If all goes well for Auraomega's current work, we could literally be changing the way we browse the PSP in the near future. The developer dropped us a line earlier to announce the existence of Project4, a proof-of-concept project that will replace the PSP's XMB.

Here are Project4's specs, according to Auraomega's post over at the Darkmessiah forums. Keep in mind that being a proof-of-concept, this app is far from complete:

• Current Abilities
• ISO loading.
• CSO loading.
• ISOFs NoUMD mode.
• Editable GUI.
• 3.XX Kernel loading for EBOOT, PRX and ELF files.
• 1.50 Kernel loading for EBOOT, PRX and ELF files.
• PNG loader.
• JPG loader.
• HEX reader.
• UMD loader.
• Internal keyboard (soon to be replaced by Sony keyboard).
• File Copying.
• Config Changing.
• Error notification, and notes about common loading errors (such as incorrect kernel when loading a game).
• Faulty but working to some extent
• MP3 Player.
• Text Reader.
• File Deletion (Does not delete folders if there are files or folders insde).
• NoUMD compatibility (M33 driver and NP9600).
• Known Bugs
• NoUMD compatibility is semi working, any games that do not appear to work with the ISOFs will not work with Project4, this is a minor issue that I am trying to work on.
• PSX Kernel loading may not work.
• MP3 files will not play due to a lack of memory.
• Images larger than 2048x2048 will not load.
• XMB loading currently broken.
  

• In the 1st clip it shows the installation. Once its finished installing the PSP must be manually shut down. Upon startup the Project4 splashscreen is shown, and all images are loaded.
• In the 2nd clip an alternative theme is flashed, this can be done by anyone using anything, not just the specific ones in this video.
• The 3rd clip shows that plugins aimed for the XMB still generally work in Project4, and I have shown (accidentaly may I add) that SCEP can be loaded still.

That's the basic rundown on this homebrew project. Any fellow developers interested in lending a hand will want to visit the author's discussion thread over at the QJ.NET PSP Development Forums. With a little luck (and help), Project4 should meet its scheduled release date this December 24.

Visit: QJ.NET PSP Development Forum