Team Wildcard has released their own custom firmware, based on Dark_AleX’s OE custom firmware. The team reverse engineered Dark_AleX’s custom firmware and then added a few new features to bring you a new custom firmware. Custom Firmware 3.40 LE (Leaked Edition) has all the features of Dark_AleX’s Custom Firmware 3.40 OE, but also included a few extra features such a improved recovery menu. Check out the full list of features below.

Custom Firmware 3.40 LE includes:

• Everything you know and love from 3.40 OE-A
• A sexy new SCEP-style recovery menu
• In-XMB configuration menu
• Auto-detection of the kernel needed for homebrew – no need for GAME150 and GAME340; just put it all in GAME

Instruction on how to install the custom firmware are included in the zip package, but we have also included it below.

3.40 LE – Installation Guide

1. Look inside the ZIP file for the folder that corresponds to your current firmware – either Custom Firmware or Firmware 1.50. To install 3.40 , you have to be on one of these. If you’re not already on one of them, what are you waiting for? Downgrade!
2. Copy the CONTENTS of the MS_ROOT folder onto the ROOT of your memory stick. This means the place where the ‘PSP’ folder is. It’ll probably tell you that it has to overwrite the PSP folder. This is OK; just click Yes.
3. Download the 1.50 and 3.40 firmware EBOOTs. ( included below )
4. Rename the 1.50 EBOOT to 150.PBP.
5. Rename the 3.40 EBOOT to 340.PBP
6. Put both of them in the folder “X:\PSP\GAME\Wildcard All-in-one Flasher”, alongside the EBOOT.PBP file. (X: is your PSP’s Windows drive letter.)
7. Go into the PSP’s Game menu, under Memory Stick, and run “3.40 All-In-One Updater”. The installer will build the 3.40 DATA.DXAR file, then launch the flasher to install it. Follow the instructions on the screen TO THE LETTER and you’ll be safe.

[Download Custom Firmware 3.40 LE]

Sony currently incurs an estimated $200 loss on every PlayStation 3 sold, but an exec from the firm said that loss could be eliminated this fiscal year.
During a conference call, Sony executive VP Nobuyuki Oneda said the firm may be able to break even on PS3 hardware this fiscal year, which ends in March 2008. Though Oneda still couldn’t specify exactly when this break-even point may happen.

“The removal of the negative margin will be when all of these factors have come out. Maybe, marginally, we could achieve this during this year,” Oneda told a Citigroup Securities analyst during a Q&A session.

“For the negative margin to go away, the big trigger would be the cost-down in the Cell and RSX semiconductors. They are the key, and also optical pick-up is another factor, significantly,” he said.

Oneda confirmed that Sony is working on transitioning the PS3’s chips from 90nm to 65nm, which would reduce costs significantly. He said the Cell would be the first PS3 chip to make the migration, followed by the RSX chip.
Game console makers typically sell hardware at a loss, and make up for this through software sales. Nintendo, however, has made it a point to sell its hardware at a profit.

[Via: CVG]

The new model of the PlayStation 3, that was announced last month before the E3 Business and Media Summit, launches today. The new 80GB model carries a bigger hard drive and comes bundled with MotorStorm. All other specifications of the console are the same as the 60GB model with the exception of the Emotion Engine Chip, which as now been removed. The new model will retail for $599.

The release of the new model effectively makes the 60GB model the “standard” option, while the 80GB version now becomes the “premium” version. There has been no announcements of a 80GB version coming to Europe.

In a recent interview with MTV, John Koller, head of Marketing for SCEA revealed a number of things related to the future of the PSP, as well as current issues. In the interview, Koller reveales that the new model PSP is codenamed PSP 2000, while the current model is called PSP 1000. He also talked about a GPS device for North America and about hacker Dark_AleX.

Koller said that a TV tuner for the PSP is not possible in North America due to the cost of over-the-air signals. As for the GPS device, the software is currently being “tweaked for North America” for release in the next 10-12 months. A camera like the one released in Japan and Europe will also make it to North America, althought “there may be some changes to the spec sheet” before it’s released.

Earlier this year the world’s top PSP hacker, Dark_Alex, announced he was leaving the PSP scene. According to Koller, Sony did not shut him down or hire him. Koller said “I think he’s taking a hiatus.” With relation to hiring hackers, Koller said “It’s not even a hiring thing. They come in and actively talk to us.”

[Via: MTV]

cruzader over a the PS3Forums has used his imagination and photoshop skills to completely redesign the PlayStation Network Store. Of course, his work is only speculative but what a fine job he has done. The redesigned store works more along the lines of the XMB, with each section having its own icon set. Check out the screenshots below.

“The new PS store opens exactly as the old one. We click on the little blue bag icon. But this is where similarities end. As soon as the bag icon is clicked, the XMB icons fade into the background, as “new” XMB icons fade in to take their spot. It is a neat effect similar to that of Mac OS X’s Frontrow animation. A messege appears welcoming us as bells chime to signify we entered a store. A clever effect.”

“The PS is set to default on featured items. The feature list some what resembles Apple’s Coverflow from iTunes. Video icons begin to stream for a nice effect. Makes the store seem much more interactive. Certain icons change the XMB background (such as the God of War 3 icon).”

