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Sony Prepares for US and EU PSP Firmware v2.0 Release
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Ever since the security exploit in the original firmware release for the PSP was taken advantage of, Sony is trying several methods to get customers to update their firmware. First they started offering games that mandate the updating of firmware to play and recently they released version 2.0 of their firmware in Japan that offers several extra features.
The main new features include a web browser that works via wireless, ability to use a photograph as wallpaper, wireless WPA-PSK support as well as the addition of unprotected AAC/MP4 and Wave audio support. As iTunes uses FairPlay DRM, users will not be able to play iTunes music on it unless they go about trying to unlock their purchased iTunes music. However, according to some sources, this new firmware version also significantly improves its security measures to make it more difficult to get unauthorised software to work on it.
This firmware version is due to be released in North America on August 12th and will be as standard in Europe's PSP September 1st launch. While the upcoming v2.0 release will be the same as the current Japanese V2.0 release, Sony asks users to wait for the official North American firmware V2.0 release or they will lose their warranty if they try to load the Japanese version.
Sony has released two minor firmware updates since the PSP first launched earlier this year. Both updates were mainly "security" changes. Early adopters discovered they could run "homebrew" software and emulators on their PSP; the updates have prevented that software form working.
The PSP features built-in Wi-Fi wireless networking capabilities, but up to now North American users have only been able to use this functionality to find online games or to download updates or content for their games. Sony hasn't officially supported other uses. That changes with the 2.0 update, which finally adds Web browsing capabilities.
A recent Japanese 2.0 firmware update has also been installed by some North American users. Although the functionality of the update is the same as the forthcoming US release, Sony doesn't support this practice and urges North American PSP users to install the official release when it comes out, lest they void their warranties.
The full article can be read here.
It is nice to see the addition of AAC/MP4 audio support in the new firmware, although it will be interesting to see how many iTunes customers go about trying to unlock their music to take it on a PSP. The improved security features in the new firmware was expected anyway as Sony is determined to prevent their games from being pirated like with the Playstation series.
Ever since the security exploit in the original firmware release for the PSP was taken advantage of, Sony is trying several methods to get customers to update their firmware. First they started offering games that mandate the updating of firmware to play and recently they released version 2.0 of their firmware in Japan that offers several extra features.
The main new features include a web browser that works via wireless, ability to use a photograph as wallpaper, wireless WPA-PSK support as well as the addition of unprotected AAC/MP4 and Wave audio support. As iTunes uses FairPlay DRM, users will not be able to play iTunes music on it unless they go about trying to unlock their purchased iTunes music. However, according to some sources, this new firmware version also significantly improves its security measures to make it more difficult to get unauthorised software to work on it.
This firmware version is due to be released in North America on August 12th and will be as standard in Europe's PSP September 1st launch. While the upcoming v2.0 release will be the same as the current Japanese V2.0 release, Sony asks users to wait for the official North American firmware V2.0 release or they will lose their warranty if they try to load the Japanese version.
Sony has released two minor firmware updates since the PSP first launched earlier this year. Both updates were mainly "security" changes. Early adopters discovered they could run "homebrew" software and emulators on their PSP; the updates have prevented that software form working.
The PSP features built-in Wi-Fi wireless networking capabilities, but up to now North American users have only been able to use this functionality to find online games or to download updates or content for their games. Sony hasn't officially supported other uses. That changes with the 2.0 update, which finally adds Web browsing capabilities.
A recent Japanese 2.0 firmware update has also been installed by some North American users. Although the functionality of the update is the same as the forthcoming US release, Sony doesn't support this practice and urges North American PSP users to install the official release when it comes out, lest they void their warranties.
The full article can be read here.
It is nice to see the addition of AAC/MP4 audio support in the new firmware, although it will be interesting to see how many iTunes customers go about trying to unlock their music to take it on a PSP. The improved security features in the new firmware was expected anyway as Sony is determined to prevent their games from being pirated like with the Playstation series.
*Article courtesy o f Dan Bell and www.cdfreaks.com
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