70w ago - Today PlayStation 3 hacker KaKaRoToKS has posted a status update on the PS3 4.0 Homebrew Enabler (HEN), which comes just six weeks since the previous confirmation that it indeed works on Sony's latest Firmware version.

To quote: Here’s a “quick” status update on the 4.00 HEN (Homebrew ENabler) for PS3.

Following my clarifications from almost 2 months ago here, there has been a lot of progress. We have not been slacking off, we’re a group of about 10 developers working together for the last 2 months, for sometimes 15 hours everyday in order to bring back homebrew support to the latest version of the PS3.

There are three major parts to the HEN, first, getting the packages to install on the PS3, that part is done, completed, tested, debugged, etc.. the second part is to get the apps to run, that one still has major issues... the last part is something I will not discuss for now (it’s a surprise) but it’s about 60% to 70% done (and it has nothing to do with peek&poke and has nothing to do with backup managers or anything...

96w ago - Following up on the recent video footage, today Spanish PlayStation 3 CFW developers DemonHades and JaicraB have shared a status update and pics on the upcoming JFW DH PS3 Custom Firmware.

Download: Base PS3 FW Instructions (PDF) / MinVerChk Minimum PS3 Version Check Tool for PS3 / OpenPStore SVN

To quote, roughly translated:

Percentage Level of Development

• Central-Core - 100%
  
• Cobra-Payload - 60%
  
• Linux - 95%
  
• Preloader - 90%
  
• XMB Categories - 95%
  
• Thegra Manager - 25%
  
• Thegra - 100%
  
• Services Packs - 0%
  
• OpenPStore - 50%
  

New categories such as Multimedia, PS3 Loader, Thegra, Homebrew, Emulators, manager set aside the typical native application. Photos, Music, Videos, TV, disappear to make way for Multimedia.

New Category

This new category gives rise to a union of native options like photo, music and video. This new category will appear the famous player Showtime,...

132w ago - A few days back we reported on the PlayStation Home Client Update version 1.4 patch notes, which arrives on November 11, and today PlayStationLifeStyle.net (linked above) has made available some leaked PlayStation Home screenshots that indicate a new PDA System, Status Updates and pets for Sony's virtual world are incoming.

While there is no confirmation yet if these changes will be included in the 1.4 update or shortly thereafter, based on the pictures they are definitely coming soon.

To quote: "Locust_Star confirmed that the Home wardrobe system would be experiencing a significant overhaul, and it appears that part of that overhaul will mean simpler, faster interface options through the PDA, much like the new start-up screen that users are used to.

Next we notice that users will now have the ability to select a status for their avatar, making it easier to let others know that you don't want to be bothered, or that you want to get a game going; this may even grant users the ability to change facial expressions, which many have been asking...

134w ago - Update: Several users have confirmed that Sony's PlayStation Rewards invites are indeed going out and the program is now live!

Sony PlayStation Network Sr. Director Susan Panico has introduced PlayStation Rewards today, where PlayStation fans can earn exclusive status and recognition.

To quote: Today, we're excited to share news of the launch of PlayStation Rewards, a new program that recognizes and rewards our users for simply doing what they love - playing games and interacting with the entertainment content that PlayStation has to offer.

We really wanted to create something that says, "thank you" for being a loyal PlayStation fan.

In its initial launch tomorrow (Oct. 28th), PlayStation Rewards will be an invitation-only beta to all eligible PlayStation Plus and Gamer Advisory Panel (GAP) members. We're kicking things off as a beta so that we can get feedback from our most loyal fans in order to make it the best possible rewards program it can be.

It's also worth noting that during the beta phase, the program will be focused on PlayStation 3 owners, but we hope to include PSP users as well not too far down the road. Oh, and one more thing: PlayStation Rewards will be free...

137w ago - Today Head of Production Ben Creasey has detailed this weeks VidZone PS3 update, which includes a Chase & Status exclusive and more, as follows:

Chase & Status have been ON... FIRE... recently and let's just say the fire brigade haven't got a chance against this inferno.

Especially now with a massive freshly thrown Molotov cocktail fuelling the fire in the shape of their new single "Hypest Hype" featuring Tempa T, and guess who has got exclusive rights to fan the fire with the first play of their new video on the 7th of October? VidZone of course!

So watch it and fall in love, then you can download the track FOR FREE from www.chaseandstatus.co.uk on the 8th of November. Which is about as nice as you can be... Isn't it? The answer is yes.

Even Zane Lowe thinks so, so much so he has been his "HOTTEST RECORD IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW".