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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."
That breaks your PSP, then charges you to fix your PSP after you use it. An ingenious way to reduce the money they are losing on each PSP sale!
They shud call it Sony P-SP2
;-)
I think the PS2 has sold some 7 million consoles worldwide
Slightly more. 80 million as of Dec 2004.
I'm not even a fan of Sony, but you need some correction.
xBoxes outselling PS2s
Yes... because everyone who wanted a PS2 has one. They had that extra year, remember? What's the total install base for each system? Oh, yeah:
Sony, 74 million.
Microsoft, 17.5 million (15 as of July, estimated 5 in next year)
xBox 2 outbefore PS3
As above, it's useful if the games are there, and if they're compelling. They need a "killer app" for Xbox 2... the only game to get for the first year on the Xbox was Halo, and there's talk of a "Halo 2.5" for the Xbox 2. Depending on how you want to spin it, it's either desperation for a real hit, or a clever way to get people to migrate.
iPod KILLING the Walkman
Ayup. Most of that has been due to the MP3 restriction on previous Sony devices, brought on by the "content" division of Sony.
PSP getting barely any positive press compared to excellent reviews of the Nintendo DS.
Hate to say this, but that's because it's barely out. Is it even available stateside yet? Once it comes out, provided the games are there, I think it'll sell a lot. IF they do things right, it could be a winner - an MP3 player, a Video player, and a videogame console. A nice hat trick.
Unless Sony has some newer tricks, it might falter a bit. But between the PS2, the PSP, and the other divisions, they still have some life left.
"Sometimes a woman is a kind of religion, she can save your soul & set you free from all your sins" - Bad Examples
If you read (not even the article) the headline. It clearly reads "leaked" in other words "warez'ed" in other words "pirated" in other words "It could have been a damn virus destroying the entire PSP but these people were stupid enough to put it in!" Im surprised sony is actually helping those guys who obviously used pirated software in their machine.
I mean, if you illegally download longhorn (or whatever is called) and it destroys your machine (which is pretty probable) can you go to MS and tell them to fix it?! I dont think so! Can you go to ID and complaint about your leaked Doom3 beta not working? Sure! rigth before being taken to jail that is!
Sony fixing the problem its a good point for them. NOT bad. Im glad they are charging these silly pirates to do it.
Im modding the article as -1 Flamebait and Troll.
Go ahead MOD my day!
Go ahead MOD my day!
More opinions 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).
Sell it on eBay? You fool!! Don't you know they track those things!? I drove mine out into the country and put a bullet right between the LCD. Only way to be safe.