v1.0 features:
* Show TITLE ID above the cover
* Re-add disc_less mode in pl3 (but this time it works)
* Fix mem patching on Hermes (now it’s enabled ONLY on game launching)
* Merge from OpenBM 1.17.1 to fix disc-less mode without any discless menu option (PL3 only)

Download it here or better yet get it through the PS3 Homebrew Manager!

AsbestOS (a mineral, and meaning “inextinguishable” in Greek) is a bootloader to run PS3 Linux without OtherOS. It runs using the USB GameOS exploit (on PS3 version 3.41) from any compatible device, and any reprogrammable devices currently running the PS3 exploit can be used as long as they have enough free internal or external storage (40kB or so) to hold the loader. It is general enough that it should be useful to boot Linux given any other GameOS exploit in the future.

Currently, it only supports netbooting a kernel and no initrd (mostly due to bootmem limitations). This is enough to run a Linux system booting from an NFS share or from USB storage media. Almost everything that works under OtherOS is working. As additional perks of running as GameOS, you also get access to a seventh SPE (needs a kernel patch to enable) and there is clearly full access to the RSX including 3D support, although we still need to learn a few details about how that works to be able to use it.

AsbestOS is a fully independent open source payload and does not contain any code from the original PSJailbreak payload or derivatives. It is licensed under the GPLv2. Compiling it does not require any SDK tools, and it includes a script to build a fully vanilla GNU toolchain for the PS3.

If you’re interested, check out the git repository. The README file contains information on how to run AsbestOS and how to set up kernels. Currently, ports exist for software USB AVRs (Arduino etc.), iPods, and the reference implementation for devices with a TI OMAP3, but anything currently running PSGroove or similar can be adapted with only a few lines of new code.

For the impatient or lazy folks, here’s a kernel that you can use. You’ll probably want to change the kernel commandline options to set up your NFS root partition. This will eventually be handled by AsbestOS, but for now, open it up in a hex editor, search for HEXEDIT_THIS, and change the commandline to suit your needs (without changing the total length, of course). Do note that this kernel does not have built-in USB support, so it can only be used for NFS booting (the USB stuff is built as a module).

You can use this filesystem as a starting point. It’s a Gentoo stage3 updated to date and with PS3-specific tools installed. Keep in mind that there’s no Portage tree included, so be sure to either emerge –sync or NFS mount your server’s Portage tree (which is what I do). At the very minimum, you’ll want to edit the following files to configure your NFS and networking settings (or to specify USB device partitions, if you want to go that route – but you need to compile your own kernel then): /etc/fstab, /etc/hosts, /etc/resolv.conf, and quite likely a few others. This filesystem includes kernel modules for the above kernel. The root password is ‘ps3′.

Updates via psx-scene:
“marcan42 CONFIRMED IT WORKS ALSO WITH TI-84 PSJB (THE NEW ONE WHICH SUPPORT STAGE 2) BY HIS TWITTER
And he Confirmed that AsbestOS work on the PS3 Slim, but possibly with a few minor bugs”

Checkout a Youtube Video here

Source

Two full-blown Assassin’s Creed games in a year might have seemed like a risky proposition to some, what with the possibility of the onset of franchise fatigue, but publisher Ubisoft says consumers are desperate to their hands on Ezio again, as well as the first AC multiplayer.

Ubi says next month’s PS3 and Xbox 360 release has become the most pre-ordered title in the company’s history , although it’s not sharing the numbers with us.

“Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood is being heralded by the press as a single and multiplayer experience unlike any other,” said Tony Key, Ubisoft’s senior VP of sales and marketing.

“As evidenced by the record number of pre-orders and the success of the multiplayer beta, consumers can’t wait to get their hands on Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood, and we’re looking forward to delivering them an experience they’ll never forget.”

The Assassin’s Creed franchise has now sold 19 million units since debuting in 2007. Brotherhood will release on November 16 in the US and three days later in the UK.

Source: Computerandvideogames.com

The number of pre-orders beat out both the Tom Clancy and Prince of Persia franchise games. Assassin’s Creed is turning into one of the biggest franchises of this generation! Noting the improvement of the series from game 1 to 2, this 3rd installment (not counting Bloodlines on PSP) could be another GoTY contended especially with the added multiplayer.

Collected by gamersmint.com is a gallery of 14 PSP2 concepts, my favorite is probably the second. There are some pretty cool ones that I haven’t even seen, Enjoy!

Source: Gamersmint.com

Build 4.3.7 (19-10-2010) – rev. number f2e3e0bef2
————————————————-
* There’s now a build for PS3s with firmwares below 3.41 (basically bigger than or equal to FW 1.92) and a build for PS3s with firmware 3.41.
* You can now switch resolutions inside the Settings screen – go from 480p to 720p or vice versa, hence the need for two builds (480p and 720p) eliminated. (Halsafar)
* Zipped ROM support (ZIP/JMA) (Squarepusher)
* Savestates are now compressed as well (NOTE: I don’t know what this will do to your pre-existing savestates. Try to back them up first – they’re inside the USRDIR folder of /dev_hdd0/game/SNES90000/)
* Menu looks a whole lot better now at both 480p and 720p; crappy font has been put out of commission. It’s now actually readable (Cmonkey69)
* Games that switch between SNES resolutions (Seiken Densetsu 3/Secret of Mana) are now both vertically scaled correctly – you don’t even notice the resolution switch anymore. This is only at 480p mode – in 720p mode you will notice the same effect as you did previously. This will be worked on. (Halsafar)
* A lot of settings got added to the Settings screen. For instance, it’s now possible (on most PAL games) to run them at 60fps by setting ‘Force PAL ROM to NTSC’ to ON. This won’t work for every game, however (most games after 1993 came with region protection), and it might even result in a crash because you’re doing something that is not deemed appropriate by either the SNES hardware or the emulator. A solution for PAL ROMs is worked on.
* You can return to a previous folder inside the ROM menu by pressing the CIRCLE button.

You can download it from our download section here or better yet get it from the PS3 Homebrew Manager!

- Lots more… but don’t want to ruin the surprise.

Check it out here.

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So, Total_Noob found a way to enable launching homebrew on the PSP via the XMB! If you guys were around the PSP scene to remember ChickHEN or even the HEN from the 2.XX era, then you’ll be familiar with the term HEN and what this kind of stuff this new exploit will allow. Currently, it works up to the 6.2 firmware and launches from HBL (homebrew loader) from the Patapon 2 or the Hot Shots demo from the PSN.

[15/10/2010]
- ParitionCheck has a new structure, fixed (now you can load unpacked prxes), thanks to Davee!
- One patch of ModuleManager was not right, fixed (now you can run all homebrews), thanks to Davee!
- Added some systemctrl exports

Discussion: Here
Source 1: Here
Source 2: Here

Looks like Netflix has been updated for the PS3 to include some cool new stuff like video streaming at 1080p, subtitles, and include 5.1 surround sound.
“Over time,” some of these new features will be included into other consoles, but the best feature that has now been added to the PS3 is that Netflix no longer requires a disc!

Discussion: Here
Source: Here

Next month, Halo: Reach will be getting its first map pack on XBox Live that will include three new multiplayer maps called Tempest, Breakpoint, and Anchor 9. They will also include new achievements that will add 250 gamerscore points and will cost 800 Microsoft Points. (~$10)

Tempest:

Breakpoint:

Anchor 9:

I don’t know about you, but I’m sure glad that they’ve added some maps that aren’t accessible through the campaign mode, but I am upset that they will come at an extra price.

Discussion: Here
Source: Here