Let’s say, for example, that your PSP’s screen is broken but you still want to play games with it. What are you going to do? Buy a new one? Maybe in the past that’s what we’re going to do but this application has the potential to change all that.

Homebrew developer DeMoN X passed by QJ.Net PSP forums today and released Remotejoy GUI v1. Just like we said, this application lets users display the PSP screen on the computer making it possible to run games even in full screen.

Basically, the program uses plugins “psplink.prx” and “remotejoy.prx” via the Recovery Menu. Then certain .bat files can be called to view games in a window or full screen, and another for both with FPS display.

DeMoN X said that this is an initial release and as such, you might encounter some problems especially when you have other .prx files running. Also, the coder mentioned that not all games are compatible with Remotejoy GUI so you might have to do some trial and error.

Remotejoy GUI v1 should be used on custom firmware 3.40 OE-A only. You will also be needing Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 with this. The developer thinks that it might run on earlier custom firmwares but they haven’t been tested as of yet.

Please take note as well that your PSP will lock up if a  game uses a certain call to load files or directories off the memory stick that is incompatible with PSPLink.

Download: Remotejoy GUI v1
Download: Microsoft .Net Framework 2.0

It has been announced that Sony Corp. will launch a slimmer model of its PlayStation Portable handheld game player in September, in its latest attempt to ignite demand for its game hardware and compete better with Nintendo Co. Ltd.

Both Sony and Nintendo released their handheld gear, the PSP and DS, respectively, late in 2004, but sales of the PSP, which can play movies, music and games, have recently been outshined by the DS.

“From a distance, this PSP might not look very different from the current model … but when you have it in your hand, the difference becomes quite clear,” Sony Computer Entertainment Chief Executive Kazuo Hirai said. “It’s actually 33 percent lighter than the current PSP. It’s also 19 percent slimmer.”

Hirai, who replaced Ken Kutaragi, known as the “Father of PlayStation,” as head of Sony’s game division earlier this year, made the PSP announcement during a presentation at the E3 video game exposition, the industry’s biggest event.

Nintendo sold 23.6 million DS units in the year ended March 2007, outpacing PSP shipments of 8.4 million.

Underlining its lead both in the console and handheld markets, Nintendo last month zipped past Sony in market value and bumped the Tokyo-based electronics conglomerate off the list of Japan’s 10 most valuable companies.

A Sony spokeswoman said the slimmer PSP would retail for about $170, the same as the current PSP. Nintendo’s newest DS model, the DS Lite, sells for $130.

Like Sony, Nintendo last year launched the lighter version of the DS, accelerating already white-hot demand for the handset. The DS Lite has two screens, opens like a book and allows gamers to control play with a stylus, instead of manipulating a keypad.

Nintendo executives said on Wednesday that portable sales made up 50 percent of its hardware sales in 2006, compared with just 30 percent in 2002.

PRICE CUT

On the console side of its game business, Sony this week cut the U.S. price of its PlayStation 3 by $100 after seeing the PS3 far outsold by Nintendo’s Wii.

“This new price went into effect on Monday. Since then sales of 60-gigabyte PS3 have doubled at top five retailers,” Jack Tretton, chief executive of Sony Computer Entertainment America, said during the E3 presentation.

Microsoft Corp.’s Xbox 360 and the Wii have outsold the PS3 by several times in the crucial U.S. market, leaving Sony, which has dominated the game industry over the past decade, in the unfamiliar position of playing catch up.

Its high price and scarcity of attractive titles have been cited as main reasons for the PS3′ slow start.

Even after the price cut, the PS3 costs $20 more than the most expensive version of the Xbox 360, and twice that of the Wii, whose $250 price and motion-sensing controller have made it a best-seller despite its lack of life-like graphics.

In a bid to send a message that strong PS3 titles are in the pipeline, Sony showcased some 50 upcoming games at the presentation, including the latest installments of blockbuster fighting game “Metal Gear Solid” from Konami Corp.  and popular in-house racing title “Gran Turismo.”

During the presentation, it was indicated that “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” will not be available until early 2008, giving hard-core gamers one fewer reasons to rush to store shelves.

