129w ago - Today Spanish PS3 developer JaicraB has posted an update on his blog (linked above) of what appears to be a PS3 special execution mode WIP.

With it, he may be able to get the PS3 into service mode (possibly for downgrading and other delightful things) so let us hail him and hope there is more to come for us all.

For those who missed it, a few months back RichDevX also noted some progress in this area using a PSGroove Payload for PS3 Service Mode.

Some pictures are posted below, and to quote roughly translated:

"Look at this...., It seems not only egocentrics know how to do things and then sell their products.

A gift for DemonHades, Happy birthday to you !"

129w ago - SCEE European Product Manager Adam Grant has detailed the PlayStation Minis PSN round-up for the new month today, as follows:

Super Fruitfall from System 3 Software

Super Fruitfall is the perfect puzzle game for entertaining and challenging players of all ages and abilities.

Super Fruitfall is easy to learn but its super-addictive gameplay will keep you coming back for more.

Level after level of puzzle action will put your head in a spin as your fruit tumble around the screen. Group the fruits together in straight lines to remove them from the screen or cunningly stack them to clear more than one fruit type and earn big bonuses.

Edge from Mobigame

Develop your telekinetic strength by pushing a Cube within a geometric universe. Platforms, enigmas and reflexes combine to make Edge a rich and comprehensive game.

• 46 levels to challenge
• 18 unique tunes!
• A simple, addictive game for every type of player

Winner of multiple awards including Best Mobile Game at Videogame Festival Milthon Award, Paris

See the gameplay video at mobigame.net.

PAC-MAN Championship Edition from Namco Bandai Networks Europe, Ltd.

PAC-MAN...

130w ago - Today halsafar has released a VBA PS3 port v0.9.9 which is a GameBoy / GBA Emulator that includes shaders followed by some updates below.

Download: VBA PS3 v0.9.9 Port (3.41 FW only) / VBA PS3 v0.9.9.1 Port (3.41 FW only) / Visual Boy Advance PS3 1.01 (FW 3.41/Geohot CFW 3.55) / SVN

To quote: I am pleased to finally release my teams port of VBA (Visual Boy Advance) to the public. It is a clean port of the most recent VBA-M emulator, that is fully functional, equal to our teams SNES9X-PS3 and FCEU-PS3 releases.

We spent some time optimizing it. The VBA-M source is not conducive to being run on the PPU. After applying many small optimizations we have obtained 60fps in all the important games. Enjoy GB and GBA with shaders!

From the VBA PS3 Version 0.9.9 readme file:

1. CURRENTLY IMPLEMENTED VBA-M FUNCTIONS

* Saving/loading of SRAM
* Savestate loading/saving support
- Savestate slot selectable in-game
- Up to 10 saveslots

2. CONTROLS

2.1.1 CONTROLS...

130w ago - PlayStation Store Senior Manager Grace Chen is here with this weeks US PSN updates today, as follows:

Hi Everyone - It's time for the weekly PlayStation Store Update.

PlayStation Plus

Free Games
Vector TD - minis (Free to PlayStation Plus Subscribers, regular price $3.99)

Discounted Games
Dead Nation (20% off) (PlayStation Plus price $11.99, regular price $14.99)
Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (50% off) (PlayStation Plus price $3.00, regular price $5.99)
Twisted Metal 2 (50% off) (PlayStation Plus price $3.00, regular price $5.99)
Blockids - PSone Import (50% off) (PlayStation Plus price $3.00, regular price $5.99)
Dezaemon Plus - Psone Import (50% off) (PlayStation Plus price $3.00, regular price $5.99)

Free Themes
Smoke and Mist (Free and exclusive to PlayStation Plus Subscribers)
PlayStation 15th Anniversary Dynamic Theme (Free to PlayStation Plus Subscribers, regular price $2.99)

Updates

Hot Shots Golf 2 - Sale (PS3/PSP) (now $2.99, original price $5.99) **Part of the PlayStation 15th Anniversary Sale
Uno PS3 - Sale (PS3) (now $0.99, original price $7.99)
Dynogems - Minis - Sale (PS3/PSP) (now $1.49, original price $1.99)
Tehra: Dark...

130w ago - Today Sony Senior Vice President of Sales Tim Bender has made available a new video featuring Kevin Butler dubbed PlayStation 3 - It Only Does Unstoppable Deals.

To quote: I hope you all had a great holiday weekend and managed to squeeze in some quality time with your family and of course, your PS3!

Many of you took advantage of our great Black Friday promotions at retailers around the country last week, but if getting in line at 6:00am to begin your shopping wasn't your idea of fun, you'll be happy to know there are still amazing deals to be found.

It's not too late to get a great deal on a PlayStation 3 bundle while upgrading your home's HD entertainment system, so you can enjoy the latest in HD gaming, movies and television in the comfort of your own home.

You may remember that last year we joined forces with Sony Electronics and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment to introduce you to BestBuy employee Nick DeVita and a deal so irresistible, many found it hard to pass up.

The response to the exclusive BestBuy entertainment bundle confirmed what we've known all along; today's consumers have a voracious appetite for the best in home entertainment. That's...