Update: Hate to say I told ya so… But FreePlay has confirmed it — the recently discovered PSPgo save game exploit has been patched in firmware 6.20. Womp waaa…

You may miss it if you’re using 5.50 GEN-D2… That reports the latest version of the system software is already installed, which is no longer the case… Firmware 6.20 is live right now.

What’s new? Straight from Eric Lempell:

• Digital Comics Reader – PlayStation Network Digital Comics is a new service launching in December. It will allow you to download hundreds of classic and new comics from the PlayStation Store and read them page by page or frame by frame on your PSP system. Firmware update (v6.20) includes the Digital Comics reader application, which you’ll find under a new section called “Extras” on the XMB. Please note, the comic reader is an additional download; once you’ve loaded (v6.20) onto your system, simply click on the comic reader icon under “Extras” to download it to your PSP. In addition, you’ll be able to try out a free digital comic sample from the service soon. Visit www.playstationcomics.com for more information.
• Export video/photo playlists – This is a new feature that allows you to export your video and photo playlists from your PC to your PSP system through Media Go. Download the latest version of Media Go (v1.3) for this and a few additional enhancements.

I wouldn’t be updating so quickly if you’re a PSPgo owner, or an owner of any Pandora-proof PSP for that matter… Wait and see whether or not this update patches the recently discovered/rumoured exploit that my main man Beaker covered earlier last week. We’ll keep you posted.

Download: PSP Firmware 6.20

Update: And here it is… PSP Firmware Update 6.10.

Look at Sony acting all cool with their new firmware update… *Razor Ramon’s a toothpick* In our world it’s Yoshihiro and his 5.55/6.00 Games Decrypter. Join us, see what’s up.

But for real, Sony is preppin’ to release their 6.10 firmware update, which is of course aimed towards new PSPgo owners. Check it, from the L-Man himself:

PSP update (v6.10) will be available soon. This is a big update for us in preparation for the launch of PSPgo. New PSPgo owners should make sure to download the update to ensure full compatibility with MediaGo and with all PSP titles. Here are some of the key features we’ll be introducing:

SensMe

SensMe channels is a new music application for PSP that uses Sony’s proprietary 12 Tone Analysis technology to evaluate music tracks that have been imported from Media Go application on your PC to your PSP. The application automatically categorizes the tracks into 12 channels such as “Relax” or “Newly Added”. Check out the walk-thru demo to see how it works.

- Eric Lempel

Download: PSP Firmware Update 6.10

Perhaps this update will never see the light of day, whether that be from Sony’s website or Network Update; however, G.I. Joe The Rise of Cobra UMD comes pressed with firmware 5.55, much like IdolM@ster SP and 5.05. Currently, as confirmed in the below video, 5.55 is required to run G.I. Joe. But really, we all know that’ll be hacked/bypassed in due time.

- source: dark-alex

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

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: 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

Sony back to it — PSP Firmware 5.02 is on the way… What’s new? For now, we know this –

“This update improves system software stability during use of some features, including the PlayStation Store.”

- source: blog.us.playstation.com

With the quickness indeed — Sony has officially released PSP firmware 5.01. The update is said to correct issues relating to larger capacity PRO Duos. Namely users who own an 8 or 16 GB stick were left with an insufficient space error when downloading content from the PlayStation Store.

Download: PSP (Official) Firmware 5.01

Update: Oh, that was fast — PSP firmware 4.05 is out now. Download it below or via Network Update.

Soon to be occupying your PSP’s flash memory is firmware 4.05… That’s according to Eric Lempel, Director of PlayStation Network Operations –

I wanted to give a quick heads up to everyone that a new PSP firmware update, v4.05, will be released soon. We know that more and more of you are listening to music on your PSP, and this update will add new visualizers for music playback, among other features. Enjoy!

Download: PSP Firmware Update 4.05

- source: blog.us.playstation.com