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Web Browsing on Your PSP

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the i-wish-i-got-free-review-units dept.

yodha writes "A guy has hacked the hidden browser inside the PSP to view external webpages. His webpage has info on that, some screenshots and a video. Yes, you can get Slashdot on a PSP! The PSINext forum and engadget are covering the same news."

158 of 247 comments (clear)

  1. PSP by dolo666 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    This reminds me of a little Slashdot article about CSS, plus the ongoing Slashdot forum about redoing Slashdot in XHTML and CSS. Now that PSP has browser functionality, I think it's imperative for web developers to examine their sites for usability. I would be interested to see how DHTML is handled on the PSP, for example, by testing the Milonic package. I seriously doubt it would work very well on PSP, but you never know.

    This raises the issue of UserAgent sniffing. Right now I'm developing an Open Source CMS called Gemsites (link in sig), and I'm considering supporting cut-down templates for PocketPC, Palm and (now) PSP. I've got the code set up to sniff the UserAgent and make a decision on it, thanks to php.net's user-assist messages in the function database. But now I'm wondering if my whole CMS will stand up to the more compact screens used by PSP et al. I guess what I'm saying is that if you're a developer and you know CSS/XHTML and/or PHP, I would like to talk to you about usability.

    1. Re:PSP by lukewarmfusion · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Developing a pure CSS/XHTML site means that the site's content will display even without CSS support. If you're using Firefox with the Web Developer extension, you can hit CTRL+SHIFT+D and see the same thing.

      I usually avoid user agent detection, simply because I don't want to keep up with the different browsers. I rarely do anything that can't be supported on all of the major browsers at the time. I've been to sites where I was rejected because I wasn't using IE4+. It was bad coding - someone assumed that all non-IE browsers were probably Netscape 4. Six years later, that no longer cuts it.

      For accessibility (I think that's what you meant), it's worth setting up a handful of stylesheets for different browsers/readers. Definitely produce a print-friendly stylesheet.

    2. Re:PSP by Agret · · Score: 3, Informative

      The PSP user-agent is "SCEJ PSP BROWSER 0102pspNavigator". Just thought you might like to know. I like your idea a lot but I don't have a PSP so I can't do any testing.

      --
      Have you metaroderated recently?
    3. Re:PSP by LDoggg_ · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Suggestion:

      Don't just rely on user-agent sniffing. Create a selection box on your site to allow the client to override the format your page comes down in and save it in a cookie (Not in database persisted user account prefs). USER-AGENT headers seem to be a moving target.

      Default the one that comes down of course.

      --

      "If they have both, tell them we use Linux. And if they have that, tell them the computers are down." -Dave Chapelle
    4. Re:PSP by jcuervo · · Score: 2, Informative

      Isn't this covered by CSS?

      --
      Assume I was drunk when I posted this.
    5. Re:PSP by Leffe · · Score: 1

      Hm, I wonder what CSS media types the PSP browser accepts, screen most likely, handheld... it is possible.

      I also wonder how good the CSS support is.

    6. Re:PSP by glesga_kiss · · Score: 2, Insightful
      Now that PSP has browser functionality, I think it's imperative for web developers to examine their sites for usability.

      Why now? This has been an outstanding problem for mobile browsing for years. Anyone that has a PDA, cellphone or palmtop that has net access can attest to that. Some sites are good, and there are many link sites lists which ones are the best for PDA viewing. It's good to hear that you are actively working on supporting these for your CMS package, I just wish others would do the same!

      Surprisingly, Slashdot is one of the worst; it's almost completely unusable on a PDA. You can tweak settings and get by, but you'd think this of all places would have it right!

    7. Re:PSP by The-Perl-CD-Bookshel · · Score: 1

      The article you are talking about is at A List Apart and is a two part piece titled, "Retooling Slashdot with Web Standards." (and part II)

      --
      I don't keep a lid on my coffee so when I walk around I look busy -me
    8. Re:PSP by ClassicG · · Score: 2, Informative

      Surprisingly, Slashdot is one of the worst; it's almost completely unusable on a PDA.

      Have you tried http://slashdot.org/palm/? It's not ideal, but it's certainly a major improvement over the 'normal' site.

      --
      I game, therefore I am...
    9. Re:PSP by blanks · · Score: 1

      The problem with that is what if for example you have a very graphical website, it could be difficult for the users to find the form to submit their information when all your sites images are squished into a portable devices screen.

      What I do is I have a link on the top of my page where users of portable devices can login. No checking for agent types or resolutions. And if the site is squished into a small screen, its easy to find.

      Checking the resolution of the screen is another way to do it (if you do not want to keep up with the different agent types), if its a very small resolution, you can assume they would need the text based version of your site instead of the very graphical site.

      --
      TruePunk | Games
    10. Re:PSP by LDoggg_ · · Score: 2, Insightful

      The problem with that is what if for example you have a very graphical website, it could be difficult for the users to find the form to submit their information when all your sites images are squished into a portable devices screen.

      Agreed.
      Make this small and unobtrusive, but at the first part of the webpage if the cookie isn't set.
      Maybe move it out of the way after it is set in case it needs to be changed.

      What I do is I have a link on the top of my page where users of portable devices can login. No checking for agent types or resolutions. And if the site is squished into a small screen, its easy to find.

      That is exactly what i recommended against.
      What happens when your users use more than one device? Maybe I want slashdot on the psp AND on firefox on my desktop.
      This should be a cookie, and browser instance specific, not user account specific.

      Checking the resolution of the screen is another way to do it (if you do not want to keep up with the different agent types), if its a very small resolution, you can assume they would need the text based version of your site instead of the very graphical site.

      Interesting, but it seems to make this work uniformly against most browsers/platforms it would be as difficult as maintaining all known USER-AGENT headers.

      --

      "If they have both, tell them we use Linux. And if they have that, tell them the computers are down." -Dave Chapelle
    11. Re:PSP by StonedRat · · Score: 1

      Actully it's CTRL+SHIFT+S is to disable styles. At least in my version it is.

      --
      "Religion is the most malevolent of all mind viruses." - Arthur C. Clarke.
    12. Re:PSP by Anonymous+Luddite · · Score: 2, Insightful

      >> six years later, that no longer cuts it.

      No sh*t. If you're a web developer and you really need to channel content types, do it after parsing HTTP_ACCEPT not HTTP_USER_AGENT.

      They are both part of the request header and can be used much more accurately to sniff browser capabilities. Even if someone has changed their UA string to googlebot or lynx or whatever, the content-types are still present in the HTTP_ACCEPT string...