Following the announcement, shares in Sony were up 0.3 percent at 6,350 yen by midday on Thursday, roughly in line with the benchmark Nikkei average.

TOCA Race Driver 3 ChallengeDeveloper: Sumo Digital Publisher: Codemasters “You’ll need dedication, patience and skill to get the most of TRD3 Challenge,” we said in our review back in March and nothing has changed since. This isn’t a game for those whose idea of racing is to approach corners with the finger firmly on the accelerator button and simply flick the analogue nub (or D-pad) violently to one side. If that’s not you, you’ll love the wide range of vehicles and remarkable balance of ‘playable reality’ on offer here.
The WarriorsDeveloper: Rockstar Leeds Publisher: Rockstar Adapted from a cult 1979 film (and previously available on consoles), this is an often brutal gang-based action adventure that sees you fighting your way across New York’s meanest streets. Thankfully, the third-person combat system is as tough as they come, which combined with a hugely atmospheric setting, superlative production values and seemingly endless variety makes this a supremely entertaining experience all PSP-owning adults (this is 18-rated) should try.
Metal Slug AnthologyDeveloper: SNK Playmore Publisher: Ignition Seven games from SNK’s gorgeous, delightfully playable 2D side-scrolling shooter series may sound like a recipe for broken PSP buttons as a result of the relentless use they’ll endure. For us, though, it sounds like the UMD to have with you at all times. Because despite the odd irritating flaw as a result of the conversion process, there is little on Sony’s handheld that can match this for a quick, gratifying dose of shoot-’em-up goodness.
Sega Mega Drive CollectionDeveloper: Digital Eclipse Publisher: Sega Granted, not all of the 27 impeccably converted games crammed into this UMD are classics, but the majority do represent a selection of the most popular titles to appear on Sega’s old 16-bit console. From various examples of the Sonic The Hedgehog, Phantasy Star, Golden Axe and Ecco the Dolphin series, to Columns, Virtua Fighter 2 and Shinobi III, this is one of the strongest retro compilations to have appeared on any system.
Tony Hawk’s Project 8Developer: Page 44 Studios Publisher: Activision Console owners may be sick of the Hawkster tuning up on a yearly basis, but on PSP his appearances have to date been far less frequent. As a result, when a skateboarding game as delicately crafted and compelling as this rolls along, it’s impossible (and, indeed, unfair) to ignore it. Crucially, Project 8 nails the control mechanism and then follows that with a ridiculous amount of depth through a multitude of mini-goal based missions. It’s emerged as one of the year’s most absorbing games.
Ratchet & Clank: Size MattersDeveloper: High Impact Games Publisher: Sony Taking a much-deserved vacation from their adventures on PlayStation 2, Ratchet and Clank turn up on PSP only to find themselves needing to embark on a mysterious quest involving a kidnapped girl and forgotten race of genius inventors. Cue the franchise’s many weapons and gadgets, which together with the relentless destruction, pleasing variety, and tonnes of content results in one of the handheld’s best action adventure experiences to date.
Sid Meier’s Pirates!Developer: Full Fat Publisher: 2K Games An update of the classic 1987 strategy-led adventure, whose open-ended mechanic gives you the freedom to amass fame, fortune, land, political power and treasure as you roam around the Gulf Coast, Caribbean and South America, making both friends and enemies. It’s a glorious mix of exploration, mutinies, duelling and sea-battle mini-games, charming and humourous cut-scenes, supported by the kind of sturdy game design even the most determined cannonball can’t dent.
Metal Gear Solid: Portable OpsDeveloper: Kojima Productions Publisher: Konami Although out in the US in 2006, Portable Ops qualifies for inclusion here due to the ridiculous five-month wait European gamers had to endure for the game to arrive in our continent. Specifically, it qualifies for inclusion here in such a high position because it’s excellent – a clever and brilliantly designed stealth-based action title that remains true to the essence of past MGS games while introducing a host of new elements, not least one of the strongest multiplayer aspects yet seen on PSP.
Virtua Tennis 3Developer: Sumo Digital Publisher: Sega Wimbledon competitors may have spent more time waiting around that playing on the courts this year but we suspect those crafty enough to have packed a PSP with a copy of Sega’s brilliant Virtua Tennis 3 into their kit bag probably didn’t mind the rain one bit. That would be because this is one superbly refined tennis game, its exquisite control mechanics partnered by the brilliantly balanced difficulty and variety of the content. The resulting digital sporting experience is simply smashing.
CrushDeveloper: Zoë Mode Publisher: Sega Crush is exactly the kind of game the PSP is crying out for. Innovative, daring, fresh, perfectly suited to its host platform and immensely playable, it’s no wonder the game recently won a prestigious Develop Award for ‘Best New Handheld IP’. Don’t let the dry terminology of the award’s label conjure up the wrong image, though – Crush beat its rivals precisely because its vibrant qualities are impossible to miss. From the moment you pick it up, you’re lost in a clever, masterfully designed, multi-dimensional puzzler that will consume your thoughts.

