Tuesday, November 21, 2006

3.0-Is it Worth the Hype? Not Quite...

Yesterday when I discovered that the 3.0 manual had went live online, I was quite excited. Once I began to look through it however, I became quite dissapointed. As I began looking through it I noticed no VoIP, no Playstation Store, and a lot of other dissapointing things. I could only hope it would be different when it arrived...

This morning I woke up, and checked Network Update. Thankfully, the update was here! I went to install it, and was dissapointed with the feature list. I continued to install anyways. 100% and it was time to reboot.

Unfortunately, the startup was the same. I was hoping for something cooler, like the PS3 bootup, but you can't get everything you want. I began going through everything. The first new thing was UMD Auto-Start. This was a welcome addition and I immediately set it to off. I went to change my nickname and noticed they had added the PSP buttons onto the keypad in some locations. It was an alright change but nothing special. The last new feature under Settings was an updated About PS3 section. I noticed credit to a company called Sonaptic. I haven't discovered what they do yet, so I well need to investigate.

Next, was the photo menu. Not much new here except a camera icon. This isn't use as the Camera hasn't even arrived stateside yet. Now I have to scroll down just to access my Memory Stick photos. Couldn't they have put the Camera icon under the Memory Stick icon?

Music time. I was curious to see the visualizations. They are a welcome addition, but they need more of them. The few that are there are nice and I enjoy how it remembers your visualization preference. I then went to check Video. Nothing new there.

It was time to check out the game menu. The Game Menu is the highlight of the PSP, so I was hoping for something good. I discovered a new Certificate Utility, but then realized it's no use without a PS3. I hit Information on my Memory Stick icon, and noticed it now tells you if it has MagicGate support.

Finally, it was time for the Network Icon. The first thing in the menu is Online Instruction Manuals. Not necessarily that exciting, but a nice feature to have. The next new feature is Remote Play, but that needs a PS3. Finally, was the ability to set up the PSP to auto download RSS feeds at a certain time. This is a nice feature, and it is quite cool. You set it up, and put your PSP to sleep with the Wifi on. At that time, it will turn the PSP on and go through your Network Connections until it finds one that works. After that it downloads the feeds, based on the settings you selected under the RSS Channel Settings. If only they could implement an Alarm Clock or something with this.

That's it? No Playstation Store? How am I supposed to download PS1 games and PSP demos? Looks like I won't be for a little while. Does Sony not realize there are barely any PS3s out there? Way to mess up what was supposed to be an amazing update. What ever happened to the statement that we wouldn't need a PS3 for PS1 games anyways..?

I do have a theory for this, however. By Sony not giving us all the promised features at once in 3.0 this saves themselves. This way if 3.0 gets hacked, they still have features to offer us to convince us to update. Let's see how this turns out, but as of now I am quite disappointed.

Monday, November 20, 2006

PSP Firmware 3.0 Manual Online!

The PSP Firmware 3.0 manual is now available. Unlike before when it shortly appeared, all the links are now active. Does this mean the update is coming soon?

http://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/psp/current/index.html

UMD Auto Start can now be enabled or disabled: http://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/psp/current/settings/umdautostart.html

As of now it looks like PS3 is required to download things from Playstation Store:
http://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/psp/current/game/emudownload.html

Saturday, November 18, 2006

My Kiosk Experiences: Wii vs PS3

Well, today I decided to go to the store and give a whirl at the two hottest next gen systems, the Wii and the Playstation 3. First stop was Target. They had the PS3 there to play, and I was pumped. They had MotorStorm in and I was all set.

The controller was amazing the first time I picked it up. It just had an awesome feel to it, and the fact that it was familiar was another plus. I picked a vehicle and a course and got ready to go. Loading took a little while, but overall the load times weren't bad. I waiting for the race to start and then I was off. The graphics looked absolutely amazing, with the scenery and the vehicles looking gorgeous. I tried racing first with the analog stick, and it was fairly easy, but I wasn't too good at the game. Half way through I decided to switch and use the tilt sensitivty. This was more enjoyable, but much more sensitive and difficult. I failed miserably at this game.

Next, I decided to try a nice little bike race on MotorStorm. I found this a lot more fun, and also simpler. Overall, the game was pretty good, but isn't too beginner friendly.

I tried to go back to XMB, but couldn't figure out how. The PS Button, did not allow me to. I know what the XMB is like however, based on my PSP experiences, and I love it.