      It's just lazy coding IMHO.

      --
      http://request-header.info
    13. Re:PSP by x1n3 · · Score: 1

      This story is old news. Of course there is gonna be web-browsing, it's got built in WiFi. .

    14. Re:PSP by biglig2 · · Score: 1

      Why would you think slashdot would be viewable in a PDA browser? It doesn't even work in bloody Firefox!

      --
      ~~~~~ BigLig2? You mean there's another one of me?
    15. Re:PSP by Legion303 · · Score: 1

      Works fine for me on v1.02. Maybe it's your OS.

    16. Re:PSP by Jakeypants · · Score: 1

      "I think by making it exploitable, sony have increased their market demographic hugely"

      It's brilliant! If any software company catches wind of exploitability meaning profits, they'll get rich!

    17. Re:PSP by glesga_kiss · · Score: 1

      Cheers, but it's a bit limited. My PDA is pretty capable and can handle the full site, it's just the horizontal scrolling that makes things hard to read!

  2. Slashdot effect by Lispy · · Score: 4, Funny

    Could it be that his PSP browsing /. adds to the /. effect of the story about him browsing /. with his PSP?

  3. RTFA by dolo666 · · Score: 2, Informative

    But how the hell do you type anything on that?

    It says that a keybord API pops up when you're in an input box (like Google's Search).

  4. Re:Input? by dan+dan+the+dna+man · · Score: 5, Informative

    From TFA

    "Yes you can use input (we googled stuff), when you enter a textbox and press X the PSP pops up the Keyboard API (remember there's alot of API to be taken advantage of with the PSP). After that its as simple as any other input on the PSP."

    --
    I don't read your sig, why do you read mine?
  5. Re:And the point is? by jolyonr · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'm sorry, you just lost all your nerd credentials. Please leave the site immediately!

    Jolyon

    --


    Please read my Canon EOS tech blog at http://www.everyothershot.com
  6. slashdot youve lost your touch..... by shrewd · · Score: 2, Funny

    cmon this news is like a day old already *yawn*

    1. Re:slashdot youve lost your touch..... by pmazer · · Score: 1

      You must be new...

  7. PSP [hack] Working both ways ? by puiahappy · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Is interesting, but of course you know that means that if he could hack his self out other willcan hack in, so waiting for the upcoming exploits and patches ;)

    --
    Think like a hacker, act like a hacker, but never become a hacker !
    1. Re:PSP [hack] Working both ways ? by kybosh · · Score: 1

      Well, the PSP isn't connected to the net usually - there's even a physical switch which disables the wireless entirely.

      Granted, this won't stop possible buffer-overflows within the web browser, triggered by a malicious page.

  8. DS * by Enjoi · · Score: 1, Interesting

    With homemade software, would this type of thing be possable with the DS? Probibly not using the same meathod, but similar?

  9. Re:And the point is? by ayersrj · · Score: 3, Informative

    This parses full HTML and in a much better environment in terms of visual display. As for whoever asked about the keyboard, when you click in an entry field I'm sure a keyboard entry system comes up like when you set up your PSP, not outstanding, but not tough either.

  10. Who will flinch first? by ayersrj · · Score: 3, Insightful

    So with a browsing solution out there, and obvious easier to implement hacks on the way, who flinches first and releases their web browser? PSP or DS? You know they both have them up their sleeves, or will we all just have to wait until E3 like good kids?

  11. what browser? by Turn-X+Alphonse · · Score: 3, Interesting

    What browser though? What plug ins will be made and other such questions could do with answering.

    Then can someone tell me why I'd want to use a PsP when I can use a laptop or a desktop just the same and not need to wardrive or be at home?

    --
    I like muppets.
    1. Re:what browser? by CharlesV · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Because a PSP is 250, as opposed to laptops which are at least twice that.

      Because a PSP is portable, as opposed to desktops which definitely don't fit in your pocket.

      Because uh, it's shiny?

    2. Re:what browser? by Lord_Dweomer · · Score: 1
      "hen can someone tell me why I'd want to use a PsP when I can use a laptop or a desktop just the same and not need to wardrive or be at home?"

      Because you might be a teenager who may not have a laptop, but has a PSP and plenty of games that he carts around with him everywhere, and who is around wifi access, who might want to access the internet.

      I'm no longer a teenager, but my brother is, and thats his situation. And I myself don't have a laptop, and wish to god something like this would be possible with my DS. That touchscreen would give it a real leg-up on the PSP in terms of web browsing.

      --
      Buy Steampunk Clothing Online!
    3. Re:what browser? by DeepFried · · Score: 1

      can someone tell me why I'd want to use a PsP when I can use a laptop or a desktop just the same and not need to wardrive or be at home?

      I can tell you. I work in a freelance environment and change job sites every three months or so. I don't want to lug a powerbook around just to check email and browse /. I currently have a treo 600 and hate it because of its bugginess and no clamshell form factor. I would love to travel with a slim clamshell phone and a PSP as most of my jobsites have open wifi access.

      I hope that answers your question.

      --


      Who is General Failure, and why is he reading my hard disk?
    4. Re:what browser? by rico6 · · Score: 3, Informative

      According to The Register, Sony may even release some sort of word processor and a spreadsheet app for the PSP.

      Who needs a laptop?

      http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/01/17/sony_psp_u pdate_leak/

    5. Re:what browser? by NanoGator · · Score: 1

      "Then can someone tell me why I'd want to use a PsP when I can use a laptop or a desktop just the same and not need to wardrive or be at home?"

      Convenience. You can't use a laptop standing up.

      It's not the most critical thing in the world, but it's a nice to have for a niche group of people. Ask anybody who seriously uses a palm device with 802.11.

      --
      "Derp de derp."
    6. Re:what browser? by NanoGator · · Score: 1

      "Who needs a laptop?"

      Uh, a word processor with a joystick control? Right.

      Frankly, the DS would be far better suited for that type of app. Stylus interface + dedicated screen for the keyboard. Yum.

      --
      "Derp de derp."
  12. surely this is good for PSP sales by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

    As per the Slashdot article from yesterday, PSP Reception Lukewarm in US?
    "According to IGN sales of the PSP have been lukewarm, with many outlets selling as little as 10 out of the 80 units they received."

    The potential to run homebrew code and fiddle with a PSP surely increases it's desirability, especially amongst the geek market? I haven't bought a DS yet, mainly due to the fact the PSP looks a hell of a lot better, the mention of PSP hacking has certainly pushed this higher up my list.
    Gadgetspy

    1. Re:surely this is good for PSP sales by tgibbs · · Score: 1

      I wonder if the "lukewarm" sales have anything to do with the fact that most dealers will only sell you the PSP as part of a bundle with a bunch of lukewarm launch titles.

