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PS Vita Jailbreak Finally Lets One Run Emulators and Homebrew Software (geek.com)

Posted by msmash on from the jailbreaking-ftw dept.

Finally, someone has managed to hack PS Vita, allowing people to install emulators and homebrew software on the handheld gaming console. The jailbreak dubbed HENkaku works on the latest 3.60 Vita firmware. From an article on Geek.com: The exploit allowing full access to the Vita hardware has been created by Team Molecule and named HENkaku. The code injected into the handheld when visiting the website unlocks the hardware and removes the file system from its protective sandbox. It's then possible to access it and the Vita memory card using FTP. The super simple unlock opens up the Vita to homebrew developers who want to create their own games for the system without going through official channels. But it also allows full access to the hardware meaning the ability to overclock the processor, and for PlayStation TV owners it also means all games are whitelisted. That's great news as there are many blocked games known to work perfectly fine on the PSTV.

38 comments

  1. under the CFAA any one useing this can prison time by Joe_Dragon · · Score: 0

    under the CFAA any one using this can be facing prison time. Any if they put down jailbreak due to a dumb cop you can get harder time.

  2. Re:under the CFAA any one useing this can prison t by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    under the CFAA any one using this can be facing prison time. Any if they put down jailbreak due to a dumb cop you can get harder time.

    I'm sure that both of the Vita owners are aware of the risks.

  3. Re:under the CFAA any one useing this can prison t by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Spot on. I've never seen a Vita outside of the store.

  4. Hmm. by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 2

    I have a PSVita. If I turn it on (after an extended period of charging the entirely dead battery) I will then have to set the time again and wait while it downloads the fifteen updates that occurred between now and the last time I turned it on a couple of years ago.

    The screen is excellent though. I think the most likely outcome is I will pull it apart and use the screen in some geeky project.

    --
    I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.
    1. Re:Hmm. by dontbemad · · Score: 2

      Fellow Vita owner here, and I actually love mine. Up until now, the main use that I've had for it has been playing psOne games that I've downloaded off the store (mostly for nostalgia's sake). I've always been a big fan of playing console games on consoles (not huge into emulation on a PC or phone), and the form factor allows me to take it on the train with me in the morning.

      I'd definitely recommend giving it another shot, especially now that this jailbreak is out. One of my favorite things about my PSP was the ability to play most/all old psOne games (through jailbroken means), as well as the host of old console emulators that existed.

    2. Re:Hmm. by sims+2 · · Score: 2

      The thing I hated most about the PSVita is the same thing I hated about the PSP If the battery was dead (it was dead 9/10ths of the time) It had to charge for an obnoxiously long period of time. And they made it even worse in the PSVita with the PSP you could swap in a charged battery and go on but they took that option out in the PSVita I looked but I was never even able to find a faster charger for it.

      --
      Minimum threshold fixed. Thanks!
    3. Re:Hmm. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      One of my favorite things about my PSP was the ability to play most/all old psOne games (through jailbroken means), as well as the host of old console emulators that existed.

      Mine was the ability to carry all of my UMD games around with me, minus the actual UMDs. Too bad there's no microSD adapter for the Vita like there was for the PSP, so I'm still stuck buying Sony's overpriced memory card.

    4. Re:Hmm. by CronoCloud · · Score: 1

      Which Vita model? My OLED Vita charges relatively quickly. Maybe it's the charger/AC adapter? I've got a Lenovo tablet that has a decent battery but charges SLOWLY.

    5. Re:Hmm. by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 1

      One of my favorite things about my PSP was the ability to play most/all old psOne games (through jailbroken means), as well as the host of old console emulators that existed.

      Mine was the ability to carry all of my UMD games around with me, minus the actual UMDs. Too bad there's no microSD adapter for the Vita like there was for the PSP, so I'm still stuck buying Sony's overpriced memory card.

      My PSP is still heavily used by grandchildren. Mostly due to Loco Roco. I used to carry the Vita on plane trips, but it's extra weight and space I don't want in my bag.

      --
      I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.
    6. Re:Hmm. by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 1

      Mine is the original Vita, with 3G (but not used due to the scammy 3G data sim prices). It certainly charges slowly.

      --
      I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.
    7. Re:Hmm. by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 1

      Mine is the original Vita, with 3G (but not used due to the scammy 3G data sim prices). It certainly charges slowly.

      I plugged it in and started my timer. It's flashing it's orange light under the left button, as it does when the battery is too dead to start the thing running. We shal find out how slow.

      --
      I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.
    8. Re:Hmm. by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 1

      I could turn it on after 17 minutes, 30 seconds. It is complaining the battery is low.

      --
      I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.
    9. Re:Hmm. by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 1

      53 minutes in and it's at about 50%.

      --
      I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.
    10. Re:Hmm. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If I turn it on I will then have to set the time again and wait while it downloads the fifteen updates that occurred between now and the last time I turned it on a couple of years ago.

