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Living la vita hacker: PS3 firmware exploit expands Vita Remote Play options
Those gosh-darned hackers just refuse to get off Sony's lawn, serving up yet another exploit for the outfit's latest baby, the PlayStation Vita. Well, sort of -- the Vita's own code hasn't been breached, but it sure plays nice with PlayStation 3 custom firmware 3.55. The PS3 tweak apparently recognizes the Vita as a mobile phone, which somehow allows it to Remote Play a wider assortment of PS3 games than normal. It's not all unicorns and double rainbows, however, as input lag appears to be an issue -- but it should help tide over enterprising Vita owners until Sony officially expands its list of Remote Play-compatible titles. In the meantime, those on the straight and narrow can console themselves with the Vita's recently updated 3G data plan. Hit the break to see the trick cram Battlefield 3 onto the small screen.
PS3 non-mandatory firmware update 3.73 adds 'stability'
PS3 firmware 3.73 knows you've been too long bullied by all those firmware updates that require you to download them. But 3.73, he's different. He's casual. He's not a mandatory patch, he's completely optional. There's no pressure here, he knows you've had enough of that from those other guys. But when it's time, 3.73 will be there. And when you're ready to accept his love, he'll be ready to improve the stability of "certain PS3 format software." Yeah, he knows that sounds vague. But girl, maybe that's exactly what you need.
Finally! PS3 Firmware 3.72 arrives, changes everything
Finally, the PS3 firmware update you've all been waiting for! Next time you fire up your PlayStation 3, you'll be rewarded with a system software update -- version 3.72, to be exact -- which delivers "system stability during use of PS3 format software" as well as "improved" network services. And ... that's it! The good news: It's only a 10-minute update. The bad news: It comes less than six weeks after the last one. Anyone else get the feeling these constant updates are an attempt to convince us to upgrade to PlayStation Plus, if only for the Automatic Update?
PS3 firmware 3.70 now live, adds automatic trophy sync and shuffles video services around
It's time again for a PS3 firmware update -- which means, according to cosmic law, you were just about to turn on your PS3 for a quick ten-minute gaming session. PS3 firmware 3.70, which we heard about just yesterday, is now live. As advertised, it enhances the PlayStation-Plus exclusive automatic downloading feature, adding automatic trophy sync and automatic cloud save uploads. It also adds various enhancements for Blu-Ray movies, and 3D image viewing, if you want to see what it's like to wear 3D glasses while looking at your 3DS pictures. And a quick PSA: Firmware 3.70 also adds a new XMB category, "TV/Video Services." When you can't figure out where your Hulu and Netflix icons have gone, they're in there.
PSA: PS3 firmware 3.66 incoming
We hope you're ready for improved system stability "during use of PS3 format software and network services," because that's what the just-announced PS3 firmware 3.66 is bringing -- and evidently nothing else of note -- likely any time now. PSN director Eric Lempel writes on the PlayStation Blog that this is a "minor update," though based on Sony's servers and your connection speed, it could be a less-than-minor interruption in your ability to play online.
PS3 firmware 3.61 goes live, change your password when PSN returns [update]
Sony has sent word that a new, mandatory PlayStation 3 firmware update (version 3.61) is now live. It is strongly recommended (by us, too!) that you change your password following the retrieval and installation of the firmware, and once PSN has been restored in your region. Update: An earlier version of this post erroneously stated that you could change your password immediately, but it's dependent on PlayStation Network being restored. You now have the ability to do so once the network is re-activated in your region. We apologise for the error. The announcement states that your password may be changed only through the PlayStation 3 on which your PSN account has been activated. If you have never downloaded any content on that pairing of account and system, an email will be sent to the address associated with your PSN ID. That message will contain instructions on how to enable your new password and sign back in to PSN. According to Sony's Network Entertainment VP, Eric Lempel, the update is meant to prepare users and their consoles "for when PlayStation Network is back online" -- the PSN is not operational yet. Still, we can feel some excitement brewing! We always start playing once the firmware update's done. Update 2: See? Following the update, a phased restoration will begin. Read more here.
PS3 firmware 3.60 is live with cloud saves ... oh, and hacker suggests PS3 is 're-secured'
In addition to its ongoing courtroom campaign to thwart hackers, Sony hasn't given up trying to patch its PlayStation 3 problems with another (everybody now!) firmware update! This time, it's not just a security update: For the PlayStation Plus subscribers out there, firmware 3.60 includes the nifty cloud-based save service (demoed on video after the break) while non PS+ users can enjoy setting "the amount of time before a controller turns off after you have stopped using it." As for those glaring security holes? Noted PS3 hacker Youness Alaoui (aka KaKaRoToKS) posits, "For now, it looks to me (at first glance) that the PS3 has been re-secured, but it doesn't mean it can't be broken again from scratch." DigitalFoundry explains that while Geohot's reveal of the "mtldr" key irrevocably broke the PS3's "chain of trust," Sony's solution effortlessly sidesteps this seemingly insurmountable breach: "According to Alaoui's quick analysis, Sony simply doesn't use mtldr any more, opting for a new security system that could possibly require a completely new exploit to be uncovered." Even money says someone somewhere will uncover that exploit, but for now, it sounds like Sony can breathe a sigh of relief. [Thanks for the vid, Johnra (and everyone else that sent this in!)]
