Dark Alex`s Custom Firmware/Popstation Release is most likely the biggest release of the year and thanks to all involved.

Now Sonys ballplan was to get the PSP -PS3 machine going which increases sales of both consoles and of their Network store. But thats all changed now.

Sony are bound to lose money over this and like most companys will react to this, we know they forced the closure of the PSP Software wiki in Japan over Devhook. Will they now have a go at the PSP Hacking Scene over this?

I would think that a new firmware will be released but this release will send shivers through them.

Its sure gonna be an interesting month or two ahead

But anyway my thanks to Dark Alex and the team for a killer release. Im even thinking of buying another PSP with 2.71 firmware on just to use this custom firmware. ...

new release via joek2100

heres what joek2100 had to say-

This is for 3.02OE-A and has been tested with it.

This is a modified version of the opensource mp3 prx for irshell. It will play
mp3 files from ms0:/PSP/MUSIC (if you don't change the config).
It has random and sequential play modes, pause, next and a builtin "overclocker".

This new version (0.4c) has a config file located in seplugins/mp3conf.txt. See that file
to customize controls or change the mp3 directory.

seplugins/irsmp3.prx is the plugin. Read an 3.02OE (or higher) plugin install guide herenear the bottom of the first post, look for "How to Install PRX's Manually".
You could also copy the seplugins directory to the root of your memory stick if you don't have
any other plugins installed.

Having too many prxs loading at the same time can reduce compatibility or
prevent it from working properly.

It is also a good idea to wait until the game is finished loading up before starting playback.

Unlike what I said yesterday, this wont be my last release...

Default Controls:
(The Note button is to the left of select)
Note + Left Trigger = pause/resume playback
Note + Right Trigger = switch playback mode between random and seqeuntial
Note + D-Pad Left = previous song (only in sequential mode)
Note + D-Pad Right = next song
Note + D-Pad Up = Volume up (for the mp3)
Note + D-Pad Down = Volume Down (for the mp3)
Note + Triangle = Change CPU speed
Note + Square = Toggle On Screen Display (default off)
Note + Circle = Reload list of mp3 files (needed if you change the files in the music folder using usb)
(when READY is displayed in the bottom left hand corner, press Note+ Left Trigger to start playback)
Note + Cross = Change brightness level (from current up to maximum
Changelog:
0.1: Initial release
0.2: Fixed usb,suspend and resume bugs
Added a seperate flasher for vsh mode
0.2b: Fixed a bug which could crash the psp if the mp3 filename was too long (Note there is still a limit of 100 mp3 files)
Added subdirectory scanning (there can be any number of subdirectories)
Added previous mode in Sequential mode
Modified the controls
0.2c: Fixed a bug that would cause a crash if there were more than the max # of mp3s on the memorystick
Raised the playlist limit to 300 files
Made on screen display off by default because it sometimes causes a crash
Moved allocation of playlist to user mem. This may increase compatibility.
0.3: Re-did the playlist code so no memory allocation is needed. This saves alot of mem and will reduce crashes.
Reset to default CPU speed on exit
0.3a: Added more CPU speeds
Added a brightness toggle including maximum brightness(the one that normally requires your psp to be plugged in) (NOTE+X)
0.3b: Added an independent volume button
Should startup faster
Made the on screen display stay on when Note + Square is pressed
Added volume and filename to the on screen display
0.4: Fixed for use under 3.02OE (probably final release)
0.4b: Uploaded fixed vsh.txt
0.4c: Added a config file ms0:/seplugins/mp3conf.txt to change the MP3 playback directory and have custom controls

download and give feedback via comment
via joek2100 ...

new release via Vermillion

heres what Vermillion had to say-

Ok, Instrulator is a Instrument Simulator coded in lua, it can help people learn the art of music, when they don't have the real thing!



Changelog:
*Sounds can be played at the same time!
*Now includes a menu and trumpet simulator!
*Better Bass Drum Sound

TacticalPenguin helped my get multiple sounds at once working.

As you can see, i really need more requests for instruments, if i don't get any i will do a piano with the different keys (A,G,C and such...)

download and give feedback via comment
via Vermillion ...

Files / Tools you will need -

• 3.02 OE-A Pack
• Clean 1.5 Firmware Eboot
• Clean 3.02 Firmware Eboot
• A NON TA-082 PSP!

NOTE: Your PSP will need to be 1.50 or using the 2.71 SE firmware to be able to do this
__________________

1. Once you have downloaded these files, extract them all to a new folder. Preferably on the desktop for ease of use.
   
2. Place your 1.50 and 3.02 eboots inside the "oeupdmaker" folder, with the names "150.PBP" and "302.PBP"
   
   Like this -
   
   
   
3. You will then need to copy the "oeupdmaker" folder and the "oeupdmaker%" to your PSP. If you're using 1.50, then copy them to your "GAME" folder, if you're using 2.71 SE-A, B or C, then they need to go into the "GAME150" folder.
   
4. Run this program, it DOES NOT FLASH your PSP. It will create a file called "DATA.DXAR". Copy this file into the folder called "302oeflasher" on your computer
   NOTE: Lots of people have problems with this stage, make sure your 1.50 eboot is called "150.PBP" and your 3.02 eboot is called "302.PBP".
   
