It's been a while since we've seen an update to Art's X-Flash, a homebrew program that allows you to customize your PSP unit in a variety of ways. This build adds a new option to the program that allows it to run without any firmware version checking at all. Check out the full article for more details on the homebrew application.

Download: X-Flash V18l
Visit: QJ.NET X-Flash Forum Thread

Art has come out with a new version of Time Baby which you all might find interesting. In addition to the usual bug fixes, this version also comes with a flaming effect on the clock interface, which should be a welcome addition to all those who like firey things.

In any case, learn more about this version of Time Baby after the jump!

Download: Time Baby v 11c
Visit: QJ.Net's PSP Development Forums

Art, best known for PSP customization tool X-Flash, is once again giving us a whiff of his 'brew today. He dropped by our PSP forums informing everyone that it's time (no pun intended) for another release of his useful time-keeping application for the PSP, Time Baby. Now on its version 4e, Time Baby has these entries for the changelog:

• Another bugfix to moon phase routine.
• Alarm activation status is now saved with user options.
• code optimisation.

Art also alerts us that this could be the final release of Time Baby, depending on how some of his projects go. With the homebrew looking as good as these (check images below) and with its current stability, we really can't do much complaining.

    

That's not to say Art is completely closing his doors for the project though. He revealed some very tasty tidbits of what features he's planning to implement if he decides to make another version of it. Here's a peek on those plans, straight from Art: "One last feature I might get in is announcement of the time to go until sunset which would be usefull for me to play over music or not on the way up a mountain when knowing your rest time is critical."

Download's below. This should work on Dark Alex's custom firmware (we tried it on 3.40 OE), just dump the Time Baby folder inside GAME of your PSP's memory stick and you're good to go.

Download: Time Baby V4e
View: PSP Development Forums

We're always a sucker for innovative homebrew applications. Even if it involves executing such an obscurely uncommon task that only a few would only ever benefit from. But, we're giving QJ support to this all the same. PSP development FTW! Hear, hear: Art (of X-Flash fame) has just developed his Barcode Scanner/Keypad Driver for Mobile Terminal for the PSP.

This app does just what its name implies. Art even boasts that "This is the most portable barcode scanner solution you'll find." The application was specifically made so that the data (meaning the barcode ID data) from your scanner would be sent to your PSP via the serial port.

Art suggests that you should make sure you use a resistor between the mobile terminal and your PSP. Compensate for voltage since the PSP's input is 2.5 and your PDE input would be at least 5. Make sure you check the readme or, if you have specific questions, you can head on over to our forums.

Yes, we know some of you might not find a reason to use this. A personal suggestion for the bookworms though: you might want to use this app to sort your books and their ISBNs. I for one keep track of the books I own, and the obsessive compulsive part of me always wants to keep things orderly... Same thing applies: you can also use it to catalog your PSP games too! See those barcodes at the back of the UMD boxes? Scan away...

Download: Barcode Scanner/Keypad Driver for Mobile Terminal
Visit: PSP Development Forums

X-Flash is a homebrew application that allows you to tweak your firmware. For example, the popular program lets you install custom fonts and pick alternate sound effects. Our last coverage was in mid-January on X-Flash v18k.

(By the way, X-Flash writes to your PSP's on-board flash memory. Those of you who want to try X-Flash for the first time should read the readme completely before doing anything; applications that write to flash memory can potentially harm or brick your system if used incorrectly.)

The developer, Art, announced on the QJ.NET Forums that the source code for X-Flash has been released. Art said:

I won't be able to update X-Flash in the near future, due to work commitments. I was only planning to add support for one later DAX firmware, since the topmenu_plugin mods don't work after that. The release of X-Flash source code does not mean that I won't update it someday. It is quite likely that one day, out of nowhere, an official V19 will appear unexpectedly ;)

Art added:

I must warn PSP owners against using any derivative... how do I put it... attempted updates produced by lamers. I would find it offensive to see X-Flash updates with no real merit appearing on forums, although I expect it to happen.

X-Flash source is released for educational purposes for all the people who wanted to know how I did various things... not to encourage offspring.

Download: X-Flash source code
Visit: PSP Development Forum

A few days back, we first featured PSP Nikos and his compilation of the best PSP themes available, so as you guys could download it once and you'll have plenty of options in the future. He is a pretty efficient guy and this next tidbit we're gonna share with you proves that he is really committed to this project.

