PSP 2.0 Update Finally Released

Joshua Keller writes "The v2.0 firmware update for the Sony PSP is finally out, ending the saga of one of the most-talked about firmware revisions I can remember. The update features a web browser for the PSP and support for AAC files, amongst other improvements."

Comments

Start the timers...

[ChrisF79]

I can't wait to see how soon someone "cracks" this firmware so it runs emulators and what not. I don't have a PSP, and not much interest in getting one. However, I do think it is pretty interesting to watch these folks go to work and produce these hacks or what-not. I'm always amazed at how fast some of these protections that companies work so hard to implement are dismissed.

Re:Start the timers...

[ziggy the zagnut]

Yeah, it used be pretty cool to watch protection get broken,
but the PSP is part of a new generation of DRM. We're
seeing some rules get bent/broken. For example, having
access to the hardware no longer means you 0wn the machine.
Classic techniques like tracing through code from
the beginning of its execution are obsolete.

Another obstacle to opening the device is the (threat of the) law.
When the PSP first came out, the website ps2dev.org quickly
created space for discussion of opening it up. Once 1.5 opened
up though, ps2dev quickly began to squash all discussion of
opening attempts. They referred to "Grey Areas" in their
censorship, claiming their goal of homebrew capability has
been reached. Ps2dev admins prefer to keep it a small, elite community of
1.5 users, as opposed to the more idealistic and democratic
goal of enabling anyone who buys the hardware to be able to
develop and run homebrew.

The only alternative is the piracy underground, whose goals are
different, but whose technology overlaps with the homebrewers.
Because they're illegal, pirates don't have public information
bases and their information is more valuable. This means
any potential developers have to work their way into a
social network, again, reserving homebrew capability for
a dedicated elite.

Currently there are several commerical companies interesting
in opening the PSP to public development (mostly because
they want to sell modchips). They've given dozens of PSPs
to promising openers, but no dice so far. Any attempts
on the hardware, similar to Xbox, for example, would require
high-speed equipment. Observing the PCB of the PSP,
for example, shows signficant tromboning (a technique of inserting extra space into circuit board traces to meet
extremely tight timing requirements) on the PSPs combined
flash/DRAM chip. Also preventitive is the use of a MIPS
core: the pinout of the MIPS processor is unknown, as well
as what IPL code it boots with. It may even included its own
encryption. Several varities of encryption, from crackable to strong (AES128) encryption are used in nearly every part of the
PSP firmware.

The situation is so far from ideal, some promote the "Sony Leak Theory." The hypothesis is that Sony
left open leaks on purpose in older firmware and encouraged
the development of emulators in order to krush its kompetition,
the Nintendo Revolution. Under this theory, Sony is confident
that its DRM will prevent any future homebrew/piracy.

Perhaps the PSP experience will serve as a weathervane for
the future of DRM in consumer products.

Copy Protection

[phase_9]

And once again nerfs current Homebrew / copy protection workarounds Forced firmware updates (which all new games will feature) are a very inteligent way of ensuring their copy protection remains in effect - are people considering such a system for the next Video Standard (HD-DVD / whatever is flavour of the week), everytime you buy / rent a movie it updates the firmware on your player? btw: my Import JAP PSP is still running 1.00 and is proud of the matter (RIN Rocks!)

Ironically Day after Snes emulator at full speed

[marcybots]

This awesome firware update ironically comes out in america the day after the supernintendo emulator for the PSP is able to run Super metroid and 90% of all super nintendo games at 60 frames per second (full speed) with zero frame skip since it can take advantage of speed hacks. Even final final fantasy III can run at almost full speed (dips slightly when entering combat to 55 frames a second). Talk about bad timing.
      Its much better super nintendo emulation than any five month old system has any right having, I really wish that sony would wise up start issuing its formal stamp of approval to emulators so and certain other homebrew apps so there would be no other legitimate excuse for non-pirates not to upgrade their psp firmware, I would upgrade it in a minute if sony was selling a official genesis emulator made by sega that ran at full speed and cost like ten dollars.

It's called the DS upgrade.

[Viewsonic]

In all seriousness, it is absolutely amazing to see so many companies who want to get into the handheld market fail so miserably. It is like a voodoo curse on anyone other than Nintendo that even thinks of trying to break into the market. Sony came out with this very fast, slick handheld, and.. then.. nothing! They release it all at different times all over the world basically forcing people to buy the competition. It's like Sony gave up at the last minute or something out of nowhere. Huge shortage of decent games to buy, and even the ones that are worth buying are priced right out of the handhedl market! Have you even seen how much the PSP movies cost?? You can go buy the DVD which is higher quality, tons of extras for around $10-15 at places, or you can buy the PSP version that is lower res, virtually no extras, and costs $30!! Did some marketing goon just show up on launch day and say "Hey, lets set prices for this stuff so no one buys it!!" and they all went "Okay!!"??

Seriously, where is all the sensible PSP marketing? I sometimes wonder if Nintendo plants people into other companies that have any sort of draw and have them derail their products on purpose. It is just UNREAL how bad everyone has failed trying to get into the handheld market.