PSP Firmware (v5.50) Update: memstick manager, Info Board, browser security, unregistered PSN surfing

Posted Apr 20, 2009 at 8:51AM by QJ Staff Listed in: Firmware, News Tags: Custom Firmware, Dark AleX, memory stick, PlayStation Store, XMB

PSP XMB

Well, get a load of this! The latest firmware for the PSP will be going live tomorrow! Looks like Dark AleX might be pushed into creating a custom firmware for this because the PSP FW v5.50 system update has got some huge features packed into it: creating and viewing folders on the XMB, the addition of the Information Board (kinda like the upper-right scrolling ticker box on the PS3), and a bunch of Internet browser additions.

Here's what we can expect:

The firmware update will introduce an Information Board on the PSP systemÂ’s XMB (XrossMediaBar) interface. Those of you who have a PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3) may be familiar with this feature, which displays news and updates from the world of PlayStation in a scrolling ticker in the upper right-hand corner of your TV screen. Now youÂ’ll be able to read up-to-date information about upcoming games, new content available on PlayStation Store, and other news right on your PSP whenever youÂ’re at a wireless Internet hotspot.
The v5.50 upgrade means you no longer need a PlayStationÂ®Network account to do a quick bit of window shopping Â– you can check out all the latest games, trailers and demos available for download from your PSP. (From SCEE press release)
Memory Stick improvements Â– YouÂ’ll be able to create and access sub-folders on your Memory Stick PRO Duo for music, videos and photos. Separately, the available space required to download a file from PlayStation Store to your Memory Stick has been reduced significantly.
Internet search for games directly from the XMB Â– YouÂ’ll be able to easily search the Internet for information about your PSP games. Select the icon for the game, hit the Triangle button, and then select [Internet Search] from the options menu to get search results based on the game title. This feature was added to PS3 with the recent 2.70 update.
Trend Micro trial Â– PSPÂ’s Internet browser is a great tool for checking out your favorite Web sites on the go, and weÂ’re teaming up with the Internet security experts at Trend Micro to make the Web browsing experience safer and more secure. With the 5.50 update, youÂ’ll have the option to access a free trial of two Trend Micro services:

Trend Micro Web Security uses Web reputation technology to block PSP owners from accidentally visiting a Web site that may contain malicious content designed to steal personal information and confidential data.
Trend Micro KidsÂ’ Safety uses URL filtering technology to prevent children from accessing Web sites that feature inappropriate content.

The PlayStation blog didn't mention what exact time the FW update will be available. We'll just give you guys word once this baby hits the servers.

PSP firmware 5.02 released... in Japan; carries minor changes *Update*

Via PlayStation Blog

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19 Jumps Custom Firmware 5.50GEN-D3 final released

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Comments

# tiff hack — derrek_lee_25 2009-04-20 04:05

do not update HEN will be released sometime today for 5.03 according to the article they said it would be out by tuesday

# ^_^ — xCraftx 2009-04-20 04:05

I finally get to update! (once 5.50 m33 comes out)

Although I would imagine this update also contains *Security Update to block the tiff exploit on the 3000 :(

PSN update looks like the most useful update there, because I hated the fact that it took twice the memory that the game actually was to download it. information board is kinda cool... but i rarely look at it on my ps3 so...

# =] — GLO13AL_T3RROR 2009-04-20 04:12

woot.....a new twist!!

# ... — yoshi314 2009-04-20 04:36

"(...) uses URL filtering technology to prevent children from accessing Web sites that feature inappropriate content. "

i wonder if psp hacking/cfw related sites will be on the list :].

# =_= — Chronos15 2009-04-20 04:39

While they were working on the internet browser, couldn't they let the browser use MORE ram? The slim doens't have 64mb for nothing... A speed improvement on OFW would be a great update, since CFW has an improved internet browser because of my good friend Ardatan ;).

# Ultimate CFW — xavis75211 2009-04-20 04:49

if this turn to coustom firmware, this will be the ultimate CFW

# ... — NathanDrake 2009-04-20 04:50

Information board is a nice addition though not quite as useful as on the PS3 mainly just due to the PS3 is nearly always online when it's switched on and the PSP isn't.

The memory stick improvements are welcome too.

