While retaining the same slim size, it now has a new LCD display with a better contrast ratio and can produce more vibrant colors. One major problem with the previous PSPs was reflectiveness of the glossy screen. Seeing anything out doors was almost impossible. The PSP-3000 now has “anti-reflection” technology to make it easier to view under direct sunlight. The other hardware feature that’s been added is the built-in microphone. Previously you had to purchase an accessory to be able to speak to others when using Skype or in a game. With this upgrade, you’ll have a fully functioning VoIP device at all times without any extra cables or headsets. (Just waiting on the webcam at this point!)

It is also expected that Sony will be rolling out some new firmware upgrades with new features in the near future. Unfortunately some new features will probably not be entirely backwards compatible. Sony has officially stated that the the price of the new version will be kept the same, $169 (MSRP). Some new PSP Entertainment Packs with a movie, a game, and a 1GB Memory Stick will become available later this year. This isn’t really that great of an upgrade, but it’s worth mentioning since it’s retaining the same price!

Links: US PlayStation Portable
Related: PSP-2000 Info

This September, about two and a half years after the launch of the PlayStation Portable in the United States, Sony will finally release an improved model. The new model, PSP-2000, is not the second generation of the PSP, but is rather an enhanced version of the current unit. One of the most useful features in the new model is the ability to output photos, movies, and games onto a television screen at standard definition resolution (480p) with a set of AV cables. Next, to solve the unit’s bulkiness, Sony slimmed down the PSP-2000 by about 20% and made it 30% lighter. Although the unit is still way bigger than a iPod Video or iPhone, it’s a good improvement.

On the technical side, the internal RAM has doubled from 32 to 64MB requiring less loading cycles. Although the new CPU requires less power and UMD reading time has been reduced, the battery life remains the same since a smaller battery had to be used to fit into the slimmer unit. Some rumors indicate a possible brighter LED backlit screen, which could drastically improve battery life, however no official statement has been issued. Also as a bonus the new PSP can now be charged using a USB cable, though it will take 5 hours instead of 2.5 with a AC adapter. The WiFi switch and speakers have been repositioned for easier access and the IR has been removed because it was never used. One thing we didn’t like was that the UMD now literally “falls” into a slanted tray instead of using the loading mechanism which used to take in and pop out the disk.

The PSP 2000 “core package” will retail at $169 and will include only the console (black), a battery, and an AC charger. (Original PSP cost at $250 at launch.) In addition a Ice Silver PSP bundled with Daxter, a 1GB card, and a UMD movie will be available for $199 on the same day (September 10th). Retailers such as Amazon are already taking pre-orders for the PSP-2000 at no extra cost. Also in the situation that Sony drops the price before or within 30 days after launch, Amazon will refund the price difference!

Pre-Order: PSP Slim for $169 (NO TAX + FREE Shipping)
More: Ice Silver Bundle | Ceramic White StarWars Bundle

While LCD displays are getting larger and larger on portable devices, it is only getting easier and easier to scratch and damage them. We recently picked up a Sony DSC-T100 Digital Camera, which had one of the largest displays we had seen. While we were on the search for a screen protector, Proporta just happened to launch their new “Universal Screen Overlay” and they were kind enough to provide us a few samples.

Applying the screen protector was quite easy. We just took a few measurements and cut the screen overlay to the right size. We then cleaned up the dust and fingerprints on the LCD display using the included cloth. The screen overlay stuck right on and luckily there were no air bubbles. It has been about a month since we first applied the screen overlay and we’ve been quite impressed. The protector never fell off, slid, or even budget for that matter. The only problem we had was that the display was harder to see especially in sunlight. And despite the fact that the camera was handled roughly, being thrown in different backpacks, and placed in pockets it managed to protect the display a 100%!

