PS3 Exploit Released! by Geohotz

Well, This is it! Geohot has finally released the PS3 exploit that will hopefully ignite the PS3 homebrew scene. It was first released on QJ.net

Here's what the dev posted on his blog:

In the interest of openness, I've decided to release the exploit. Hopefully, this will ignite the PS3 scene, and you will organize and figure out how to use this to do practical things, like the iPhone when jailbreaks were first released. I have a life to get back to and can't keep working on this all day and night.

Please document your findings on the psDevWiki. They have been a great resource so far, and with the power this exploit gives, opens tons of new stuff to document. I'd like to see the missing HV calls filled in, nice memory maps, the boot chain better documented, and progress on a 3D GPU driver. And of course, the search for a software exploit.

This is the coveted PS3 exploit, gives full memory access and therefore ring 0 access from OtherOS. Enjoy your hypervisor dumps. This is known to work with version 2.4.2 only, but I imagine it works on all current versions. Maybe later I'll write up how it works :)

Thanks to Zakir, Matt, EXTER, devi59, The Dark, Legend Assasin, Roman V., DigiTalDeaD and lee for the tip!

Download: Geohotz PS3 exploit

Via [Geohot]

Teen kills adoptive mother for not paying Internet bills

This horrific incident is simply beyond words. A 15-year-old Romanian boy stabbed his adoptive mother to death after she refused to pay the Internet bills. The boy, Ionut, is addicted to online video games.

It was said that Ionut stabbed his adoptive mother 17 times when she decided to stop paying the bills. This was so he would cut down the time he was spending in front of the computer playing his games. What is even more disturbing about this incident, however, is that a mere three hours after the killing, Ionut left the home and headed to an Internet cafe to play Counter-Strike.

Meanwhile, the husband of the victim found her dead in their home and subsequently reported the incident to the cops. Ionut, later on, turned himself voluntarily to the authorities, calmly telling them that "I think I'm the one you're looking for."

Ionut has been admitted to an underground psychiatric clinic in a local hospital. Test will be conducted to determine his pyschological state, and if found that he was fully competent when the crime was committed, he could face up to 12 years in prison for the murder.

At Last! Custom Firmware for PSP 3000 /2000/1000 Now Relased

Great news guys! Team GEN's latest Custom Firmware 5.50GEN-D3 and 5.03HEN-C has  already been release. According to MaGiXieN's post, the latest CFW 5.50GEN and 5.03HEN will feature an increased compatibility with the recently released games in UMD and PSN.

The wait is over guys. Homebrew coder Yoshihiro and the rest of Team Gen has finally released the much awaited Custom Firmware 5.03GEN-C installer for those who have to rely on the HEN to get homebrew running on their PSP-3000s and 2000v3s.

This new update includes:

• Compatibility with all known PSN Game/Démo from on 15/12/2009
• Compatibility with all known UMD on 15/12/2009
• Add ISO SPeed MS loading (Bêta version non really tested because we don't have any fake MS)
• Network update

Here are the list of some unpatched new games that has been tested and compatible with the latest firmwares:

• Tekken 6
• Gundam vs Gundam
• Phantasy Star Portable 2
• Naruto
• J-League Pro Soccer Club o Tsukurou 6 Pride of J
• Naruto Shippuden Narutimate Accel 3
• James Cameron Avatar The Game
• Phantasy Star Portable 2
• R-Type Tactics II Operation Bitter Chocolate
• Bleach Soul Carnival 2
• Battle Spirits Kiseki no Hasha
• Yamada
• etc.

*UPDATE*

Heads up guys, Custom Firmware 5.50GEN-D3 is now also available.


Thanks to PSP GEN



Download: Custom Firmware 5.03GEN-C
Download: Custom Firmware 5.50GEN-D3


Via [PSPGEN]

Sony close to breaking even with PS3 Slim

The launch of the new line of PlayStation 3 units has been well-received and well-sold, but apparently, Sony is still losing money for every PS3 they sell. This is the report coming from applied market intel, iSuppli. On a more positive note, they are closer to breaking even now than ever before.

“Since the introduction of the PlayStation 3 in late 2006, Sony has subsidized the price of every console sold, a deficit the company has made up for with game sales and royalties,” said iSuppli teardown services director and principal analyst, Andrew Rassweiler.

He goes on:

“However, with each new revision of the game console hardware, Sony has aggressively designed out costs to reach the hardware and manufacturing breakeven point as quickly as possible. The latest version of the PlayStation 3 manages to further reduce the loss, even with the U.S. price of the console having fallen by $100 during the past year.”

 As of December 2009, the total manufacturing cost of a 120GB PS3 Slim is US$ 336.27 - and with the US$ 299 price point, Sony still loses US$ 37 per unit sold. Fortunately, prices for the console's parts are expected to "decline significantly in 2010." “In light of these factors, the PlayStation 3 probably is already at or near the tipping point for profitability,” Rassweiler said

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 announced for PSP

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 is bound to make a splash the PSP, so announced Namco Bandai earlier today. This new installment in the Naruto franchise gets major enhancements such as four-player battles, an all-new adventure mode, and a brand new line-up of characters with awesome powers.

Namco Bandai, through Director of Marketing and PR Todd Thorson, has this to say:

"The Ultimate Ninja series continues to be one of the most popular Naruto video game franchises for fans of the anime and manga around the world. Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 continues to innovate and refine the series' trademark fighting mechanics, introducing new characters, and ensuring gamers at any skill level can fight like a true ninja."

