Here's a new one... rumor has it Datel, longtime developer and manufacturer of videogame enhancement products, has beat conventional PSP hackers in unlocking the PSP 3000 console.
To quote: The breakthrough was made by Datel, thanks to their newest tool battery that will put the PSP 3K into service mode. Okay, what does this exactly do? According to their post, service mode allows you to downgrade your PSP for you to do whatever you may want to do with it, basically.
So. Here's the deal. In order for you to enable the service mode on your PSP 2K and 3K models, you'll need Datel's new crypto processor based battery called the Lite Blue Tool battery.
It comes with toggle options between a service mode and normal mode, as well as a built in LED power gauge feature! Datel's Lite Blue Tool comes to your nearest store on November 28th for a mere US$ 19.99 (UK) and US$ 29.99 (NA).
After the secret source code for its then-unreleased shooter Half Life 2 showed up on file sharing services in 2003, game-maker Valve Software cooked up an elaborate ruse with the FBI targeting the German hacker suspected in the leak, even setting up a fake job interview in an effort to lure him to the United States for arrest.
The gambit ultimately failed, and Axel "Ago" Gembe remained safely in Germany. He was indicted last month in Los Angeles on new charges of creating the Agobot malware, and sharing it with a crew of U.S. hackers who used it to stage denial-of-service attacks in 2003.
In September 2003, the source code for the much-anticipated Half Life 2 game turned up online, and Valve's managing director, Gabe Newell, revealed that the company's network had been breached. In a post to the company's Web forum, Newell asked for gamer's assistance in finding the hackers responsible.
"If you have information about ... the infiltratio... More »
Hexus (linked above) is reporting that hackers are 'bamboozled' by the security on the PSP-3000. They discuss whether a hack will be found, and explore the possibility that Sony has won its battle against PSP piracy and homebrew.
To quote: It's still early days in the life of the PSP-3000, which was released approximately 3 weeks ago, but Sony will be happy to hear that hackers have so far failed to exploit the latest hardware revision.
So far hackers have only been able to swap its CPU with that of a PSP Slim, but haven't been able to exploit the hardware in the same way as previous models.
Dark_AleX, one of the most popular PSP sites for the hacking and homebrew community, has been unable to find a work around to hack the hand-held and the community as a whole appear to be stumped as to whether it will even be possible.
If it can't be hacked then Sony will have finally won its long battle against piracy and the homebrew comm... More »
Microsoft's Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program aims to deter the use of illegally copied versions of Windows, but it may end up helping hackers in China.
Microsoft's WGA program tests Windows installations to determine whether they have been legally purchased. As implemented in some countries, like China, WGA turns the user's desktop background black when it detects an illegal copy of Windows. The goal is to encourage users to pay for legitimate software.
According to a BSA-IDC study, 82% of PC software in China is pirated.
The so-called "black screen of death" -- which doesn't impede computer function like Microsoft's "blue screen of death" -- has prompted an outcry against what Chinese users... More »
PushingPlay.com (linked above) has shared 7 things consumers should take note of while comparing the new DSi to the 'old' DS Lite. To quote:
Camera - While 2 cameras have been added, only one is visible while playing your games (the other is on the backside). This camera subscribes to the apple webcam mentality that you should ALWAYS have a lens pointed at you.
Finish - The DS Lite had a slightly shiny glossed finish, while the new one seems to be a bit more matte. Maybe this will mean less greasy fingerprints!
Power button - The DS Phat had the power button on the face. The Lite went with the power slider on the side of the system. It looks like the new DS is bringing it back to the old school and putting a power button on the face of the unit. It looks like it doesn’t stick out at all so it is probably pretty hard to hit accidentally.
Screen - Although it’s tough tell in pictures because the systems aren’t to scale, the new DS... More »
Unauthorized hacking of the PSP has been a serious problem for Sony ever since enterprising hackers managed to run unsigned code on the PSP-1000 back in 2005. The ability to revert to an unprotected version of the firmware, and later the ability to install completely custom pirate firmware has enabled some owners to play pirated PSP games downloaded from the Internet.
By some accounts, developers like Ready at Dawn and Capcom have lost more than 50% of their prospective revenues to software piracy. One estimate has software producers losing more than $4 million per week to piracy. In June, SCEE President David Reeves stated that “There is a piracy problem on the PSP. We know about it, we know how it’s done. It sometimes fuels the growth of hardware sales, but on balance we are not happy about it.”
Clearly, defeating piracy is one of the biggest concerns facing designers at Sony. It appears that the company may be planning to take some drastic step... More »
Recoding has suggested that Sony would do the following if the PSP was hack free...
1) Better games
2) Direct PSN access on PSP XMB
3) Flash player upgrade
4) Partnership with Youtube
5) Music download service
6) Ability to purchase all games digitally
7) PSP arcade
To quote: What would a Hacker-Free PSP community be like? Sony has tried for the last 3 years to make the PSP Hack-free, but have failed because of those genius kids. Now there aren’t anymore hackers, Sony has rejoiced and are now looking into making the PSP much better. With hackers being gone Sony announces the following:
o Numerous Games- Socom FTB3, Killzone Liberations 2, Playstation HOME Portable.
o Direct PSN Access on PSP XMB- Sony announces Trophies and Playstation Store PSP.
o Flash Player Upgrade- Sony updates the PSP Flash Player to newest. Videos are not able to stream online.
o Partnership with YouTube.com- Sony and... More »
Reports are circulating that a quantum cryptographic chip that uses light particles to encrypt data during electronic transfer could throw off hackers once and for all.
To quote: Imagine an encrypted data chip so secure that even the greatest hackers in history would find impossible to crack. That chip is very much a reality thanks to the combined efforts of Siemens, Austrian Research Centers (ARC) and Graz University of Technology who have teamed up to create the first quantum cryptology chip for commercial use to ensure securer electronic communication.
The lock protects data using a random sequence of numbers from light particles. At the moment, data is protected using a key distribution system based on mathematical algorithms. But, with enough time and effort, those algorithms can be cracked. The quantum cryptographic light lock, on the other hand, takes advantage of the laws of nature by using photons—individual light particles—to create completely ... More »
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