As we had never purchased a screen protector for our previous gadgets, which usually got scratched up quickly, we definitely thing buying one is a good investment now that we’ve seen how well these work. Proporta offers screen overlays for just about any product including iPods (video/nano) and Sony PSPs. The universal screen overlays are available from Proporta’s website and costs $9.95. As a bonus if you use the code “skattertech” during checkout you will receive a 10% discount!

Buy: Proporta Univeral – Screen Overlay
Overlays for: iPhone | PSP | iPod Video | Nano
Coupon Code: “skattertech” (no quotes)

After the launch of firmware v3.00 in November and following a series of bugfixes, Sony has finally pushed out v3.11. From our perspective, there’s not much this update will offer to the majority of PlayStation Portable owners unless they currently stream content from a LocationFree base or plan to purchase games through the PlayStation 3 Online Store.

PSP v3.10:

• Support for PLAYSTATION Network titles has been expanded.
• Support for the MPEG-4 AVC format has been added under [LocationFree Player].
• [Conserve Memory] has been added in [View Settings] under [Internet Browser].
• [Dynamic Normalizer] has been added as a feature under [Sound Settings] in [Settings].

PSP v3.11:

• Support for PLAYSTATION®Network titles has been expanded.
• [Reset Game] has been added as an option to the menu for PLAYSTATION®Network titles.

Also, as always, to update your PSP to latest firmware you can either download the file directly to your PSP using a WiFi network or download the update to your computer from PlayStation.com and copy it over to the PSP. Also note that upgrading to the latest firmware will prevent homebrew apps from functioning. If you wish to run your own applications you may want to try installing the v3.10 custom firmware.

Links: PSP System Update | Instructions
Related: PSP v3.10 Custom Firmware (for homebrew)

Two weeks ago at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Sony announced the long awaited 8GB Memory Stick Pro Duo. The card weighs less than two grams and is only 0.79 inches wide and 1.22-inches long. The Pro Duo card will work with plenty of Sony’s hardware media products such as the PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 3, Mylo, Sony Ericsson phones, and Cyber-shot digital cameras. Although this is good news for many, the current price isn’t. According to Sony, the 8GB Memory Stick Pro Duo will be on store shelves next month (Feburary ‘07) for a retail price of $300!

Unless you absolutely want this much storage, we don’t reccomend wasting this much money on it since it costs about $100 more than the PSP itself. Prices should drop as soon as third-party companies such as Sandisk begin to manufacture these cards, however this may a while. As for now, prices on smaller capacities are getting quite cheap. You can now get a 1GB card for as low as $25 and a 2GB card for about $55.

P.S. At least the price is much lower than it originally was. During CES 2006 when the 4GB model was originaly released, the expected cost of the 8GB model was around $800!

Links: SonyStyle.com | Press Release

As predicted, today Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) has officially released firmware v3.00 for the PlayStation Portable (PSP). The new firmware has many major improvements however the notable ones include the ability to play PlayStation 1 games and communicate with the PlayStation 3. Another feature SCEA has finally added, which should have been included since 1.50, is the ability to disable automatic loading of UMDs, which saves the hassle of having to remove the game if you want to use any of the PSP’s other features. (Video demonstration below!)

PSP v3.00 Firmware Features:

• PlayStation Network titles are now supported under [Game].
• [Remote Play] has been added as a feature under [Network].
• [Online Instruction Manuals] has been added as a feature under [Network].
• Timed recording has been added as a feature under [RSS Channel].
• A visual player has been added as a feature under [Music].
• 3-speed fast forward and fast reverse has been added as a feature under [Music].
• [Camera] has been added as a feature under [Photo].
• [UMD Auto-Start] has been added as a feature in [System Settings] under [Settings].

One smart addition was in depth Online Instruction Manuals which covers almost every feature that the PSP offers. However I don’t know how useful it will be for the many PSP users who are still trying to get online via WiFi.

Another good feature is the timer for the “RSS Channel”. After setting any specific time, the PSP will turn itself on (even if completely off) and download the latest podcasts, photos, or videos from the feeds you have specified. The coolest feature added in v3.00 is probably the visualizations for the music playback. There are currently 5 different styles including a random feature which switches through the 5. The visualizations work for both content under Music and RSS Channel.