    2. Re:surely this is good for PSP sales by KyolFrilander · · Score: 1

      From what I've seen the game inclusive bundles (versus the Value Pack bundle) are pretty much an internet-only phenomenon. There are a lot of places out in the Big Blue Room that'll sell it to you naked.

      And on the value pack, the memory stick duo+cleaning cloth are _completely_ worth the $50 markup. The internet seems to have completely sold out of usefully-sized MSDuo media, and the cleaning cloth, maaaan. Once you have one and realize how incredibly sexy it looks, you'll be wiping fingerprints off of it mid-game. It's _weird_ like that.

      --
      Buddha says, "Shut your karma hole."
    3. Re:surely this is good for PSP sales by rpdillon · · Score: 1

      Actually, I would hardly call Wipeout Pure and Lumines "lukewarm". I have actually been very impressed with those two titles in particular...lots of fun.

      I also picked up Untold Legends, but that's because I'm a total sucker for hack n' slash games. And it is actually pretty damn good. Up until now, the hack n slash offerings on portables have been lame, but this one is full featured. I'm looking forward to playing games that don't feel "scaled down" on a portable on an airplane. I almost forget I'm using a handheld when I'm playing on the PSP.

    4. Re:surely this is good for PSP sales by Tumbleweed · · Score: 1

      Of the 5 places I've been to with PSPs, only one was forcing you to buy a game bundle (KB toys, I think).

    5. Re:surely this is good for PSP sales by Abcd1234 · · Score: 1

      Bah. You said it yourself, this really only appeals to the geek market which, let's face it, is a rather small segment of the population Sony is targeting. Thus, I highly doubt this will have any effect on PSP sales.

  13. More browsing fun - without the hassle!! by Agret · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Someone has already kindly setup a portal for all you people who want to view this without setting up a DNS server or from any access point.
    You can see his portal with your web browser (computer) here:

    http://67.171.70.72/wipeout/index.html
    To use this on your PSP simply set your DNS to 67.171.70.72 inside the network settings then go into Wipeout Pure and hit Download.

    For more information visit this dudes website avaliable at:
    http://fugimax.base2.org/

    In other news the PSP firmware has been updated on the Japanese handhelds. See the following forum thread for more info:
    http://forums.ps2dev.org/viewtopic.php?t=1201&star t=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=.

    For those curious you can extract the files from the update by using this C program avaliable on the following site:
    http://www.oopo.net/consoledev/files/unpack-pbp.c.

    Enjoy!

    --
    Have you metaroderated recently?
    1. Re:More browsing fun - without the hassle!! by DeVryGuy23 · · Score: 1

      You can make as many connection profiles for the same network as you please, just make one called browser and your all set!

      --
      Butthead Vendor
    2. Re:More browsing fun - without the hassle!! by noknownpurpose · · Score: 1

      I hacked a portal page together as well. Added gmail-lite to it. Works pretty well on the psp... If you want to take a look set your dns to 207.44.176.95 on the psp. Also available at http://www.lightcubed.com/wipeout/index.html

  14. Re:DS * by Enjoi · · Score: 3, Insightful

    1. Only native Nintendo Games will be released

    Nintendo Homebrew and hacking

    2. Nobody uses a DS anyway , only little 5 year old kids called Timmy who don't even know what Slashdot is.

    Yes, because games like metroid and goldeneye are aimed at 5 year olds.

    Just remember, god hates console fanboys

  15. redirect url by alatesystems · · Score: 1, Insightful

    For the DNS man in the middle attack, use http://67.171.70.72/wipeout/

    It is a really nice portal someone made for it. There's one of the free sites for the PSP too, if you don't already have one. I have one, but I'm trying to get a free one to sell on eBay. If you care, check my homepage for the link.

    IMHO, after playing Wipeout Pure, Ridge Racer, and Twisted Metal, the best game of the three is Ridge Racer. That game truly shows off the graphics of the platform.

  16. Looks good by LittleGuernica · · Score: 1

    Slashdot looks good on the PSP, 9 out of 10 orphans can't tell the difference!

    The guy who did it made sure he'd be on this site with that screenshot, media whore!

  17. Obligatory joke... by nother_nix_hacker · · Score: 2, Funny

    I think he's running his webserver on it too. *bows head*

  18. Linking to Video by CharlesV · · Score: 1

    Did you really just link to a video in the article text? Is there no regard for how this might effect this person's hosting bill?

    At least he's not running apache on a PSP, or we'd all be SOL (and he'd have a melted pile of shiny black plastic).

  19. Security by Teppy · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I believe that every widely distributed browser has had at least one run-arbitrary-code exploit found.

    So, wagers on how long until unsigned code can run on PSPs?

  20. Re:DS * by Agret · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Why would anyone even attempt to create a browser for the DS?

    You can make the entire bottom touch screen into a keyboard, it would be perfect for web browsing. You could even set it up to auto-hide so you get a full vertical view of the page...

    --
    Have you metaroderated recently?
  21. Direct link to... by nsasch · · Score: 1

    a video..and a picture. If only the page is linked, people will hesitate to really get into all the links on the page. But a direct link to a quick to look at image? I'll see it tomorrow.

    --
    Make your computer faster: rm -rf /mnt/windows/
  22. Mirror Image by LittleGuernica · · Score: 1

    /. on PSP: http://www.tweakers.net/ext/f/48812/full.jpg

  23. Re:Yea so? by cicatrix1 · · Score: 1

    What are you talking about? It came out in the US a few days ago.

    --

    I know more than you drink.
  24. OMG, it renders Slashdot properly !!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now I have to buy this little Sony wonder.

  25. Happy Easter, Dude by blair1q · · Score: 4, Funny

    His website will be back up in 3 days...

  26. Minimo by jeffehobbs · · Score: 4, Interesting


    It occurs to me that with both 802.11b and an awesome screen, the PSP would be an really great platform for the Minimo project.

    Maybe it's time for the Minimo developers to go down to Best Buy and dip into that Mozilla Foundation money (no extended service contracts though).

    ~jeff

    1. Re:Minimo by gl4ss · · Score: 2, Insightful

      ..and they're going to get it published on the psp how?

      I think they're better spending their time developing for platforms that embrace 3rd party independendt developers.

