The noobz team was working on a PSP unbricker that would restore any bricked PSP’s using the faulty M33 Custom Firmware, however, instead of releasing a unbricker program, they have released the ultimate unbricking tool. Dubbed Pandora’s Battery, the program lets you convert a normal PSP battery into a "jigstick", allowing you to unbrick any PSP.

The unbricker is the culmination of years of behind-the-scenes research and development by some of the top names in PSP hacking, under the name of the Prometheus project. This group of people, from various development teams, was dedicated to developing and releasing PSP hacks and exploits, with the aim of improving the status of PSP homebrew, and making sure that it was kept alive.

All the instructions needed to use the tool are included in the readme file, be sure to pay close attention to any instructions. Here is the process in brief:

• You run a program on a homebrew-enabled PSP that will convert a standard PSP battery into a jigkick battery. Note that you can’t then use that battery normally – so you should use a spare one.
• You run a program to generate the unbricker memory stick image, built from the v1.5 update EBOOT (note that this, and the custom IPL, means the release is completely free of Sony copyright materials).
• You run some programs on a PC to install the image to your memory stick.

[Download Pandora’s Battery]

Thanks to Sable for the tip.

As promised by Sony, the EU PlayStation Network Store has been updated with a bunch of new stuff, including the exclusive Folklore demo, available for a limited time only. The update also includes a number of new game trailers and trailers from the Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany. As usual, check out the list of new content below.

• Playable Demos
  • Folklore
• Game Trailers
  • Warhawk Trailers:
    • Warhawk Multiplayer
    • Warhawk Air Combat
    • Warhawk Ground Combat
    • Warhawk Trailer
  • Stranglehold GD Trailer
  • UT3 Gamer’s Day Trailer
• Lepizig 2007 Content
  • Leipzig PSN Trailer
  • PlayStation Eye Trailer
  • MGS4 Gameplay Trailer
  • Heavenly Sword Trailer
  • Snakeball Trailer

Today, SCEE finally announced the introduction of PlayTV, a combined TV tuner and Personal Video Recoder (PVR) for the PlayStation 3. PlayTV will be available in UK, France, Italy, Germany and Spain early in 2008, with other PAL territories to follow in due course. The twin channel TV tuner peripheral and PVR software turns PS3 into a state of the art TV recorder, allowing users to watch, pause and record live TV. PlayTV will also record individual programmes or whole series to the PS3 hard drive for viewing later on the family TV, or for transferring to the PSP for remote viewing outside of the home.

Operating on the widely available Digital Video Broadcasting – Terrestrial (DVB-T) format, PlayTV uses an incredibly quick and easy to use 7-day Electronic Programme Guide EPG. that provides the navigation for programming the PVR features of PlayTV. In line with PlayStation’s focus on advanced technology made easy, PlayTV provides a host of added value features seldom seen on anything but the highest cost standalone PVRs:

• PlayTV’s two TV tuners are High Definition ready and are able to view, record and play back High Definition signals in full HD1080P to fully complement PS3’s already impressive High Definition credentials.
• Unlike the electronic programme guides found on conventional satellite and cable services, PlayTV’s EPG is lightning fast, and simple to use with either PS3’s SIXAXIS™ wireless controller or the BD remote control to really enhance viewing pleasure.
• Intuitive controls, single button help features, tutorial videos and simple navigation make PlayTV a positive joy to use compared with the complexity of some standalone PVR models
• Seamless connectivity with PSP allows you to set recordings, watch Live TV and recorded TV programmes remotely on PSP via a Wi-Fi connection (using Remote Play feature). Alternatively, quickly transcode recorded TV shows for high quality viewing to PSP by USB cable for remote viewing away from the home.
• Optional on-screen graphical display provides a wealth of information about the status of PlayTV and provides quick access to programme information, stored TV programmes and the controls to pause or record live TV. PlayTV will also set the correct interface for either Standard Definition or High Definition displays, maximising the viewing experience.
• PlayTV will evolve with time, with great added value functionality being updated via PLAYSTATION Network; a feature that sets it above all other set top boxes. PlayTV will never be out of date.

