Official Sony freebies

You might be surprised to see what free goodness has the Sony brand stamped on it. From official movie clips to game demos, there’s a lot out there that they won’t charge you a penny for.

Playstation.Com Shop � Ape Escape and Killzone demos, WipEout Pure music downloads and a whole host of other freebies await in Sony’s main downloads base.

Sony Pictures � The home of Sony’s silver screen endeavours has plenty of PSP-formatted clips and wallpapers from a great lineup of films.

PSP Connect � A huge collection of films syndicated and formatted from all over the web � comedy, horror, animations and more.

Free films, music, TV and radio

Not everything has the Sony seal of approval, of course, and the PSP plays host to a number of great websites that give your PSP some sound and vision for free.

Atom Films � Free film downloads that are a little different to what you might find on Sony Pictures. Mini-documentaries and art-like montages are just a few of the movies available to download.

PSP Playlist � A movie archive of lighter, shorter clips, as well as some game and movie trailers you might not see elsewhere.

Heavy � A YouTube-like mix of strange films, popular clips and bizarre videos of cats. Some sponsored channels fill the site with some regular features, too.

FeedYourPSP � A magazine designed especially for the PSP, with interviews, short films and other extras available to download directly from their site.

BBC Online � Still experimenting with online content, the BBC have some shows offered as podcasts including regular newscasts, Radio 4’s The Now Show and many of Radio 1’s music programming.

Virgin Radio � Virgin Xtreme pushed a number of unsigned bands in their podcast, The Edge, which you can access online, but the podcast is set to return soon too.

Gratis graphic novels and e-books

The portable, digital nature of the PSP means that you can pack a lot of images and text onto a little stick and cart it around with you. Already many budding artists and authors are converting their work and making it available for free.

NYC2123 � One of the earliest comics the came to the PSP, the dark sci-fi plot and strong visual styling of NYC2123 are spread across six issues, all free and all PSP-sized.

Komikwerk � A collection of six comics, all with different plots and artists. The comics are syndicated from the main site’s collection.

Ctrl-Alt-Del � One of the web’s bigger comics born out of the gaming scene has been especially formatted for the tinier screens, with frequent updates and more freebies from the comic on the main site.

PSP Image Sequencer � If you want to add your name to the list of PSP Comic publishers, this handy application will help get images to display and package properly on the console.

Have it for nothing homebrew

To really squeeze the most out of the PSP without paying for it, you’ll need to get into homebrew, and open up your PSP so you can run home-coded applications on it. Some Pocket Gamers will already have got into the DS Homebrew scene, and PSP homebrew is just� as rich and varied.

The downside is you need to mess about with your firmware to run homebrew, which is not to be done lightly and can impede your ability to play new games. The good bit? Most homebrew coders offer up their efforts for nothing.

WorldView � A Google Earth-like map browser, whose beta PSP version is now available online.

iPSP � Superb media management software for both Mac and Windows platforms, which help organise and update media on your PSP, as well as making running homebrew applications even easier.

ZX-81 � A prolific coder who’s written everything from a scientific calculator to a game of Mancala.

YAHP � Yet Another Homebrew Pack includes a huge collection of emulators, from full platforms such as the SNES down to individual games like Doom.

PSP Rhythm � “A complete music workstation in the palm of your hand” � a neat music-creation package with an impressive collection of features.

Webserve � Quick and easy filesharing between PSPs or your PC. There’s no security on the connection in the current build, but it’s an easy way to manage your PC with your PSP.

PSPRadio � With a dedicated team coding and supporting it, PSPRadio is well-updated and continues to support a great range of web-based radio.

SimpleAmp � Streamlined and stable music playing and management on the PSP.

Java4PSP � A co-operative project set on bringing the Java Micro Edition platform in its entirety to the PSP.