      --
      world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
    2. Re:Minimo by jeffehobbs · · Score: 1


      On my PSP, there seems to be an option for running "Games" off the memory card. It's certainly possible.

      ~jeff

    3. Re:Minimo by kalidasa · · Score: 1

      My PDA has twice the internal memory the PSP does, and 802.11b, albeit a smaller screen with slightly less resolution - but it's Palm OS, so no minimo.

    4. Re:Minimo by Tumbleweed · · Score: 1

      I gotta say, trying to even find out how much it costs to get into developing for the PSP platform was way more trouble than it should've been. Basically, if you're not already a big-name developer, it seems like Sony won't even talk to you.

  27. Small screens are bad on the Web by JeffTL · · Score: 1

    Back before my WiFi-equipped Palm immolated itself I usually surfed the web over SSH and Lynx. It adjusted better than the graphical browser that came with the PDA, which beyond suffering from the small screen was poorly coded with a tendency to crash.

    1. Re:Small screens are bad on the Web by gl4ss · · Score: 1

      that your palm came with a shitty browser doesn't mean that small screen browsing can't work.

      opera for one had wonderful zooming feature on the zaurus. most of the sites seemed perfect.

      --
      world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
    2. Re:Small screens are bad on the Web by kalidasa · · Score: 1

      Tungsten C, eh? The Pro version of the browser works fine, as does browsing with the AvantGo browser. I almost think PalmSource crippled the browser deliberately (it crashes the whole OS on trying to open certain URLs) to force people to buy the Pro browser. Just one more reason that when my Tungsten C finally gives up the ghost, I'm going to swallow my pride and buy an iPaq - unless the Zaurus becomes more available, and eReader comes out with a Zaurus client.

    3. Re:Small screens are bad on the Web by JeffTL · · Score: 1

      I just started doing calendar on my iPod. And for Web, my iBook isn't that large, and at school I carry it anyhow. I never tried the pro browser; I didn't feel like paying for something that by all means should have been included with the then-$500 PDA. when SSH works okay.

  28. Re:And the point is? by DrSkwid · · Score: 1

    because the PSP is 802.11 equipped

    --
    There are places where the networks are not touching,and there are places where they are-Boeing's Lori Gunter
  29. Portable and widescreen by siavash_of_stockholm · · Score: 2, Funny

    Browsing widescreen nudity on the bus. I knew the day would come!

  30. jIRC by Patrick+Mannion · · Score: 1, Insightful

    According the hack page, he's working on testing the browser to see if it has java. If it does have java, then pretty much, now you've got IRC on your PSP.

    --
    In America, you spam computers In Soviet Russia, computers spam you!
    1. Re:jIRC by tepples · · Score: 1

      Without a keyboard or a touch screen, IRC and other heavy-text-entry applications aren't of much practical use.

    2. Re:jIRC by CoolQ · · Score: 4, Funny

      guy: hey
      guy: what's up man?
      (10 minutes later)
      PSP: y-o-,- -I-'-m- -t-y-p-i-n-g- -o-n- -m-y- -P-S-P- -I-R-C- -c-l-i-e-n-t

    3. Re:jIRC by qopax · · Score: 1

      uh, you forgot about the usb host port tada: http://www.gameseek.co.uk/productdetail/PSPfhyaqce 6he5x223r/

      --
      I pwn this comment. "The Fine Print" says so.
  31. Re:Input? by radiopillows · · Score: 1

    Supposedly there is a Logitech keyboard coming out for the device at some point.

  32. Mirror of hacking page by Winckle · · Score: 1

    Enjoy the mirror goodness http://www.mirrordot.org/stories/9ec486ba0b250360e 2bb69f74f549738/index.html

  33. I see the PSP as a controller for an in-truck... by Slashdot+Junky · · Score: 1

    As soon as I first saw the PSP, I saw it as a very nice looking controller/display for a homebrew music player for my truck. I have been looking for an inexpensive 6-7 inch color LCD monitors for quite a while now and simply haven't found one. Being able to interact with the box via web pages is all I need, so I might just have buy one now. I fully expect that the firmware config will be hacked much further soon.

    Later,
    -Slashdot Junky

    --
    .
    Landfill Mining Co.
    Managing the (Un)natural Resources of Tomorrow
  34. Re:enough ads on slashdot by gorim · · Score: 1


    How is this an infomercial ? Some enterprising individuals, on their own, went out and hacked the way (externally to) the PSP accesses the web, so that people can browse reasonably freely. Granted, its a kinda awkward thing to setup and use, but it IS geeky and news for nerds. At this point in time, Sony clearly hasn't intended the PSP to be used freely as a web browser, though its possible in the future.

  35. Spyware by callqcmd · · Score: 1

    So would one need to worry abt random spyware getting installed now?

    1. Re:Spyware by Tumbleweed · · Score: 1

      Installed on what? The PSP has no harddrive, and the UMD is read-only. I wonder if the webbrowser can save files onto the memory stick? Even if it can let something get installed onto the memory stick, the memory stick isn't bootable, as far as I know, and the webbrowser being used here runs from within a game on a UMD, so it can't be reconfigured by malware to reload upon next browser startup. Turn your PSP off, and any possible malware goes away, voila. Probably the most secure webbrowsing experience you can have, minus the lack of WiFi WAP.

  36. Coming soon! by WisconsinFusion · · Score: 2, Funny
    >Yes, you can get Slashdot on a PSP!

    Next, you'll be saying we can get Slashdot with Firefox!

    ..ducks..

  37. What about the DS? by StarManta.Mini · · Score: 1

    It's sad that Nintendo has made the DS such a hard system to hack, because it really would be a far better system to browse the web on, thanks mainly to the touch screen.

    1. Re:What about the DS? by be-fan · · Score: 1

      I don't know how true this is. You don't really need a pointing device to browse the web. Ask anyone using Links (or w3m or Lynx). Iterating over links is really more effective than you'd expect, especially if you have a good skip function. Further, I don't see the analog puck being any worse than a pointing nub, and I'm using that on my laptop right now. Overall, I'd trade the touch-screen for the PSP's larger screen --- it's the first portable device with a screen large enough, in my opinion, to make for comfortable web browsing.

      --
      A deep unwavering belief is a sure sign you're missing something...
    2. Re:What about the DS? by CapeMonkey · · Score: 1

      It's not the existence of the pointing device that does it, although that does help - it is the combination of the second screen and being able to use the pointing device with it that allows for a theoretically better interface than the PSP. You don't need to cover up the page with a virtual keyboard that is a pain in the ass to type use - I love the PSP, but it's virtual keyboard works like a cellphone number pad - rather, you just bring up a qwerty-keyboard on the lower screen and tap it to type. And you can still use the d-pad to go through the page as in lynx.