“The introduction of PlayTV really will extend the already broad entertainment credentials of PS3, and makes it an exceptionally attractive proposition for the whole family,” said David Reeves, President of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. “PS3 already provides High Definition gaming, Blu-ray Disc movies, music, video, photo album, web browsing and PLAYSTATION Network support. With the introduction of PlayTV’s state of the art TV tuner and PVR functionality, PS3 is now the best choice of home entertainment hub for the whole family.”

Today, SCEE finally announced the introduction of PlayTV, a combined TV tuner and Personal Video Recoder (PVR) for the PlayStation 3. PlayTV will be available in UK, France, Italy, Germany and Spain early in 2008, with other PAL territories to follow in due course. The twin channel TV tuner peripheral and PVR software turns PS3 into a state of the art TV recorder, allowing users to watch, pause and record live TV. PlayTV will also record individual programmes or whole series to the PS3 hard drive for viewing later on the family TV, or for transferring to the PSP for remote viewing outside of the home.

Operating on the widely available Digital Video Broadcasting ? Terrestrial (DVB-T) format, PlayTV uses an incredibly quick and easy to use 7-day Electronic Programme Guide EPG. that provides the navigation for programming the PVR features of PlayTV. In line with PlayStation?s focus on advanced technology made easy, PlayTV provides a host of added value features seldom seen on anything but the highest cost standalone PVRs:

• PlayTV?s two TV tuners are High Definition ready and are able to view, record and play back High Definition signals in full HD1080P to fully complement PS3?s already impressive High Definition credentials.
• Unlike the electronic programme guides found on conventional satellite and cable services, PlayTV’s EPG is lightning fast, and simple to use with either PS3?s SIXAXIS? wireless controller or the BD remote control to really enhance viewing pleasure.
• Intuitive controls, single button help features, tutorial videos and simple navigation make PlayTV a positive joy to use compared with the complexity of some standalone PVR models
• Seamless connectivity with PSP allows you to set recordings, watch Live TV and recorded TV programmes remotely on PSP via a Wi-Fi connection (using Remote Play feature). Alternatively, quickly transcode recorded TV shows for high quality viewing to PSP by USB cable for remote viewing away from the home.
• Optional on-screen graphical display provides a wealth of information about the status of PlayTV and provides quick access to programme information, stored TV programmes and the controls to pause or record live TV. PlayTV will also set the correct interface for either Standard Definition or High Definition displays, maximising the viewing experience.
• PlayTV will evolve with time, with great added value functionality being updated via PLAYSTATION Network; a feature that sets it above all other set top boxes. PlayTV will never be out of date.

“The introduction of PlayTV really will extend the already broad entertainment credentials of PS3, and makes it an exceptionally attractive proposition for the whole family,” said David Reeves, President of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. “PS3 already provides High Definition gaming, Blu-ray Disc movies, music, video, photo album, web browsing and PLAYSTATION Network support. With the introduction of PlayTV?s state of the art TV tuner and PVR functionality, PS3 is now the best choice of home entertainment hub for the whole family.”

SCEE has revealed more information about the joint venture between themselves and British Sky Broadcasting (Sky). The service will offer PSP owners in the UK and Ireland the opportunity to watch videos on demand and on the move. The Go! branded Video Download Service will launch in early 2008, and will be the first official PSP video download service anywhere in Europe.

Unlike other services, the Video Download Service will launch with a rich selection of high quality entertainment. The choice of programmes available will include a diverse mix of Sky content, spanning sports, entertainment, movies, music and animation. In addition to a selection of some of the best content from its own channels, Sky plans to work with third-party channel brands and content owners to create an even more comprehensive service. This is the first time Sky will offer video content through a non-Sky branded service.

The very latest premier movies and high profile sporting events, normally only available to Sky subscribers will be available on a pay per view basis, allowing users to choose their preferred way of using the download service. Customers will be able to download their choice of programmes direct to their PSP via a Wi-Fi connection or, alternatively, transfer content that they’ve downloaded to their PC.