Of the features included in the update the PS1 game emulator is probably the most important, but there is no content available yet. We are unable to demonstrate “Remote Play” feature since we still haven’t received our PlayStation 3. Check back later for reviews of these features including a review of the PSP camera once it is released.

Notice: (11/22/06) Sony has just released second update v3.01. It consists of the exact same features as v3.00, except for “security enhancements”. We don’t know what this means, but do not update to 3.01. We have v3.00 available for download below. Just copy the EBOOT.PBP file into PSP\GAME\UPDATE folder to update. We think that Sony might have left a hole to allow for homebrew on 3.00 so don’t upgrade any further unless you don’t care.

Download: EBOOT.PBP (v3.00) or via PSP: Settings -> Network Update
Related: PSP Firmware 2.80 Info | PlayStation Update Page

The following is the Offical list of games, as published by SCEA, that will be released for the Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) in North America for November 2006. Note: This was the accurate list of games as of 11.01.06, games may be removed and new ones may be added later.

Our Picks:

• SOCOM U.S. Navy Seals Bravo 2 – SCEA
• Sonic Rivals – Sega
• NFL Street 3 – EA
• Superman Returns: The Videogame - EA
• Metal Slug Anthology – SNK
• Tony Hawk’s Project 8 – Activision

view full list

Sony also plans to release a pink, silver, and blue PSPs by Christmas along with the camera and GPS modules. Skatter Tech will also be getting a hold of some of these games early so check back for some reviews and more PSP updates. On another note, still PlayStation-related, Sony still plans to launch the PlayStation 3 on November 17, 2006 as originally planned.

Links: PlayStation Portable Upcoming Games
Related: Upcoming PSP Games: October | Killzone Liberation Review

Full List:
Activision Hits Remixed – Activision
Bubble Bobble Evolution
EA Replay – EA
Eragon: Dragon Rider – Vivendi Games
Every Extended Extra – Buena Vista
Gitaroo-Man Lives! – Koei
Gunpey – Namco Bandai Games
Hard Rock Casino – Crave Entertainment
Justice League Heroes – Warner Bros Interactive
LUXOR: Wrath of Set – MumboJumbo
Online Chess Kingdoms – Konami
Over the Hedge: Hammy Goes Nuts – Activision
Platypus – MumboJumbo
Pocket Racers – Konami
Sega Genesis Collection – Sega
Shrek Smash and Crash – Activision
The Sims 2: Pets – EA
Thrillville – LucasArts
Warhammer Warcry: Battle for Atluma – Namco Bandai Games
WWE Smackdown! vs. Raw 2007 – THQ
Xiaolin Showdown – Konami
Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force – Konami

Developer: Guerrilla | Genre: 3rd Person Shooter | Release Date: 10-31-06

Sequel to the title for the PS2, Killzone Liberation fails to impress. Set in a gritty version of the not too distant future, Liberation pits the player against both man and machine in mortal combat. The game has potential, but the controls need to be re-done from scratch to cooperate with the unusual 3rd person view. Aiming and maneuvering while firing are unnecessarily difficult and tedious. Considering how much of the game has to do with killing (“Killzone”), the poorly designed controls definitely places a significant damper on game play.

After testing out the multiplayer option, we soon discovered that most battles seemed invariably to occur around the health dispensers. Weird huh? As one person would shoot the other, the injured can easily go fill up his/(or her) health and continue to fight. Guerrilla should have installed a method similar to that of Half Life, temporarily disabling health canisters after each use. A little choppy and very repetitive, the Ad-Hoc didn’t seem to add much to game’s “fun level” as we had hoped.

