Available on the 14th of September, the new PSP will sell for £130. Strangely, there is only one choice for pre-order currently and it appears to be Piano Black, despite our promised rainbow of release-day colours. No worries there though, we doubt there'll be a shortage of PSP Slim and Lites any time soon, so pre-ordering would be pointless anyway. Still, it's exciting to see that the redesign will be out very shortly. Even if America beats us Europeans to the punch again by getting the Daxter pack released yesterday. At least we have more colours.
