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New PSP Firmware with Built-In Web Browser
Volksport writes "Sony has released a new major firmware update for the PSP, bringing it to v2.00 (This link points to the install file). This new version offers updates such as a built-in web browser (User agent says it is Mozilla/4.0) and Korean language support. Although it was only released in Japan so far, it installs normally on US PSP systems." This version apparently breaks all hacks so far too.
Has anyone tried out the browser yet?
I want to know how it performs, and how easy it is to use before I go ahead and cripple the modability of my system.
Thank you.
decisions... decisions...
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I have to wonder how much of the new features in this release are to "compete" with the old firmwares people are keeping to run ripped games and homebrew? If so, it's certainly an interesting and bold move on Sony's part -- keep offering more and more compelling features in the "secure" firmware and eventually enough people will opt for it over their older firmware.
Sadly, I've enjoyed too much of the homebrew software to stop now (such as playing my Game Boy games - yes, I own copies of them on my PSP, or Chess, or watching the progress of the movie player that supports AVI and OGG), so while the web browser is nifty, and better playback of MPEG-4 video is nice, I'm keeping my PSP at 1.5 for as long as I can (which means I can't buy any new games, which is all right since there aren't any PSP games right now that interest me, and looking ahead none that will until early 2006, while the DS has some good ones coming out late next month).
Odds are, though, a Sony rep/fanpeople probably read the above as:
"Blah, blah, blah, I pirate software, blah, blah, blah, I'm a thief, blah, blah, blah, I have a tiny pee-pee because I like the DS".
But I'll give points to Sony for at least trying to meet people's needs. Good start - just needs better follow through.
Of course, this is just my opinion. I could be wrong.
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This update also apparently helps enforce region encoding (e.g. DVD players), which of course is incredibly stupid on a handheld portable device.
Upcoming games reportedly use region locks.
{ - Generic Guy - }
As no one seems to have pointed out yet, it's likely that someone will release a modified 2.0 that will give you all the new features AND let you run homebrew apps.. But if you upgrade to 2.0 now, you'll lock yourself out of the ability to run the upgrader for any hacked version. This is pretty typical of 'softmod' style hacks; being an early adpoter is not the wisest course of action.
Unless of course there is a vulnerability in 2.0 that will let you run homebrew... If you want to bank on that, be my guest.
It's about time.
I think the psp has some serious potential to be an all purpose multimedia device. You can already play music, movies and watch your pictures on this thing.
I think it would be interesting to set up a web page and some utilities to control your home stereo/digital music player, DVR, lights and anything else you would like, intended to be controled from your psp. The wireless router would have to be configured to only accept your psp's MAC, and some other authentication would have to take place on the web page/server end (having to enter a username/password would be a real drag to seamless integration)
I'm definately interested in getting a PSP now that they have included a built in web browser (that doesn't need some goofy hack to get around). Though, like many others, I also want to wait until someone figures out how to crack/bypass the security so homebrew apps can run again. Or for some company to release a signed emulator for the psp, I'd be willing to pay for a NES or SNES or whatever emulator if it wasn't complete garbage.
Does anyone know if the digital signed executables for the PSP is intended to stop piracy of UMD games, or if it is designed to stop any homebrew development? Both?
I hope to die peacefully in my sleep like grandpa, not screaming like his passengers.
Network Features:
* Internet Browser - Probably the biggest thing yet to come to the PSP, a web browser. The browser supports standard 4.01 HTML, but will not support Flash streaming. Although some minor bugs, you will be able to connect to any website through your wireless hotspot.
* New Network Menu - This is the new icon that will be installed on your PSP, it will act as the shortcut to the web browser.
Video Features:
* Jump Function - Jump function added (UMD Video & UMD Music)
* A-B Function - This allows you to repeat one portion of the clip.
* 4x3 size - A new size to watch videos in
* Mute - Mute function added for videos, even though a general mute function came with the original system.
* MP4 (AVC) playback - New playback format.
Music Features:
* ATRAC3plus playback - Now you can put ATRAC3plus files on your PSP.
* MP4 AAC & WAVE Support - This version will allow you to play MP4 audio (MP4's AAC format) as well as Linear PCM WAVE files.
Photo Features:
* Wallpaper Feature - Another big feature for the PSP, can you guess it? You got it, a personalized wallpaper feature.
* Photo Sharing - You can now share images with a friend using the wireless ad-hoc connection (local)
* New Formats - The PSP can now read TIFF, GIF and BMP files.
Setting Features:
* New Character SetTheme Setting
* Internet Browser Restriction Setting - Set security settings for your web browser.
* WPA Support - Don't like WEP? isn't secure enough for you? you can now access the net with WPA-PSK (TKIP.)Web Support on Keypad
Source
Sony also released a ceramic white version of the PSP.
Well first off the slashdot write-up is incomplete.
This update includes other features, such as ability to swap backgrounds and change themes, and some other sundry items, but there are THREE major features:
Web browser
AVC video support on MemoryStick
AAC audio support on MemoryStick Photo sharing via wireless
The web browser was never going to be Firefox, thats just not how Sony operates. Besides it would probably be very inappropriate (although using the rendering engine is a different story). From what I hear, it is pretty much HTML 4.01 compliant, has CSS support (not sure what level), HTTPS, and Javascript. That's pretty good. It also has some sort of pseudo-tabbed thing where you can keep 3 pages in saved state at once. You can pan around the page with the analog stick, and the bookmarks are kept in a regular HTML file (which I would suggest loading up on your comp in TextEdit or whatever to save your thumbs).
The AVC support is HUGE. This codec (H.264) is the basis for nearly everything coming out and the quality jump from the previous H.263 'simple profile' MP4 has to be seen to be believed. I would conservatively say a threefold increase in resolution - its that good. Also should result in smaller files. One hitch is that the format is still 320x240, so for widescreen content you are best to make an anamorphic clip. The PSP provides an anamorphic mode for unsquishing the picture and it interpolates very well. A shame to not use the 480x272 but I suspect many people would find out pretty quickly that at that rez, you're going to max even a 1GB stick really quick (doubt it could hold a 90min DVD at that; UMDs are 1.8 gigs I believe). Also note that AVC will take a lot longer to actually compress clips unless you have a fairly modern computer.
AAC audio support is huge as well for those of us with half their iTunes collection in AAC. No I have never bought anything from iTMS, I just like AAC. I had to set up a smart playlist that picked from my (much smaller) MP3 collection previously.
The photo sharing thing is just cool.
There are some other odds and ends, like GIF/TIFF/BMP/WAV support, some additional wireless security, etc. On the whole I'd say the upgrade is worth it unless you are *really* into your homebrew (which some are).
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