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[dock]

Sony may be preparing to release its first PlayStation Portable (PSP) update, if a file that briefly appeared on the web this weekend is what it purports to be: a leaked copy of an early version of the update code.

Whatever its provenance, the software certainly includes some interesting features. In addition to the usual bug fixes, the update is said to add not only a web browser and an email program, but a word processor and a spreadsheet.

At this stage, the translations from the original Japanese exploration of the alleged PSP update file doesn't make it clear whether these are fully functioning office apps - or simply readers put in place to handle emailed attachments. Given the device's nature, we suspect that latter, but early talk of a PSP keyboard accessory has led some observers to suggest they're the real thing.

The update also adds an on-screen calculator utility, three games and an automatic software update feature along the lines of the utilities found in desktop operating systems.

Early looks at the update suggest it is not complete, with the update process failing some way in. If by any chance you find yourself with a copy - don't ask us where to get it, we don't know - it's probably not a good idea to run it. Quite apart from being potentially incomplete, it has not yet been verified that the file has even come from Sony, and could in fact be something more malign.

If the file does represent an early build of an official update, then it seems likely Sony will release it ahead of the PSP's US and European launches, expected to in March. So far, the PSP is on sale in Japan only.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/01/17/sony_psp_update_leak/

Considering that Sony were talking about GPRS addons before the PSP came out, this isn't a huge shock, but still something of a surprise. I wonder what file format their word processor will cope with. If it could cope with DOC files that would be amazing.

 

[Jonnyram]

The contents of the update were not real. It was a dummy update file. I don't realistically think you're gonna see stuff like a word processor on the PSP because it has the lamest text input UI I've ever seen (and it's unfortunately universal on all PSP apps).

 

[Deg]

Posted like a week ago.

 

[deadhorse32]

so this came out today http://www.playstation.jp/news/2005/050117_psp.html

It basically says that the update isn't an official sony release and they ask you not to run it because it stops your psp from working (surprise!)

It also says that Sony can fix it but it costs some sort of fee.

You can call the numbers at the bottom regarding the update.

http://forums.ps2dev.org/viewtopic.php?t=959

 

[duckroll]

Goddamnit. People really need to LEARN TO USE SEARCH. It's really annoying when you've said everything you want to say about a topic and everyone who is anyone has already contributed to the thread, then suddenly a week later it pops up again when someone like to pretend he doesn't have access to a search feature.

 

[iapetus]

Better add an update from today, then.

Sony admits PSP 'update' is genuine
By Tony Smith
Published Tuesday 18th January 2005 11:53 GMT

Sony has confirmed that the PlayStation Portable (PSP) updater that leaked onto the web this past weekend is genuine.

However, it publicly warned owners of the handheld console not to run the software, which it said will "cause the PSP hardware to stop operating".
Click Here

The updater is configured to install a number of bug fixes, along with a text-to-speech utility, a calculator, web browser, email application and - most interesting of all - a word processor and spreadsheet tool.

However, the update installer as posted does not yet contain all - or indeed any - of these software components.

The update was said to have been retrieved from a Sony server, but until now the software's bona fides were in doubt. However, a Sony Computer Entertainment International (SCEI) spokeswoman yesterday confirmed that the code "has not been issued officially by SCEI", according to an IDG report.

"We have become aware that there is a software program going around on some web sites and Internet bulletin boards claiming to be an update file that rewrites the system software of the PSP hardware," she said.

"We advise our users not to execute or apply the program as it will cause the PSP hardware to stop operating."

Anyone who has applied the update can send their malfunctioning PSP back to Sony for a repair, she said, but the company will charge them for the privilege.

Meanwhile, online retailer Amazon.co.uk reinstated its PSP sales page after a few days' absence. Once again, it states 18 March 2005 as the handheld console's UK release date. The price is £180. ®

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/01/18/sony_psp_update_confirmed/

 

[dock]

Sorry about the re-post. I did do a search, but obviously it was buried.

I'm curious about the register's 'Sony Confirms File is Genuine' report. All the rest of the report seems to be a translation of the press release on the playstation.co.jp site, so it could be as trivial as a mistranslation.

 

[duckroll]

Sorry about the re-post. I did do a search, but obviously it was buried.

I'm curious about the register's 'Sony Confirms File is Genuine' report. All the rest of the report seems to be a translation of the press release on the playstation.co.jp site, so it could be as trivial as a mistranslation.

It's okay, but it's just that we've talked about this before so seeing the same thing pop up again as "new" is a tad misleading. As for Sony confirming the file as real, yes it IS real. Real as in an actual bootable file on the PSP off a memory stick. There's no denying that, the thing is the features were never confirmed as real and the update itself just kills your firmware making the PSP completely unusable. Register's just making a big deal out of nothing again.