Wow, yet another firmware update has been released for the PSP. It seems that Sony is getting sloppy in testing their updates since firmware 3.02 is a simple security update for the system software (put simply, a patch for a bug they found in the system). Since it is only a patch, nothing new has been added to this firmware update. You can download the update the Network Update feature on the PSP or via the regional PSP websites. It is not necessary to update just yet since games requiring firmware 3.02 will not be available for quiet a while.

For those interested, firmware 3.02 is Devhook compatible so it can be emulated on lower firmware versions, however, not all functionality will be supported. Another point is that homebrew support is not available on this firmware version which means you cannot run unsigned code.

The December 2006 issue of the XTREME PSP Magazine is now available to download. Issue 18 is packed with over 90 pages of great content including previews of Dead Head Fred, Rainbow Six Vegas, Sonic Rivals and Chili Con Carnage. Plus reviews of SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo, GTA: Vice City Stories, Space Invaders Evolution and Pilot Academy. You will also find all the regular content including tips and cheats, the latest news, a competition, homebrew reviews and a feature on what to expect in 2007.

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[Read Online (PSP)]

DK Jr. has released yet another issue of PSP M4M: Magazine for Men. Issue 7 is packed with christmas gift ideas for him and her as well as some sexy christmas babe photos. Also included are various other articles. Download a copy not and check it out. Please be aware that you must be over 18 years of age to download and view the magazine.

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[Via: DK Jr.]

It seems that Firmware 3.00, released yesterday, has a bug and as a result Sony has released firmware 3.01 to correct this. According to the Japanese PlayStation Website the bug involves playing Jeanne D’Arc on firmware 3.00, which causes the PSP to crash during loading data from the UMD and does not return you to the game. Nothing else has been added to this new firmware update. You can download the update via the Japanese PlayStation site, as for the rest of the world, the update will be available soon through the normal channels.

[Via: PlayStation Japan]

After months of anticipation PSP Firmware 3.00 is finally here, and with it comes the long awaited PS1 emulator and many other additions. Unfortunately, there is no mention of homebrew support, which for some is a huge disappointment. Owners of the PS3 will be able to download PS1 games which can then be transferred to the PSP. The PlayStation store, within a few hours, will release a small selection of PS1 games for around $5 each. Check below for a full summary of what’s new in 3.00:

Network

• [Remote Play] has been added (allows connectivity to PS3)
• [Online Manual] has been added
• [Timer Settings] were added to the RSS Channel

Games

• PlayStation titles can now be played using the PS3

Music

• 3 Fast Forward options were added
• Music Visualizations were added

Video

• Motion JPEG format (M-JPEG) is now supported
• [Camera] option has been added

Photo

• [Camera] option has been added

Settings

• [UMD Automatic Start] options have been added

As you can see a lot of features have been added. While some are not so great, the PS1 emulator is certainly a great additions, and may even tempt some homebrew enthusiasts to upgrade their PSPs. If Sony wants everyone to upgrade to the latest version, they should consider making the PSP Open Platform like the PS3. Currently, Firmware 3.00 is only available via the Japanese PlayStation website, but you can expect the other regional websites to update soon. You can download the update via the normal channels including the PSP Network Update feature.

Let us know what you think about the new update. Is it worth upgrading or would you rather have homebrew?

[Via: PlayStation Japan]

It’s official. The PS3 was lauched last night in Japan and as promised by Sony, Firmware Update 1.10 was also available. Although the PSP to PS3 connectivity is not yet available, since firmware 3.00 for the PSP has not been released just yet, there are still a number of good developments to report about regarding the PS3. Firmware Update 1.10 was released by Sony with several improvements to the System Software, and furthermore, the US version of the update is also available a week in advance before the US release of the PS3.

