Not long after the release of Sony's PlayStation Portable Firmware 4.0, a new firmware update seems to be on the rise yet again. Eric Lempel, Director of PlayStation Network Operations, recently announced on the PlayStation Blog that PSP firmware update v4.05 will be released very soon. Find out the specifics of the new Firmware v4.05 in our full article.

*Update* PSP FW 4.05 is out. Changelog in full article.

 

PSP homebrew developer, Mediumgauge, has once again popped out to release an updated version of PSP Filer, now on v2.8. Just in case this is the first time you're reading about it (which we find quite impossible to believe), PSP Filer is a file management program for the PSP which is pretty much like File Assistant.

Now, sadly the readme file and the changelog text file is all in Japanese, so we had to look really hard to be able to dish out a usable and understandable changelog. So after sifting through the Japanese changelog, we were able to find some tidbits that we'll be of help to you. With that, let's go over the changelog for v2.8

Changelog for version 2.8:

• General:
• fixed a bug when filer backuped flash image, the last cluster was lost.
• filer will skip to backup flash image when there is not enough space in MS Duo.
• battery icon blinks when PSP is connected with AC adapter.

• Filer:
• When pasting files from RAMDISK, filer will check free space of device, and will skip pasting if there is not enough space.

Thanks to GMDude66 for the heads up! Download link's down there, have fun you guys!

Download: [PSP Filer v2.8]

From QJ reader GmDude66 comes these great new screenshots from EA's upcoming Need For Speed: Carbon. These drop-dead gorgeous images say it all. EA wasn't kidding around when theyset outto make NFS:Carbon! These vehicles gleam with Turtle-Wax-like reality. And the metal-on-metal sparks don't look too shabby, either!

But then again NFS:Carbon will be the the first member of its franchise to run wild on all the next-gen consoles. It has no choice but to make the kind of smashing audience impact that would crush an armored car like a beer can to a frat boy's forehead. NFS: Carbon will feature a selection of cars from previous titles including Need for Speed: Most Wanted and Underground 2 plus an-all new line up of cars: Chevrolet Chevelle SS, Audi Le Mans Quattro, and the Shelby GT500.

So gentlemen and ladies who don't mind getting grease under their nails, get ready to rev up your engines.

You can also find more info about NFS:Carbon for the PS3 here and the Wii version here.

 

GMDude66 from our forums has released the third version of his PSP Anti-Theft System (PATS) for the PSP. This nifty little application helps to safeguard your PSP in the event of it being stolen. I'm sure most of you know how this works, but just in case you don't I'll go over it one more time.

When you double click the "install.reg" file, information will be added to the registry stating that your particular computer is the TRUE owner of the PSP. When you plug the PSP into a computer "autorun.inf" will run the new and improved program for PATS3, "PATS3.exe" and if it doesn't read the registry of the owner data, a browser window opens up and sends the users IP address to the TRUE owner's email, which has to be set in the "index.htm" file.

Although PATS is not a bulletproof way of securing your PSP, it sure helps. If your PSP is stolen and they don't plug it in to an internet-connected PC, then it won't work, and currently it only works on Windows. But for a 9kb download, you won't even notice it's there! You never know, it may come in handy one day.

Enough of the ranting, here's whats been changed for PATS3:

• PATS now uses a different exe file coded in C++ that should resolve errors with autoplay not opening the file
  
• Removed password because people didn't like it
• Added Icon of a black PSP

Thanks for the heads up GMDude66!

Download: [PSP Anti-Theft System3]

The first version of PATS by GMDude66 , based on the original version by realn0whereman and youresam1, was featured yesterday here in QJ. And now a much improved version of this Anti-Theft System is here for your PSP's slash Baby's security.

Here's how it works. When you double click the "setowner.reg" file, information will be added to the registry stating that that particular computer is the TRUE owner of the PSP. When you plug the PSP into a computer "autorun.inf" will run "findowner.bat" and if it doesn't read the registry of the owner data, a browser window opens up and sends the users IP address to the TRUE owner's email, which was set in the "index.htm" file.

Installation Instructions:

1. Drag and drop all the file in this folder into your psp root.
2. Open 'ms0:index.htm' in NotePad and edit the fake email address and replace with YOUR email address.
3. Save 'index.htm'.
4. Open up 'ms0:pspcommonpassword.txt'.
5. Edit first line for YOUR password.
(DO NOT use anything important (such as forums, sites, aim, etc. password).
6. Save 'password.txt' (Much easier than version 1, eh?).

NOTE: If you do not have 'ms0:pspcommonpassword.txt' file you will get a VB error!

What's New in this Version:

• Added a 'password' box.
• Ditched the registry.
• Ditched the .bat file and now using .vbe (MUCH more features).
• If password is correct an explorer window will automatically open.
  

Thanks to Dragula96 for the tip.

Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]
Download: [PATS V2]

GMDude66, working off the original version by realn0whereman and youresam, has released PATS - a theft protection utility for the PSP. PATS will now only send an email if the PSP is plugged into another computer (other than your own) by using the registry to store the value 'Owner=True' under a specific directory. When the PSP is connected via USB it will auto run the checking system and determine whether the registry key exists or not, if it does not the application will send you an email summary.

All files in the download were coded by GMDude66 including the new PHP mailer which includes IP resolve, browser and language detection in the email it sends out. For full installation instructions, just refer to the readme documents inside the download file.

Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]
Download: [PSP Anti-Theft System]