Stemming from gr8npwrfl over at ps2dev is a little black box prototyping the concept of USB to the PSP serial interface. No modifications to the PSP hardware — just hacked with piKey installed –

I currently have completed the USB mouse driver and a USB Keyboard driver. I am currently debugging the gamepad drivers for the XBOX 360 wireless gamepad, the PS2/PS3 wireless gamepad, and the Logitech Wingman wireless gamepad.

And to top it all off –

Now that you have seen it, I will also say that yes I have tested a USB hard drive on this interface and can we say Sloooooooooooow.

It was never intended to do hard drives through the serial port anyway, but I did it to say yes it can be done. Besides I had the driver code for a mass storage device.

Oooh-la-la.

For further technical details and whatnot, follow the source link; she’s an interesting read. Nice work gr8npwrfl.

- source: ps2dev

Equipped with a special version of piKey and the 360 Chatpad custom flashed, l0rdnic0 is keyboardin’ like no other.

Developed by Jean @ ps2dev, this hack/mod is fully functional with the Sony on-screen keyboard (OSK) and Danzeff’s OSK under AFKIM. Currently, for the moment, keyboard-enabled homebrew from ZX-81 doesn’t quite work; however, there is a more suited driver in development.

- source: acidmods

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!