Tgames has released StartPatch 3.2.0E. StartPatch is a homebrew application that patches your System Menu with useful hacks like skip updates, etc.
Please remove any Gamecube Memory Cards, Gamecube Controllers, or Nunchuck accessories, before using this App!

Featuring the hacks:

• Replace Healthwarning with Backmenu
• No longer displays black/white health warning screen, so no need to press A, it will go straight to the channels screen.
• Move Disc Channel
• Enables the Disc Channel to be moved.
• Skip Disc Update Check
• Blocks updates, which have been embedded in Discs.
• Remove Diag Disc Check
• Remove Diagnostic Disc check.
• No Menu BG Music
• Removes the System Menu’s background music.
• Backup Loading from Disc Channel
• Allow to launch Backup Games from Disk Channel with IOS 249
• Warning : You need to Install IOS 249 before install this patch.
• Do not uninstall IOS 249 before uninstall this patch !
• Recovery Mode 1st GC Y Held (Need To Install ALL Four)
• Allows you to enter the Wii’s Recovery Mode easily.
• Region Free Channels (Need To Install ALL Three)
• Allow installation of any region Channels.
• Region Free GC Games
• Removes region restrictions on Gamecube games.
• Force Disc Region (Need To Install ALL Three)
• This forces the game disc to run at the Wii’s native settings. So NTSC games won’t turn black and white on PAL TVs.
• Region Free Wii Games (Need To Install ALL Two)
• Removes the integrated region check. You’ll be able to play imports this way.
• Remove NoCopy Protection (Need To Install ALL Seven)
• Removes the Save File Copy Protection, which prevents Save Files from being copied to SD Cards.

Warning: Anything that edits the NAND in ANY way can brick. Be cautious when using this.

[ [ Download ] ]

Joystiq received some interesting info from a reader today. The source claimed to have taken part in a survey run by Microsoft which featured avatars playing classic arcade games in a virtual arcade setting. If that sounds familiar, you probably played PlayStation Home for 5 minutes (and then never again).

Though Microsoft has been a bit cagey with a solid release date for the upcoming Facebok/Twitter/Last.Fm update for Xbox Live, eagle-eyed UK readers have spotted the phrase “Service launches 17th November 2009″ on the UK Xbox website.

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Team Twiizer member dhewg has posted a great article at hackmii as well as releasing a new installer!

The changelog:

HackMii installer (v0.5):

• New exploit to enable (un-)installation of all components on fully updated Wiis.
• Fix hangs on some setups (they’re all related to retarded IOS patches).
• BootMii beta 4 (v1.1):
• Properly write the keys to nand.bin.
• This fixes the “NAND dump is from another Wii” issue on restoring beta 3 backups. If you don’t know how to fix those dumps, you have to backup the NAND again. Dumps from all other versions are not affected.

The Homebrew Channel v1.0.5:

• Faster startup.
• Prefer boot.elf over boot.dol when launching apps.
• New shiny fonts, tweaked to the last subpixel.
• Widescreen support.
• If your Wii is set to 16:9 in the system menu options, HBC won’t strech the picture like it did on older versions. Unfortunately the fonts might look a little weird then, it really depends on the used display unit. Blame the lack of true widescreen support on the Wii for that.
• Grid view.
• Hit 2/Y while browsing applications to switch between the old and the new view. This shows 4 columns on 16:9 setups, 4:3 users only get 3.
• Device hot-plugging.
• You can remove and insert devices (front SD slot, USB mass storage, and SDGecko in both slots) at all times now without reloading HBC.
• To change to another device, hit 1/X to bring up a simple option dialog.
• Application sort order.
• You can now choose how to sort the shown entries. Current options: either by the name or by the release date.
• Note that for the latter sort order a valid release_date tag has to be present in the meta.xml file.
• Again, hit 1/X for the options dialog to set this.
• wiiload overhaul.
• On-the-fly compression: Uploaded files are automatically compressed on PC side: This makes it way faster, especially on bigger files. ScummVM, anyone?
• Improved USBGecko support: Faster uploads, and you don’t have to stop reading debug messages from the device while uploading files.
• libftdi support: Because ftdi-sio fails, especially on OSX.
• Note: Because of these improvements, older wiiload version and 3rd party upload clients are incompatible. Use the bundled v0.5, binaries and source code are included.
• Basic application management.
• To add apps: Just wiiload a ZIP archive, it will then get extracted to the active device. The ZIP file must be structured in a certain way, check this description for the details.
• To delete apps: There’s a new button on the application dialog.

