Update: Cool… A video showcasing 6.00 courtesy of WEED LOVER:

Update: Hrm… Even Lempel doesn’t mention any of the PSP GO features on his latest PlayStation Blog post. Why’s that?

Update: All right; first impressions… Nothing overly exciting… Plenty of new theme colours… Big whoop. 6.00!? C’mon… More like 5.56 or something. I’m more interested in the PSPgo and the Bluetooth Internet dealio. The change log posted below is spot-on with exception of the PSP GO specifics; I can’t confirm that until October. Anyway, let me reiterate:

PSP Firmware 6.00:

• PlayStation Store Games can now be grouped and displayed in folders based on their expire date under [GAME]
• Importing of playlists from the Media GO! applications is now supported under Music
• Under [Settings] > [Network Update] has been changed to [System Update]
• The number of Colors that can be selected under [Settings] > [Theme Settings] has been increased
• The PSP GO! system can now connect to the Internet via a Bluetooth modem such as a mobile phone

And furthermore…

• Revisions to strengthen security has been added. (Internet Browser)

Anyone spot anything that went unmentioned?

Now to Pandora myself back to 5.50 GEN.

It’s out — Get PSP Firmware 6.00 now via Network/System Update or download it below. More to come… Updating…

Download: PSP Firmware 6.00

According to ps3-sense.nl: PSP Firmware 6.00 is set for release very soon… I’m talking September 10th soon. And I’m making this next assumption based on ps3-sense’s word and Sony’s track record when it comes to new firmware releases; 6.00 may be available tonight at midnight or shortly thereafter. So keep your WiFi connected and your PSP in check.

PS3-Sense.nl even has the inside scoop on the supposed changes:

• PlayStation Store Games can now be grouped and displayed in folders based on their expire date under [GAME]
• Importing of playlists from the Media GO! applications is now supported under Music
• Under [Settings] > [Network Update] has been changed to [System Update]
• The number of Colors that can be selected under [Settings] > [Theme Settings] has been increased
• In [Display Panel Close Options] under [Settings] > [System Settings], the design for the [Standard] option has been changed
• The PSP GO! system can now connect to the Internet via a Bluetooth modem such as a mobile phone

At the current moment: Network/System Update is still serving up 5.51.

- source: ps3-sense.nl

Released to legitimate/licensed PSP developers is firmware 6.00 beta. It’s clear Sony has taken the motherly role in protecting their newborn: the PSPgo. PSPGEN, who we all know and trust, shed some light on the 6.00 situation…

Sony has no doubt performed a serious firmware audit plugging all known vulnerabilities — even unpublished kernel exploits — found in the current firmware versions, which of course leaves their new hand-held much harder to hack; or any [newer] PSP that is upgraded to 6.00+ for that matter. Those are the details we know right now. We’ll keep you posted.

- source: pspgen

From GamesCom MaGiXieN shares video evidence of PSP Firmware 5.70. Will the PSPgo be shipped with said firmware? It’s possible, who knows…

Now I only speak un peu français, so I have no idea what you’re looking at in terms of XMB items and such. Nonetheless, here it is…

- source: pspgen

Sony acting suspicious with a [minor] firmware bump… PSP Firmware 5.51 just hit Network Update; you can also grab it below.

So what’s new? Apparently the same ol’ nonsense — improved system software stability during the use of some features. That’s it.

I wouldn’t recommend updating if you’re the hacked but Pandoraless, PSP-3000, or TA-088v3 type.

Download: PSP Firmware 5.51 Update

It’s out — Sony has officially released PSP firmware update version 5.50.

PSP Firmware 5.50 changes:

• [Information Board] has been added as a feature under [PlayStation®Network]. You can view the latest news from PlayStation®Network.
• Support for a Web security service provided by Trend Micro™ has been added to [Internet Browser].
• An icon for [Internet Search] has been added to the menu bar in [Internet Browser].
• In the options menu for a game under [Game], you can now perform an Internet search using the name of the game as the search keyword.
• You can now view one more folder level under [Photo], [Music] and [Video].

And this should come as no surprise; Sony failed to mention they’ve patched the TIFF vulnerability rendering the recent exploit useless. Go figure.

So should you upgrade? The choice is yours. I mean, if you have a hacked PSP-1000 or 2000 with a working Pandora Battery, then why not check it out. Otherwise, I recommend you steer clear until the new Homebrew Enabler (HEN) is available.

Download: PSP (Official) Firmware 5.50

Ch’yeah, like we didn’t see this coming now that the recently discovered TIFF exploit has blown up… Posted by Eric Lempel over at the official PlayStation Blog are details concerning the soon-to-be released PSP Firmware 5.50. What’s new? Allow me to quote –

The firmware update will introduce an Information Board on the PSP system’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 you’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 you’re at a wireless Internet hotspot.

In addition, we’ll be adding a few more enhancements with the 5.50 update:

• Memory Stick improvements – You’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 – You’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 – PSP’s Internet browser is a great tool for checking out your favorite Web sites on the go, and we’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, you’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 Kids’ Safety uses URL filtering technology to prevent children from accessing Web sites that feature inappropriate content.

And of course they’ve likely patched said TIFF exploit; so when 5.50 hits, don’t rush to upgrade, not yet anyway. We’ll keep you posted.

- discussion thread -

- source: blog.us.playstation.com

Update: I can personally confirm “The IdolM@ster SP” does not boot on custom firmware 5.00 M33. It errors out with the following, “The game could not be started. (80020148).”

Furthermore, after doing a little research, it’s rumoured The Idolmaster SP will feature unlockable “PlayStation Home Rewards.” It’s likely 5.05 may accommodate that.

Uh oh… Apparently this new PSP title, The Idolmaster SP, comes bundled with PSP firmware version 5.05, and not only that, you absolutely need 5.05 to run it. It’s been reported, even with spoofing your firmware version, that for the moment Idolmaster SP does not work on any custom firmwares. So that begs the question: what’s up with firmware 5.05?

To quote Mr. Anonymous –

The series of THE iDOLM@STER SP games (japanese), released today but leaked earlier, comes with a new and neat 5.05 update that is pretty much required for the game to run, or, at least, does not work on any existing CFW at the time. Spoofing the version through version.txt seemingly doesn’t work, either.

- source: qj

Update: It’s been confirmed: Firmware 5.03 indeed patches the GripShift save game exploit.

Sony has officially released PSP firmware 5.03. Now there isn’t much detail at this time; however, if you’re a PSP-3000 owner holding on tight to your GripShift UMD, I’d recommend not updating, not yet anyway…

According to Eric Lempel, “this is a small update that improves system software stability during use of some features.”… Yeah, I bet.

We’ll keep you posted.

Download: PSP Firmware (Official) 5.03

Sony has officially released it — PSP Firmware 5.02.

The good news: Dark_AleX’s latest version of PSARDumper is able to successfully dump and decrypt it.

The bad news: well, there is none really… It’s unlikely we’ll see custom firmware 5.02 M33 from this; the changes are nothing too significant. Maybe a patch for 5.00 M33 is in order? We’ll see…

Download:
PSP (Official) Firmware 5.02
PSARDumper