The Good:

• Fun variety of weapons available
• Ad Hoc mode allows playing friends locally
• Realistic collision reactions between characters and weapons
• Nice menu music

The Bad:

• Awkward controls don’t suit 3rd person camera angle
• Ad Hoc mode currently only contains fighting, should include more interesting features such as coop-style missions
• Graphics aren’t shabby, but they certainly don’t stand out
• Characters run a bit too slow, making certain parts of the game take much longer than they probably should

Overall, Killzone Liberation isn’t an awful game, in fact it’s a decent way to pass the time; it simply fails to reach its full potential. Dull sound effects and undistinguished graphics add to the mounting disappointment. However, this was was a “preview review”, so the possibility remains that more in-depth play of the full version may lead us to a different conclusion. As of now, we don’t plan to be rushing out to get a copy on Halloween.

Links: Killzone Official Site
Pre-Order: Killzone: Liberation (PSP)

The following is the Offical list of games, as published by SCEA, that will be released for the Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) in North America for October 2006. Note: This was the accurate list of games as of 09.30.06, games may be removed and new ones may be added later.

Our Picks:

• ATV Offroad Fury Pro – SCEA
• BattleZone – Atari
• FIFA 07 – Electronic Arts (EA)
• Gangs of London – SCEA
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories – Rockstar
• Killzone: Liberation – SCEA
• Need for Speed Carbon: Own the City – EA
  View The Full List

According to a recent Sony press release, a GPS module, Camera add on, and a firmware upgrade to support playing PlayStation One games should all be availble by the end of this month (more info). We will post any new information as it becomes available, so please check back soon.

Past Links: Upcoming PSP & DS Games: July
Related: PSP Firmware v2.80 Released | How To: Stream iTunes To PSP

Full List:
Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception – Namco Bandai
Activision Hits Remixed – Activision
Avatar: The Last Airbender – THQ
Cabela’s Afriacan Safari – Activision
Capcom Classic Collection Reloaded – Capcom
Carol Vorderman’s Sodoku – Empire
Dave Mirra BMX Challenge – Crave Entertainment
Dungeon Siege: Throne of Agony – Take Two
Dynasty Warriors Vol. 2 – Koei
Ford Street Racing – Eidos
Gunpey – Namco Bandai
GUN Showdown – Activision
Hard Rock Casino – Crave Entertainment
Mercury Meltdown – Ignition Entertainment
Over the Hedge: Hammy Goes Nuts – Activision
Power Stone Collection – Capcom
Scarface: Money, Power Respect – Sierra
Scooby Doo! Who’s Watching Who – THQ
Stacked w/ Daniel Negreanu – Myelin Media
Star Trek: Tactical Assult – Bethesda Softworks
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 – EA
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas – UbiSoft
Warhammer Warcry: Battle for Atluma – Namco Bandai
WTF: Work Time Fun – D3

As announced last week at Comic Con, Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) has officially released Firmware v2.80 for the PlayStation Portable (PSP). This update comes with a variety of new features making the PSP easier to use and giving it more functionality. The updates main features include the ability to download videos through the RSS Channel and place media into new easy-to-access folders.

PSP Firmware v2.80 Features:

• Download video and image content under [RSS Channel].
• Register devices via a wireless LAN access point under [LocationFree Player].
• Play AAC files with file extension .3gp under [Music].
• Play content saved in [MUSIC], [PICTURE], and [VIDEO] folders on a Memory Stick.

The RSS Channel was originally introduced in v2.60, but was limited to only audio files. With this update, video and photo files will be recognized and displayed in the RSS Channel. Although new functionality has been offered, this update unfortunately does not offer streaming video content through the RSS Channel similarly to how the audio works. However it does allows saving videos and pictures to your Memory Stick.

The other important implementation is the new folder layout. The PSP no longer requires media files with special names if they are placed into the “MUSIC”, “PICTURE”, or “VIDEO” folders respectively. These folders are to be placed in the main directory of the PSP. Also note that previous arrangements of files will still function as usual. This feature will make it easier for newbie as well as all PSP users to organize their media.