DVDX:

• Allow PPC side hardware access.
• Also known as the magic HW_AHBPROT register.
• TMD version bumped to 2, in case anyone needs to check for e.g. HW_AHBPROT.
• Either grab the new installer here, or use the HBC online update (a confirmation dialog should pop up when launching HBC).

For the full read, visit: Here at hackmii

Main Notes:

Compatible with the new System menu 4.2!

“Get a SD card. If it has a private directory, rename it temporarily, e.g. to “privateold”. Having other saved channels on the same card will screw it up.
Download abd6a_v200.zip and unzip it onto the SD card.
Go download the HackMii installer. Copy installer.elf to the root of the SD card, and rename it to boot.elf.
Press the SD card icon (for the SD menu). This is different from the last version. Then insert the card. It should either pop up Load boot.dol/elf? or freeze.
If it pops up a dialog, then fill out the survey.
If you encounter any problems from then on, don’t try other versions (it won’t help), but see the information below the survey.
If it freezes before popping up the dialog, you could try these versions: Here”

Nintendo firmware version 4.2 DISABLES bannerbomb. It also deletes the homebrew channel. Update at your own risk. Nintendo released the update September 29,2009. -BKF-

Just to add to that, there is a exploit out however this updates your boot2 to boot2v4 which means, you cannot downgrade your wii, This part of the upgrade is irreversible and would mean your unable to use some stuff in your wii you would like to.

This update also *I think* deletes bootmii as nand, So watch out fellow Wii-Brewers.

A recently uncovered FCC filing showed Microsoft was set to release a new, updated wireless network adapter for the Xbox 360. Presumably, this would allow users to stream high-definition movies and television shows. The company confirmed today that, yes, there is a new adapter, but details are still under wraps for now.

“We can confirm that Xbox 360 will offer a Wireless N Networking Adapter that will enable Xbox 360 owners to seamlessly connect with their home network with the highest wireless ‘N’ technology,” a Microsoft representative told IGN.

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Xbox 360 today announced widespread enthusiasm from the world’s leading video-game publishers for “Project Natal,” a whole new way to play no controller required. Developers across the globe have embraced the technology and have begun work on titles that will deliver extraordinary entertainment experiences for everyone to enjoy. Coming just three months after “Project Natal” was unveiled at E3, the announcements at the Tokyo Game Show underscore the swift industry support for the revolutionary controller-free experiences being developed exclusively for Xbox 360, the premier games and entertainment system.

Among the elite publishers actively working on games for “Project Natal” are Activision Blizzard, Bethesda Softworks, CAPCOM, Disney Interactive, Electronic Arts, Konami, MTV Games, Namco Bandai, Sega, Square Enix, THQ Inc. and Ubisoft. Together, these publishers account for more than 70 percent of third-party software sales for this generation of console and most of the world’s most recognized video game franchises.

“‘Project Natal’ gives the industry’s creators and storytellers the freedom to dream of new experiences and to tell stories never before possible,” said Don Mattrick, senior vice president for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft Corp. “The support of these creative partners testifies to the excitement that ‘Project Natal’ is generating among the most innovative minds in the industry, and is proof that Xbox 360 not only offers the best games and entertainment today, but will lead with innovation and new ways to have fun in the future.”

Further details of publishers’ new “Project Natal”-inspired projects will be released at a later date.

Underscoring the widespread enthusiasm for “Project Natal” among the industry’s top creative forces, Xbox 360 is hosting a high-powered panel at the Tokyo Game Show featuring three acclaimed Japanese industry luminaries: CAPCOM’s Keiji Inafune, creator of “Mega Man” and “Dead Rising,” Sega’s Toshihiro Nagoshi, creator of “Super Monkey Ball,” and Konami’s Hideo Kojima, creator of the “Metal Gear Solid” series. The three developers will discuss the possibilities for the groundbreaking new experiences that can only be achieved with “Project Natal.”

Unveiled for the first time in June, “Project Natal” is a code name for a whole new way to play. Combining an RGB camera, depth sensor and multi-array microphone running proprietary software, “Project Natal” enables gamers to play in a natural and inviting new way, free from the boundaries of a controller through the use of sight, sound and motion.

Publishers, who received development kits from Microsoft in early June, used the opening of the Tokyo Game Show to voice their excitement about “Project Natal.”

