Just when you’re thinking to yourself, “hrm… I wonder what homebrew will feature IR keyboard support next?” ZX-81 appears and answers, “none! But here are two memory stick-worthy apps with improved IR keyboard handlers — Danzel’s Away from Keyboard Instant Messenger, and Rob_psp’s PSP-PDA!”

Their names are self explanatory; AFKIM is an instant messaging client supporting AIM, ICQ, MSN, GTalk, and Yahoo! PSP-PDA features a notepad, music player, image viewer, address book, calendar, calculator, and clock. Everything you need!

AFKIM v3.2.1 changes:

• Improve IR keyboard handler, it’s now usable everywhere (menus & window)! Have a look to the file README-irkbd.txt for mapping informations etc…

** NOTE ** : Previous versions of AFKIM (v3.1 and earlier) works fine with the Pikey driver (IR keyboard driver from Fanjita), so if you have Pikey already installed on your PSP, this version is may be useless (more stable?).

If you want to use AFKIM v3.2.1 and you have Pikey installed you should disable it while launching this version.

PSP-PDA v1.3.1 changes:

• Improve IR-keyboard handler!
• Bug fix in theme chooser (but you need now to restart psp-pda to view the new theme)
• Many bug fix in calendar
• New theme designed by ** Vashts121 **

Download AFKIM v3.2.1:
fw 3.xx | fw 1.50 | src code

Download PSP-PDA v1.3.1:
fw 1.50 (binary) | src code

- source: ZX-81’s web site

I was anxiously awaiting the release of a piKey update, and thanks to Bob Joe (for the news tip) I’m now updating my PSP as I write this… piKey 0.3, oh yes! Now supporting firmwares 3.30 and 3.40 OE. Fanjita also mentions piKey 0.3 includes small enhancements to deal with compatibility issues.

There are 2 main changes for compatibility:

1. You can configure πKey to be disabled for v1.50 kernel homebrew (ie. homebrew running from the GAME150 folder, or GAME if you have OE configured to run GAME as v1.50). This may be easier for some users than changing the config in flash.
2. You can configure a hotkey that will disable πKey when the PSP reboots. So, if there’s a homebrew or game that has problems, just hold down the hotkey (configurable as any key or combination, but SELECT by default) while the Sony logo is showing, and πKey will unload itself until next rebooted.

Huh, what’s piKey?

A keyboard driver for the PSP developed by Fanjita and harleyg. piKey aims at providing full keyboard control anywhere — games, homebrews, the XMB, etc… Supported are various infra-red keyboards and the ability to wire one via the PSP’s serial port (the headphone socket). Have a look at the included user guide (docs/user_guide.html) to get started.

Download: piKey 0.3

- source: Noobz

Update: After downgrading back to 3.03 OE-C, from 3.30 OE-A’, I am proud to say piKey 0.2 works flawlessly with my Palm Universal Wireless Keyboard!

The N00bz Team, Fanjita and harleyg, have released an update to their PSP keyboard driver — πKey! piKey aims at providing full keyboard control anywhere — games, homebrews, the XMB, etc… Supported are various infra-red keyboards.

v0.2 comes bundled with a series of fixes & additions; below are the major updates:

• A new keypress mode, which allows more natural use of the keyboard in action games etc. The default mode is now keypress mode, and the keyboard will switch automatically to text input mode when required.
• Custom key-to-button assignment – so now you can define WASD buttons for FPS game movement, as well as cursor keys for XMB movement, for instance.
• Support for mapping keypresses to analog joystick movements.
• Support for converting keypresses into Danzeff OSK presses – so now you can use your physical keyboard with homebrew that uses the Danzeff virtual keyboard – e.g. AFKIM.
• Installer now fixed to correctly install to flash0, to support GAME150 homebrew.
• Palm UW keyboard ought to at least partially work, but I can’t test it myself.
• Optional on-screen status information.
• Various minor bugfixes.

I can personally confirm the Palm Universal Keyboard still doesn’t function quite yet, on 3.30 OE, that is. :(

Ensure you read “readme.txt” & “docs/user_guide.html” for complete changelog history and instructions.

Download: piKey 0.2

- source: N00bz!