Looks like a hotfix may be in order for Sony’s recently-issued PS3 firmware 3.56. Although merely a ‘security patch,’ users on various sites such as NeoGAF and HighDefForum are reporting that they can no longer swap the internal HDD for a upgraded one. A wide range of PS3 models are affected, all of them with a 16MB NAND flash, which […]

Sony has quietly released PS3 firmware 3.56, a minor update that adds a “security patch.” Vagueness aside, there’s little doubt this comes in response to the recent wave of PS3 hacking efforts which have resulted in several custom firmware variants. Suffice to say, those who value homebrew access are advised not to update at this time. It likely won’t be […]

It looks like Davee has maintained his word of a new downgrader even though the PSP’s signing keys were released. The new downgrader will take your PSP running 6.31 or 6.35 firmware to the earlier 6.20 firmware, which is HEN-capable. The downgrade process is relatively simple: copy the PSP folder from the downgrader to your PSP and then put the […]

Update: It’s out. Ahead of the PSP2’s unveiling next week, Sony is giving the original PSP a dose of firmware lovin’. According to a recent PlayStation Blog post, PSP firmware 6.37 is due out ‘soon.’ It aims to “improve system software stability during use of some features.” Nothing terribly exciting here, really, but we’ll let you know when the update […]

Sony’s legal suits are at it again, filing a lawsuit against famed hacker George “Geohot” Hotz and the fail0verflow team. Along with Hotz, it specifically names Hector Martin and Sven Peter, both of whom gave a revealing presentation on Sony’s broken PS3 security last month at 27C3. 100 other individuals have been targeted as well, although they remain unnamed. The […]

While the PS3’s security has been blown wide open as a result of recent hacking efforts, that isn’t stopping Sony from fighting the good fight. In a recent interview with Edge Magazine, a Sony spokesperson claims that a series of network updates are on the way to combat these developments. Sony would not spare details on the upcoming firmware, declining […]

We interrupt your holiday celebrations to give you something else to celebrate about. Davee, famous for his work on ChickHEN, just tweeted that he has successfully downgraded his PSPgo from firmware 6.31 to 6.20. When asked the share more details about the new development Davee replied saying “Just wait a while ;)”. Glad to see the PSP is still getting […]

Another demo has led to the discovery of a PSP exploit, this time on firmware 6.35. We’ve received word that hacker Jeerum has uncovered a user-mode exploit that takes advantage of a vulnerability in a Japanese demo known as Minna no Sukkiri. Perhaps more importantly for end-users, the exploit brings with it the arrival of a firmware 6.35 compatible Homebrew […]

It seems that early adopters of the PS3 downgrader are experiencing issues with Blu-ray playback on their consoles. According to Mathieulh, the reason this happens is because some files are replaced with those from a debug unit which do not support blu-ray movie playback. It is unclear at this time whether this broken functionality could be fixed in the future […]

Surprise: amid the recent release of PS Downgrade along with rumors that a jailbreak solution for PS3 firmware 3.50 will soon surface, Sony doles out firmware 3.55. It’s a minor update that adds a mere “security patch.” These recent developments in the hacking scene are no doubt keeping Sony on the offensive.

In an effort to quell concerns, peripheral manufacture MadCatz has issued a statement in response to woes over incompatibilities with certain third-party USB devices in firmware 3.50. MadCatz assures that all its products from 2008 onward should be immune to any USB lock-outs Sony added in 3.50. Here’s the official word:

In a recently published consumer alert, Sony has issued a terse warning over the usage of unlicensed or counterfeit PS3 wireless controllers, bringing into question the “quality, reliability and safety” of these devices. Unspecified variants of third-party controllers may not function at all, damage your PS3, or worse — explode.

Update: As promised, firmware 3.50 has gone live! Grab it from our download section or via Network Update. Take caution, however: like 3.42 before it, this update renders all PSJailbreak variants inoperable. Additionally, to complement its release, the US PS Blog sends along more details on enhanced Facebook integration and the “Grief Reporting” feature, which makes its debut in 3.50. […]

Progress is being made at an amazing pace in the PS3 scene! Developer JaiCraB has released a USB firmware loader application that can load an ENTIRE firmware direct from USB. Reminds us of the good ‘ol DevHook days back on PSP. As a result, this allows users to modify firmware resource files such as RCOs without any risk of bricking […]

Sony just announced via its PS Blog that firmware 3.50 for PS3 will go live on September 21, giving PS3 owners the ability to playback 3D content on supported Blu-ray discs. Stereoscopic 3D support for games went live in firmware 3.30. This update brings the PS3 up to speed with the latest in 3D ready standalone Blu-ray players, reinforcing Sony’s […]

Sony may be responding to cries for PS2 backwards compatibility — which was removed from later PS3 units — in a slightly unorthodox way. A recent patent dug up by the information sleuths over at Siliconera reveals that Sony is exploring the possibility of an adapter that, when hooked up to the PS3, allows playback of PS2 format titles. A […]

In Nintendo’s seemingly eternal battle against flashcart users and freeloading pirates, the company has released firmware 1.4.1U for the DSi. The official changelog contains nothing but a blurb that vaguely mentions “behind-the-scenes improvements” in regards to system stability. Under that thinly veiled guise is another attempt at cutting off access to third-party applications, a move no doubt prompted by growing piracy concerns. […]

Update: We can confirm that all variants of the USB-hub emulating exploit (PSFreedom, PSGroove, PSJailbreak) are no longer functional in firmware 3.42. We’ve just been informed that PS3 firmware 3.42 has hit Network Update. Although Sony usually updates its blog ahead of time with information on new firmware releases, that is not the case this time — presumably as today […]

As one would expect, Sony has not taken kindly to the recent announcement of the PS Jailbreak, filing a temporary injunction to prevent any sale of the device across Australian retailers.

Update: Time to head on over to Network Update once again folks. PSP firmware 6.30 has gone live. It’s a firmware bonanza: as Sony promised, PS3 firmware 3.40 is now live. The availability of 6.30 for PSP will follow shortly. Both introduce PlayStation Plus, a premium tier of offerings geared towards PSN’s most loyal. You’ll pay $50 annual for the privledge […]