Been a while since you dusted off the old PSP? Perhaps you’re one of the die-hards that just won’t put it down. In either situation a coder named Acid_Snake has developed this little beauty to help ensure your PSP will last for years to come.

Included in this software you’ll find several different testing applications. There is an analog tester, a pixel fixer, a file sweeper that helps clear space in the NAND, and even a directory checker to make sure everything is in the right place.  If you are worried about getting back into the PSP scene or can’t be bothered remembering how badly you goofed up your NAND, catch the download link below from our downloads section.

[_Download: PSP Tools Beta 0.2_]

So the 3DS is out and we’ve seen flash carts already being run.  Already, four major flash carts are working on the 3DS after flashing an update to them. One of the carts from the CycloDS team works directly off the bat, not requiring an update. For this reason alone, the Nintendo 3DS is a beaming prospect in the eyes of homebrewers worldwide. Bringing the joys of homebrew and DS rom support to the 3DS has some people worried about Nintendo catching on to their actions, however. With the 3DS, Nintendo has incorporated a system in which to view the game history log, usage level i.e. which games you’re playing and how often. The problem? Nintendo might not appreciate people using homebrew or running game backups on their 3DS console. Rumors are running amok regarding the potential for Nintendo to use a software update or a wireless method in which to brick the systems of users who abuse their anti-piracy/ anti-third-party tools terms of use agreement.

Over at GBATemp, a member of their magazine staff, Rydian, has put together a list of things for people to consider when wondering about whether Nintendo would actually want to do such a thing. I’ve put a source link at the bottom of this article that you should jump to for the full version of his considerations. His list has six main reasons with which to help people better understand how Nintendo would view bricking consoles.

1. It is illegal in the US/ UK.
2. Other systems also warn against third-party modifications
3. The 3DS is [has been out] in Japan since Februrary and no such brickings have occurred.
4. Third-party modifications do not include just flash carts, and cannot be detected perfectly.
5. Nintendo does not profit in any way by killing your system.
6. Updates will not be done without your consent.

Rydian goes on to say, regarding point number one, that since US/ UK law recognizes the differences between goods and services, Nintendo cannot legally destroy your game system. They could, however, revoke your usage of their online services because they are exactly that, services. The good in which you purchased, the 3DS, cannot operate without the proper software updates, so if Nintendo maliciously bricked a system, it would be against the law. He also talks about how Nintendo has used “scare tactics” and “fear-mongering” in the past, recalling a recent Wii game, Kirby’s Epic Yarn, which flat-out tells you that if you have unauthorized third-party devices, an update may render your machine inoperable. No doubt some Wii consoles have mods, could possibly be detected, and haven’t been destroyed by Nintendo, clearly.

All-in-all, it doesn’t seem likely that Nintendo would be that hardcore in their pursuit against anti-piracy activities, but these are some good things to consider before you freak out and assume your 3DS is heading to paperweight status.

[Source]: GBATemp – Rydian’s thoughts on Nintendo bricking your 3DS

What’s working

1 player (keyboard only)
We have succeeded to enable gameshark codes
Graphics works excellent on most games we have tried; Mario 64, Donkey Kong 64, Ridge Racer 64, Diddy Kong Racer, Mario Kart 64, Banjo Kazooie and 1080 Snowboard.
Games we have tried that are jerky (so far): Duke Nukem 64, Doom 64, Hexen 64 and WCW Smackdown 64.

Issues

Audio is not working yet.
A user interface and the ability to edit and change files such as controller settings, cheat codes, etc. (We do all this over FTP now).
Game menu (we now have to upload one game at the time).
PS3 controller, (we now have to use a USB keyboard).
Multiplayer.

- source: ps3-hacks.com

Rogero Manager is a PS3 backup manager based on “Open Manager.”

8.1 CHANGELOG

• Supports 2 built-in Payloads: the user can change between Sysc36 & PL3 from the Settings Menu.
• Updated the Payload detection function to supports all known payloads (3.41 & 3.55).
• New [USB Mount] option that enables loading of known “Black Screen Games” from external USB drive.
• [USB Mount] can only be used with CFW 3.55 (3.41 not supported), Split-Games also not supported.
• Optimized the Game Copy function for better/faster operations.
• Fixed the Progress-bar bug that was freezing at 99%, no more freezing.
• New FT Font is used instead of the Debug font, Japanese titles shows fine now.
• Added new D-pad List navigation & L2/R2 scrolling functions to support the new Font.
• Fixed the Delay problem experienced in version 8.0 on Game’s Background Image Loading.
• Changed the Auto-fix-permissions to [L1+R3] = Fix_selected_Game Permissions on internal/external HDD.
• Fixed the “Protected Mode” bug that prevented it from saving it’s last state on startup.
• Fixed the ScreenSaver bug that triggered it after Game Copy/Delete functions.
• Removed the initial Setup sequence on Startup and used Default settings for faster operation.
• Removed Un-used functions from the Settings Menu for simpler usage.
• Full Games Folders Auto-Detection,no more Games Folder Setup required,it’s all Automated.
• Auto-Move of Games folder if found inside an old manager folder is now Optional on First Run.
• PS3 system version is now Auto-Detected on each Startup,not required anymore from Settings.
• BD-ROM Game Dump will be stored now using the Game’s Title Name instead of the Game’s Title ID.
• Added Grayscale effect for Split-Games in Games List (Will show them in Black/White colors).
• Added a Blurry Background Effect on Games List to allow better Titles/Names readability.
• Game Background Image can be Disabled from Settings Menu to Allow for better themes usage.
• New Theme used,Thanks to Opium2k for his great Themes:Rogero Manager Theme Depository
• Special Thanks to Deank/multiMAN for [USB Mount] support & last minute Graphic Effects.