5. Back-up everything on your memory stick, then format. Extra safety precaution.
   
6. Copy over the "302oeflasher" and "302oeflasher%" folders to the PSP, into either the "GAME" folder, or the "GAME150" depending on your firmware version
   
7. Make sure your PSP battery is fully charged, then run the program
   
8. Alternately, plug-in your charger, then run the program, then hold down the L and Triangle button to bypass the battery check and go to the flashing stage
   
9. Accept the agreement and begin to flash your new firmware! If you have followed this method word for word you should no troubles. You will need to restart your PSP manually (hold the power button until it turns off, then turn on again) after the program has finished.
   

Check your System Firmware, welcome to OE-A!
__________________



Files / Tools you will need -

• 3.02 OE-B update pack

NOTE: You MUST MUST MUST update to 3.02 OE-A before doing this
__________________

1. Create a folder on your PSP named "GAME150" inside the folder named "PSP"
2. Extract the archive and place the folder named "OEB_UPDATE" into "GAME150"
3. Run the program and laugh at how quick it is and the file named "popcorn.prx" that appears when you run it

Check your System Firmware, welcome to OE-B!
__________________



Files / Tools you will need -

• UltraISO or Alcohol 120% to rip the game from disc. People are reporting problems with other programs, stick to these two, they're very reliable (in .ISO, .BIN or .IMG format)
• Popstation, which comes inside the OE-B pack
• cygwin1.dll
• Hot Shots Golf 2 from the Playstation Store. You can purchase it from the Playstation 3 store.

DON'T ASK FOR HOT SHOTS GOLF 2 ANYWHERE IN THIS THREAD
DON'T ASK FOR HOT SHOTS GOLF 2 ANYWHERE IN THIS THREAD
DON'T ASK FOR HOT SHOTS GOLF 2 ANYWHERE IN THIS THREAD

NOTE: Your PSP must be OE-B for this to work!
__________________

1. Put your PSOne disc in the drive and start UltraISO or your program of choice
2. Save the disc-image as either .ISO, .BIN or .IMG in the popstation folder. People have different results with each format so I recommend you try it with each format! Make sure it is uncompressed and a perfect copy! Make sure you have no other programs running whilst ripping, it can AND will mess up your rip!
3. To make things easier, place your "popstation" folder on the desktop, with "cygwin1.dll" inside and the "EBOOT.PBP" & "KEYS.BIN" files from Hot Shots Golf 2 and your recently ripped disc-image
4. Now the tricky part. Go to START > RUN then type "cmd" (without the quotes obviously). This should bring up a DOS prompt. Type "cd Desktop\popstation" (without quotes, again).
   
5. The next step is to RENAME the "EBOOT.PBP" to "BASE.PBP"
6. We're there now - in the command prompt type "popstation yourfilename.yourfileextension" and let it run
   
   For example -
   
   
   
   The image above is an excellent example of how to run popstation and type in the correct command, follow it and you should be fine
   
7. Now, create a new folder under "GAME" on your Memory Stick and copy the generated "EBOOT.PBP" and "KEYS.BIN" in and run! Enjoy completely ****ing Sony over in every possible way!
   

NOTE: Your generated EBOOT.PBP file will use the Hot Shots Golf 2 icons, if you want to create your ...

The Release of Dark Alexs Custom Firmware yesterday that lets you play any PSX Game at Full Speed on your PSP has shook the PSP Scene to its foundations, so much i had to reset the server again last night ( and stuffed our counter that shows whos online- which is only showing those on the forums now and not those on the sites but 2500 on the forums alone is damn impressive)

Today Danny Kay and Quake have released Popstation Guis to help those converting their own PSX games to the format needed to play.

All the files are in the zips supplied (one has all the files, one has just the GUI)

Download and Give Feedback via Comments
via psphacks ...

Mediumguage has updated his text reader and file manager for the PSP to v1.0

Heres the translated (via crappy google)Whats New:


Download and Give Feedback via Comments ...

Art has released a new version of his firmware modification program for the PSP, heres whats new in this release:

.

Download and Give Feedback Via Comments ...

via pspfanboy

2006 was a stellar year for the PSP, with countless gems hitting the system throughout the year. 2007 looks to be no different, and while we drink eggnog today, let's look towards the future with our currently most-anticipated titles. Who said the PSP was dying?

Rainbow Six: Vegas, from Ubisoft
The Warriors, from Rockstar
Gurumin, from Mastiff
HOT PXL, from Atari
Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters, from Sony
Valhalla Knights, from XSEED Games
Burnout: Dominator, from EA
After Burner: Black Falcon, from Sega
Full Auto 2: Battlelines, from Sega
Gran Turismo Mobile, from Sony (maybe?)
Dead Head Fred, from D3
Xyanide Resurrection, from Playlogic
Chili Con Carnage, from Eidos
Elder Scrolls Travels: Oblivion, from Bethesda Softworks
Silent Hill Origins, from Konami
Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core, from Square Enix
Jeanne d'Arc, from Sony ...

via pspfanboy

Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops currently stands as the best PSP game of the year, at least according to PSP Fanboy readers. So, it should come as no surprise that this fully-featured PSP-exclusive sequel is selling well. In fact, according to Jeux France, it appears as if Kojima's latest has sold 100,000 copies in Japan... in day one alone.

There's no doubt that the US version is also selling quite briskly. Hopefully, these sales are good enough to warrant a sequel, as previous promised. The game's now available for US blokes, and is coming next year for the European territories. ...