A company, creatively named PS Jailbreak, has come out with what’s called the first USB based jailbreak/hack to allow for the Sony PlayStation 3 “fat” and slim models.

PS Jailbreak is a USB plug and play solution that installs in seconds, keeping your valid warranty seal in tact.

Easy to use installer and GUI takes you step-by-step.

Compatible with all production models “fat” and slim PS3. Supports all regions: USA, JAP, PAL and KOREA

PS Jailbreak disables forced software updates and will never brick your console.

Supports all games (it does not allow backups of Blu-Ray movies, DVD movies, or past consoles games)

Backup games to your internal hard drive or external hard drive through USB and boot directly off GUI. Eliminating the need for expensive Blu-Ray burners and costly blank media.

Play backups off your hard drives 2X as fast as off the Blu-Ray drive. This eliminates lags and glitches to provide you with smoother game play.

Open up your console to a new generation of homebrew applications. Load homebrew apps/games off any USB hard drive/flash drive.

Fully updateable with new features/updates by connecting PS Jailbreak to any computers USB port.

I remember products like this being shown about for the Japanese PlayStation 2, which never came out if I remember correctly. This USB based hack, which promises to work with all existing games, will allow for downloading, backup and installing games to the hard drive. Which reminds me, aren’t Blu-Ray disks about 25GB or so each? That means barely 12 games for a 320GB hard drive.

Better hope they come out with a terabyte drive for laptops very soon. Retails for ouch $125.

Last thought… where is there a homebrew community for the PS3? There are some serious holes in the logic around this device; but it warrants for more research. You know this will get blocked by an upcoming Sony PS3 firmware update. Still interesting though…

[ Links: PS Jailbreak ]

Official word is that this is a “long ways” off, so there’s no date announced as of yet. Destined to come out on the current generation of videogame systems – so far the Sony PlayStation 3 and XBOX 360 have been confirmed. I will express concern as to how uneven the mostly non-projectile but combo heavy Tekken fighters will fare against the projectile heavy and somewhat combo heavy Street Fighter warriors will be. Ultimately, I finally get to see who’d win between Akuma (Gouki) versus Heihachi Mishami.

Can’t wait.

[ Links: Street Fighter X Tekken Debut Video ]

Despite making many attempts to secure and lockdown the Sony PSP platform, Sony has been outpaced by the homebrew scene consistently. Copy protection, stronger DRM, applications that wouldn’t run on anything but the absolute newest firmware, Sony has tried it all, and has been beaten to the punch.

The newest games out use a new decryption method that Sony thought would stop piracy. The guys over at OCModshop prove Sony wrong.

These new games utilize a new decryption method, and cannot be patched using Eboot Exchange 2.8. Some of the new games that cannot be patched by EE are:

• Iron Man 2
• Prince of Persia – Forgotten Sands
• Metal Gear Solid – Peace Walker
• FullMetal Alchemist
• What Have I Done To Deserve This, My Lord?
• Hexyz Force

Of course there are methods to manually patch your games (UMDGen 4.0, etc), but these are rather complicated, especially when compared to the ease of Eboot Exchange. Another method to patch recent games is with the use of ISO Tool 1.51. Not only will it patch 6.20 games to work on the recent custom firmwares, but it does it right on the PSP – no PC required!

The instructions are simple enough to follow. Take that Sony!

[ Links: OCModshop ]

Not since Sony purchased Minolta’s DSLR’s and repackaged them as the Sony Alpha DSLR series have I been anticipated a Sony camera. Sure, their point and clicks are also cool, but for those of us that have invested in lenses for the Sony Alpha series – or just continued to use the Minolta AF lenses like I did – the Sony NEX-5 allows for continued usage of those aforesaid lenses and mates that with a lightweight, small body.

Unlike conventional DSLR models, the “mirrorless” construction of the new models reduces the thickness of both camera bodies to just about an inch at their slimmest point (excluding grip and mount portions). The NEX-5, constructed from magnesium alloy, and the NEX-3, with a polycarbonate casing, offer a newly developed 14.2 megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor. About 60 percent larger than sensors in micro four-thirds cameras, and up to 15 times larger than in many point and shoot cameras, the sensor is key to the exceptional image quality, extremely low image noise and creative defocus effects that are familiar to DSLR users.