I'll update when the DAX version is available.

# Sub-folders — Althor 2009-04-20 04:56

Finally, SUB-FOLDERS :D. We've waited ages for them and they have finally arrived. Now all we need is a dancing monkey screensaver for the XMB and Sony will have thought of everything.

# ~_~ — GLO13AL_T3RROR 2009-04-20 05:00

Not really!

# . — triac 2009-04-20 05:01

Hmm... well.

"Information Board" - Doesn't sound like I would ever use it.

"no longer need a PlayStation®Net work account" - I don't need it.

"Memory Stick improvements" - Its not like I would ever download so much files on my PSP that I want to create directories. I'll always do it while the PSP is connected to a PC. For emergencies there is still iRShell or PSP Filer.

"Internet search for games directly from the XMB" - Basically it just saves me to write the name, right?

"Trend Micro trial" - Are we going to see more advertising on our PSPs in the future?

"Trend Micro Web Security" - Is somebody seriously doing online banking or something like this on a PSP?

"Trend Micro Kids’ Safety" - I guess thats easily bypassed on a custom firmware PSP. The worst thing that might be needed is to simply reflash the firmware.

Well, as for me. I don' need it.

# Big update? — zzk2001 2009-04-20 05:08

I don't see anything good about this update.

I really don't see DarkAlex making a 5.50m33, If he does.

I see no point in Updating.

# ahhh — Scudreloaded 2009-04-20 05:18

Don't upgrade...the exploit is supposedly being released today

# [;....;] — axelixc 2009-04-20 06:05

access to sub-folders...no good?

# hmm — yoshi314 2009-04-20 06:23

"Information board is a nice addition though not quite as useful as on the PS3 mainly just due to the PS3"

every time something like this comes up, i worry that it might have a hidden "feature" of connecting back to sony, and e.g. reporting whether your psp has official firmware, etc.

# Stop HACKING!! — Hekynn 2009-04-20 06:26

Stop hacking people if you guys wanna see better updates!

# Huh? — Althor 2009-04-20 06:30

I fail to see how people hacking the updates makes the actual updates worse. By people cracking them that means Sony need to put better people on the creation for security. Just because they are working on security doens't mean those people won't have good ideas. The Sub-folder could have been one of the security peoples ideas, you just never know. I think that the updates can only get better, I don't know what else to ask for in the updates. I just want them to update the UK PSN to have the FF games on them.

# who cares — dl276 2009-04-20 06:34

Don't really play the PSP anymore.

Just be glad people still do and bother working on it.

# +] — GLO13AL_T3RROR 2009-04-20 06:46

then don't bother commenting...nutball.

# ... — NathanDrake 2009-04-20 06:56

Obviously plenty of people care... especially with the nice bunch of big name games coming out that has helped revive interest in what is the best handheld system ever (if not the biggest selling).

# Psh, Fail much? — D-0-A 2009-04-20 06:58

Internet Security? Fail! Plus by Trend Micro? Could they have gotten a worse fail for Security? Norton would have been better, and AVG would have been 5 times better.

Internet Search for games? What the hell is this crap? I saw this on the PS3. Looks and is stupid.

Mem Stick improvements look nice. Although it took them long enough to get it to OFW.

Info board is awesome! I love it on the PS3, and it will be great on the PSP.

Finally! We can surf the store without being signed into the PSN. What happened to this being on the PS3?

# My views. — JoycieC 2009-04-20 07:46

Information Board - Not entirely fond of the idea however it could be a nice small addition, especially when bored.

No longer required to use a PlayStation®Net work account - Personally, that's fantastic, it's what I needed to get my demos.

Memory Stick improvements - How many years did it take Sony to finally realise that people want sub-folder creation?

Internet search for games from the XMB - Kind of pointless, but every little helps or just takes up more space.

Trend Micro trial - Wow, lovely, more money to waste. It's not like any of us really wanted a browser with mp3 playback in the background or a browser that uses more ram so we could browse more sites and not have to have only one site open at a time because we keep getting the "not enough free space" message.

Trend Micro Web Security - This is absolutely pointless, if anyone buys this I'll be shocked.

