Custom firmware v3.90 M33-2 released

Dark Alex has released update for it’s custom firmware v3.90 M33. New version dubbed (as always) v3.90 M33-2 contains mostly bugfixes with no significant changes to the firmware itself. Update is available on Dark Alexes website and as Network Update from your device if you already have v3.80 M33 or greater. We do remind you to take extreme care if you are using Network Update because of the reported problems with the option which could leave you with the official Sony firmware.

Dark Alex messed it up: network update in v3.80 M33 upgrades you to Sony v3.90

Even though in latest two installments of Dark Alex custom firmware (v3.80 M33 and v3.90 M33) there are claims that Network Update option in PSP XMB has been modified to allow upgrading of custom firmware - it fails to do so, on oh such glorious way.

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Go!Messenger only for Europe

With the release of firmware 3.90, Skype was brought to PSP environment. Like it was announced before it’s release, Go!Messenger was also the part of the new firmware, with it’s ability of video and voice communication, but only the European PSP units were able to download it.

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The day after - Dark Alex releases v3.90 M33

Just a day after the release of official Sony firmware v3.90, homebrew community modder Dark Alex has released his custom firmware v3.90 M33. While still being active in the community, it seems that Dark Alex gets faster every time Sony releases new firmware update.

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Firmware 3.90 is out, Skype PSP comes alongside

Sony has just released v3.90 update for PSP firmware. Usually this is not something of much interest, but this time updated firmware is bringing Skype to the PSP. This upgrade is currently available only for US and Europe PSP fans, since Japanese firmware update was delayed. Remember Skype PSP is available only if you have PSP Slim.

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Dark Alex releases custom firmware v3.80 M33, with updates too

Following the release of the updates for his custom firmware v3.71 and the controversy surrounding his alleged retirement from the homebrew community, Dark Alex strikes again. His newest release is new version of custom firmware following the official Sony line - custom firmware v3.80 M33 is out, and it has four updates alongside.

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PSP Firmware v3.72 available

New Sony PSP Firmware v3.72 has been released to the public yesterday. There are not many changes to previously released v3.71, and most of them are to the support of PS3 Remote Play and Playstation Network titles. Only modification which affects users without the PS3 is addition of sequential playback of videos stored on the MemoryStick.

M33 v3.71 gets an update, Dark_AleX still here?

And still he is here. After all of the controversy and alleged claims that he will be leaving the PSP Homebrew community scene, Dark Alex still hasn’t left. Instead, he has just released a update to his custom firmware m33 v3.71-2 which corrects some of the flaws, and alongside the firmware update, Dark Alex released an update for v1.50 kernel support. Still there are no definite information whether Dark Alex aka Team m33 will be leaving the Homebrew community or not. Since M33 website has been shut down, update to both custom v3.71 firmware, and v1.5 kernel support are available from Dark Alex official website.

Sony Firmware v3.71 removes video playback limitations

According to reports on various PSP dedicated websites, it seems that Sony has removed birtrate limitation of 768 kbps in most recent firmware release. There still is no confirmation of this alleged birtrate expansion from Sony, but the test conducted by PSP fans claim that it’s true. PSP Fanboy reports that Devil May Cry 4 video, available at Capcom’s website, is PSP optimized, and runs not on 768kbps birtrate but on full 2mbps. Not that you actually need full 2mbps birtrate, but it’s nice to know that PSP is capable of playing such videos, and without hiccups too.

m33 Releases firmware v3.71, and goes to permanent break?

Just a day, after the announcement from Russian Homebrew community modding team m33, that v3.71 of their custom firmware for PSP is completed, they have released it to the public. Even though m33 stated that v3.71 will be released after the break, it seems that they have changed their minds. Short but nevertheless confusing statement was published on their official website, suggesting that m33 is going on a permanent break? What is even more confusing - retired (?) Homebrew community modder Dark Alex is mentioned in the statement in very delicate context.

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m33 - PSP Custom firmware v3.71 to be released, after the break

Russian Homebrew community modding team m33 has released a statement announcing that custom firmware v3.71 for Sony PSP is - complete. What’s interesting is that m33 will not be releasing the their custom firmware to the public yet. A move which is obviously the result of the PSP Homebrew wars - m33 vs AoP we reported on recently. We included m33 statement, a pretty lengthy one, for your reading.

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Sony firmware v3.71 hidden features?