PSP Blender - Every PSP Demo Game Free Downloads

1. Connect your PSP via USB to your PC and click USB Connection on the PSP.

2. Click on the Memory Stick Icon from your Desktop.

3. Click folder named: PSP.

4. Click folder named: GAME.

5. CopyPaste/Drag your downloaded folder into the GAME folder.

6. Eject the Memory Stick from your Desktop.

7. Disconnect your PSP.

8. Game on.

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LocoRoco Demo
Put In Folder: UCUS98662

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LocoRoco Halloween Demo
Put In Folder: UCUS98662H

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Sudoku Demo Japanese
Put In Folder: UCJS10036

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Mercury Meltdown Demo Japanese
Put In Folder: UCJS10043

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World Tour Soccer 06 Demo
Put In Folder: UCUS98631

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Ape Escape Racer Demo Japanese
Put In Folder: UCUS98655

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Bounty Hounds Demo Japanese
Put In Folder: ULJS00021

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Ridge Racer 2 Demo
Put In Folder: UCES00422

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MotoGP Demo
Put In Folder: UCES00304

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Ape Academy 2 Banana Mini Game
Put In Folder: UCES0030
Requires: 2.82

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Mercury Meltdown English
Put In Folder: ULED90018

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LocoRoco Christmas Demo
Put In Folder: UCED90007

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KILLZONE Demo
Put in Folder: UCES00279

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Driver 76 is the first all-new edition of the famed Driver series to be released since Ubisoft acquired the franchise in 2006. Developed by Sumo Digital Ltd. and Ubisoft’s Reflections studio, Driver 76 will be released in March 2007.

Faithful to the brand spirit, Driver 76 is an action driving game that features Hollywood-style car chases while also letting the player experience the open environment on foot. The game thrusts the player into the heart of the 1970s, through 27 missions divided into six main plots. Players can take side jobs, earning cash that can be used to modify their rides. Driver 76 also offers an extensive multiplayer mode and a host of mini-games ranging from street races to all out carnage in Destruction Derby mode.

Features Include:

• All-New Content Developed Exclusively for the PSP system – Twenty-seven all-new missions created for the PSP system.
• Prequel Storyline to Driver Parallel Lines – The year is 1976, two years before Driver® Parallel Lines.
• Multiplayer Games and Downloadable Content – Games include Street Racing, Destruction Derby, Pink Slip Racing and Swap Meet. Also download new paintjobs to use on your collected vehicles in the garage.
• Experience Open Environments in Authentic 1970’s New York – All the architecture, music, cars and clothes of the ’70s. Spans New York from Jersey to Coney Island.
• Vehicle Modification System – Collect your favorite vehicles and complete side job missions to get the cash to modify your ride.
• High-Speed Hollywood Racing Action – High-speed car races and crashes. Go even faster by customizing your car with special parts.
• Authentic ’70s Soundtrack – Immerse yourself in the ’70s with classic songs from the decade

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.

Given that Sony invented portable music players with the creation of the original Walkman back in the 80s, it’s not going to come as a surprise to hear that its PSP handheld console will also play music for you on the go. All you need is a Memory Stick Duo to store MP3s on and a USB cable with a Mini-B type connector, both of which can be bought at your local home electronics or PC store. Your PSP will play both MP3s, which can be created by ripping the tracks from a regular audio CD using your PC and Microsoft Windows Media Player 10, and ATRAC3 audio files. Once transferred, you’ll be able to play games and music when you’re next out and about with your PSP!

If you’ve connected your PSP to your PC before, perhaps to transfer a movie or some digital photos, skip to step 4.

With your PSP turned off, insert the Memory Stick Duo into the Memory Stick slot on the left of the PSP console. Turn your PSP back on and go to the home screen and access the Settings. Scroll down to System Settings and press X.
Within the System Settings section, scroll down to Format Memory Stick and press X. Confirm that you want to format the Memory Stick Duo and wait for a few seconds while it takes place.
Once formatted, return to the Settings section at the home screen and scroll to USB Connection. Connect one end of the USB cable to your PC and the other to your PSP and then press X.
This will enable your PSP’s USB connection and, after your PC has loaded any drivers it needs (as long as you’re using Windows ME, 2000 or XP it’ll do this automatically), open My Computer on your PC’s desktop.
Double-click on the Removable Drive icon and then on the PSP folder. You’ll now see a selection of folders, one of which is called MUSIC. Open this folder by double-clicking on it with your mouse.
You can now save or drag and drop your music files into this folder, either individually or in their own sub-folder. Once itransferred, press O on your PSP and go to the Music icon on your PSP’s home screen and press X.

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?

The complete PSP glossary.

A

Ad-hoc: The network process of connecting one PSP directly to another

Atrac3 and Atrac3Plus: Sony’s format of music similar to mp3 and wma

AVC: AVC, or Advanced Video Codec is a brilliant codec that allows better quality video to be put into a smaller file
B

Bière d’Alsace: Fanjita’s eLoader 0.9.6 Was a big bugfix over 0.9.5

Booster: The creator of DevHook

Brick: To brick someone’s PSP, key flash modules must be overwritten. If your PSP is bricked, when you turn it on nothing will happen except the little green light will come on.