      As for the screen - I'm pretty sure that in terms of LCD real-estate, the DS has more - but being divided in two makes the PSP's screen better. But I still think that the DS can have a much better browser interface.

    3. Re:What about the DS? by rokzy · · Score: 1

      omg. have a look at people using Links. what do you see? yes they might not use a mouse, but they have a big board in front of them with over 100 keys on it. yes, it's called a "keyboard". now look at the PSP. about 4 buttons. hmmmm.... might be a problem?

      hint: the DS can use a stylus and touchscreen for hand recognition.

  38. Off Topic but Interesting Irony by Gamzarme · · Score: 2, Funny

    Sometimes Slashdot editor complain about the fact that everything is riddled with ads. This http://www.fumanchuu.com/pspdev/P1010066.JPG is very ironic (notice the ad in the picture). An ad, in a Slashdot page, blocked on a hacked device. That's [triple] irony for you!

    --
    Pat
    1. Re:Off Topic but Interesting Irony by RyuuzakiTetsuya · · Score: 1

      It doesn't seem blocked, more like, unable to render ad. big smarmy deal.

      --
      Non impediti ratione cogitationus.
  39. Re:And the point is? by ZorinLynx · · Score: 1

    One of the reasons I'm not getting a PSP is the lack of a TVout. You'd think Sony would include such an obvious connection, but they didn't.

    When I'm at home and have a 32" TV in front of me, I want to be able to play the games on it instead of the tiny screen on the portable.

    It seems that a feature so inexpensive to add and so useful would be left out. Especially when the thing can play movies too!

  40. Re:Yea so? by faedle · · Score: 1

    Funny thing. I expected to have all kinds of problems finding one in Seattle. You know.. large number of geeks and all that.

    So, yesterday I find myself at the Target in Southcenter. They had a large stack of them in the case. When I mean large, there were at least a dozen in there that I could see.

  41. Re:DS * by JFMulder · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Weird how I enjoy both Yoshi's Touch and Go on my DS with it's pastel colors while I can enjoy a good game of Ninja Gaiden on my Xbox or Resident Evil 4 on the GameCube.

    Don't buy into the age group propaganda. I'm 24 and see games only as they are, regardless of the look : games. A good game doesn't rely on the user being a certain age to enjoy it. If you let yourself be limited by that, then too bad for you.

  42. Re:Wow. by Fred+Or+Alive · · Score: 3, Informative

    It says that it scrolls automatically. For all we know some way of entering an URL could already be around in the code, but disabled because they don't want you to use this particular version of the browser as a general web browser.

    It could be interesting, but they may just use it as an interface for content download etc.

    --
    10 PRINT "LOOK AROUND YOU ";
    20 GOTO 10
  43. Re:And the point is? by dalmiroy2k · · Score: 1

    The PSP will have some kind of TV out feature via an external USB adapter

  44. Linux by michelcultivo · · Score: 1

    When we will see the first PSP running Linux? It's so difficult to run? Remember that we have a Kit Linux for PS2 oficially from Sony.

    --
    http://www.michel.eti.br
    1. Re:Linux by sagekoala06 · · Score: 1
      http://psp-linux.org/

      people are looking into it already.

    2. Re:Linux by Abcd1234 · · Score: 1

      *snicker* There's always some group of idiots out there with a bunch of pie-in-the-sky ideas an no technical ability who decide to jump on a domain like that. See the equivalent DS site for an example (and before you ask, all that stuff on their front page... that would be them reporting *other* people's work... though, to their credit, they've refrained from claiming it's theirs). Thus, seeing is believing, and I have yet to see one of these "groups" actually achieve something...

  45. Re:Input? by cttforsale · · Score: 1

    How about this in a couple months...

    http://www.xyramax.co.uk/catalog/product_info.ph p/ cPath/178/products_id/2909

  46. Re:Yea so? by tepples · · Score: 1

    I expected to have all kinds of problems finding one in Seattle.

    Greater Seattle is home to Microsoft and Nintendo, not Sony.

  47. Re:And the point is? by downbad · · Score: 2, Insightful

    The browser is not fully HTML compliant. It doesn't even parse <h1> tags.

  48. Re:Yea so? by Khuffie · · Score: 1

    The ones released on Thursday were pretty much sold out. But sony had a second shipment sent out to stores by Saturday.

  49. Re:Your Sig by toupsie · · Score: 1

    Thanks!

    --
    Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government.
  50. Signed? by tepples · · Score: 1

    Without Sony's digital signature, how will MoFo get the PSP to recognize a homebrew game from the Memory Stick?

    1. Re:Signed? by jeffehobbs · · Score: 2, Insightful


      You're right, digital signatures and encryption have never been cracked.

      ~jeff

  51. Note to developers: by kernel_dan · · Score: 1

    If the developers intentionally made it relatively easy to browse arbitrary content: thank you.

    If your PHB is angry that you made a weak system, you could've used SSL. (Then leaked the private certificate =P)

    --

    Illegal? Samir, This is America.
    1. Re:Note to developers: by computergeek6933 · · Score: 1

      As enticing an idea as that may be, I honestly doubt that the developers of the PSP intentionally made it weak enough to allow arbitrary code excecution. While it would give them the upper hand against other consoles if emulators were to be introduced, it would provide for more headaches than it's actually worth. Think about it, I don't think Sony wants to devote resources to patching the first buffer overflow found on the PSP or similar flaws that would be found.

      --
      return 0;
  52. Wipeout Pure place holder by maubp · · Score: 1

    You can view the Wipeout Pure place holder PSP page with wget and spoof the user agent string:

    wget -U "SCEJ PSP BROWSER 0102pspNavigator" http://ingame.scea.com/wipeout/index.html

    And the image,

    wget -U "SCEJ PSP BROWSER 0102pspNavigator" http://ingame.scea.com/wipeout/US_holding_page.jpg

    1. Re:Wipeout Pure place holder by maubp · · Score: 1

      Looking at the server's root page (with the PSP user agent):

      http://ingame.scea.com/index.html

      Lists not only the wipeout folder, but also three icons:

      http://ingame.scea.com/icons/folder.gif
      http://ingame.scea.com/icons/back.gif
      http://ingame.scea.com/icons/blank.gif

      Interesting this page uses HTML 3.2 Final (including the H1 tags!) while the wipeout page uses HTML 4.01 Transitional.

      So there you go.