After this, it was off to Gamestop to try the Wii. After my dad handed over his license, the controller was mine. It surprised me how small and light it was. I fired up and the console and saw the menu. It was nice and simple, but I prefer the XMB. I am not too steady with my hands, so navigated the menu was a challenge. I decided to jump right into Excite Truck. The loading times were great and in a matter of 5 seconds or so, I was into the menu. I picked a race track, a vehicle, color, and then it was time to begin. Fast loading times were definately a plus.

And so...the race began. It was nice, simple, and fun. Although, the graphics were not high def, they still were quite nice, and I enjoyed them. I enjoyed all the little powerups and extras added into the game. I played two races and definately enjoyed the experience better than MotorStorm. It was much easier to pick up and play, and much more enjoyable.

After that, I decided to explore the Wii menu. I figured I would create a Mii. Navigating the Mii Creation was difficult and took some time, to get used to pointer and choosing everything. It was neat to make a virtual identity however. There wasn't much to do with the Mii, so I just decided to reture to the main menu. From there, I just checked out the daily message function, by checking out how much the system had been played.

Overall, I enjoyed the Wii more. I would have to try more games, to figure out which one truly is better, but the Wii definately is FUN, and that's what matters. The fact that it is cheap and affordable, is another plus. Today was a great day.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

PS3 Firmware Investigation Part 2

This post will be very basic as well. It will just go over the basics of the root level files.

Root Folder Contents
-3 Files(~5413kb)
-2 Folders(~95160kb)

FILES:
dots.txt(1kb)
updater.sce(5411kb)
version.txt(1kb)

FOLDERS:
update(94550kb)
vsh(610kb)

File Basics:
dots.txt - I see absolutely no point for this file. It is simply a text document with three periods in it. Strange and pointless...

updater.sce - The most important file in the root level and the largest. The file begins with the standard SCE. At 0x91 it states ELF. That appears to be the actual binary executable, however I can not definitively figure out where it starts and ends. My guess is 0x548227, as that appears to be the end of the tightly packed encrypted data.

version.txt - This is a file that those of you from the PSP scene should be familiar with. This time around things have changed however. The new version.txt simply states the version of the update and is followed by 0a.

That's all for this time. Next will be the "attempt" at a examination of the root/UPDATE folder.

Monday, November 13, 2006

PS3 Firmware Investigation Part 1

Alright, well I've decided to being taken a look at the Playstation 3 firmware updates. This first post will just gives the basics.

File Name: ps3updat.pup
File Structure:

PS3Updat.pup-dots.txt
-version.txt
-updater.sce
-update-BDIT_FIRMWARE_PKG.pkg
-BDIT_FIRMWARE_PKG_301R.pkg
-BDIT_FIRMWARE_PKG_302R.pkg
-BDIT_FIRMWARE_PKG_303R.pkg
-BLUETOOTH_PACKAGE.pkg
-CORE_OS_PACKAGE.pkg
-dev_flash_000.tar.aa.2006_11_09_075023
-dev_flash_001.tar.aa.2006_11_09_075023
-dev_flash_002.tar.aa.2006_11_09_075023
-dev_flash_003.tar.aa.2006_11_09_075023
-dev_flash_004.tar.aa.2006_11_09_075023
-dev_flash_005.tar.aa.2006_11_09_075023
-dev_flash_006.tar.aa.2006_11_09_075023
-dev_flash_007.tar.aa.2006_11_09_075023
-dev_flash_008.tar.aa.2006_11_09_075023
-dev3_flash_009.tar.aa.2006_11_09_075023
-MULTI_CARD_FIRMWARE.pkg
-RL_FOR_PACKAGE.img
-RL_FOR_PROGRAM.img
-UPL.xml.pkg
-VSH-VSH-etc-cp1251ucs.bin
-cp1251ucs.bin
-jis2ucs.bin
-jis2ucs.cbin
-layout_factor_table_1080.txt
-layout_factor_table_272.txt
-layout_factor_table_480.txt
-layout_factor_table_720.txt
-layout_grid_table_1080.txt
-layout_grid_table_272.txt
-layout_grid_table_480.txt
-layout_grid_table_720.txt
-ucs2jis.bin
-ucs2jis.cbin
-ucs2uhc.bin
-uhc2ucs.bin

That's just the structure for now. More in-depth analysis coming soon!