“Microsoft ‘Project Natal’ could fundamentally change the way players experience sports games,” said EA Sports President Peter Moore. “At EA, some of our top development teams are experimenting with these tools with the goal of delivering a completely fresh take on genres like sports and racing.”

“Activision is encouraged by the innovation that Project Natal will bring to the industry and how it can transform consumers’ video games experience. We have development teams working on Project Natal development kits to explore the creative possibilities this new technology affords,” said Dusty Welch, senior vice president and head of Publishing at Activision/Blizzard.

“I strongly feel that ‘Project Natal’ will expand the possibilities of gaming. It’s yet another component that adds to the appeal of Xbox 360 and demonstrates to users the broad level of entertainment it provides,” said Keiji Inafune, managing corporate officer and head of Research & Development Management Group at CAPCOM. “Personally, I too am extremely excited about ‘Project Natal.’ It’s really going to stir up our creative spirits. I think it’s going to bring new ways to play and new surprises to Xbox 360 fans and help further the development of completely original content. ‘Project Natal’ is definitely something people should look out for.”

“Ubisoft sees enormous opportunities with ‘Project Natal.’ With the 3-D camera, your body can become the interface,” said Yves Guillemot, chief executive officer of Ubisoft. “Any barrier related to the use of pad controllers that may have existed for potential gamers is now abolished. Ubisoft is already taking advantage of this major evolution to design new types of gaming experiences and attract more people to play video games.”

In addition to the broad industry support, Microsoft Game Studios is busy at work creating a diverse slate of experiences that will appeal to a wide variety of entertainment interests.

“‘Project Natal’ is enabling our team of developers to create experiences we couldn’t have accomplished before,” said Phil Spencer, corporate vice president, Microsoft Game Studios. “Microsoft Game Studios will help lead the way in bringing ‘Project Natal’ to life.”

While laying the foundation for tomorrow with “Project Natal,” Xbox 360 remains the premier device for home entertainment today. Hot new titles for Xbox LIVE Arcade were also unveiled at the Tokyo Game Show, including “Toy Soldiers,” “Snoopy Flying Ace,” “Bomberman Live: Battlefest” and “RayStormHD,” positioning Xbox LIVE Arcade as the premier destination to enjoy the most innovative downloadable games.

Xbox 360 is also set to deliver the best new gaming, entertainment and social experiences for consumers this fall. Not only is Xbox 360 home to the most-anticipated exclusive games such as “Halo 3: ODST,” “Forza Motorsport 3,” “Left 4 Dead 2,” and new content from Rockstar Games including the Xbox retail exclusive “Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City” featuring “The Ballad of Gay Tony,” which will also be available for download over Xbox LIVE, it will also be the only place to watch instant-on HD in 1080p1 with Zune video, and listen to personalized streaming radio right in the living room with Last.fm on Xbox LIVE. And with new social experiences custom-made for the television, Xbox LIVE continues to offer the most ways of any console to connect and share with friends and family on Facebook, and post tweets on Twitter.2

Additional information about Xbox 360 at the Tokyo Game Show can be found at http://www.xbox.com/en-us/press/2009/tgs.

So can we expect more Xbox 360 games to be patched to support Natal in the future? Not so fast, says Microsoft Game Studios GM and Natal creative director Kudo Tsunoda. Speaking to Destructoid, Tsunoda explained that although Microsoft was able re-engineer older Xbox 360 games to make them compatible with Natal, a hefty chunk of code had to be altered. As such, simply “patching” the game over Xbox Live would not be enough to make older titles work. A publisher would most likely have to completely rewrite the code and then re-release the game.

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So I was reading around the Internet that Custom Firmware 5.00 M33 users were just blocked from accessing the PlayStation Store. Since I have two PSPs I thought I’d check this out for myself… I dug up my old PSP-1000 and upgraded it to 5.00 M33-6 (from 3.90 M33). With that I tried accessing the PSN store and likewise on my PSP-2000, which is already running 5.50 GEN-A.

5.00 M33-6: It’s true. You are now prompted with, “A system software update for the PSP system is required. For update methods, refer to the instructions for the PSP system.” And even with spoofing your version using the ol’ version.txt method — you’re still denied access.

5.50 GEN-A: Keep on… You’re still in business.

Silly move on Sony’s part… Why would you ultimately deny money from custom firmware users? I’ve purchased downloads, still do.

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