“We continue browsing around. The “new” store is a lot more organized, and easier to get from place to place. The best new feature in organization is the Search menu. Basically the Search menu does exactly what we thought it would do- search! Yet, it does a lot more than what it expected. We searched “Resident Evil” on the on-screen keyboard and a few items appeared on the sidebar (note there was a fullscreen keyboard for SDTV viewing).The sidebar made everything much easier with it’s on the fly sorting options and easily readable interface.

Left of the sidebar is a great preview system. It let us preview the any material before selecting it. If it were a video trailer, a short video clip would begin to play. If it were a game demo, a snazzy picture was the place holder. The preview system also allowed us to do the same old XMB options, such as pressing triangle to view more information, etc.
If the “new” PS store was ONLY, this Store Search menu, it would still be leaps and bounds better than the previous store.”

“We continued to the rest of the store.
The settings menus resembled standard XMB hoopla, which is well welcomed in the Store. A huge improvement over web-based menus. Also integrated into the Store was the “Account Management.” From here we could change billing information, credit card info., etc. All this, without leaving the store. It made a lot more sense.

Even the “shopping cart” was vastly improved recieving its own menu. It had a similar preview system we saw previously in the Search menu. It also sported the sidebar which seems to be the standard browsing interface. But, of course, this preview system was dumbed down a bit. It still had its charm though.”

“The last few menus were all similar in regards to design. These menus were the bulk of the Store: Themes, Downloadable Games, Trailers, Hardware, and Sony Music.

The “Sony Music Entertainment” icon brought us to an external music website. We were told that, that menu has not been completed yet, and were informed that it will be all linked to Singstore. That means, a giant Singstore/Music database will be accessible through the PS Store. We were simply stunned at this connectivity between the various media.

The “Themes” menu featured downloadable content for your PS3 XMB. At the moment, only wallpapers were available, but there are also menus for “full themes” and “sounds.” Very interesting- XMB customization maybe?

The “Downloadable Games” and “Trailers” were practically identical except for content of course. Each had drop down menus to pre-sorted material. One a menu is clicked, it opens up the Sidebar and that neat little Preview box. It already felt too similar, and we already knew exactly how to browse through the media.

These two menus did show us something new- a small desciption box located right under the Preview.

We were then told of a new feature. Clicking the R3 button opens a mouse cursor. A neat trick that also helped with the scrolling and navigation of all the video clips.”

[Via: PS3Forums]

Warhawk has gone gold, meaning development on the game has finished and will soon start to ship. The game will go on sale on August 28th 2007, and will be available to purchase via the PlayStation Network Store or from local retailers. The PlayStation Store version will cost $39.99, while the retail pack complete with Bluetooth headset will cost $59.99.

The retail pack will include extra content such as extended video content, manual, and of course the Jabra Bluetooth headset mentioned above. The top 100 players from the recent Beta will all receive a little something by post. Each of the top 100 players will get a print of the box art signed by the team and a limited edition Warhawk Wings pin.

[Via: PlayStation.Blog]

XTREME PSP Magazine Issue 26 is now available to download. Issue 26 is packed with over 100 pages of content including a number of PSP game previews and reviews. In addition, you will find a new music review, some of the top news stories from last month and a new competition. Check out the full content list below.

• Previews
  • Coded Arms: Contagion
  • Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice
  • WipEout Pulse
  • PaRappa the Rapper
  • Warhammer 40,000
• Reviews
  • Tony Hawks Project 8
  • Rainbow Six: Vegas
  • Final Fantasy I
• Music Review
• Tips and Cheats
• PSP Wallpapers
• Competition

[Download XTREME PSP Magazine Issue 26]

Japan’s PSP Video on Demand service, P-TV, for the PSP and PlayStation 3 is about to end, according to a statement found on the company’s official site. The reason for stopping the service was not mentioned, however, it is likely that the service suffered from poor subscription rates. The service has been around since July 2005 and allowed users to download videos for their PSP.

In related news, Sony isn’t abandoning the idea of VOD services. Last week, we reported that SCEE and Sky are teaming up to bring VOD services to UK and Ireland consumers, and will later be made available to Europe. The P-TV service will end on August 30th 2007 at 5 PM.

Grand Theft Auto IV for both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 is being delayed until April 2008. According to Take Two, the delay is necessary in order to complete development for the title. The title is now planned for release in the Company’s second quarter of fiscal 2008. Strauss Zelnick, Chairman of Take-Two, stated, “Certain elements of development proved to be more time-intensive than expected, especially given the commitment for a simultaneous release on two very different platforms”.

Sam Houser, Founder and Executive Producer of Rockstar Games, added, “The new consoles are allowing us to create the Grand Theft Auto game we always dreamed about. Every aspect of the game and its design has been completely transformed. The game is huge and is pushing the hardware platforms to their absolute limits. The top engineers from Sony and Microsoft are working closely with the team in Edinburgh right now, helping us to fully leverage the power of both platforms. As always, our goal is to surpass even the wildest expectations of the game’s fans, and to create the ultimate high definition video game experience.”

[Via: Take-Two Games]

The US PlayStation Store has been updated with new content, thought, a lot more content has been added compared to the UK PlayStation Store update. The US update includes the Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2 demo seen in the UK Store update, but also includes a number of movie trailers and the Advanced Research expansion pack for Blast Factor. See below for a full list of new content.

• Games
  • Blast Factor: Advanced Research (Add-On)
  • Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 (Playable Demo)
  • The Darkness (Playable Demo)
• Movie Trailers
• Michael Clayton
• Get Smart
• The Game Plan