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Sony Admits PSP Update is Genuine
sammykrupa writes "According to a story at The Register, Sony has confirmed that the PlayStation Portable (PSP) updater that leaked onto the web this past weekend is genuine. However, it publicly warned owners of the handheld console not to run the software as it will cause the PSP hardware to stop operating. The updater was "configured" to install a bunch of stuff including a text-to-speech utility, a calculator, web browser, email application and, weirdly, a word processor and spreadsheet tool. If you've already installed this thing and know have a broken PSP, you can send the malfunctioning PSP back to Sony for a repair but the company will charge you for the privilege."
It's reasonable to say that xBox systems outsold PS2 systems in the last quarter, but that's hardware sales. You know, where both companies lose money. MS loses more money per unit than Sony, although I lack the actual figures to determine who that puts ahead.
That said, try comparing Q4-2004 software sales. I suspect that, with both GTA: San Andreas and Metal Gear Solid 3 on its side, the PS2 pulls out a heavy lead over the xBox's Halo 2. All of which has null/void to do with the Playstation Portable.
Happiness is relative, Based upon the way we live.
Here you go: everything you ever wanted to know about the Sony PSP in one easy-to-read report.
For more information, click here.
Sony loaded it to their ftp download servers, most likely for testing purposes.
Some enterprising individuals figured out how the PSP locates these updates, and were able to use that information to locate this file.
They then downloaded this file and proceeded to experiment.
There were two primary classes of these individuals:
a. Schmucks who thought they were cool for getting in on some cool new app early and immediately installed it.
b. More intelligent folx who realized what they had, understood the risks involved, and accepted the fact in advance that they might royally screw their PSP. These people, those who installed it, were more interested in learning all of the ins and outs of that file.
Now, I happen to know 2 people of the latter kind who destroyed their PSP. They didn't complain or whine, but they were quite depressed with the result. They did no warezing nor would they, as the concept of warezing is rather obscene to them.
They DID check around to see if Sony would do something, since well, Sony has to have a way to handle bad firmware updates when real ones get released anyway. There was no expectation that Sony WOULD do something, but hey, one has to try, right ?
But to say the software was stolen is a bit incorrect. It was placed up on accessible servers for distribution onto the internet, and was accessible without any special security to prevent the downloads. It was merely not visible nor readily available to anyone who would expect any official release - only people determined to look for unofficial releases could find it.
Having said that, I say clearly my strong belief that Sony is not culpable in this regard. The only people capable of finding it were the two I described above, and neither had any right to expect any better result than what had happened. The responsibility for their actions are their own, not Sony's.
Indeed, it is quite kind of Sony to offer to repair these units. Given that this is a service Sony needs to offer anyhow for when REAL updates come out, Sony gets some early practice at repair.
I praise Sony, for releasing a fantastic product (it really is) and for being willing to fix a problem that was not their fault (albeit, for a fee, which should not begrudged to them).