Download: Sony PSP Update Page [or via PSP WIFI: Settings -> Network Update]
Related: PSP Firmare v2.70 Information
Links: How To Transfer Videos To PSP via WIFI

The following is an offical list of games that will be released for the Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) and the Nintendo Dual Screen (DS) in North America for June 2006. Note: This was the accurate list of games as of 05.29.06, games may be removed and new ones may be added later. Check PlayStation and/or Nintendo for the most accurate information. You may also wish to search our archives for previous release lists and reviews.

Sony PlayStation Portable:

• Blade Dancer: Lineage of Light – NIS America
• Carol Vorderman’s Sudoku – Empire
• Def Jam®: Fight for NYâ„¢: The Takeover – Electronic Arts
• Miami Viceâ„¢ – Vivendi Games
• NCAA Football 07 – Electronic Arts
• Payout Poker and Casino – Namco
• Stackedâ„¢ with Daniel Negreanu – Myelin Media
• Tekken®: Dark Resurrection – Namco
• Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth – Square Enix

Nintendo DS:

• Contact – Atlus
• Freedom Wings – Natsume
• Micro Machines V4 – Codemasters
• Monster House – THQ

Links: Nintendo DS Game List | Sony PSP Game List

A few months ago we published an article entitled How To: “Stream Your iTunes Library To PSP“. The article, which demonstrated how to share music from your windows machine to your PlayStation Portable (PSP), became an extreme hit. Today we are here to demonstrate a new alternative, which is in fact more powerful and functions smoothly on both Windows and Macintosh machines. After reading through this tutorial, you will be able to easily stream as much DRM-Free music as you want from any networked computer to your Playstation Portable (PSP) via WiFi.

The software we are using today, MyTunesRSS, has been developed by our friends at Codewave Software. This new MyTunesRSS software is completely free and offers even more features than the software used in our previous tutorial. To use this application you will need the items mentioned below. (MyTunesRSS is currently on v2.1)

To get started you’ll need the following:

• PSP with Firmware 2.60/2.70 or Above
• Networked XP Pro/Home or Mac OS X
• Java Runtime 1.5 or Above Installed
• WiFi (802.11b-compatible) Network Router
• Apple iTunes v6.0.4 or Above Installed
• DRM-Free Songs In The iTunes Library

The 3-Setup Procedure:

Windows:
1) Download MyTunesRSSwin.zip to your desktop. Unzip (extract) all contents into a new folder. Open it folder, but do not modify its contents.
2) Press on the on the MyTunesRSS Icon and wait until it starts up.
3) Under General -> iTunes browse to the location of your “iTunes Music Library.xml”. (Usually located in My Documents -> My Music -> iTunes.)

Macintosh:
1) Download MyTunesRSSmac.zip. Extract all contents into a new folder.
2) Open the folder, press on MyTunesRSS, and wait for it to start up.
3) Under General -> iTunes browse to the location of your “iTunes Music Library.xml”. (This is normally located in Music -> iTunes)

Final Setup Steps (mac and win):
1) Choose a port number such as “1234″ and enter any password.
2) Under Options -> Automation, check Auto Update Database (10 mins).
3) Open any standard browser (IE/Safari/Firefox) and enter either http://localhost:[port number] (ex: http://localhost:1234) or the URL displayed on the General Tab. A MyTunesRSS page should appear shortly.

Note: If you successfully accomplished the above (without any errors), you may proceed to the next step. If you do run into errors make sure you meet the requirements and are using the correct software for your OS. If the MyTunesRSS page didn’t appear, open the port you choose previously and give MyTunesRSS permission to access the web in your firewall settings.