      Updates? I think that would require someone within Sony to actually remember that it existed, and that's *really* stretching credibility. ;-)

      In fact, rumour has it they only continue to manufacture and sell the PS Vita because management forgot it existed so completely that none of them called the factory to cancel production.

    11. Re:Hmm. by Etcetera · · Score: 1

      That's slower than mine normally takes, especially from a cold start. Are you using the OEM AC cable/adapter? If you're going straight from another USB plug, what amperage is it? If from a power strip, anything else plugged in?

      Any chance you've been treating the battery wrong all these years?

      --
      Hire a Linux system administrator, systems engineer,
    12. Re:Hmm. by Etcetera · · Score: 1

      If I turn it on I will then have to set the time again and wait while it downloads the fifteen updates that occurred between now and the last time I turned it on a couple of years ago.

      Updates? I think that would require someone within Sony to actually remember that it existed, and that's *really* stretching credibility. ;-)

      In fact, rumour has it they only continue to manufacture and sell the PS Vita because management forgot it existed so completely that none of them called the factory to cancel production.

      Nah. It's actually decently popular in Japan, where handhelds besides the 3DS still hold sway. It's a niche product in the US now, but still gets a lot of import and JRPG-style releases. Fez was pretty fun on it to, and if you have a PS4 and enjoy the occasional Remote Play it's a no-brainer.

      --
      Hire a Linux system administrator, systems engineer,
    13. Re:Hmm. by sims+2 · · Score: 1

      My apologies to everyone my complaint was with the time it takes to charge before it can be turned on but it looks like TechyImmigrant knew what I was talking about anyway.

      --
      Minimum threshold fixed. Thanks!
    14. Re:Hmm. by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 1

      It's the branded charger and cable that came with it : 5V, 1500mA.
      It's just ticked to 'all green' in the icon at 1 hour 37 minutes, but is still charging.
      It has not be subject to a whole lot of abuse and has spent long periods in a draw and never at extreme temperatures.

      For a device that seems tailor made for travelers, the battery and charger isn't up to the task. It doesn't last for 12 hour flight, it won't charge up quickly enough between flights and you can't carry a spare battery.
       

      --
      I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.
    15. Re:Hmm. by dontbemad · · Score: 1

      Too bad there's no microSD adapter for the Vita like there was for the PSP, so I'm still stuck buying Sony's overpriced memory card.

      Ay. My only suggestion there is to keep an eye out during black friday sales, and even potentially getting a used one. Either way, I really hope that Sony doesn't pull this shit again, should they make another handheld.

    16. Re:Hmm. by tlhIngan · · Score: 1

      If I turn it on I will then have to set the time again and wait while it downloads the fifteen updates that occurred between now and the last time I turned it on a couple of years ago.

      Updates? I think that would require someone within Sony to actually remember that it existed, and that's *really* stretching credibility. ;-)

      In fact, rumour has it they only continue to manufacture and sell the PS Vita because management forgot it existed so completely that none of them called the factory to cancel production.

      Nah. It's actually decently popular in Japan, where handhelds besides the 3DS still hold sway. It's a niche product in the US now, but still gets a lot of import and JRPG-style releases. Fez was pretty fun on it to, and if you have a PS4 and enjoy the occasional Remote Play it's a no-brainer.

      The problem was Sony bet the farm that the Vita would succeed on one of those Metal Gear Solid titles, which bombed horribly in the US. With that, basically SCEA gave up on the Vita. In fact, I think Sony gave up on the Vita faster than they gave up on the PSP. From then on, SCEA's interest in Vita games diminished as did developer interest and while popular in Japan, it was basically forgotten about everywhere else.

      For a long time, the only reason for the Vita's existence (and the PS TV) was remote play - to be able to play the PS4 remotely on a handheld or on another TV.

      But now, it appears SCEA has forgotten about it completely - major retailers no longer carry it - they're just burning through existing inventory.

      In the meantime, sure it does well in Japan, but the rest of the world is forgotten and there's no longer anymore handhelds from Sony, leaving the field open for Nintendo's NX console, which is supposed to have a home console part (yes, obsoleting the Wii U after only a few years), and a handheld part.

      Perhaps Nintendo is seeing the field as wide open because Sony Japan is too interested in the Vita to release another handheld console (and SCEA/SCEE aren't interested at all in another Vita with no developer interest...).

  5. Dear Sony, by 0100010001010011 · · Score: 2

    I might consider buying one now. I'd never even taken the time to look at it because it had your name on it. Apparently it isn't a half bad device.

    1. Re:Dear Sony, by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Proprietary memory cards for it are still ridiculously overpriced, though, and continuously getting more so as the price of flash storage comes down.

      I'd have bought one by now, otherwise. Maybe after it dies and the cards can be found used for cheap.

  6. Re:under the CFAA any one useing this can prison t by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Whatever, I'll make sure to go to a Norwegian Prison where they'll get me a Playstation.

  7. Re:under the CFAA any one useing this can prison t by uCallHimDrJ0NES · · Score: 2

    under the CFAA any one using this can be facing prison time. Any if they put down jailbreak due to a dumb cop you can get harder time.