Trend Micro Kids’ Safety - The only difference in the way kids use the PSP browser to a PC one is that they can use it while hiding under the covers, it's pointless but there could be a few parents who want it.

In other words this update is just to foil the HEN plans, the only thing worth getting is the memory stick management, Sony just failed again, why can't they just listen to people, it's gotten to the point where it's just silly now.

# Best handheld system? — JoycieC 2009-04-20 07:48

Pfft, best handheld was the Gameboy Color and you know it

# Here's what we can expect: — pokerpoker 2009-04-20 08:05

- New libriff - You will be able to open your pictures faster, i mean, 0.1 miliseconds (nothing more, we swear)

- Security updates - Well, it's not your security, it's our company's.

- Some bug issues. - You haven't seen them, but it'll be ok.

# poke — lislunatic 2009-04-20 08:30

It's good because it means sony is still doing stuff 0o.

I wish they add texting to the psp skype and maybe upgrade the slim browser.

Somehow the dsi browser is faster loading onemanga.com X.X

# WTF? — thexile 2009-04-20 08:31

Why do I need Trend Micro junk? This is the worst feature ever.

# sub folders — mocherz 2009-04-20 08:54

seriously, about godamn time!

# ... — AssassinWarrior 2009-04-20 09:01

not really my a$$

# ... — Justingraziano 2009-04-20 09:08

Because Sony is ageist.

# . — derrek_lee_25 2009-04-20 09:30

DONT UPDATE its mainly a security update and eventually will get hacked

# There was a plugin for sub folders. — Sythun 2009-04-20 09:40

I'm pretty sure there was a plugin for sub folders already.

# . — p0op 2009-04-20 10:02

PS3-Hacks and PSP-Hacks is blocked on the PS3 version, so it's going to be the same for the PSP.

# @ p0op — 93pauott 2009-04-20 10:33

so dont activate the filter.

# So — Metallica101 2009-04-20 10:35

What exactly is sub-folders on the XMB? I don't really get it. Is it just folders in folders?

Man, if they made folders for the PSP games, that would be sweet

# Trend Micro. — 93pauott 2009-04-20 10:36

cant you just turn it off like on the ps3..?

# . — Metal Jody 2009-04-20 11:03

this firmware is SO pointless. i thought all the previous firmwares were capable of sub-folders. maybe im confused with the term. does it mean i can create a folder in the music folder and name it a band title?... because ive already done that. its a crappy update. it would make sense if it was called 5.20, not 5.50.

# ... — TheLastGuitarHero 2009-04-20 11:22

No, instead of music only showing up under

Music > Rock > Mp3s...

You can do...

Music > Rock > Artist(s) > Mp3s.

# when the hell — lansingone 2009-04-20 11:41

can i get proper music sorting like on the PS3? seriously every update since the PS3 came out i have been expecting to press square and see it change sorting by artist, genre, and album

# Honestly — TPot 2009-04-20 14:08

If I wanted to enable filters to stop my kids going to inappropriate sites, then I would want it to include psp hacking sites. ie. If I am concerned about what my kids are doing on my psp, I will also be concerned about them stuffing it up by trying out new hacks!

# humans — HirogaX 2009-04-20 14:37

this was created by humans, & shall be hacked by humans,

anyway cant wait for this

# intelligence fail — AssassinWarrior 2009-04-20 16:35

your just stupid.

# fail — AssassinWarrior 2009-04-20 16:38

why you even commenting when all you have is coldness in your heart?

# this — IIVIIOJICA 2009-04-20 17:25

update suck when i saw about da browser update i thought it a way to load them faster but no it lame ill give it a 3 out of 10

# They forgot to mention their TIFF exploit patch-fix feature — animebuster 2009-04-20 23:55

this update fixes the tiff exploit it wont work anymore

# oh no! — PSPfNruelzdude 2009-04-21 04:42

I updated and my Emus don't work anymore!! What happened?!

# ...... — Chronos15 2009-04-21 05:04

Perhaps you're on Sony's official firmware. And since this isn't M33...Homebrew doesn't work. Just downgrade to 5.00M33-6 with your Pandora battery and Magick Memorystick.

# whew! — PSPfNruelzdude 2009-04-21 05:34

Thanks you! all good now.

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