PSP Firmware 2.50
 

1.0...1.5...1.51...1.52...2.0...2.01...2.5

I'm getting a PSP soon, and I have absolutely NO idea what the hell firmware is or what any of that means!
Should I know about it to use it properly?

Firmware is the inbetween of Software and Hardware. Get it?

Definition: Computer programming instructions that are stored in a read-only memory unit rather than being implemented through software.

Wow, they've been pretty busy adding and fixing things. I guess that's both good and bad. It should have been there in the first place, but congrats to them for working at it and keeping updates coming to users.

The things they're fixing probably aren't what you're thinking of... You see, on firmware versions less than 2.0 (anything other than 2.01 and 2.5) you can exploit the software to run programs off the memory stick. This is a really cool thing to do because it means you can run a huge number of emulators, free games, and other nifty things people have created. That's right... you can play all your SNES games on your PSP. Some clever hackers out there have also figured out how to make PSP games run off the memory stick also. This is also a pretty cool trick because the level load times goes WAY down and your battery last a lot longer. The only drawback, and it's a big one, is that it has opened the door to rampant piracy. The only "fixes" that Sony has released stop you from running programs off the memory stick. All the other stuff they've done is to make sure you install it. Each time Sony patches a hole, they have to add some bells and whistles too - otherwise there's no reason to update.

Congrats Sony? Nah... they're not doing us any favors. It's all a calculated plan to control what you can and cannot do with their machine.

Well, at least they gave us a Web Browser.

And why shouldn't they? I'm sure they're not real concerned if you use a PSP to play GBA games via an emulator but if they leave the ability to use 3rd party software open that means also allowing people to play pirated copies of PSP games as well.

Sony makes no money off the PSP hardware. It's all about the games and movies. Leave open a chance for users to just download and play games without paying Sony for them means no money is made and no more PSP.

Would you rather they continue to make money off the games or have them raise the price of the hardware?

I have mine, so price of the hardware. It seems to be prices of games are shooting up anyways. That'll get me buying. I bought Wipeout for $50 CAD in June. Saw it for $70 yesterday... I hear the new GTA will be $60.

What really heats my grill is they're the same price as thier console counterparts, but the games are usually less developed, and I can't play them on my TV. PSP should have had RCA out. At least I can play my GBA games on my TV when I'm home.

I really think that's the future of gaming, right there. If I'm at home, I connect to the TV. If I go out, I pick up the system and play on the go. If I go to a buddy's house, we can play wireless multiplayer. If he has 2 TV's, we can use those. Hook a wireless controller up if you need extra players. The technology isn't there yet, and I wouldn't know how to store the games, but who knows... It would be smart. I think this is going to happen to PC's too... We'll see....


Anyways, does anyone know how to turn a PC into a LocationFree hub? Is it even possible? I'd upgrade for that...