PSP Setup Procedure:
1) PSP should already be setup on your LAN and should be able to access the web, if so start up your PSP and go to Network -> Internet Browser.
2) Enter “http://[IP Address]:[Port Number]” into your PSP Browser. “IP Address” represents the IP of the machine running the MyTunesRSS server and the “Port Number” is the number you selected during setup. URL can also be found under “General” in MyTunesRSS. (ex: http://192.168.1.101:1234)
3) Once the MyTunesRSS page appears, enter your password and login.
4) Browse around and select the RSS icon on any playlist/album/artist and say “Yes” to “Add This Channel” to your PSP’s RSS Channel.
5) Close your PSP browser and go to Network -> RSS Channel. Select an item you had added to your library and enjoy the music!

Note: If the previous procedure didn’t work, make sure you followed all the instructions properly and that your firewall settings are properly configured. Also note that this will not work for music purchased on the iTunes Music Store and will only work on any DRM-free music. This tutorial only demonstrated how to access your music on your LAN, if you wish to access it from “hotspots” or elsewhere you will need to do a little port forwarding in your router.

Downloads: MyTunesRSS (by CodeWave) | Support Forum
Links: Stream iTunes Library To PSP, Pt. 1 | Digg This Article

On Wednesday (06/21/06), TiVo released TiVo Desktop v2.3 for Windows. TiVo Desktop now offers TiVo users the ability to convert and transfer shows from their machine to their Apple iPod (video) or Sony Playstation Portable (PSP). TiVo had originally announced their plans to offer this feature back in November 2005 and as expected, the “premium” edition, TiVo Desktop Plus, will not be free. TiVo Desktop Plus will run consumers $24.99, however a basic edition which supports all the standard features of music/photo sharing and show transfers will remain completely free.

The reason for the $24.99 “Plus” edition is because TiVo has to pay both Apple and Sony royalty feeds for the use of the Mp4 format. Luckily users who plan to use only the basic edition will only lack once premium feature, the ability to convert and transfer shows for portable devices. If you wish to utilize TiVo Desktop v2.3 (basic or premium) you will need to be running a TiVo Series 2 which is networked, has the latest software update, and has TiVo To Go enabled. The software unfortunately currently only works on Windows 2000/XP, however there is no word on a new version for Mac OS X users. (TiVo Desktop Plus can be purchased at TiVo.com)

Links: TiVo Desktop | TiVo Home
Related: TiVo To Go 4 iPod Video and PSP

The following is an offical list of games that will be released for the Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) and the Nintendo Dual Screen (DS) in North America for June 2006. Note: This was the accurate list of games as of 05.29.06, games may be removed and new ones may be added later. Check PlayStation and/or Nintendo for the most accurate information. You may also wish to search our archives for previous release lists and reviews.

Sony PlayStation Portable:

• Astonishia – UbiSoft
• Cars – THQ
• Gradius Collection – Konami
• Juiced: Eliminator – THQ
• Metal Gear Solid: Digital Graphic Novel – Konami
• Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest – Buena Vista
• Race Driver 2006 – CodeMasters Software
• Tomb Raiders: Legend – Eidos
• Wold Tour Soccer 06 – SCEA

Nintendo DS:

• Disney/Pixar Cars – THQ
• Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest – Buena Vista
• Big Brain Academy – Nintendo
• Magnetica – Nintendo
• Superman Returns – Electronic Arts
• Harvest Moon DS – Natsume
• Micro Machines V4 – Codemasters

Links: Nintendo DS Game List | Sony PSP Game List

The following is the Offical list of games, as published by SCEA, that will be released for the Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) in North America for May 2006. Note: This was the accurate list of games as of 04.28.06, games may be removed and new ones may be added later. Check PlayStation for any future updates. Also search our archives for previous title releases.