  53. Re:And the point is? by Guppy06 · · Score: 1

    I think you're confusing "nerd" with "someone who reads Wired."

  54. Re:DS * by Chess_the_cat · · Score: 4, Informative

    It's been done.

    --
    Support the First Amendment. Read at -1
  55. Re:And the point is? by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

    They didn't put video out on the PSP because the resolution is low even as compared to ordinary NTSC video and it would look like a PSX on a TV. Okay, not that bad, but you get the idea. What looks fantastic on that little LCD will look like poop on a boob tube.

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  56. Re:Why anyone would browse with PSP is beyond me by Xuranova · · Score: 1

    I would love to be able to surf the web through photoshop. Then I wouldnt have to miminize or keep PS in a window. Photoshop doesnt like to be minimized. :(

    --
    "There is no real right or wrong, just what the majority accepts at the time."
  57. It's amazing! by exp(pi*sqrt(163)) · · Score: 4, Funny

    Tell me. If this thing can surf the web do you think you can make it work like a computer? Could you, say, program the PSP? Wow! Just think, people could write their own programs. Hell, maybe you could even write games for it. Imagine that, games on a pocket sized device!

    --
    Doesn't it make you feel good to know that our freedoms are protected by politicans, lawyers and journalists.
    1. Re:It's amazing! by jericho4.0 · · Score: 1

      Holy Shit. Give it a rest already.

      --
      "A language that doesn't affect the way you think about programming, is not worth knowing" - Alan Perlis
  58. Re:And the point is? by KDR_11k · · Score: 1

    They left it out because that makes it more beautiful. After all, the PSP as-is is the most beautiful thing in the world.

    --
    Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
  59. Re:NESCafe by jerkychew · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I assume that was meant as a joke, but it brings up a really good point. Put on your tinfoil hats and wax with me a moment...

    What if the designers of the PSP made their APIs as open as possible in order to entice people to cook up emulators for the platform? Of course, they could never admit this publically, but what if one handheld, in this case the PSP, could emulate a competitor's product? Conventional Wisdom tells us that an emulator usually won't be able to emulate a current system's hardware effectively, but if the PSP could, say, play GBA and N64 games in addition to playing its own titles, it could be an unstoppable device.

    Naturally, Sony would have to condemn anyone running competing games on their platform lest they get charged with unfair business practices, but behind closed doors this could be exactly what Sony needs to gain major market share over Nintendo in this market.

    Course, I could be wrong.

  60. Re:DS * by be-fan · · Score: 2, Insightful

    It's not age group propoganda. Lot's of people just don't find "colorful" games all that appealing. For example, I found the mechanics of Wind Waker to be great, but the game itself to be quite boring, becuase the world it portrayed just wasn't very engrossing. Let me use an analogy. I don't watch romantic comedies. They can be perfectly entertaining and good movies in their own right, but I still don't find them enjoyable, mainly because of their subject-matter. The same is true for me and "kiddie" games.

    --
    A deep unwavering belief is a sure sign you're missing something...
  61. Sony Advertising by omeomi · · Score: 1

    I can't believe Sony isn't advertising this feature more, and/or developing it much quicker. For me, $250 is way too much to spend on a portable gaming system, since I rarely take public transportation anywhere, and I don't usually have times where I'm sitting somewhere with nothing else to do, but if it can get me on the web as well, then $250 doesn't sound all that bad...

    --
    ZuluPad, the wiki notepad on crack
  62. Re:And the point is? by ayersrj · · Score: 1

    Correct. Basically I was inferring cell phones don't usually use the HTML AT ALL but usually a different markup.

  63. Re:I see the PSP as a controller for an in-truck.. by SpaceyWilly · · Score: 2, Informative

    Have you seen these? $280 7in USB touch screen monitor. Perfect for in car computers. ...I'd rather have a PSP, though :-)

  64. Skype Web Interface? by Deliveranc3 · · Score: 1

    I want to phone and personal organize with my gaming device (insert optional curse!);

  65. Re:That loser at gamestop's job depends on preorde by Bishop · · Score: 1

    Instead I think I will shop at stores that don't treat their employees and customers like shit.

  66. Re:DS * by Kirby-meister · · Score: 1
    "...I for one have seen enough Mario's and Zelda's/Pokemons for an entire lifetime , then give me some original PS2 ports instead :-)"

    Can you repeat that again? Original PORTS? Don't you understand the very definition of a port?

    And if you're talking about port in the sense of bringing a franchise to a console but making new additions to gameplay, then why are you complaining about Zelda, Mario, and other Nintendo franchises? Those franchises go through evolutions in gameplay everytime a sequel is released...

  67. Re:And the point is? by NightWulf · · Score: 1

    They do have one with a TV out. They call it the PS2, ask the guy at the counter, they only sell them to people..in the know *wink* *wink*

  68. Re:Input? by Abcd1234 · · Score: 1

    A "keyboard API"? Do they mean graphical keyboard? Because, if so, that would be my definition of "tedious". It sounds like as much fun as playing Frotz (a z-code interpreter) on the GBA. This is, incidentally, one area where the DS may shine... the touch screen makes things like keyboards or handwriting recognition a snap. It's just a shame that, at minimum, the top screen isn't bigger...

  69. Re:And the point is? by jericho4.0 · · Score: 1
    And it's made of magic.....

    --
    "A language that doesn't affect the way you think about programming, is not worth knowing" - Alan Perlis
  70. Aw goddamnit! by mfivis · · Score: 1

    Another browser to code compliant CSS for. IE gives me enough migraines.

    (^_^)

  71. Re:DS * by Kirby-meister · · Score: 4, Insightful
    Who cares what the Mario's storyline is? It's the gameplay that matters. You can't seem to understand that...

    Here's an example:

    Zelda 1 involved controlling Link in a top-view and solving puzzles and defeating enemies in a dungeon to get the triforce pieces.

    Zelda 2 involved a side-scrolling Link, and was more action-based than the previous title.

    Super Metroid, arguably the greatest 2D platformer of all time, involves a side-view of Samus as you go through the planet in search of the last Metroid.

    Metroid Prime brings the game into the 3D realm, a first person adventure game involving light platforming and lots of shooting and exploring.

    Those examples are better examples of "ports that are original from the sequel" than your "Halo on the PC is different from Halo on the Xbox" example...

    I swear, this kiddy argument is the biggest pile of shit I've ever seen...You're acting like a pre-teen, wanting to "prove" your adulthood...Guess what buddy? I'm 22, and I'm pretty comfortable with my adulthood; I don't need my videogames to tell people I'm "mature." If you need your games to do that, then that's the furthest from the definition of "being mature" that you can get.