Bock: Fanjita’s eLoader 0.9.7, the most current release. Supports wifi

Brown Ale: Fanjita’s eLoader 0.9.5 The first eLoader not called eBOOT Loader, can load many EBOOTS for 2.01-2.60

Buffer Overflow: A Buffer overflow is where the PSP is told that somewhere there is 2 byte’s of information to read. If more information is forced then it will also be read without checks. Hopefully at least, this can lead to a loader making use of that overflow.

C

C/C++: C and C++ are two commonly used languages for the PSP, C++ is the most powerful, but C is easier. They are used in conjuction with the toolchain.

Cache: Where webpages are stored in temporary memory. Helps speed up page loading.

Cheatdevice: The first thing to utilize the GTA exploit by Edison Carter. This allows you to change many aspects of GTA:LCS

Coding: Coding is the act of making programs for the PSP. They may be make in a number of languages.

Coldboot: The short video that plays when you turn on your PSP

Custom Firmware: A custom firmware is a firmware mod made by a developer. These are most likely flashed to the PSP. These add funtionality to your PSP e.g Wlan switch down at boot, go straight to DevHook

D

Dark_Alex: The man dehind the 2.6-1.5 Downgrader, 1.5-1.0 Downgrader and custom firmwares

Decrypt: If you decrypt something then you remove all protection on it and can edit it freely

DevHook: Device Hook, or DevHook for short is a revolutionary piece of homebrew that allows you to emulat any firmware without actually installing it. I guide to getting DevHook working can be found here.

Digital Signature: See: Encryption Key

Directory: A directory is just the correct name for a folder.

Ditlew: Worked with Fanjita on the eLoader, the other half of the team

Downgrading: Downgrading is the process of going down a firmware or two. This may be done because the lower firmware has more homebrew games that work on it. Currently only firmwares 2.00, 2.50 & 2.60 can downgrade. If your PSP is a TA-082 downgrading won’t work.

E

EBOOT: EBOOT.PBP is what an application/game must be called to run on the PSP.

eLoader: The eLoader is a device that allows you to use downloaded games on firmware 2.00 and above. It does not work on 2.70+ You can download it from this link: http://dl.qj.net/Alternative-eLoader…5999/catid/114

Emulator: An emulator is something that effectively turn your PSP console into something else. It may allow you to play (illegal) ROM’s for an N64 or SNES or any other console.

Encrypt: The process of encoding information so it can’t be changed then used

Encryption Key: This is Sony’s personal 128 Bit Key. It is virtually uncrackable, however Sony use this to sign EBOOTS and make them run on any firmware.

Exploit: An exploit is a bug in Sony’s code that may hopefully lead to a buffer overflow or underflow which could lead to homebrew on that firmware.

F

Fanjita: The other half of the eLoader team

FAT: FAT, or FAT16, is the format used in the PSP’s memory sticks by default. Sadly it round any file less than 4kb up to 4kb, which isn’t very space conservative. FAT32 however doesn’t do this.

Firmware: Your PSP’s firmware is almost like OS, its upgrading every time. However Sony also put more effort in to stop homebrew every time.

Flash0: Stores highly important system stuff. Cannot restore itself

Flash1: Stores system settings and stuff such as your background. Can restore itself it you currupt something

Flash: (N) The Flash memory of your PSP, where important system settings and files are kept. (V) To flash a PSP means to add, delete or change content on the PSP

Flash Dump: An exact copy of a part or all of the PSP’s flash

Flash Player: PSP’s version 2.70 and above come with a version of Macromedia Flash Player 6

G

Gameboot: The short movie that plays between when you click a game and when it actually begins

Gigabyte: 1024 megabytes, which is 1024 kilobytes which is 1024 bytes

GTA Exploit: An exploit in GTA that allows it to run unsigned code. Unpatched versions ONLY!

GUI: Graphical User Interface

H

Hello World: The simple program thats used for testing exploits and whenever a programming/scripting language is created, Nem created the 1st PSP one (I think)

Hex Editor: A hex editor is basically used to take apart, well, anything. From editing menu names to changing your font loaction, a hex editor will do it.

Homebrew: Homebrew is any game or application not made by a company to make profit. Homebrew is generally free of charge.

