Earlier this week, we heard that Sony had already - supposedly! - released the upcoming PSP firmware 5.0 to developers for them to test out. Wondering what features the new system update will bring? Online play via PSN (not just ad-hoc), a new RSS reader, and an integrated screen capture function. Ooh. Well that's definitely a bigger update than something like, say, Google Search, right?

PSP homebrew developer PirataNervo has released an update to NervOS, his official entry to the PSP Updates Summer Homebrew Contest. NervOS is a shell application similar to IR Shell. This update has several new features and bug fixes. If you're a fan of the previous releases, you should definitely update.

Download: NervOS 2.2
Visit: QJ.NET PSP Development Forums

So you have iR Shell and other shell applications for the PSP. And more recently, we scrounged up that oh-so-cool Mac OS X Shell too. But what of Windows fans? Here's MyWindows demo v0.1 and it's chockful of features already: access to the Internet, the launching of homebrew files and media, and some standard apps from any Windows OS.

Download: MyWindows demo v0.1

Thanks to tip from MaGiXieN, we're letting you guys know that  the developers of the PSP's custom firmware 3.95 GEN have announced updates regarding the project's progress. First off, the CFW's Slim port is going well enough that it'll carry popsloader support, contrary to their previous predictions. Complications did arise with the firmware's build for the PSP Fat - you can read more on this over in the full article.

We hope you can remember the Cypher-Me IR Shell plugin from dev maxthebest when we first reported it. With this homebrew app, you can  restrict other people from viewing your files. Now, the dev has upgraded it to version 0.2. Find out the improvements for this new build over at the full article.

Download: Cypher-Me IRshell plugin v0.2
Visit: QJ PSP Development Forums

Good news, PSP Slim users: FileAssistant, the all-purpose file manager program, is now working for 3.XX kernel, courtesy of JaX3RiR. There are a few bugs here and there, but the point is it works. More details in the full article.

Download: FileAssistant 3.xx Kernel
Visit: QJ.NET FileAssistant 3.xx Kernel Forum Thread

PCoopD of the Maxy_PSP dev team announced over at the forums that they've begun work on MaxES, a new shell application for the Sony PSP. It's still in the early stages of development, though those interested in hearing about its features will want to visit the full article.


Visit: QJ.NET PSP Development Forums

Here's a new iR Shell plugin known as Cypher-Me from homebrew coder MaxTheBest. Basically, what this does is directly encrypts the highlighted file in iR Shell's file browser.

The program is currently on version 0.2 B. To know more about its features and the initial bug fixes, proceed to the full article via the "read more" link below.

Download: Cypher-Me v0.2 B

If you are missing the iR Shell functionality that gives you control over the PSP's LED lights because your custom firmware no longer supports it, then brk3's latest release LED Control should do the trick for you.

To know about this program and the changes since its initial release, click the "read more" link below.

Download: LED Control v0.2

(Editor's Note: Super Tuesday, Super Bowl, super QuickPeek 33!)

The gaming industry had its own Super Tuesday/Bowl and the best part about it is that it lasted for a full week! Valentine's is just around the corner, and we're already prepping up another QuickPeek Special Edition for all of you (sans the mushy stuff, of course). But before that, we've got more news from all corners of the gaming globe as we give you guys one huge bundle of updates in issue 33!