    The casual gamers like yourself have forgotten that games just need to be fun. If games stop being about fun and start being about image, then what is the point to videogaming?

  72. Re:Input? by NiteMair · · Score: 1

    Maybe you missed this PSP feature: USB 2.0 connector.

    They probably packed it with driver support for HID compliant keyboards... question is: what do you have to do to make one work.

  73. Re:Input? by Abcd1234 · · Score: 1

    Yes, that's very portable...

  74. If not the geeks, then... by MunchMunch · · Score: 1
    Well, as a note, Sony already did their best to appeal to the mainstream market with a launch lineup composed entirely of sequels and updates to existing mainstream banality (Lumines notwithstanding), so if the whole "appeal to the hardcore geek market" thing doesn't work, they might have to do something drastic.

    Like, say, decrease their price from current "We're bigger than Jesus. You don't want to pay $70 extra for a tiny memory stick and a slip case? Tough luck," to "...Please buy our hardware. Please."

  75. Re:What I really want by CronoCloud · · Score: 1

    What's your preference? lynx, links-text, links-graphic, kfm, gnome help browser, mosaic, Amaya, minimo, Firefox, or Mozilla?

    Been browsing on mine since late May of 2002.

    http://playstation2-linux.com

  76. Posted from my PSP... by DJ+Wipeout · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Holy heck this is a pain to do....... key api is cumbersome at best.

  77. PSP by Sv-Manowar · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Applications that have been produced already will really increase the marketability of the PSP in the following months, and this is just the beginning.

    I think by making it exploitable, sony have increased their market demographic hugely

    --
    Business Voyeur
  78. Re:And the point is? by DuckofDeath87 · · Score: 1

    IMHO, builting TV out would have killed the PSP.
    I think a lot of developers would have made game with the TV in mind oppses to the screen. Then these games could be diffucult to see on the tiny screen.

  79. Re:Input? by wheany · · Score: 1

    A keyboard doesn't have to be large. http://www.gameseek.co.uk/productdetail/PSPfhyaqce 6he5x223r/

  80. What a neato hack. by Mostly+Monkey · · Score: 1

    I doubt the developer intended Wipeout to be used for this purpose but it's certainly going to cause a lot more copies of the game to be sold. EB is offering a trade in for 8 different 1st party brand games, one of which is Wipeout. (3 POed XBOX/PS2/GC games for one PSP game) I took advantage of the deal by buying a bunch of games at a local Gamerush for less then $10 each which combines with their buy two get one free deal. Unfortunately I ended up trading all mine in including Wipeout for other titles. It looks like I need to pick up another one. (Total price per PSP game = less then $20) If you go for the deal, make sure not to buy any games on EB's excluded list.... http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/ads/shops/instoretradei n/exclusions.asp
    It's a bit annoying to find cheap titles not on the list, but I had good luck with Enter the Matrix, Conflict Desert Storm, and Manhunt. (PS2 $10) These seem to be fairly common at Gamerushes.

    --
    Chika Chik-ah... do-e ow ow.
    1. Re:What a neato hack. by Mostly+Monkey · · Score: 1

      I forgot to add, make sure to check with EB first to see if they will take multiple copies of the same game.(YMMV) It would suck being stuck with 6 copies of Enter the Matrix!

      --
      Chika Chik-ah... do-e ow ow.
  81. Re:DS * by Kirby-meister · · Score: 1
    I guess when one can't argue the points, one turns to snide remarks...

    Casual gamers would understand the fun part of gaming better than the hardcore gamers if they wouldn't skip over games like Katamari Damacy, Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo, Viewtiful Joe, Alien Hominid, etc. just because of the presentation styles of those games.

  82. To be honest.... by Kjella · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I usually avoid user agent detection, simply because I don't want to keep up with the different browsers. I rarely do anything that can't be supported on all of the major browsers at the time.

    ...then I don't think you've done much. It's not about doing something that is not supported - it's fixing bugs via CSS. Box model, some defaults must be overridden to get equal output on all browsers, and lots of various workarounds for various differing implementations. Yeah, yeah I *shouldn't* have to do that. Reality sometimes bites.

    Kjella

    --
    Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
    1. Re:To be honest.... by lukewarmfusion · · Score: 1

      "Box model, some defaults must be overridden to get equal output on all browsers"

      Why do you need to get equal output on all browsers? It's not a realistic goal, considering the varying levels of support for CSS. What happens if a browser doesn't support CSS at all? My position is that the site should still deliver the content (a big column of text and images, probably) without any styling. The browser - or screen reader, PSP, PDA, etc. - should be able to display something regardless of your intended appearance. That's where design stops for me.

      The result? I test on a handful of major browsers/platforms to ensure that the bulk of my visitors will see it as I intended (or pretty damn close). A 3-pixel difference is usually fine with me as long as it's close.

      As for supporting poorly implemented CSS on certain browsers -coughcoughIEcoughcough- I've definitely had my run of CSS hacks. I was referring more to DHTML, Javascript, and new CSS. Unfortunately, not many clients want to spend the dough to do truly kickass things; they just want a pretty brochure site. I save the kickass stuff for my own pet projects and the clients with a little more vision (and budget).

  83. Hmm... looks to me *very* similar to LINKS by marcansoft · · Score: 1

    The rendering of slashdot on that PSP looks to me like that of LINKS. The up/down scrolling behaviour, the inverting highlight (look at OSTG on the slashdot shot), supports javascript, no frames, no java, no flash... (except of course the font is different)

    Actually links is the browser I considered for porting to the PS2, since it works on many displays including framebuffers, and is a nice graphic browser. The PS2 network access disks use the Oregan browser, but judging from the big differences between them and the user agent this is not it.

    Am I just paranoid or are there really some similarities between the PSP's browser and links?

  84. Re:DS * by Kirby-meister · · Score: 1
    Please, I've owned every system from the NES up until the Xbox.

    My nickname is not something that stems from being a fan of Kirby games; infact, I've never really owned a Kirby adventure game. The nickname was received at a fighting game tourney where Super Smash Bros. Melee was featured. I tore up all the Sheik and Marth whores with a Kirby, ended up getting first, and someone called me a Kirby meister. It just stuck.

    At the same tourney I placed 3rd in Capcom vs SNK2 and got owned pretty quickly in Soul Calibur 2.

    And I didn't call your 'nice' kiddy comments a pile of shit; just the argument in general. It's a cop-out for people who just are too unsure of their masculinity and adulthood.