Here is a summary of the changes in the PS3 firmware update:

Whole (overall system changes)

• PLAYSTATION Network can be accessed
• European keyboard support added

Setting

• Music CD volume setting added
• ATRAC settings added
• Keyboard selection setting added
• Color filter settings was added to display setting
• Screensaver option was updated to include option ‘5 Minutes Later’

Video

• Full Screen mode added for video playback from Hard Disk

Network

• Downloading music and the video files with Internet browser are stored on Hard Disk
• PLAYSTATION Store – The following contents can be downloaded.
• PLAYSTATION 3 standard software
• PSP with the PlayStation standard software which operates (PSP system software version 3.00 or more is necessary)
• Chinese and simplified Chinese language support for Internet browser added
• The online manual was added

Other

• Calculation method of hard disk capacity was modified

In order to update to the latest version, simply use the System Update feature from the Settings Menu. A Internet connection and 110MB of free space is required. Alternatively, you can download the update to your PC from the PlayStation website (a file called “PS3UPDAT.PUP”) and copy it to the “X:/PS3/UPDATE”; folder of your console.

It is reported the the PS3 also supports Homebrew. Although no applications have been developed yet, Sony has created an official site about Open-Platform for PS3. The site is under construction, but they state that “;PLAYSTATION 3 allows any desired third-party system software to be installed on it besides its system software provided by Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Details will be posted on this site soon.” We have no idea if Sony will release a SDK to assist in developement and if this feature actually provides full access to the PS3’s hardware features for virtually endless possibilities.

[PS3 Firmware Update (JAP)]
[PS3 Open Platform Site]

UPDATE:

It has come to out attention that PSP Firmware 3.00 will include the PS1 emulator. But for the time being, you must own a PS3 in order to download games. This is only until Sony make it possible to download games using your PSP or PC. No time frame was given as to when this will occur. The PS1 games will only work on the PSP until emulation support is added to the PS3, and the Japanese PlayStation Store already has a selection of PS1 games available to download.

[PlayStation Store (JAP)]
[PlayStation Store (Translated)]

Finally, after months of speculation and rumors, Sony has finally released details about the upcoming PSP firmware 3.00. The firmware is due for release a few days after the release of the PS3. Upon release of the PS3, a firmware update will also be available upgrading the firmware of the PS3 to Firmware 1.10. This is to enable the connectivity between the PSP and the PS3.

According to Sony, Firmware 3.00 for the PSP will include:

• Strengthen security
• PS3 Connectivity
• Access to the PlayStation Store

Some of you may be wondering about the PS1 emulator, but as far as we know, Sony has included no information about it in this update. This leads us to believe that either the PS1 emulator is not yet ready for public release, or Sony is still planning to release it in Firmware 3.00 but forgot to mention it.

[Via: SCEJ]

Its that time of the month, and you know what that means! The new issue of XTREME PSP is now available to download. Issue 17 contains all the usual content from previews and reviews to homebrew games and more and it’s over 90 pages long, perfect for the commute to or from work. Previewed in this issue are Jeanne d’Arc, Crisis Core: FFVII and more, reviewed games included NHL2007, Scarface and Infected..

Post your comments and any feedback using the comment feature or use the contact form to send us an email. Next issue will include more previews, plus reviews on Space Invaders Evolution, Pilot Academy and more. Don’t miss it!

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You may remember us reporting about the PSP and PS3 connectivity, including the ability to transmit media wirelessly from the PS3 to the PSP and the ability to download games. In order for this connectivity, both the PSP and PS3 will need to be updated via firmware updates. The PS3 will not ship with the connectivity options, and a result, the connectivity features will not be available on launch. PSP owners will need to update to firmware 3.00 which should be released towards the end of November. Sony itself admitted that soon-to-be owners of the next-gen console would need to update their system by running firmware System Software Version 1.10.

Between the launch of the PS3 and the firmware update for the PSP, owners of the PS3 will have a few weeks of waiting until they will be able to try out the connectivity features. It is still unclear why Sony will not be shipping the PS3 with firmware 1.10 already installed. Firmware 1.10 for the PS3 will be required to access new PlayStation Network hub. The firmware update process is as easy as updating your PSP firmware, using the System Update option from the Settings menu on the XMB.

We have just added a Undiluted Platinum FAQ section to the site. The UP FAQ should help in answering common questions asked by those who own a PSP with the Undiluted Platinum chip installed. The section is still under constructions but you will find a selection of questions already answered including how to run GTA: Vice City on firmware 2.71 using a simple modification.

If you have any issues that you need help with, please use the contact form to send them in. Any useful questions will be added to the FAQ list to share with others.

Warning: Using backups in the form of ISO images is illegal unless you own the game.