Dutch PSPs reportedly recalled over custom firmware fears

[hockey2112]

From engadget...

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/07/d...irmware-fears/

Sony's already raised more than a few eyebrows in the Netherlands with its questionable methods of advertising the PSP, and it now looks like it could be drawing some ire as a result of changes to the console itself. According to MaxConsole, Sony has decided to recall all current PSPs from retailers in order to replace them with new, "unflashable" units, presumably in an attempt to clamp down on custom firmware. That bit of information comes from someone Max Console describes as a "reputable dutch distributor," who says that a number of large retail chains have already complied with the recall. From the sound of it, they don't appear to have gotten the updated consoles in return just yet though, leaving anyone shopping for a PSP out of luck for the time being.

edit from wraggster

Be wary, not everything maxconsole posts is true and sometimes just totally made up to get visitors, however time will tell.

[acn010]

well, that sucks for them

[DragonPimpsta]

Lol!

[Buddy4point0]

wow that sucks, but if these new psps are unflashable then how are they gonna use offical updates

[Nikolaos]

wow that sucks, but if these new psps are unflashable then how are they gonna use offical updates

exactly... its a bunch of bull $#@! lol.. this is fake guys, the psps now arent suppose to be flashable by US, now unless sony wants to give up their flashing rights, ours remain safe

[Accordion]

calm down

all it means [if true] is that all the psps will be sold with the latest firmware and not currently downgradable firmware.

[gunntims0103]

Is Sony really that dis trot about Custom Firmware.I'm actually surprised that Sony pays attention to the Homebrew scene in general..........

[Veskgar]

If something like this was ever true it would be one of my worst fears. I am constantly trying to get more friends, family, and even strangers into the wonderful PSP homebrew scene.

With no new downgraders likely for a long time, if at all, the growth and expansion of the scene could hit a stand still.

That may or may not be good thing. Nobody likes to see the influx of "n00b" posts after a new downgrader on issues that could easily be resolved themselves after a little bit of homework. But we were all "n00bs" at one point or another.

Another concern is piracy. Nobody wants to see the PSP engulfed and defeated by mass piracy but honestly, I don't buy the piracy argument used often when discussing the PSP's lacking sales. Why you ask? The Nintendo DS! Anyone can buy a SLOT 1 or other flash cart for the DS Lite nowadays and start using ROMS but that is not hurting DS hardware or software sales. At least not by any measurable means. The Nintendo DS Lite just appeals to a broader audience across all demographics. I mean hell, I could probably convince my Mom and Grandmother to play with a Nintendo DS Lite due to the simplistic puzzle games that include crosswords and stuff. But if I put a PSP in their hands, they would think it was a little too "technical" for their taste.

The PSP sells less because the target audience was smaller. SONY knew this. And although the target audience has been gradually growing, lets face it, the PSP and the games don't appeal to as wide a variety of people. Another thing I have noticed is that people in the market for a gaming device for their children overlook the PSP because it appears to be too delicate.

The PSP is more resilient than it looks. My first PSP has been dropped a couple times, left on for hours on end, its crashed many times with homebrew experimentation, its had stuff spilled on it, its been played with and handled roughly by kids, etc. etc. etc.

And if I take some windex and clean it thoroughly, that PSP which is now 2 1/2 years old still looks and plays like new.

But anyway, back to the point, this could also be another challenge that hackers and devs like Dark_AleX and Fanjita love to take on. The more SONY limits the use of the PSP, the stronger our resolve as a homebrew community/scene becomes.

So I hope the PSP homebrew scene continues to grow, develop, and live on for many years to come.

[acn010]

the only thing that i have in mind that is the umd suppose to be copy protected... so why so easy to rip them????? that i have no clue how it goes

[Tesseract]

Is Sony really that dis trot about Custom Firmware.I'm actually surprised that Sony pays attention to the Homebrew scene in general..........

Actually, I recall an interview with a SONY rep who mentioned that the RSS feature was implemented after observing the Homebrew scene.

Trust me... they're watching. Hopefully they learn more useful stuff!

And I agree with the running mindset that 'unflashable' just wouldn't work 'cause they'd then have no way to distribute 'Official' updates.