One of the great things about the PSP is the awesome ability to use a web browser at any wifi spot you encounter. Well sometimes I want to see Youtube content to a freind but the PSP has a VERY old version of flash and because of this Youtube does not work under normal circumstances.

Now there is a way to view all you favorite Youtube videos on the go. A new site that has launched, and is still in beta actually, is set to make thing alot easier for the PSP user.

The only drawback is that you still need a PC to do this, yeah I know it sucks, but it is a step in the right direction.

Here is how to watch all you favorite YouTube vids on the go.

1. Find a video you want to watch, in this case I will point to a video I made of me playing Outrun 2006 on a dual monitor setup direct feed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTkazvfVtLk (yes I know I suck LOL)
2. Go to http://vixy.net/ and copy and paste the URL (web address) into the provided space
3. Select the mp4 format (iPod/PSP)
4. Hit the convert button and wait for the conversion to take place
5. when it is done you will be taken to a download page, but the PSP can not download these videos with the URLs this site spits out, so we use a trick go to http://lix.in/ and copy and paste the download link into the space provided, you can’t miss it… no I mean it, and hit “Protect Link”
6. you now have a short PSP freindly url you can use on the PSP web browser to download the newly converted video
7. click all links needed to get back to the download page and hit save on the PSP and then make sure you save to the /VIDEO folder of your PSP
8. after a bit of a download your video is now on you PSP memory stick ready to watch anywhere you take you psp to

Enjoy your new ability to take Youtube with you on your PSP

It’s out, folks! Dark_Alex has finally released the latest in his series of Open Edition firmware - the much-awaited 3.30 Open Edition Rev A! This is serious cause for celebration especially after days of waiting for DaX to finally give word on what’s up with his work (and what’s up with his PSP).

3.30 OE-A retains all of the original Sony 3.30 FW functions - PSOne game library support, Internet navigator, etc. - but because Dark_AleX is THE man, he’s added a lot of features and changes to his latest custom FW (some taken from PSPGen’s release notes).

• Homebrew support under either 1.50 or 3.30 kernel
• Region spoofing
• Patched a protection that prevents the FW to load higher firmware modules
• Fixed a bug that could have caused instability in 3.10 OE after recovering from sleep mode
• Recovery Mode
• Direct launching of PSOne games (converted with PSP format)
• Direct launching of demos and homebrews
• Possibility of regulating hte speed of the PSP’s processor
• Direct launching of ISOs/CSOs

DAX says this doesn’t support popsloader at the moment due to “Sony rearranging again the module list of pspbtcnf_pops”, but rest assured that the great dev will be making a new version that will support all current pops in 3.10 OE, 3.30 OE and maybe 3.03 OE-C. The dev also tried testing the customization of icons, but that didn’t work out.

For the full installation guide, please go over the Readme. It’s there for a reason. We know you’re all excited about the 3.30 OE-A but be mindful of what you’re doing. Take caution. This can only be installed to PSPs with firmwares 1.50, 2.71 SE, 3.02 OE, 3.03 OE, or 3.10 OE. Downgrade first if your PSP has a different FW. 3.30 OE-A cannot be installed to PSPs with FW 3.10, 3.11, or 3.30.

Download: Dark_AleX’s 3.30 Open Edition Revision A

Hacking Wireless Networks With The PSP
Is the PSP spurring a new generation of safety concerns?
August 24th, 2006
By Robert A.