When they said there'd be a brand new line-up of characters, they definitely weren't kidding. It is reported that you can choose any one character from among 40 choices, which include Young Kakashi and Obito Uchiha, both from the Naruto Shippuden special, Kakashi Chronicles.

The press release gives more gameplay details:

"Additionally, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 features Master Road, where players can re-live the Naruto Shippuden storyline up to the Hidan Kakuzu arc and contrinue through two all-new adventures. This mode also features a three-player cooperative mode which lets players experience the full adventure through an ad-hoc connection. During his quests, Naruto will also engage in Battle or Action stages. Each stage will contain a specific objective for Naruto to complete including intense fights, escaping from danger, and much more."

No release date has yet been provided for Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 on the PSP, but we'll be sure to bring you up to speed on that.

Via [IGN]

PSP Go

The PSP Go (styled PSPgo or PSP go, model PSP-N1000)[5] is a version of the PlayStation Portable handheld video game console manufactured by Sony.[6][7][8][9][10] It was released on October 1, 2009 in American and European territories[1] and is scheduled for release on November 1 in Japan. It was revealed prior to E3 2009 through Sony's Qore VOD service.[9] Although its design is significantly different from other PSPs, it is not intended to replace the PSP 3000, which Sony will continue to manufacture, sell, and support.[7]
Unlike previous PSP models, the PSP Go does not feature a UMD drive, but instead has 16GB of internal flash memory to store games, video, and other media.[10] This can be extended by up to 32GB with the use of a Memory Stick Micro (M2) flash card. Unlike previous PSP models, the PSP Go's rechargeable battery is not removable or replaceable by the user. The unit is 43% lighter and 56% smaller than the original PSP-1000,[7] and 16% lighter and 35% smaller than the PSP-3000.[4] It has a 3.8" 480×272 LCD[11] (compared to the larger 4.3" 480×272 pixel LCD on previous PSP models).[12] The screen slides up to reveal the main controls. The overall shape and sliding mechanism are similar to that of Sony's mylo COM-2 internet device.[13]

PSP Evolution

PSP-1000 Series

How To Tell If It’s A Phat:

•Speaker holes are at the bottom of this PSP
•The WLan switch is on the left side
•The UMD drive is opened by a latch on the top
•The back of the Phat has humps on both sides

PSP-1000 Series Pros

•All versions of the 1000 are hackable
•Is compatible with the 1.50 kernel, which is used in older homebrew
•Is built strong with an internal metal frame
•Has a built-in IR port

PSP-1000 Series Cons

•Small internal flash (32MB)
•Low amount of RAM (32MB)
•Heavy
•No TV-Out
•Not compatible with SkypePSP-2000 SeriesPSP-2000 Series

PSP-2000 Series

-This PSP is also known as the Slim

How To Tell If It’s A Slim:

•The speaker holes are at the top
•The WLan switch is on top
•The UMD drive is opened manually
•The back of the Slim is flat with a slight curve at each end

PSP-2000 Series Pros

•Large internal flash space (64MB)
•Large amount of RAM (64MB)
•Lighter than 1000 Series
•Has a TV-Out feature for HDTVs
•Certain homebrew is designed to use the Slim’s extra RAM, this type of homebrew only works on the Slim
•As of OFW 3.90, the Slim has the ability to use Skype

PSP-2000 Series Cons

•Not all Slims are hackable, Slims with the motherboard TA-088v3 cannot be hacked yet
•The only way to run homebrew on a TA-088v3 is to use exploits/HEN/CFW Enabler
•Uses a plastic frame, easier to break
•No IR port
•Easily shows fingerprints
•PSP games can’t be played using TV-Out on standard TVs, only HDTVs

PSP-3000 Series

This PSP is also known as the Brite

How To Tell If It’s A Brite:

• The Home button is now a PS button
• The PS, Select, and Start buttons are oval instead of half-circles
• The metal ring on the UMD drive is thinner
• The D-Pad and Action buttons now sit in a small crater
• The edges are rounded
• There is a mic hole next to the PSP logo under the screen

PSP-3000 Series Pros

•Large internal flash space (64MB)
•Large amount of RAM (64MB)
•Lighter than 1000 Series
•Has a new screen with better color
•Has a built-in microphone
•TV-Out is enhanced, PSP games can be played on any TV
•Can use Skype

PSP-3000 Series Cons

•None of the PSP-3000 Series systems can be hacked yet
•Some people can see interlacing lines on the new screen
•The only way to currently run homebrew is to use exploits/HEN/CFW Enabler
•Uses a plastic frame, easier to break
•No IR port

PSP Go! Series (Release Date: 10/1/09)

How To Tell If It’s A Go!:

• The PS button is located on the left side of the screen
•This system has no UMD Drive
• This system can slide up and down to hide/reveal buttons
• The speaker holes are four dots in a diamond pattern beside the screen
•This system has a Bluetooth indicator light on the right of the screen, and a Wi-Fi indicator light on the left
• There is a mic hole between the analog stick and the start/select buttons

PSP Go! Pros

•Has 16 GB Internal Flash Memory
•Smaller and lighter than PSP-2000/3000
•“Game Sleep Function” (In-Game XMB)
•Bluetooth Compatibility

PSP Go! Cons

•No UMD Drive
•Smaller Screen (3.8 inch)
•Uses a custom USB/AV Out/Charge port, AV Out cable for 2000/3000 will not work, chargers for 1000/2000/3000 will not work, special USB cable needed
lUses Memory Stick Micro, so MS Pro Duo will not work with the PSP Go!Probably won’t be hackable