Download it from the Brewology Store or PS3 Homebrew Manager.

drizztbsd has released Gaia Manager v2.07. Gaia Manager is based off Open Manager and Sexy Manager. The difference? This one is packed with more features. Check out the full description for more information.

2.07 CHANGELOG

* Enabled discless on syscall36rn
* Changed syscall36 implementation, from two payloads to only one payload (https://github.com/drizztbsd/syscall36)

2.06 CHANGELOG
* Changed HV_SIZE to ~3.4MB, it should not crash anymore on startuprn
* Fixed 8001003D and 8001003E errors (such as in Fifa 11)

Download it from the Brewology Store or PS3 Homebrew Manager.

Don’t update your PS3 if you plan to keep your homebrew on your PS3 because the new update prevent homebrew on our consoles! But how?! Apparently, this update contains another special file to check the signatures on PS3 games and since they’re only pseudo-signed, Sony can easily detect the difference. What features does this update add? None. Just “security patches.”
This may be sad news, but we’re sure that the encryption method just needs to be tweaked a tiny bit and the hacks will be re-released with the new encryption very soon.

Source: Here

As Sony goes on to make a (unfair) lawsuit against Hacker Extraordinar, GeoHots, G4 interviews the defense to take his side of the story.

This case can have a major impact on the entire gaming population. If GeoHots wins, the gaming population should no longer live in fear of corporation lawsuits for modifying their already purchased devices. This can be seen in a previous court case Mr.Hots has won against Apple, where the DMCA was modified to allow for our Mobile Devices to be modified legally. Unfortunately this modification specifically says “Mobile Devices” and not “All Owned Devices” thus allowing Sony the lawsuit.

Sony and its case seems weak fortunately. Sony is calling GeoHots exploit a way for hackers to pirate games on their console, while GeoHots digresses that his exploit is specifically modified to allow homebrew, but not pirated games.

Yes, you read that correctly. All firmwares ever released or to be released by Sony will have homebrew. Why? Well, the company has no way of making their gaming machines know what is homebrew and what is officially released programs.

How is this possible? Well, the makers of both products have added a secret encryption to everything that is ran on either machine. Without this encryption, your programs will not run. But, that secret key has been released for both of the devices and this year, we will see both devices explode with homebrew and Sony won’t be able to do anything about it!

Thanks Geohot, Team fail0verflow, Mathiuel, and the others! We love you and truly appreciate everything you’ve done for us!

Source 1: Mathieul’s Announcement
Source 2: Geohot’s Love
Source 3: Self-Signed Hello World For PS3
Source 4: PS3 Keys Found

anonymous has released GenPlus-GX v0.01. Emulate the SEGA Genesis or Mega Drive on the PS3.

Genesisplus GX on PS3 it\’s just for change my mind before i go back to ps3sx rnrnput all folders so ./genplus ./genplus/roms ./genplus/bios ./genplus/state ./genplus/sramrnon root of dev_usb000 so the first usb port on your right .rnrnSupport in this test version :rn2 Players rnroms supportrnZip supportrnsvp emulation for virtua racing and Corn rnTODO :rnFixed the sound i\’ve a mini glich look like the sound buffer size is too long ?!?rnFixe save states already work but freeze on some games so disabled

Download it from the Brewology Store or PS3 Homebrew Manager.

deanrr has released multiMAN v1.10.18. multiMAN combines Open Manager, Simple File Manager and AVCHD for an all in one solution. It allows users to run backups, watch AVCHD videos and manage there files. Formerly known as AVCHD and Game Manager, it is now being called multiMAN. The word multi is essential to this manager due to it’s multifunctional tools. multiMAN does more then just backup games to your PS3.

New Feature in 1.10.18
- Added new options in the file \”options_default.ini\” to define the percentage of mouse deadzone (borders)
- Added ability to copy audio files (MP3/WAV/AAC) in / ps3_home/music \”(\” Music \”menu on the XMB)
- Added ability to copy the image files (PNG / JPG) in / ps3_home/photo \”(menu\” Photo \”from the XMB)
- Correct detection of Blu-Ray video

Download it from the Brewology Store or PS3 Homebrew Manager.