PSP firmware 2.00 set to release. Specs inside
Jul 23, 2005 at 6:30 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 10

RnB180

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http://psp.ign.com/articles/635/635505p1.html

Quote:

NETWORK - Internet Browser - The biggie of the bunch, a new browser function has been added to the PSP so that you can connect to a website any time you are in the area of a compatible / accessible WiFi hotspot. The browser supports standard 4.01 HTML, but will not support Flash (although it is listed what sounds to be a sniffer function for Flash to show when it is requested but not available ... might it be part of the PSP brower someday?)

NETWORK - New Network Menu - This is where the web browser will be housed. The icon for it will be a globe, and it'll cycle in with the music note, film frame, and game logos.

VIDEO - Jump Feature in UMD Video/Music - Yes, it doesn't sound nearly as interesting as our original translation of "Performance Jump." It's a new skipping feature in UMDs, perhaps direct chapter access control or something to that effect.

VIDEO - A-B Repeat Mode - A handy feature for watching clips you like, this feature allows UMD Video, Music or Memory Stick videos to repeat your favorite scenes

VIDEO - 4x3 Video Mode of Memory Stick Video - We're not sure what this accomplishes, as videos were already 4x3. The only way for videos to be bigger and wider was to cheat the system and stretch would-be 4x3 pixels in odd ways with alternate apps.

VIDEO - Audio Adjustment Function of Memory Stick Video - Seems to be muting and gain controls for when your homemade videos are not the way you want.

VIDEO - MP4 (AVC) Playback - This is the good stuff. Homemade PSP videos have so far been hobbled by limited codec implementation and an adherence to a regulated Memory Stick standard. Instead, the PSP is finally allowed to branch out and play more complex, high-quality video in the advanced h.264 codec. Exact implementation of the AVC codec may still depend on certain variables, but get your compressors ready.

MUSIC - ATRAC3plus Support on PRO Duo - Correcting a silly technical gaff in the Memory Stick format, music fans can now put ATRAC3plus files on their PSPs. (SonicStage v3.2 software is required.)
MP4 AAC & WAVE Support - The PSP can now play MP4 audio (MP4's AAC format) as well as Linear PCM WAVE files.

PHOTO - Wallpaper Feature - We're guessing this is the much-requested feature for taking your favorite pictures and smacking them in the background of the PSP menu. There's no mention of a randomizer or anything else that would make this feature even more cool, but at last, something other than that swishy swirl on this month's color.

PHOTO - Picture Sending - You can now trade photos with other PSP owners over an ad-hoc (local) wireless connection

PHOTO - New Formats - The PSP can now read TIFF, GIF (we're not sure about animated GIF yet) and BMP files.

SETTING - Korean Language - A new language option on the menu. That'll be nice for them

SETTING - New Character Set - No details available on this -- hopefully, this is a quick-select for punctuation and other hard-to-type characters.

SETTING - Theme Setting - No details.

SETTING - Internet Browser Restriction Setting - A set of options for configuring the access your PSP has to the net, presumably your cookie and personal security handling.

SETTING - WPA Support - If WEP isn't secure enough for your home, you can now access PSP with WPA-PSK (TKIP.)

SETTING - Web Support on Keypad - It's unfortunately not as cool as it sounds (we were hoping for USB keyboard support to be added, as there are a couple of USB manufacturers with mini-keyboards on deck.) The old dial-a-letter keyboard will be the input for the web browser.


 
Jul 28, 2005 at 1:22 AM Post #2 of 10
This is cool. I'm posting from my psp. I couldn't wait, so I installed the Japanese version. The only complaint I have is the text entry sucks.
 
Jul 28, 2005 at 1:40 AM Post #3 of 10
Would be cool if there was a mini USB keyboard that would work with the PSP.

I wonder if the new firmware will have "features" that look for emulator programs and such and delete them or cause problems?

XBox did it with Live updates.

-Ed
 
Jul 28, 2005 at 1:48 AM Post #4 of 10
Quote:

Originally Posted by Edwood
I wonder if the new firmware will have "features" that look for emulator programs and such and delete them or cause problems?


Read the bottom of the page here.
 
Jul 28, 2005 at 10:39 AM Post #6 of 10
Quote:

Originally Posted by Edwood
Would be cool if there was a mini USB keyboard that would work with the PSP.

-Ed



I hope so. Typing anything on that god awful text entry mode takes forever.
 
Jul 28, 2005 at 11:06 AM Post #7 of 10
Quote:

Originally Posted by Edwood
I wonder if the new firmware will have "features" that look for emulator programs and such and delete them or cause problems?.


Probably not delete them, as most users will have their ROMS and emu programs backed up on their computers anyways. As Rick linked above, I'm pretty positive that they've added some security enhancements that will make it much more difficult to run homebrew applications.

Part of the reason why I bought the PSP was for the possibility of emulation. The possibility of rampant piracy is an unfortunate reality that comes with the ability to homebrew. I wish there would be some way to completely encrypt the UMD material, but leave the door open for open source development. Of course, it is probably in Sony's best financial interests to allow only licensed materials to run on the PSP, as I've heard that they lose money on the hardware -- but they kind of took a half-assed middleground approach to this because they gave us the ability to use a memory stick for unlicensed MP3 and video playback yet frustratingly crippled the features of its firmware. 2.0 adds some functionality, yet the Sony firmware will probably never reach the level of development that is already out there just several months on the homebrew scene.

With perfect NES emulation, very good Genesis emulation, SNES and MAME emus making some headway, and a slew of semi-interesting homebrew games and applications, I'm very content with the way my PSP is now, so I won't be upgrading my firmware anytime in the near future.
 
Jul 28, 2005 at 2:17 PM Post #9 of 10
Anyone know if they are planning on releasing some sore of emulator in future releases? It kind of sucks that you have to stick with 1.5 to run the emulated games... especially since sony has released an emulator for developers.

Should be getting my PSP today, cant wait to play the games that I bought.
biggrin.gif
 

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