• FIFA World Cup 2006 – Electronic Arts
• Astonishia Story – Ubisoft
• Field Commander – Sony Online Entertainment
• Guilty Gear Judgement – Majesco
• Lemmings – SCEA
• Monster Hunter Freedom – Capcom
• NBA Ballers®: Reboundâ„¢ – Midway
• Puzzle Challenge: Crosswords & More! – Crave Entertainment
• Race Driver 2006 – CodeMasters Software
• Stacked with Daniel Negreanu – Myelin Media
• Tomb Raider: Legend – Eidos

Past Links: PSP Games Released in April 2006
Related: PSP Firmware v2.70 Released | Stream iTunes Library To PSP

On 04.24.06, Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) released a major update (v2.70) for the PlayStation Portable (PSP). Once PSP owners update their PSP, they will be able to playblack Macromedia Flash files through the WebBrowser and save Podcasts to the Memory Stick through the RSS Channel. Video Podcast support has not been added yet, but should be included in the next update. Full v2.70 ChangeLog below:

PSP Firmware v2.70 ChangeLog:

• You can now play Macromedia Flash content under [Internet Browser]. *Note that you must adjust a setting to enable this feature. A connection to the internet is required to adjust the setting.
• [Connection Settings] has been added under [Settings] in [Internet Browser].
• You can now save content added under [RSS Channel] on a Memory Stick.
• [Automatic] has been added as an option under [Rate] in [Location Free Player].
• [UMD Video L/R Button] has been added under [Video Settings] in [Settings]. You can now disable the channel skip feature of the L/R buttons. (This applies to UMD VIDEO.)
• A new file extension has been added to playable AAC formats.
• [Simplified Chinese] and [Traditional Chinese] have been added as options under [System Language] in [Settings] > [System Settings].
• [RSS Channel Settings] has been added under [Settings].

With this update, it seems as though Sony is sticking with their PSP Timeline Plan they had presented in the 2006 PlayStation Business Briefing. To update your PSP to v2.70 either visit the U.S. PlayStation Software Update page or to [Settings] > [Network Update] on you PSP. Updating does have a major draw back, homebrew that worked on v2.60 PSPs using the GTA exploit will no longer function. If you do update you won’t be able to run any homebrew applications until PSP hackers release a new exploit. But if you don’t wish to run homebrew you might as well update. Both the Macromedia Flash Player and the Save Feature for the RSS Channel are great new addons. (Stream iTunes to PSP will now allow saving files.)

Links: US PlayStation SoftWare Update | ChangeLog
Related: PSP Firmware v2.60 Released

Sony’s PlayStation Portable (PSP) is a very popular device and has sold a few million units, but when compared to Apple’s iPod, the PSP lacks storage space. Luckily, the PSP has a built in WiFi card to make up for this disadvantage. With a few simple steps, all of which are included in this tutorial, anyone can stream any non-copyright music from their iTunes library to their PSP. To get started, you will need to have the following:

• PSP With Firmware v2.60
• Networked XP Home/Pro Comp.
• WiFi (802.11b) Network Router
• Apple iTunes v6.0.4 Installed
• Songs in iTunes Music Library
• At Least 1 Playlist With Music

The 5-Step Setup Procedure:

1) Download iTunes-PSP-Server.exe and save it to your desktop.
2) Disable any firewalls and/or keep port 8080 open.
3) Launch iTunes and then click on the iTunes-PSP-Server after.
4) In IE/Firefox open the page “http://localhost:8080″
5) Setup is complete if an “iTunes RSS Server” page appeared.

If the iTunes RSS Server page didn’t appear make sure your firewall has authorized “iTunes-PSP-Server.exe” to access the internet completely. You may also want to add a rule into your firewall to keep port 8080 open. The “black box” is the server, DO NOT close it.

Before going any further make sure you know the IP address of the machine running iTunes and the iTunes-PSP-Server. To find you Local Area Network (LAN) IP go to Start -> Control Panel -> Network Connections -> Click on your Network Card -> Support Tab. Your local IP address should look something like this “192.168.1.xxx”. Another method is to go to Start -> Run… -> type “cmd” hit enter -> type “ipconfig” in the window. Your IP Address should be displayed there. Once the 5-Step Procedure is complete and you have found your Local IP Address, proceed to the next step.