Sony releases statement on PS3 hacking, surprisingly comes out against it
In the wake of recent developments in Sony's war on Geohot, the company has released an "Official Statement Regarding PS3 Circumvention Devices and Pirated Software," which reads, in part: Consumers using circumvention devices or running unauthorized or pirated software will have access to the PlayStation Network and access to Qriocity services through PlayStation 3 system terminated permanently. To avoid this, consumers must immediately cease use and remove all circumvention devices and delete all unauthorized or pirated software from their PlayStation 3 systems. In other words: get caught with custom firmware, find yourself banished from the PlayStation Network forever. Seems rather reasonable. More reasonable than, say, filing a motion in court for the usernames and IP addresses of everyone who posted comments on Geohot's YouTube video. Read the entire statement at the source link.
PS3 firmware 3.56 hacked in less than a day, Sony's lawyers look confused (update)
Sony's taken some strong steps against PS3 cracking in the past week -- not only has it taken to the courts and won a temporary restraining order against Geohot and fail0verflow for cracking the console, but it also released firmware 3.56, which locked things down again. Unfortunately, that restraining order doesn't mean anyone else has to stop a-crackin', and wouldn't you know it: 3.56 was cracked open in less than a day by KaKaRoToKS, who was behind one of the first 3.55 custom firmwares. Now that the 3.56 signing keys are out, we'd guess updated custom firmware is soon to come -- and we'd bet Sony's lawsuit will just inspire an entirely new wave of people to jailbreak once those hit the scene. Way to put that genie back in the bottle, Sony. Update: We're hearing that new custom firmware isn't on the table quite yet, because Sony changed most of the locks, and is reportedly actually storing the all-important ECDSA private key with random-number cryptography this time around. Be warned: if you upgrade to 3.56, there's no easy way back down. In related news, Github complied with a DMCA takedown notice to remove KaKaRoToKS's repositories, so you'll have to head on over to Gitorious (at our more coverage link) to get at the fail0verflow tools. [Thanks, Tomi R]
Latest PS3 firmware update brings the bans for Black Ops hacks
Dirty, dirty Black Ops cheaters that downloaded the new PS3 firmware, update 3.56, are finding out exactly what Sony meant when it said the patch would help bolster "security." A grip of consoles have been permanently banned from Black Ops multiplayer servers for hacking or cheating after their users installed the new firmware -- though some of the outspoken among the banned are contesting the presumption that they are cheaters on the game's official forums. (Which is like, the first thing you'd do if you were a dirty, dirty cheater.) In a seemingly cooperative attack executed by two mortal enemies, firmware 3.56 joins last week's mandatory Xbox Live update, which also stopped pirated and modded copies of Black Ops and Modern Warfare 2 in their tracks. Is Activision's cash cow so powerful that the publisher can request its own console updates at will? If that's the case, Activision: Would you please, please ask Sony to add cross-game chat? Oh, and see if Microsoft will bring black the blades. We miss the blades.
Breaking: PS3 firmware 3.56 released
Waiting for the press conference tonight? Well, it looks like Sony jumped the gun and leaked the big reveal on PlayStation Blog: "A new PS3 system software update, v3.56, will be released soon." How soon? How about now? The massive update adds tons of oft-requested functionality demanded by users. This firmware update pretty much transforms your console into a PS4. Oh wait -- it appears we stand corrected. "This is a minor update that adds a security patch." Well, we guess you better stick around for that press conference, after all. [Thanks to everyone that sent this in!]
PS3 firmware 3.55 'adds a security patch'
It doesn't appear Sony has much to say about PS3 firmware 3.55, available ... well, now. Why? Because it seemingly only adds a security patch. We're certain that you will be much more vocal about the inconvenience of mandatory installs, the lack of certain oft-requested features, and the ongoing battle between Sony and hackers in our comments section.
Medal of Honor insists on PS3 firmware 3.42, blocks PSJailbreak
Sony's ongoing battle with PSJailbreak seems to have reached the software side, as DigitalFoundry reports that Medal of Honor requires at least PlayStation 3 firmware 3.42 in order to run. DF notes that copies of the Medal of Honor have made it onto the net but "the game is completely unplayable with the hack as is." It seems that 3.42 includes a new decryption key, which is required to run Medal of Honor, while the firmware that PSJailbreak is based on "simply can't read the code." Presumably, this protection will be added to other future releases as well. The article adds that it's possible that existing hacks could be altered to accommodate the change, though it remains to be seen if that will happen and, if so, how long it will take the hacking community to adapt.