Alongside the NEX-5, the NEX-3 was also announced. The NEX-5 and NEX-3 cameras, which come with the camera body and SEL16F28 lens will cost about $750 and $650 respectively.

[ Links: Sony, Sony NEX-5 ]

Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) today announced that PlayStation Move motion controller for PlayStation 3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system will launch worldwide this fall, offering a motion-based, high-definition gaming experience unlike anything on the market.

Concurrently with its launch, SCE will also release PlayStation Move sub-controller to be used along with the motion controller for intuitive navigation of in-game characters and objects. The PlayStation Move platform, including the motion controller, sub-controller and PlayStation Eye camera, together with a strong lineup of software titles, will deliver an innovative and highly immersive experience on the PS3 system.

The claim that the experience is “unlike anything on the market”… um, Nintendo Wii controllers?

The combination of the PS3 system and PlayStation Eye camera detects the precise movement, angle, and absolute position in 3D space of PlayStation Move motion controller, allowing users to intuitively play the game as if they themselves are within the game. PlayStation Move motion controller delivers unmatched accuracy through its advanced motion sensors, including a three-axis gyroscope, a three-axis accelerometer, and a terrestrial magnetic field sensor, as well as a color-changing sphere that is tracked by PlayStation Eye camera. Through PlayStation Move system, both fast and subtle motion can be detected, whether the user is swinging a tennis racket, or painting with a brush. With PlayStation Move motion controller, users can provide direct input through action buttons and an analog trigger, while receiving physical feedback from rumble functionality and visual feedback from the sphere’s ability to display a variety of different colors. Furthermore, PlayStation Eye camera can capture the player’s voice or image, enabling augmented reality experiences.

The newly announced PlayStation Move sub-controller is a one-handed controller, developed to further expand the game play options that PlayStation Move games can offer. PlayStation Move sub-controller features a sleek curved design that pairs with the motion controller and comes with an analog stick and directional buttons that allow users to easily control the game when moving characters or choosing a direction. Like all other Wireless Controllers for the PS3 system, it comes with a built in lithium-ion rechargeable battery as well as Bluetooth technology, enabling the controller to transfer the input information wirelessly to the PS3 system without a cable. PlayStation Move motion controller and sub-controller will further broaden the gaming experience on the PS3 system for all genres, from games that use one motion controller to games that use both controllers.

All combined with a game + PlayStation Move controllers should cost less than $100 USD.

In case you’ve not heard yet, if you’re the owner of a non-slim Sony PS3, or “phat” or “fat” Sony PlayStation 3, it’s in your best interest to not try to play any games until either a fix is in place or until the datetime error is fixed.

“As you may be aware, some customers have been unable to connect to the PlayStation Network today. This problem affects the models other than the new slim PS3.

We believe we have identified that this problem is being caused by a bug in the clock functionality incorporated in the system.

Errors include:

• The date of the PS3 system may be re-set to Jan 1, 2000.
• When the user tries to sign-in to the PlayStation Network, the following message appears on the screen; “An error has occurred. You have been signed out of PlayStation Network (8001050F)”.
• When the user tries to launch a game, the following error message appears on the screen and the trophy data may disappear; “Failed to install trophies. Please exit your game.”
• When the user tries to set the time and date of the system via the Internet, the following message appears on the screen; “The current date and time could not be obtained. (8001050F)”
• Users are not able to playback certain rental video downloaded from the PlayStation Store before the expiration date.

We hope to resolve this problem within the next 24 hours. In the meantime, if you have a model other than the new slim PS3, we advise that you do not use your PS3 system, as doing so may result in errors in some functionality, such as recording obtained trophies, and not being able to restore certain data.

Bad part… now that I cannot play my Sony PS3, I actually want to play it now.

UPDATE: Sony has “fixed” the problem, proceed with playing your games and collecting your trophies in peace now.

[ Links: PS3 IGN, Sony's Secret Warranty Timer? ]

Sony is displaying its new sports packs for select Handycam camcorders at PMA 2010.

The SPK-CXA and SPK-HCF sports packs consist of hard-plastic housings that shield the camera from moisture, like rain and snow, and particles, like dust and sand. They can be submerged for underwater video capture while snorkeling or swimming, as well as record audio with built-in stereo microphones.

