I received my PSP-290 (GPS device) a few days back and I must say, AVEC is pretty bad ass, especially the turn-by-turn navigation business. Now with 3D terrain mode and improved MPI routines, we present: Art’s AVEC V6.

I’ve been using this site to get my maps; I’m not sure what’s with all the religious POIs in my area. Oh yeah, I also recommend you use the included MP Converter tool; having the PSP do this takes forever.

AVEC V6 Changes:

• Implemented 3D terrain view mode for topographic maps with two configurable terrain exaggeration levels.
• Fixed bug present only in user mode version where the grid was not rotating with map while in GPS mode.
• Removed canvas size option from the configuration menu.
• Changed position indicator slightly to improve visibility.
• Added street names to map display at highest zoom level if street names are available in the map file.
• Fixed zoom routine to ensure highest zoom level is always available.
• Changed the default GPS mode zoom level to the highest zoom level.
• Removed delays in image capture routine that were not supposed to be present in any public release.
• Improved the look and the control of scrolling in the configuration menu.
• Sound now works in GPS mode for user mode version only. USB GPS routines are running in a dedicated thread.
• Implemented new compressed mpi file format resulting in faster map file searching and smaller file size.
• The PSP-290 USB GPS unit can now be plugged in after the user mode version of the program has started.
• Fixed bug in mpi converter routine. Program would crash if a street name began with an open bracket character.
• Program no longer adjusts the PSP clock speed. By default, the PSP will run at 222MHz.

Download: AVEC V6

- source: dcemu

This demo is pretty cool…

It is Art’s AVEC with a serial connected GPS device and a USB powered PSP Go Cam (PSP-300). Every time the map screen is drawn and saved to a file, a picture from the cam is snapped and saved as well. Cropping and vertically stacking the images then paint the perfect picture above.

- source: youtube

That’s what I’m talking ’bout: PSP-290 GPS support with Art’s AVEC. And of course V5 features more than just that; see the full change log below. Two versions are now included: 1) support for serial connected GPS devices using the 1.50 kernel, and 2) support for the PSP-290 GPS accessory on whatever custom firmware.

AVEC — Vector Mapping & GPS Map Viewer — V5:

• Implementation of Deniska’s PSP-290 test program routines provides compatibility with the PSP-290.
• Added signal strength indicator to user mode version of the program for PSP-290.
• Added colour cycling circle around pointer crosshair to make it easier to see.
• Improved joystick controlled map rotation feature for track up mode without a GPS device.
• Greatly improved the speed of rotation routine for faster drawing in track up display mode.
• Improved accuracy of screen position by removing zoom levels that cause float rounding error. This fixed a bug in the find place by name feature where the found place may not have been on the screen.
• Fixed bug in screen capture routine. Saved images were horizontally offset by one pixel.
• Improved text entry method for find place by name feature by implementing optional analogue selector.
• Fix to projection routines to resolve a problem that caused some lines and polygons to appear squashed toward the bottom of the screen. This may have added a noticeable processing overhead.

Congratulations on owning the Neoflash 2009 Summer Coding Competition in the PSP apps division, and thanks for the PSP-290 support. Cheers!

Download: AVEC V5

- source: dcemu

I don’t have a GPS device for my PSP; but perhaps you do, and if you do, let us and the other non-GPS having folk know what’s up. This is Art’s AVEC GPS V4 with “track up” display mode. YouTube check it –

Oh, and by the way, you’ll need a PSP sportin’ the 1.50 kernel. Everything else is documented within the archive. Enjoy. (more…)

A blast of homebrew from the NEO Summer Coding Competition you may want to download and check out… And should you like whatever homebrew, vote accordingly. Click each app or game title for more information, any included screenshots, and of course to vote.

Apps:

PSPconsole v1.7 by Hotter

Do all this straight from the XMB…

• Quickly see battery info.
• Delete, cut, copy, rename, create, view properties of file/folder, set them hidden/read-only.
• View text files
• View and edit with hex editor.
• View loaded threads, modules files.
• Use alarm clock.
• Play C snake, Tetris, Pong.
• Sort your games and homebrews.
• Use calculator.
• View calendar.

DayViewer Beta 4 by Total_Noob

You know what’s up… We covered this one before… DayViewer adds the day of the week to the VSH.

Beta 4 changes:

• Added support for 5.03, 5.05 and 5.50
• Made code more dynamic, should no longer require an update each fw
• Improved the main code
• Improved flashing of prx on installer
• PRX size smaller

PSPTweaker v2.0 by ab5000

PSPTweaker is a multi-purpose app to perform various operations on your PSP, such as registry hacks, cleaning the system of temp or unnecessary files, and more…

PSN License Manager v0.40 by Light_AleX

Again, you know the deal… Learn more about PSN License Manager right here. Simply put: manage multiple PSN licenses of purchased content from different regions without deactivating/reactivating your console.

AVEC V1 – GPS Vector Map Viewer by Art

AVEC is a Vector map viewer capable of displaying and navigating maps in the common Polish format maps. The 1.50 kernel version can also receive location from a GPS device and display your location on the map. If the map file has street information, the program tells you what street you are in, or look up the name of a street selected with the cross hair.

The 1.50 version should be installed to GAME150. If you have a GPS setup for MapThis! it will be compatible since it uses the same GPS routines. The newer firmwares version should be installed to PSP/GAME352 or
PSP/GAME5xx, etc.

