To coincide with the soon to be released PS3 firmware update; Sony is also readying PSP firmware version 5.00. According to Eric Lempel, this update will permit direct access to the PlayStation Network –

In this version, you’ll notice the addition of the PlayStation Network icon on the XMB. You can now sign up for PlayStation Network, manage your account and access PlayStation Store directly from your PSP — meaning you can download games directly to your PSP while connected via Wi-Fi.

And then some, I hope…

- source: blog.us.playstation.com

According to the fine folks over at pspgen, Sony has issued firmware version 5.0 beta to legitimate PSP developers. This will of course allow commercial developers to adapt and ready their games for the next major firmware revision. Per the moment, the details are somewhat scarce…

For starters, pspgen reports firmware 5.0 will include these three updates:

1. Direct access to the PlayStation Store
2. A new RSS reader
3. An integrated “snapshot” tool; similar to FuSa screenShoot (?)

And that’s all we know for now… With respect to a release date, that also remains unknown. It’s speculated to hit around October with the release of the PSP-3000. Whatever the case, I certainly hope 5.0 sports a little more bang than those 3 specifics.

- source: pspgen (translated)

Throw your Slim in the garbage, looks like the rumoured PSP-3000 has some truth behind it after all…

While most FCC details remain confidential, Engadget shares their investigative insight on what’s what — “…the FCC’s tests were all focused on the 2.4GHz spectrum for the PSP-3001’s stated use of 802.11b WiFi (nothing new there) — no GPS, no 802.11 Draft-n, no Bluetooth.”

Sony is likely to formalize an announcement soon; perhaps we’ll know more at that time. Stay tuned.

- source: engadget

A new PlayStation Portable could be in the works… That’s according to PSP China where the following images have surfaced:

The rumoured PSP-3000 model is said to sport a built-in microphone, updated buttons, a few cosmetic changes, and possibly cell phone support.

Realer than real-deal Holyfield? Well, no official word from Sony, and we at PSP-Hacks are a little skeptic concerning the authenticity of these photos. For the moment, this should be treated as pure speculation.

- source: kotaku

Update: So soon, its already happened… Grab 3.95 via Network Update or by following the download link below.

I see a new firmware arising, I see Sony on the way…

Straight from Eric Lempel, Director of PlayStation Network Operations —

PSP Firmware 3.95:

• While playing PSone games on your PSP, you can now customize how the buttons are assigned by going to [Controller Settings] > [Assign Buttons] and select [Custom].
• You can now quit Remote Play and choose to turn off your PS3 or leave it on after quitting. This is useful if you are performing a download and want to quit Remote Play, but still want your download to continue on the PS3. Select [Quit and Turn Off the PS3 System] or [Quit Without Turning Off the PS3 System] from [Quit Remote Play] when you press the HOME button on the PSP system.

Download: PSP 3.95 FW Update

- source: blog.us.playstation.com

Fanjita of Team Noobz has discovered Sony’s official PSP-110 battery, that of the original fat PSP, can no longer be converted to Pandora. After receiving a new battery from Amazon, it would seem numerous errors occur when using the battery creator, or even when attempting to flash an EEPROM image from an older Sony battery. Drats!

Fanjita says…

It wouldn’t be surprising for Sony to have patched their batteries so that they’re Pandora-proof. If this is true, then it still shouldn’t be a big problem – I’d recommend buying a new, large capacity battery to use as a regular battery, and using the original battery that came with your PSP for Pandora. And of course, you can always use Booster’s multi-IPL loader to use your Pandora battery as your primary battery, if you want. Just don’t go buying new Sony batteries for use with Pandora.

- source: noobz.eu