One doesn’t often associate a child bearing a portable gaming console as a potential hacker, or, worse, a terrorist. We often disregard the PSP as a multimedia tool sincerely used for promoting happiness: watching movies, playing games, and listening to music. But how about using it for infiltrating top-secret clearance level data at some of the US’s most prestigous intelligence agencies? The PSP has all the prerequisites. If homebrew programs can be made to emulate Nintendo 64, send phone calls, utilize GPS protocols, and more, with the measily, yet powerful 333 MHz CPU, what’s stopping terrorists and malicious individuals from sending a child, armed with a PSP bearing a homebrew password brute forcer, to walk by the FBI Edgar Hoover building in Washington D.C. (who’s wireless networks reach the public sidewalk alongside the building), and gather data which could be used to thwart the government which protects us? Is this one of the reasons why Sony wants to stop homebrew? There are so many possibilities.

This brings me to my own story. The other day, I parked my car on Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C., killing some time before an event I was about to attend further down in D.C. I whipped out my PSP, while sitting in the car, and pleasured myself to a round of Tekken: Dark Ressurection. Mind you, it was nearly dark outside, and the lights in the car were off. Roughly ten minutes into my game, I noticed a certain figure standing outside my car. I quickly shutoff my PSP, turned the lights on, and rolled down the window. To my surprise, it was a police officer. He asked me what I was doing at that very moment. Now, of course, I am an adult, and an adult playing a PSP in the dark, inside his car, on the busiest street in D.C. is pretty awkward, one would think. So I replied and explained my situation, that I was early heading to a nightclub, and wanted to feed my addiction to a new game I had just bought. He didn’t buy it. Not one bit at that.

Maybe it was my sketchy behavior, I was excited for the night, it was a long and tiring week, and now I had to deal with the fact that I might get in trouble for something, knowing how police have a knack for finding trouble. He immediately yelled (not politely) at me and forced me to put my hands in the air, step outside the car, and place both hands on the side of the car. He then proceded to pat me down and handcuff me from behind, and then asked me to sit down on the curb. He peeked inside my car, with flashlight in hand, and thoroughly searched my car (lucky I didn’t have my 6-pack next to me, as I originally planned to bring along). He picked up my PSP as evidence of “unusual behavior” and left to his car. There, I would assume, he traced my tags, performed a background check, and called in an additional police cruiser. He came out, and by now, the second cruiser had arrived with two additional men; they all came towards me. I was deeply interrogated. Why I was parked in front of a federal building at this time at night, why I tried to hide the item in my hands when the police officer had supposedly been yelling at me from the outside of my car, before I noticed he was outside, and what the ‘real story’ was. I started laughing, I knew nothing better to do at the time; these people thought I was a terrorist. They probably thought I was using the electronic device to decrypt confidential passwords, try to detonate some sort of triggered bomb, or something along those lines. Whatever the case, they let me go as they could find no real reason to arrest me, and I was relieved. Was that right there reasonable doubt? Did those police officers have the right to approach me like that? To this day the thoughts and words of that night still skim through my brain.

Now, I don’t want to make this article a rant against the criminal system we have. I’m actually, in a way, pleased that these officers had thought about such malicious potentials from the handheld; this is what makes the US safe(r). What I really wanted to get at was the true possibilites of the PSP; there is really nothing stopping anyone with malicious intent to be in my exact same position that night, utilizing a homebrew password decrypter/brute forcer/MD5 decryptor/mini-rainbow table setup/wireless bomb detonator rather than playing Tekken. Had I been sitting in the car with a laptop on my lap, it would have been many times more suspicious. A portable device equipped with wireless capabilities and the ability to launch custom, unsigned code, coupled with a small form factor is capable of anything. The terrorists and hackers of the next generation could be simply walking down the street and hacking away, using their concealed PSP to port scan and find a way to penetrate a victim’s wireless network, and essentially, gather sensitive information.

How safe are we? Could the PSP pose as a tool for the next generation of hacking? Is this potential one of the things that Sony is trying to protect us from by pressing firmware updates, and, eliminating the ability to run homebrew? Is the PSP really a toy?