PSP Nikos informed us that he has released the Custom PSP Theme Pack 3, which is an update of the earlier release. He mentions that old custom PSP pack could be deleted and this one right here could replace it. Here are some of the things you could expect in this pack:

• More Gameboots [About 10 - 15 added]
• More Bootsounds [About 5 - 10 added]
• Flash Agent v2 included
• Deleted PS3 intro [Too big and poor quality]
• Wi-File transfer added
• More XMB waves [Including PS3 thin wave]
• Custom Xmb waves and wave creators (including hex editor)
• Xmb Fonts X-Flash (for 3.02oe and below)
• PSP reboot & shutdown instead of network update
• PSP version customiser
• PSP file management Icons Gameboots
• .pmf creator guide Bootsounds Backgrounds

Now that's some package! He would also want to take this opportunity to thank ALL PSP programmers for their hard-work and QJ.net (you're welcome). Anyhow, the download link is right down there and if you encounter any problems feel free to speak out in our comments section. Have fun and enjoy!

---

Update: PSP Nikos asked us to put up the smaller .zip file of the Custom PSP Theme Pack, so here it is. Enjoy, folks!

Download: [Custom PSP Theme Pack 3]

 

Of course, what good is having the latest in custom firmwares when you don't have equally good apps to max its performance? In light of the phenomena that rocked (and is apparently still rocking) our site (hint: 3.10 OE-A), Dabomstew has reported that he has released CFW SE/OE Easy Version Changer V6 for use among the brew fans.

For the neophytes asking, this app allows you to change your Custom firmware SE/OE system settings without hexediting or manual flashing. The app allows for use of any character - as compared to X-Flash's 1.00-9.99 limit.

As for the changelog:

• Supports 3.10 OE-A
• Allows setting the version to your nickname.
  

It may not look like much, but keep in mind that for many devs, adapting apps for 3.10 OE-A is a big step in development, all the more given that Dark_AleX's custom firmware is proving to be quite versatile. Make sure to view the bundle's README for full installation and changelog details.

Download: [CFW SE/OE Easy Version Changer V6]
Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]

We guess once one has hit on something golden, that one person wouldn't let go. It rings true as well for homebrew developers as we know that they have their pet projects and all. For coder Dabomstew, his is a nifty application called Custom Firmware SE/OE Easy Version Changer.

It's a rather long name but we're telling you, you shouldn't forget about this one as it is highly important. To those who haven't heard about this app yet, it actually allows for changing the version displayed in Custom Firmware SE/OE system settings without hex editing or manual flashing. And unlike the familiar application X-flash, this supports characters other than just 1.00-9.99.

Add to this a little imagination and some other brilliant applications and you will see your PSP customized in ways you haven't even dreamt of. And just like other homebrew apps, please be sure to browse through the accompanying readme file. Dabomstew mentioned that this one is tested and working fine for his own 3.03 OE-A and 3.02 OE-B units, but it never hurts to be always safe with the things you try on your PSPs.

Changelog for Easy Version change v5:

• Supports all 2.71 SE versions and 3.03 OE-C
• Automatically detects your firmware version
• Slight layout changes

Download: [CFW SE/OE Easy Version Changer V5]
Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]

Before anything else, might we (and the developer himself) warn you: use this at your own risk. When you're talking about trying to access and write onto the flash memory, you always have to make sure you know what you're doing. You could end up with a brick.

Moving on, hallo007's Flash Agent homebrew has gotten quite a couple of revisions already. Today, he's now tagged his homebrew flashing application as revision D2. This app allows you to flash custom gameboots, topmenu_plugin files, and fonts onto your PSP - much like how X-Flash works.

Here's the changelog for Flash Agent revision D2:

• checks used space on flash0 (thnx to ART)
• checks free space on flash0 and displays it
• checks file space
• some text bugs fixed
• battery level show
• music when start-up
• main-menu updated
• shows psp-alias while start-up

Download: [Flash Agent revision D2]
Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]

Remember waaaay back in September we brought you guys Art's oh-so-cool PSP homebrew app X-Flash V15g and said that it could possibly be his last release? Well thank God it wasn't, because the number of PSP users downloading his app just keeps getting bigger, and they'll be glad to know that he just rolled out X-Flash V18k which allows you to write custom icons.

Here's what Art had to say about that:

Functionality to write custom icons from source topmenu_plugin.rco file in Modified folder to the same file in flash0. The source file must be the correct file as output by the icon program by kgsws. It must also be the correct version. Original icons can still be relaced by pressing Circle. This was done so writing new custom icons need not affect changed menu labels and other mods.

If this is your first time to encounter this app, you might wanna check out our previous posts on X-Flash. Also, you should know that this app writes on to Flash and CAN brick your PSP if you're not careful. So PLEASE check out the FAQ file included in the zip. Art also says that he's just started a job that requires long hours so he hasn't been able to update X-Flash that much. But the good news is, there will be even more future releases so make sure you check back with us if you don't wanna miss those.

Download: [X-Flash v18k]
Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]