    And you are not what you play. If you were, you'd be running over hookers and you'd be able to cast spells at will. Games are played as an escape from what you are limited to in real life abilities. I'd like to have been a space bounty-hunter or a dark knight, but I know I'll never be one.

  85. Re:Input? by Abcd1234 · · Score: 1

    Heh, no offense, but that must be the most awkward looking thing I've ever seen. :)

  86. Re:NESCafe by rpozz · · Score: 2, Informative

    You'd really struggle to emulate an N64 on the PSP. Not just because the controls don't match too well, but because it almost certainly doesn't have the processing power to pull it off.

    A Genesis/SNES emulator would totally kick ass though. If someone gets Linux onto the PSP, you can count on it happening too.

  87. Re:DS * by AmberBlackCat · · Score: 1

    Well, if the DS is like the PSP then it's possible to play a multiplayer game with only one disc because the other units can download game data from the host unit. So I guess it's possible to create a host emulator that uploads a web browser rather than game code. And if there are any holes for buffer overruns or whatever, they'll get in as soon as anybody looks for somebody to go wireless with. But sony never makes bad products, right?

  88. Wow. by Legion303 · · Score: 1

    He whipped up a portal page and added a hosts entry? Impressive hack!!@

    Of slightly more interest would be if someone actually hacked the firmware update (assuming it has the URL encoded in it) with a hex editor and made the "net update firmware" function go straight to your portal from anywhere you can find 802.11 access, not just home.

  89. don't worry by kf6auf · · Score: 1

    it'll get posted again later today, next week, or both

  90. name resolution tricks by pikine · · Score: 1

    I think you either misread or didn't read the article. The guy just plugged his PSP to a LAN where he can DNS spoof himself at will, so he basically redirected the default site to anything he wants. The PSP is capable of following links, so he did a jump page that links to various sites, including Google.

    It is very similar to an ad blocking technique by editing /etc/hosts. They just point the name of known ad servers to 127.0.0.1 (your own machine). That way, unless you're serving ads to yourself, you can avoid seeing ads from those servers. It's just that there probably isn't a /etc/hosts on a PSP, so he did it by setting up a spoof DNS server that functions as if there is a /etc/hosts.

    DNS spoofing does happen in real life on a large scale, but it takes more work, and it does much more damage than hacking into a PSP unit. For example, it can be used to fake a bank website that secretly collects banking information. If that happens, PSP is probably the least of your worries.

    --
    I once had a signature.
  91. Re:NESCafe by rhuntley12 · · Score: 1

    I almost ran out and bought a PSP, not for the gaming, but for the future of the possibilities. Sure I wouldn't mind playing a few PSP games, but the emulation posibilities and whatnot is what really interests me. Instead I have a pocketpc that emulates even PS1, that I'm enjoying for now, and am definatley going to buy a PSP when price comes down and it's hacked to hell and back. Another big thing for that is if they make UMD-R or cheaper and bigger memory sticks.(Also pocketPC doesn't look so obvious that I'm not working at work)

  92. Re:DS * by superpulpsicle · · Score: 1

    While Super Metroid is an excellent/outstanding game, it pales in comparison to Castlevania Symphony of the Night. For anyone who has played it, it's literally the undisputed 2D platformer.

  93. Re:DS * by euxneks · · Score: 1

    Damn Straight! I for one enjoyed Mario Sunshine - even though it was terribly cutesy and slightly childish...

    --
    in girum imus nocte et consumimur igni
  94. Re:DS * by Kirby-meister · · Score: 1

    I did play SotN...which is why I stated Super Metroid was "arguably" the better one...

  95. Re:Input? by Short+Circuit · · Score: 1

    I guess you've never used SMS on the average cell phone? Or tried entering names into a PBX employee directory with a touch-tone keypad? Entering text on a TI-82/83/85/86/89 graphing calculator?

    The linked PSP keyboard looks more convenient to me than any of those, or even a thermal adhesive label printer I've got laying around.

    If something has a QWERTY layout, you at least automatically know where the keys are. If you don't, then you should be complaining about PC, Mac and typewriter keyboards, too.

    --
    tasks(723) drafts(105) languages(484) examples(29106)
  96. No hack needed to play games from Memory Stick by Blackwulf · · Score: 1

    No hack needed. The PSP's main menu has a selection to play a game from the memory stick, just like it has a selection to play a video, song, or picture from the memory stick. I'd assume all you have to do is put the right type of executable in the right directory on the PSP and you'd be able to run it without any OS hacking needed.

  97. Re:Input? by wheany · · Score: 1

    More ankward than an on-screen keyboard operated with the dpad?

  98. Emulation by Doc+Ido · · Score: 1

    The moment they port ZSNES or SNES9X to the PSP, I am buying one.

  99. Re:Input? by Abcd1234 · · Score: 1

    More awkward than a touchscreen with handwriting recognition. ;)

  100. Re:Input? by Abcd1234 · · Score: 1

    Well, my initial comment was comparing the PSP to the DS, not a cell phone. In this case, the DS clearly wins out (if not in other areas), as the touchscreen makes a very obvious input device (graphical keyboard or handwriting recognition, your choice), while retaining the device's portability, unlike an awkward, expensive add-on keyboard for the PSP...

  101. Re:Wow. by Fred+Or+Alive · · Score: 1

    It would be possible to port a Mozilla engine based browser without Linux, the engine itself isn't reliant on any OS. Although I don't think the Mozilla rendering engine is the best choice for a system limited to about 32MB of RAM (IIRC) and no swapfile, HDD etc., there are more lightweight alternatives for browser cores.

    However writing a programme on the bare system would be rather hard, the PSP is a relatively complex beast compared to the homebrew favourites like the GameBoy Advance. You'd probably end up developing the bare bones of an OS to support any serious programme anyway. For games developers, Sony will provide you with their systems (APIs, libraries etc.).

    I'd guess with homebrew stuff, the challenge after getting unsigned code to run would be to create a usable set of libraries to use. Although porting Linux would be another approach, seeing as Linux (the kernel) would basically act as the low level stuff anyway (once drivers have been written etc.).

    --
    10 PRINT "LOOK AROUND YOU ";
    20 GOTO 10
  102. Re:NESCafe by Psycho77 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I was pretty sure both device use a very similar processor (R4000 modified). I think thats would be very possible to play N64 games on a PSP, you almost have to "emulate" nothing. The CPU would do it natively. Theory, but still !

  103. Re:Input? by wheany · · Score: 1

    And that is just false, smiley or not.