121w ago - Since the previous PSP2 Dev Kit picture leak, Kotaku (linked above) has now posted what may be the first leaked official retail picture of Sony's PSP2 handheld console while VG247.com reports that Sony will reveal the PSP2 on January 27th in Tokyo.

To quote: This art work surfaced online today on 2CH, Japan's largest online forum.

The photo features a handheld believed to be the PSP2, which has a PSPgo style sliding shell. There is a 32 GB SD memory card as well, plus a "PSP2" Memory Stick. There is a long, thin stylus as well. According to Japan's Nikkei newspaper, the PSP2 will have a touch screen.

Unlike the current PSP, there are two analog nubs, giving this handheld a controller layout similar to the PS3.

What is fishy about the picture is that it appears to be a photograph of a handout of some kind. While handouts may be present at the January 27 press conference, it's also a good way for a Photoshopper to hide their work, as it masks any differences in resolution you'd be able to detect in an online image.

Going by the codename VITA, PSP2 has been in the...

122w ago - Since the news first broke of Sony taking legal action against PlayStation 3 hacker GeoHot, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has now posted a report on their views of the current pending case.

To quote: "Sony v. Hotz: Sony Sends A Dangerous Message to Researchers - and Its Customers

For years, EFF has been warning that the anti-circumvention provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act can be used to chill speech, particularly security research, because legitimate researchers will be afraid to publish their results lest they be accused of circumventing a technological protection measure. We've also been concerned that the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act could be abused to try to make alleged contract violations into crimes.

We've never been sorrier to be right. These two things are precisely what's happening in Sony v. Hotz. If you have missed this one, Sony has sued several security researchers for publishing information about security holes in Sony's PlayStation 3. At first glance, it's hard to see why Sony is bothering...

122w ago - Previously we reported on a PSN ban rumor which was followed by speculation on preventing bans, and today Dutch site PS3-Sense (linked above) claims that according to SKFU Sony plans to combat PS3 piracy with Blu-ray disc serial keys.

Similar to what's been done with PC games in the past, when you buy a PS3 or PSN game you'll get a serial key with it which you can use up to 5 times.

This gives Sony a signal that you are authorized to play the game and that you have a legal copy of the game, and the serial key only works with the same Blu-ray disc with the same serial number.

To quote, roughly translated: "From a very reliable source (SKFU) we have heard a striking new feature of the PS3. The feature would be present even at the PlayStation Network but is currently still hidden.

It is a serial system which Sony will soon start working on. Since the root keys are on the street you can see every homebrew tool (including backup...

122w ago - Approximately two months passed since the last PlayStation Portable Firmware update, and today Sony's VP of Network Operations Americas Eric Lempel has announced that PSP System Software update version 6.37 is incoming.

Download: PSP Firmware 6.37 Update (US) / PSP Firmware 6.37 Update (EU) / PSPgo Firmware 6.37 Update (US) (PSP-N100x only)

While many suspect the latest PSP update will inevitably patch the recent PSP exploit present in version 6.35 and the resulting PSP 6.35 HEN alongside the PSP Signed Reflection,...

123w ago - Today Sony's VP of Product Marketing Scott Steinberg has shared two new PlayStation 3: It Only Does Endless Fun videos featuring Kevin Butler.

To quote: I'm joining you today to give the community the first look at something many of you have been asking for - Kevin Butler offering his unique twist on LittleBigPlanet 2.

In this latest ad Kevin joins us as the VP of Infinite Infinity, referring of course to the endless possibilities that arise when you combine LittleBigPlanet 2's new features and functionality with access to the over 3.2 million existing online levels created with the original LittleBigPlanet.





This spot is one of my personal favorites to date.





In the coming weeks you'll be seeing a lot of LittleBigPlanet 2, starting today with this Kevin Butler ad as well as the video above which features some of the great levels created during the LittleBigPlanet 2 beta. Both will be rotating on some of your favorite networks including ESPN, G4, Comedy Central, and more.

Of...