Games:

Random Shooter – Space Shoot ‘Em Up by Zack

Random Shooter is a PSP port of the game of the same name by parellelRealitys. With a few adjustments and enhancements. The object of the game is to achieve the highest score possible as you battle against an army of UFO’s. You only have one life, 1 hit and your dead. Classic retro style action.

My Snake Pet by leviadragon

My snake pet is a Tamagotchi. Instead of the pet there is Snake from Metal Gear Solid… I leave to your imagination how much this can be funny!

Portable Bubble v2.0 by Gefa

Just a few posts down… Portable Bubble is the Bust-a-Move/Puzzle Bobble clone.

Download:
PSPconsole v1.7
DayViewer Beta 4
PSPTweaker v2.0
PSN License Manager v0.40
AVEC V1
Random Shooter – Space Shoot ‘Em Up
My Snake Pet
Portable Bubble v2.0

V5 Update:

- Implemented colour cycling mode.

It’s fascinating, it’s artsy, it’s mathematically sound — it’s Art’s Fractal Universe and it just made its way to version 4 with significant improvements to back it up… Allow me to quote Art –

This is my fourth release of Fractal Universe for the Sony Playstation Portable. Fractal Universe is a fractal explorer that now supports both Mandelbot and Julia sets. You can move left, right, up, down, and zoom in & out of the image you see at any time. An overlay viewfinder window has been implemented since V3 that lets the user zoom into any particular spot in the image they want. This saves a lot of rendering time.

Fractal Universe V4 changes:

• Added progress bar for new frame rendering.
• Implemented live updated display for new frame rendering.
• Added support for anologue controller.
• Added support for Julia set algorithm.
• Implemented feature to prevent previously saved images from being overwritten.
• Implemented colour palette display.
• Colour palette generation no longer causes a new frame to be rendered.

Download: Fractal Universe V5

- source: qj

Update:

• Added a higher quality setting (255 iterations).
• Implemented auto mode that can create frames of a fractal growth effect video.
• Program now clocks the PSP to 333 MHz.
• Saved images are now in 24 bit bitmap format.
• Some information is now shown on the calculating screen.
• Program now makes click sound for every valid button press, and when a new frame is rendered.
• Fixed program exit screen to work properly when Home button is pressed.
• Implemented zoom viewfinder.
• Images are now saved to ms0:/PICTURE/Fractals so they can be viewed in the XMB picture viewer.

Here’s a little somethin’ somethin’ from the developer you know as Art… It’s Fractal Universe — Explore it! Really, I don’t know what else to tell ya.

This is a relatively fast Mandelbrot set fractal explorer. You can move left, right, up, down, and zoom in & out of the image you see at any time. The fractal universe is limitless, and you can zoom in as many times as you like without losing any detail. You can also save an image to Memory Stick.

Download: Fractal Universe V3

- source: qj

First and foremost, I must give props to Art for all the badass homebrew over the years… With that said; Bitmap Hunter V5 marks Art’s retirement from the PSP development scene. Cheers dude — Good luck with your future endeavours.

And if you missed our initial coverage of Bitmap Hunter, you should know it enables you to search for and directly edit monochrome, 256 colour, and now 16 bit bitmaps embedded within certain binaries, typically firmware files found on electronic devices.

Bitmap Hunter V5 changes:

• Correction to columns field in mono mode.
• Fixed speed too fast when selecting a palette with the settings button after program has started.
• Added more on screen buttons, and button hiding feature.
• Added overlay image feature to help trace pictures.
• Added current foreground and background colour indicators.
• Removed experimental 32 bit colour mode.
• Fixed so Edit mode cannot be selected in 24 bit mode.
• Added 16 bit colour mode with editing support which is used by Garmin Colorado and Oregon GPS models.
• Program auto detects current Garmin Colorado and Oregon firmwares and sets modes accordingly.
• Added palette support for Garmin 60CSx icons under the Find menu.
• Program now checks that the selected firmware file is not too large before attempting to load it.
• Added feature to load a new file without restarting the program.
• Change to program so that it now looks for the file “Intro.bmp” when loading 60CSx firmware.
• User provided Intro bitmap now checked for correct dimensions and bit depth when loading 60CSx firmware.

Download: Bitmap Hunter V5

- source: dcemu

Maybe you’ll have a practical use for this, maybe you won’t… Whatever the case, this is Art’s Bitmap Hunter V4. Inspired by Datrex’s DOS app, HACKBMAP.EXE, Bitmap Hunter allows you to search for and directly edit monochrome or 256 colour bitmaps embedded within certain binaries, typically firmware files found on electronic devices.

Below Art demonstrates Bitmap Hunter by manipulating the Garmin GPSmap 60CSx firmware files.

Download: Bitmap Hunter V4

- source: dcemu

Two quality homebrews consolidated into one post; it’s Art’s Powernoid & Audio Mechanica…

Powernoid is the Breakout clone modeled after Amiga’s MegaBall, which also inspired DX-Ball for Windows. You know what that’s all about — keep the ball in motion, bust bricks, and collect power-ups, minus the bad ones.

Audio Mechanica is a digital audio recorder for the PSP. You know, like the commercial, “where did I park my car? Oh no… Blue section, row 18.” You will however require another piece of hardware; Audio Mechanica supports any Socom compatible headset with PSP headphone remote control, the Go!Cam (Chotto Cam), and the Talkman USB microphone.

 

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