“Both truly mobile and with a best in class high-quality screen, PSP delivers a great on-the-move video experience. Working with such a well known content brand, we will be able to offer PSP owners access to the best in cross-genre Sky content, available through the first official video download service. This really will make PSP the standout all-in-one portable gaming, video and music device”, commented David Reeves, President of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.

The PlayStation 3 Folding@Home client has been updated to version 1.20. A significant number of additions have been made to the client including a Advanced Particapation Mode, more folding visuals, and support for Remote Play for PSP. You can check out the full list of new and improved features below.

Improvement: Support for Remote Play for PSP (PlayStation Portable)

Folding@home can now be remotely operated through the Remote Play feature of your PS3 system. When you use this feature, the Folding@home help screen will be specific to your PSP system’s controls. Use this screen if you need help in navigating Folding@home from your PSP system.

Note: PSP system software should be version 3.50 or higher.

Note: To use Remote Play for the first time, you must first register (pair) a PSP system with a PS3 system. For setup details, see the “Remote Play” section of the PLAYSTATION 3 System Software User’s Guide: http://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/network/index.html

Improvement: Visibility of Donor Locations on the Globe

The markers indicating PS3 system donor locations on the globe have been improved to differentiate between daytime and nighttime areas.

Improvement: Support for Additional Protein Simulations

Additional computation cores are now supported. This allows Folding@home for PS3 to support a wider range of protein-folding simulations.

Improvement: Advanced Participation Mode

An advanced participation mode has been added to Folding@home for PS3. This mode allows Stanford to send simulations of varying computational lengths to users of Folding@home for PS3. Because the simulations in this mode can take significantly longer, Advanced Mode is only recommended for contributors who run Folding@home for PS3 for at least eight (8) hours per day.

Note: In Advanced Mode, an energy graph during the simulation will also be displayed. In this graph, the blue line represents the total energy level of the protein over time. The red line represents the average temperature level at which the current simulation is run.

Improvement: Screensaver Mode

A screensaver mode can now be activated via the Settings menu. After no controller input has been detected for three (3) minutes, the screen will go blank except for a logo that periodically moves to avoid screen burn-in. Any controller input will exit the screensaver mode. This feature allows your PS3 system to consume slightly less power and to increase performance of protein-folding simulations.

Improvement: Link to Project Description

A link has been added to the Information menu that allows you to quickly obtain additional information about the specific research project that you’re currently contributing to.

Improvement: Protein Visualization Enhancements

All visualization modes have been enhanced with improved shading, highlighting, and focus effects. In addition, four new visualization modes have been added:

• Tapioca – Displays the protein as a smooth surface with improved shading and depth. (Tapioca replaces the “ISO Surface” visualization that was available in earlier versions.)
• Caviar – Displays the protein as a smooth surface with defined edges.
• Licorice – Displays only the protein’s bonds.
• Backbone – Emphasizes specific sections of the protein that are of the most scientific interest to researchers.

Note: The Backbone visualization is not available for all proteins.

[Via: Sony Folding@Home Website]

UPDATE (August 21st 2007 at 18:23):

Screenshots of Folding@Home on the PSP:

Team M33 has unexpectedly updated their custom firmware to version 4. The update is not a major one and includes mainly bug fixes to Custom Firmware 3.52 v3, released earlier this week. You can check out the changelog below.

Changes in M33-4 (mainly bugfix)

• Fixed the bug that caused CRC error when writing to flash usb in the XMB. Now writing is OK.
• Added the new speeds to vshmenu and core, because we forgot in recovery.

Also, a few notes from Team M33:

• As we didn’t want to release a new update without something new, we worked in making 3.10/3.11 to work with popsloader, and that’s it, the new popsloader plugins supports them.
• Instruction for 3.10 and 3.11 are same as 3.30: you need pops.prx, popsman.prx and pafmini.prx with the correct names in popsloader directory. And remember that savedata of 3.10-3.30 are incompatible with those of 3.40 . We’ll research if a solution for this is possible.

[Download Custom Firmware 3.52 v4]