Sunday, November 12, 2006

PS3 Update List

Hey guys. I'm looking for the PS3 update list, so if anyone knows it, PLEASE CONTACT ME.

Here's my original post:
Has anyone managed to find the site that the Ps3 uses to check for Updates. I know the http://fj01.psp.update.playstation.org/update/us/psp-updatelist.txt, but I can not manage to find the Playstation 3 one anywhere. I am guessing they changed the name of the file to something else, but still no luck.

Saturday, November 11, 2006

For Someone Who Quit Deving...

It seems like I have been reseaching more than ever. I am doing a lot of work into the Playstation 3, and even some possible PSP projects have come up. It looks like I will be doing a lot, just NO LUA.

Friday, November 10, 2006

Ps3 Firmware 1.10 Released!

Seems like I am the first to break the news in a lot of places, so here it is. Firmware 1.10 is out for the Ps3!

Whole It reached the point where the service of PLAYSTATION®Network can be utilized.
With the picture keyboard of European language, it reached the point where it can do the letter input of single tap system.



Setting [[Music CD output frequency] was added to music setting].
[[ATRAC is made effective] added to substance setting].
[“In type of keyboard of peripheral device setting]], type of keyboard which can be selected increased.
[The “cross color decrease filter” was added to display setting].
[[5 minutes later] were added to “the screen saver” of display setting].



Video When playing back the animated picture file which is retained in the hard disk and the record media, [with picture mode] [it reached the point where full] can be chosen.



Network [Downloading music and the animated picture file with Internet browser], it reached the point where it can retain in the hard disk.
[PLAYSTATION®Store] So it reached the point where the following contents can be downloaded.
PLAYSTATION®3 standard software
PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) with the PlayStation® standard software which operates (PSP® of system software version 3.00 or more is necessary)
[It corresponded to traditional form letter Chinese and simplified form letter Chinese indication with Internet browser].
[The online manual] was added.



In addition Calculation method of hard disk capacity was modified.
* As for empty capacity of the hard disk, the numerical value which calculated 1GB as the 1024×1024×1024= approximately 1,073,740,000 byte is indicated. Because of that, capacity than the numerical value which is stated as specification is smaller indicated in the instruction manual and the like. [Setting] the ⇒ [substance setting] the ⇒ [you can verify the empty capacity of the hard disk, with substance information].
PlayStation® of the part in PS3* and operational status of the PlayStation®2 standard software were renewed. < The private search sight > with you can verify up-to-date operational status.

http://64.233.179.104/translate_c?hl=en&u=http://www.jp.playstation.com/ps3/update/index.html&prev=/search%3Fq%3Djapan%2Bps3%2Bplaystation.jp%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us

PS3 Now Available

According to Google it is now officially Midnight in Japan on November 11th, which means the PS3 is out! I can't believe it is here, I want reactions, impressions and all that from you guys! Remember, Play B3yond!

XFire

Hey guys! If you want to communicate with me check out Xfire. It is an awesome Gaming Utility for the PC that lets you communicate with friends, see what games they are playing, track hours, and more. Check it out at: http://www.xfire.com
You can view my profile at: http://www.xfire.com/profile/teamoverload

My Wii and PS3 Blogs

Since, I won't be able to update them all that much, and there are bigger and better sites to go to for that kind of stuff, it looks like, I will just delete them.

Less than 2 hours until Playstation3 launch in Japan!

Saturday, November 04, 2006

New Blog: WiiPlaytheWii

As promised, I have launched a Wii blog, WiiPlaytheWii: http://wiiplaythewii.blogspot.com/

Check it out and enjoy :)

Friday, November 03, 2006

Play B3yond Blog Launched

I have launched a Playstation 3 blog that I will try and maintain. A Wii one will likely be coming(tomorrow?) as well, so check it out: http://playb3yond.blogspot.com

And It's The End...

Unfortunately, over the past few weeks/months, I have lost interest in deving for the PSP. It just doesn't excite me like it use to. Effective indefinitely, all PSP deving projects have stopped. The PSP has had it's triumphs, but also it's tragedies. Just today, I saw a dev get flamed over at QJ, for getting DONATIONS. It is ridiculous how immature people act sometimes. I will continue to use my PSP and visit QJ, but all deving work and research for me, is pretty much finished.