PS3 firmware 3.50 disables some USB peripherals, consumers report
Owners of various PS3 peripherals, including (but not limited to) the Yobo PS3 Joybox, the XCM Cross Battle Plus Adapter and the SplitFish FragFX, are reporting compatibility issues after the release of PS3 firmware 3.50. Some conspiracy theorists believe the rampant failure of these devices is linked to Sony's ongoing battle to circumvent further use of the PS3 jailbreak, which requires a USB tool to activate. 1UP suggests that this issue may be a side effect of Sony's discovery (and subsequent disabling) of "counterfeit" PS3 controllers. A recent consumer alert on Sony's official website states that "SCEA does not support continued functionality of counterfeit or unlicensed controllers in system software updates and these devices may cease to function in the future because of system software updates." The 1UP report adds that "no third-party controllers that are officially licensed by Sony" have been disabled in the latest update. Considering the affected devices haven't been officially licensed, it's unlikely that a fix will be offered. A SCEA representative told us that "SCE does not support continued functionality of unlicensed controllers."
PSA: PS3 firmware 3.50 now available
If you've been itching for something to do with that multi-thousand-dollar TV you bought, go turn your PS3 on. Readers are reporting that firmware 3.50, which enables 3D Blu-Ray support, is up now. In addition to that feature, which will make a few very rich people very happy, the new update includes more Facebook integration for developers, so that their games can access your Facebook data, and XMB-based grief reporting. You can tell Sony if "this guy won't shut up about his 3D television," for example. [Thanks, Chad and Aaron!]
PS3 firmware update 3.50 coming September 21, adds 3D Blu-ray support
Sony has announced the next update for the PS3. Coming two weeks after the release of system update 3.42 will be firmware update 3.50, the long-awaited update that adds 3D Blu-ray movie support to the console. (The PS3 is already compatible with 3D games.) While the date was announced for Japanese press at the Sony TGS press conference, it's likely that this will be made available worldwide simultaneously.
PS3 Firmware 3.42 mandatory update available now
Another month, yet another PS3 firmware update. Little over one month since 3.41 (and two months since 3.40) comes yet another mandatory update for your PS3. Firmware 3.42 seemingly doesn't add any functionality to your system beyond the usual "system software stability," but it is required if you want to continue accessing the PlayStation Network or the PlayStation Store. While unverified, this update may be a response to a recently-released jailbreak tool, which supposedly enables piracy on Sony's once-bulletproof system. We'll update this story if Sony provides any additional details on what this firmware does exactly. Update: The BBC reports that the update does block PSJailbreak and PSGroove hacks. "Since this is an overall security related issue, we will not be providing further commentary to this case," a Sony representative said. "But as we always have, we will continue to take necessary actions to both hardware and software to protect the intellectual content provided on the PlayStation 3."
PS3 firmware 3.41 updated to resolve HDD upgrade issues
There was a notable issue with PS3 Firmware 3.41: Some PS3 owners reportedly encountered problems when they installed a different hard drive after applying the update. The PlayStation Blog informs us that an update to the update (wait, what?) should alleviate HDD replacement issues and is available for download right now.
PS3 Firmware 3.41 mandatory update available now
Trying to log on to the PlayStation Network today? You'll be prompted with yet another mandatory firmware update. According to the PlayStation.Blog, the big new feature added to firmware 3.41 is a new "You May Like" section to the PlayStation Store. And ... that's about it, apparently. Some commenters have already expressed some frustration with the firmware, which comes less than one month after the last mandatory update: "That's it?" "Why do we need a PS3 update for a store update?" "Would much rather have a search feature for your download list." While firmware 3.41 is available now, PSP owners will also be able to get into the mandatory update action with firmware 6.31, which improves the "system software stability."
PlayStation Move support added to XMB with PS3 firmware 3.40
It seems 3.40 firmware update added more than PlayStation Plus to the PS3. It appears support for the Move motion controller has also been added to the system, as evidenced by a new option in the "Settings" area of the XMB. This setting (pictured) will allow you to calibrate the motion controller, if the controller doesn't move "as expected." The Move controller isn't scheduled to launch until later this year. However, this isn't the first time Sony has prepped future-tech in earlier firmware releases. For example, firmware 3.30 added support for 3D games about two months before the first 3D games were released. Barring any further changes to the PS3 OS, you may be able to play Move games sans system update when the controller launches. [Thanks SecretAgentHam!]