    Joe: Discussing the CFAA online is a communication that could lead to distress for other Slashdot members. That's a violation of the CFAA. If one of these Vita owners stresses out and commits suicide, you could be hit with a misdemeanor, just like Lori Drew. Let's be nice to the Vita owners. Yes, both of them.

    --
    Cloudiot: A person who does not see offsite storage as a way to lose control over access to his or her own data.
  8. Finally time to get a Vita by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So many RPGs I'm missing out on.

  9. Re: under the CFAA any one useing this can prison by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    He's just a Sony shill, pay him no mind.

  10. I have a Vita by WolfgangVL · · Score: 1

    I don't play it very often, but I enjoy the jailbreak scene. Right now its the only console in my house that's not modded in someway. I'll jailbreak it, backup all my games to an external hd or sd card, figure out that I can ftp around and explore the file-system and flash.... and then never play it again.

    Sometimes its more about the journey, not the destination.

    --
    You are being ripped off every second of every day, so that advertisers can help rip you off even more tomorrow.
  11. Re:under the CFAA any one useing this can prison t by Holi · · Score: 1

    " Any if they put down jailbreak due to a dumb cop you can get harder time. "

    Wha...? I have no idea what you are trying to say.

    --
    Sorry, teleporters just kill you and then make a copy. A perfect, soul-less copy.
  12. Re:under the CFAA any one useing this can prison t by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    He's saying that he's stupid and paranoid. When someone is acting strangely on /., it's almost always stupidity and paranoia. Slashdot is about 5% tech blog, and 95% conspiracy blog these days.

  13. Vulnerabilty by I4ko · · Score: 1

    Why is this considered a jailbreak (a good thing) and not lauded as a remote code execution vulnerability that it actually is. If one web page can execute code, that means another web page can execute different code, installing a backdoor to your network, etc.

    1. Re:Vulnerabilty by The-Ixian · · Score: 1

      This is exactly what I was thinking.

      People sure do have a lot of trust to give when they want something...

      --
      My eyes reflect the stars and a smile lights up my face.
    2. Re:Vulnerabilty by squiggleslash · · Score: 1

      I'm trying to think of a way to maliciously use a hacked games console beyond wiping out someone's high score or doing a really specific DoS on one person.

      --
      You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
    3. Re:Vulnerabilty by WolfgangVL · · Score: 1

      There is a TON of this very sort of thing around the scene. It was the Apple shit that seemed to start the term "jailbreak", before that it was just as you say, "hack", "exploit" and "crack". The worst I've seen them do personally is brick the system, which half the time can be recovered with a little more work. Like any other software, the community is the best source of information regarding specific exploits, and it pays to do a little research before moving forward with any sort of hack/exploit.

      Back when the PSP was still shiny and new it was almost at a fever pitch. The cat and mouse game was a daily battle. Following along was lots of fun, but there was a TON of nasty shit mixed in with the real exploits.

      This is a great little hobby to get the younger crowd interested in more than the user-space of their devices and exploring the hardware capabilities. The old guard scoffs, but it really get the wheels turning for the up and coming. My boy (11) moved directly to the Raspberry Pi after I showed him how to get one under on the old Wii. Great cure for the "I'm bored" problem on a rainy day.

      --
      You are being ripped off every second of every day, so that advertisers can help rip you off even more tomorrow.
    4. Re:Vulnerabilty by rsmith-mac · · Score: 2

      Why is this considered a jailbreak (a good thing) and not lauded as a remote code execution vulnerability that it actually is. If one web page can execute code, that means another web page can execute different code, installing a backdoor to your network, etc.

      Because no one uses the Vita browser. It's terrible, especially by modern smartphone standards. It's hard to seriously classify this as a threat when the odds of a Vita browser coming across a malicious site sits at just a hair above 0.0%

  14. Re:under the CFAA any one useing this can prison t by Darinbob · · Score: 1

    You can get a luxury suite in Brazilian jails though.

  15. Re: under the CFAA any one useing this can prison by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You've actually seen one in person!!!!!1!?

  16. Please welcome our Guest Public Address Announcer by idontgno · · Score: 1

    George Hotz, also known of as geohot. He'll be doing our countdown for today. Take it away, geohot!

    "Countdown to Sony lawsuit in 3...2...1...!"

    --
    Welcome to the Panopticon. Used to be a prison, now it's your home.
  17. Question: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Who cares?

    For less than a PS Vita costs there are TONS of Quad Core Android Portables from China, a number of them with same or better specs than the Vita (1-2GB of RAM, 1.6-2ghz DC/QC CPUs, 480p-1080p displays). And depending on how much futzing you want to do dealing with the unreliable PowerVR SGX drivers, there are some with Mali, Vivante, or Adreno GPUs instead! Given that even millions of units of Intel Netbooks couldn't get a PowerVR SGX driver reverse engineered seems to imply that reliable and open source powervr drivers are never going to exist, short of a 1 BEELION dollar bounty to produce them.