I

IDE: Interactive Development Environment, one program that group things such as a tool chain, an editor etc…

Infrastructure Mods: Like Ad-hoc, but rather than connecting directly to another PSP this goes via an access point

IRdA: The PSPs infrared system. Used in remote control programs

ISO’s: ISO’s are against this site’s policy. They are games that have been directly ripped from the UMD and put on the internet for anyone to download. They are VERY illegal

ISO Loader: A program the lets you load iso’s

J

K

Kernel: Kernel is a specific part of the memory in any device, you PC will have kernel RAM also.
It controls access to more major system functions, but also if we use kernel RAM in an app we will have more RAM to work with.

KXploit: KXploit is the trick used to get homebrew to work on 1.5. I was initially done by swapping the memory sticks, but now it is done by adding a percent (%) sign to the end of a homebrew’s name.

L

LocationFree: A Sony device that lets you stream all of your media content, TV, Radio etc… to your PSP. Works only with version 2.50 and above (emulated or flashed)

Lua: Lua pronounced Loo-ah is a simple scripting language designed for entry level games and applications. You can download luaplayer v0.17DK2 (most compatible) here and v0.20 (most features) here. Note, I suggest v0.17DK2.

M

Makefile: Makefile must be used to actually turn your surce code into an EBOOT, this is used with the PSP Toolchain.

Memory Stick: The memory stick (or ms0) is the little card you insert into your PSP. This stores information such as songs etc…

Mips: A type of processor

Modchip: The modchip (most famously Undiluted Platinum) allows you to unbrick your PSP, dual-boot your PSP, upgrade/downgrade at will and has a very nice recovery mode. You can’t brick a modchip.

MP3: The most commonly used audio codec

MP4: The format the PSP uses as standard for a/v

MPH: The creator of the MPH 2.00 -> 1.50 Downgrader

N

NAND: The Flash Memory that the PSP uses is called NAND Flash

Nub: The Nub or Analog nub is just a fancy name for the Analog Stick
O

P

PAK: Almmost like zip, a collection of files needed to make a game run

Param.Sfo: This file contains information on the thing it is attached to (region etc.)

.PBP: The PSP’s form of .EXE

PMF: Sony’s game video format, it can only be encoded using the leaked Sony UMD composer Tools

PMP: A homebrew media format that can stream brilliant quality content to the PSP in full resoulution using PiMP Streamer

POC: POC, or Proof Of Concept it used by developers to show something works, generally created after an exploit

Port: The act of porting a game invoves making it run on a different console to what it what coded for, for example, you may port a PS2 game to work on the PSP

Portal: A shell that runs through the PSP’s web browser

Prx: A file that contains important system functions.

PSP:PlaystationPortable

Python: Python, like Lua, is an interpreted language that needs an interpretation EBOOT to run. You can download the interpreter here

Q

R

Resolution: The number of pixels on something’s screen. The PSP had 480 horizontally and 272 vertically, thats 130,560 altogether.

Ripkit: A program that takes unnecessary files out of an iso to make it smaller

Ripped: If something was ripped from a UMD it doesn’t mean it was torn, it means simply that an exact copy was made and saved to a computer.

ROM:1 A ROM is like an ISO, although it is not from a PSP game, you may have ROM’s for a GameBoy game etc… ROM’s are illegal.

ROM:2 ROM or Read Only Memory is the PSP’s memory stick, or your PC’s hard drive, where information is kept.

Root: The root of your memory stick is not a folder. It is just the memory stick’s contents before you have entered a folder.

S

Sdk: Software development kit, See Toolchain

Shell: An alternative OS for the PSP to replace the xmb

Sircs: Sony’s iR protocol, used in most Sony TV’s, the PS2 and the PSP

Sleep Mode: A form of the Windows ‘Hibernate’ for the PSP

T

TA-082: A motherboard version identifiable by writing on the top left hand side of the inside of the UMD Drive. These PSP’s are not downgradeable

Tiff Exploit: An exploit present only in 2.0 that allows unsigned code to run through a buffer overflow in the TIFF image loading code

Toolchain: The PSP Toolchain is run in cygwin and it automates the process of compiling EBOOTs

U

UMD: A UMD, or Universal Media Disk, it the disk in the plastic casing the the PSP uses. Currently only large games companies can write to these. A UMD Holds 1.8 gigabytes of stuff