The PSP Setup Procedure:

1) Turn on your PSP and go to Network -> Internet Browser.
2) Enter “http://IPADDRESS:8080″ into the Address area.
3) When iTunes RSS Server appears add it to your bookmarks.
4) Now click on any orange RSS icon and “Add This Channel”.
5) Close Internet Browser and go to Network -> RSS Channel.
6) Select a playlist you added and YOUR’RE DONE!!!

This tutorial only demonstrated how to access your iTunes Library over a Local Area WiFi network. If you wish to access your iTunes Library music from any “HotSpot” or external location, you will need to forward port 8080 in your router to allow your Local IP to be accessible externally.

Other Notes: To close the iTunes-PSP-Server just select the black window and press CTRL+Shift+C and it should close. If you update your iTunes library once the server has already been started, selected “Reload Library” on the webpage in your PSP browser. The server can only stream non-copyright protected (DRM-Free) MP3 and AAC files. (no video support yet)

Downloads: iTunes-PSP-Server.exe | Apple iTunes
Links: iTunes RSS Server Development | Google Groups Support

NEW – Stream iTunes To PSP, Part 2

Although there was plenty of coverage on the 2006 PlayStation Business Briefing on March 19th, it seems as though almost everyone missed one very important slide. The slide, screenshot above, was Sony’s Schedule for the PlayStation Portable (PSP). This slide outlined when and what SCEA plans to release for the unit throughout this year.

According to the chart Macromedia Flash support, downloadable audio through the RSS Channel, Chinese Fonts, and Libraries for the Camera/GPS should all be available in Spring 2006. SCEA then plans to release another update that includes a RSS Channel with Video and expand UMD video profiles by the end of Summer. Sony has already set September 6th as the launch date of the PSP Camera and October 6th for the PSP GPS module. Finally, one more update which allows Booting PSone games from Memory Sticks and having VoIP support should be released by the end of the year.

Lets hope that SCEA sticks to this schedule and release new firmware that open up the PSP to more content than restricting it like they have done in the past. Check back soon for more information and PSP news.

Related Links: PlayStation Business Briefing 2006
Other: Griffin iTunes PSP and iFM PSP

The following is the Offical list of games, as published by SCEA, that will be released for the Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) in North America for April 2006. Note: This was the accurate list of games as of 03.29.06, games may be removed and new ones may be added later. Check PlayStation for any future updates. Also search our archives for previous title releases.

• 007: From Russia With Love – Electronic Arts
• Astonishia Story – Ubisoft
• Bust a Move: Deluxe – Majesco
• Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts – Activision
• Field Commander – Sony Online Entertainment
• FIFA World Cup 2006 – Electronic Arts
• Major League Baseball 2K6 – Take Two
• NBA Ballers®: Reboundâ„¢ – Midway
• OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast – Sega
• World Poker Tour – Take Two
• WRC: FIA World Rally Championship – Namco

Links: PSP Games Released in March 2006
Related: Play Station One Terminated | iTrip & iFM PSP – Griffin

Sony’s first gaming console, the PlayStation, was pushed into the market in December 1994. Six years later, Sony released a re-designed smaller unit called the PSOne. (same hardware specs, only smaller than the original) The PS1 line has been on the market for over 11 years and as the PlayStation 3 (PS3) launch approaches, Sony has decided cease all PS1 production. (Over 100 million PSOne units have been produced) Even though all production has ended PS1 games won’t be going away too soon. SCEA has announced that they are working on an emulator to allow running PS1 games on the PlayStation Portable (PSP). Since the PS3 is fully backwards compatible, it will be able to play both PS1 and PlayStation 2 (PS2) games. (PS2 can already play PS1 games) Sony also mentioned that they expect to keep the PS2 in the market for at least another 4-5 years. PS1 fans and others who own many PS1 games should be very excited to hear this news.

Links: PlayStation Products | PS1 Specs
Related: Wikipedia: PlayStation | PlayStation Briefing