The SPK-CXA features a compact design with stylish detail and is available now for about $300, while the SPK-HCF is a little larger for a wider range of compatibility and is available now for about $280.

Link to the original article…

Seems like all of the custom firmware, the cracked images and ISO’s and other methods to play Sony PSP games for “free” might all be coming to an end if the methods used by the upcoming Sony Computer Entertainment developed SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 3 title.

The new DRM employed by this SCEA game forces users to sign up online, use a voucher that’s included in the UMD version of the game. If you purchase the game used, you will have to purchase not only the used game, but another voucher for $20 in order to use the game.

I’m used to the feeling of how DRM treats your customers as a thief. It’s par for the course. But this seems like a bit of overkill on SCEA’s part. Whether or not this will become the standard way that SCEA games for the Sony PSP will be distributed; all this does is mask that Sony does indeed have a piracy problem. I do not feel this is the way to solve it.

SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 3 is in stores in the US now for $39.99.

Sony Computer Entertainment Japan announced that a limited edition PSP ‘Sweet Limited Package’ will become available on March 4, 2010, to coincide with the release of the new Blossom Pink PSP system.

Produced in collaboration with Jill Stuart, a highly popular women’s fashion brand from Sanei-International, the special package will be a limited offer at a recommended retail price of 21,000 yen.

The Sweet Limited Package comprises the PSP handheld entertainment system (PSP-3000) in an elegant Blossom Pink color, a special pouch and a cleaning cloth both designed specifically for the bundle pack by Jill Stuart and a 4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo. The special PSP pouch comes in a champagne-gold color with crystal embedded shoulder chain strap, allowing users to coordinate with their outfit and carry around their PSP more fashionably. The glittering silver Jill Stuart logo is printed on the cleaning cloth as well as on the package with pink crystal motif design.

Concurrently with the release of the Sweet Limited Package, SCEJ will also release ‘PSP Value Pack’ comprising the PSP-3000 system in Blossom Pink, Piano Black or Vibrant Blue color, a 4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo, a pouch and a cloth, as a limited offer at a RRP of 19,800 yen.

Link to the original article…

Call it the rumor that wouldn’t die. For decades, people in Japan have alleged that Sony installs a secret timer in its products that causes them to fail after a specific period of time.

Speculation about the existence of this so-called “Sony timer” emerged in the 1980s and 1990s as consumers grew increasingly suspicious of Sony devices that stopped working just after the warranty expired. According to the theory, Sony’s time-activated kill switches are designed to boost sales by driving consumers to purchase replacement parts, repairs, or new models (often the cheapest option) after a scheduled period.

Today, decades after the rumors began, people still talk about the Sony timer. In 2006, after a string of laptop explosions prompted a global recall of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries manufactured by Sony Energy Devices Corporation, Japanese Internet forums were flooded with sarcastic comments raving about how effective the latest generation of Sony timers had become.

Clearly, much of the speculation about hidden Sony timers is tongue-in-cheek, but some people appear to take the claims seriously, pointing to the suspiciously precise timing of product failures as evidence of foul play. Regardless of whether or not Sony timers actually exist, the company has been dogged by the perception that its products break down just outside warranty.

Although “Sony timer” has long been a household phrase in Japan, company officials have only rarely acknowledged the rumors in public. In June 2006, an executive who oversaw the establishment of the VAIO customer service center attracted attention when he mentioned the Sony timer in a speech at G-Force Japan, a large annual conference for the Japanese call center industry. “It’s absurd to think that Sony would install timers that cause products to fail just 13 months after purchase,” he told the audience. “But for some reason, people continue to have this perception. Our marketing, customer service and product development departments are making a deliberate and concerted effort to improve Sony’s image,” he said.

At a shareholders’ meeting in June 2007, in a speech outlining new measures to ensure product quality and improve the Sony brand image, former company president (current vice-chairman) Ryoji Chubachi admitted he knew the phrase “Sony timer.”

Despite the decades of rumors and speculation, nobody has ever proven the existence of the Sony timer. Skeptics argue that if such timers actually existed, a rival company would likely have found one and made it public. With this in mind, the Sony timer is widely considered an urban legend.

Link to the original article…

Batman: Arkham Asylum 2… yep, it’s coming for the Sony PS3 and Microsoft XBOX 360 sometime in 2010. Do want.

Hit up the Arkham Has Moved website for more.