Unsigned: If an EBOOT is unsigned then it doesn’t have Sony’s encryption key built into it. Unsigned EBOOT’s can only be run via exploits on firmwares above 1.0

Updating: Updating is the process of taking you PSP up a firmware. However above firmware 2.60 there is no homebrew and you cannot downgrade. 2.80 is the most recent firmware

USB: Universal Serial Bus, the most common way of connecting a portable device to a computer, the PSP has a USB mini-B port, for which you’ll need a USB mini-B cable

User Mode: User mode it often unlocked a long time before kernal mode. This allows you to run homebrew games and write to the flash but not to use kernal features. *

V

VRAM: Video RAM, RAM designated to graphics. Mainly found in computers

VSH: VSH is an abbreviation of Visual Shell

VSH Mode: The Mode that the XMB runs in, halfway between Kernal Mode and User Mode, gives flash access etc…

W

WAB: The creators of the WAB Version changer, one of the first kernal mode Eboots

WAD: See PAK

WEP: A bad network encryption format

Wifi: Wifi is the PSP’s wireless feature, it comes in two versions, ad-hoc and infrastructure

WLAN: A WLAN, or Wireless Loacal Area Network is a home or business network that runs from a wirless access point (router)

WMA: Windows Media Audio, the default windows format for audio. Can be used only on 2.6+ after enabling via the settings menu. Will not work below 2.6 (unless you are in DevHook)

WPA: Also known as TKIP, a network encryption protocol, safer than WEP

X
XMB: The XMB, or Cross media Bar is simply the PSP’s menu UI

Y
YoYoFR: The creator of the current most popular emulator Snes9x TYL
Z

ZX-81: The guy that has made loads of the emulators you probably use, including the calculator one and PSP-VBA

*It is a common misconception that User mode blocks flash0 writing, however that is what Sony did by making it read-only. It is however writable in kernel mode as we then change the permissions to writable.

Sony Corp. on Thurs. said that it will release more than 100 first and third-party titles for the Playstation 3, Playstation 2, and PSP handheld in spring 2007.

Titles for the PS3 include Vivendi’s F.E.A.R., Activision’s Spider-Man 3, Tecmo’s Ninja Gaiden Sigma, and SCEA’s MLB 07 The Show.

PS2 offerings include Square Enix’s Dawn of Mana, 2K Games’ Fantastic Four Rise of the Silver Surfer, and Bandai Namco’s .hack//G.U. Vol. 2: Reminisce.

PSP handheld games include Sega’s Alien Syndrome, Square Enix’s Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy II, Namco’s Ridge Racer 2, and Ubisoft’s Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas.

“Our second-quarter line-up of PS3, PSP and PlayStation 2 software titles demonstrates a continued commitment from both SCEA and third-party developers to the PlayStation family of products,” said Peter Dille, Senior Vice President of Marketing, SCEA.

“We are excited by the content being developed by our partners, but are also looking forward to launching PlayStation-branded exclusive games created by our own worldwide studios this quarter and throughout the rest of 2007.”

In addition, Sony will hold digital distribution of new content on its Playstation Store. Titles include Calling All Cars, Gauntlet II, Mortal Kombat II, and Super Puzzle Fighter II HD Remix.

Sony is slowly getting better at releasing demos online for you to try before you buy. Unfortunately though, the downloads are often time-limited or region specific. Follow our guide to download and play demos from all around the world.

On your PC, open your browser and visit PSP Demo Center. You’re presented with logos for each demo as well as the region the demo was released in (if relevant). We chose the LocoRoco Halloween demo.
Right click the game you want to try and click Save Link As… Naturally, save it wherever you can easily find it. We recommend the desktop. Click Save and wait a moment while it downloads.
Go here and click Download Now to download ExtractNow. Minimize your browser so you can see the files you’ve downloaded. Double click on ExtractNow.exe and follow the instructions to install and run it.
Drag the PSP demo you downloaded into the ExtractNow window and click Extract.
Connect your PSP to your PC with a USB cable. Scroll all the way left on your PSP’s home screen and select USB connection. Press ‘X’ and wait a moment while your PC loads drivers. Open My Computer on your PC and double-click Removable Drive.
Drag the Explorer window to the side so you can see the folder you created by extracting the file in Step 04. Drag the folder into the Explorer window. Confirm and wait a moment while it sends. Disconnect your PSP from your computer. Scroll right on the home screen to Game, then down to Memory Stick. Press ‘X’ to run.