After all, it seems that Sony’s firmware v3.71 has more features hidden, or in preparation, instead of ones officially released with the firmware. Just as quick reminder, differences between Sony’s firmware v3.70 and v3.71 were marginal, most notable one was a automatically created THEME folder. After taking a closer look at v3.71, Homebrew community modder FreePlay has found references to some of Sony’s firmware v3.71 features which are not mentioned anywhere, or are still in the development.

According to FreePlay, he found references to APP folder which could mean Sony’s preparing (downloadable?) PSP applications. Besides this, there were also references to MINIGAME folder, but this is not the first time such references were found but still the function of MINIGAME folder is unknown. FreePlay also found references to Sony’s upcoming service Go!Messenger, but unfortunately references didn’t contain any obvious information.

And last, but not the least, FreePlay discovered official screenshot plugin, capable of storing images as JPG or PNG. Screenshots will be stored to PSP/SCREENSHOT folder. Unfortunately FreePlay didn’t disclose any other information regarding this discovery. To see the complete FreePlays post click here.

PSP Firmware v3.70 downgrader already out

Just a couple days after Sony released firmware v3.70 for both PSP and PSP Slim, firmware v3.71 came out. Nevertheless, it has been confirmed that firmware v3.70 (and probably v3.71, no real differences between the two) have been downgraded. Homebrew community struck again, and another official Sony firmware has been hacked.

To downgrade firmware v3.70, homebrew community member hakk3r used Pandora’s Battery, a product of homebrew community which has hit the net a month ago. Really weird thing about this is that downgrader for v3.70 apparently appeared before the official firmware. Has Sony given up on trying to stop homebrew community from dowgrading every new version of firmware?

Oh, yes. If you don’t believe the story, head to YouTube and search for “3.70 downgrade” …

Sony releases Firmware v3.71

The new PSP firmware is now available to download, only a few days after lunching v3.70, but the regional PlayStation websites have not been updated yet, and the firmware can be downloaded using the Network Update feature on your PSP device. As reported, there are no major differences between v3.70 and v3.71 (hence the 0.01 difference). New firmware v3.71 has been updated, not to contain the PSPot feature which is just for Japan users of PSP, and THEME folder is now automatically created by the firmware, so you can download themes directly to the PSP, without having to create the folder manually.

Sony skips firmware v3.60 heads to v3.70

Calling all PSP users, yes - PSP Slim users too. You can update your PSP/PSP Slim device to firmware v3.70. Although Sony PlayStation website still lists firmware v3.52 as “latest” update available, update to v3.70 is possible through Network update option on the device. It’s unclear why v3.60 was skipped for “old” PSP, but it’s nice to know that firmware v3.70 has some new, and really cool features.

Sonys firmware v3.70 adds security updates as well as support for additional Playstation network titles which can now be played on the device(s). New firmware will also add following new features to your PSP/PSP Slim device:

1. Support for custom themes has been added, instead of just having option to change background;
2. When watching a UMD movie, scene search has been added to options;
3. Sequential playback of videos is now supported;
4. Simultaneous playback of music and photographs is now supported;
5. Button assignment for PSP, for Remote Play is now supported;

PSP Slim hacked! M33 custom firmware v3.60 released …

It seems as Sony hasn’t done much to protect new PSP Slim from homebrew community modders. Or is it more adequate to say that Sony hasn’t done - enough? Homebrew community - M33 team of modders, has just released a custom version of the PSP Slim firmware v3.60. It includes all of the features of their previously released M33 custom firmware v3.52, with the exclusion of v1.5 kernel support. Meaning, that homebrew specifically written for v1.5 will not run on M33’s custom firmware v3.6. As disclosed, installation of M33 custom firmware v3.60 is difficult requiring Pandora battery and Pandora Memory Stick, a non-Slim PSP with firmware v1.5 and of course the PSP Slim.

M33
We are proud to present the first custom firmware for the PSP Slim, and the first custom firmware
that runs using a 3.XX IPL (3.60)

3.60 M33 for PSP Slim has all the features of 3.52 M33, except the 1.50 kernel support, as
that kernel doesn’t work properly on psp slim (hardware problems, screen problems).
3.60 M33 will load homebrew from GAME, GAME150 and GAME360 directories, but all will be executed
with 3.60 kernel.

This mean that some homebrews done specifically for the 1.50 kernel cannot work on 3.60 M33.
However, the adaptation of code to 2.XX+ kernels is not difficult, and homebrew developers can
port their applications to work in these firmwares.

Read the full article at DCEmu.