Sam Haakenstad, more known as PSp2gamer in the QJ forum, is back with MediaCenterPSP v2.00. The new feature-packed  version of the Windows XP MediaCenter portal for the PSP reflects minor bug fixes, new default background, enhanced graphics, and other modifications. Of course it's been loaded with new features, more games and applications. Just the way we like it!

MediaCenterPSP v2.00 features:

• AIM, Yahoo, and MSN Messenger Login
• Multiple Search engine support
• Redesigned GMail Viewer
• 8 Flash Games and Apps included and download center for more
• MediaVault Downloads
• MediaCenterPSP QuikDate (Add new features right from the PSP)
• Brand new redesigned User Upload/Download Center
• File Browsing and Other Portal Loading support
• 12 Hour Clock with Day of the Week
• Only 500K
  

    Games:

• Bowman
• Eskiv
• PSP Snake (By Epixx)
• EtchNScetch (By Epixx)
• FridgeMagnets

    Apps:

• Periodic Table
• Calculator
• ICDrav V.2

Download: [MediaCenterPSP v2.00]
Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]

Well, I don't know whether I should be happy with this announcement or not. On one hand, Sony has totally blocked homebrew with their new firmware 2.7 and upwards. But on the other hand, the Flash player has given homebrew developers a chance to add tiny bits of functionality. Anyways, I'll leave the Sony bashing for another day.

For now, lets check out the latest Flash application for PSPs 2.7 and above. It's a simple Image gallery application. The author, Epixx, had this to say: "This Flash application for your PSP takes images from your memory stick, and displays them in your browser with little arrows."

Ok, so you might say it's weak. I mean, can't the Photo viewing functionality in the firmware already accomplish this? Well, you might be right. But not for long. The one grouse which I've had with all the firmwares is the zero ability to multitask. You can't watch a slideshow and play music at the same time. And why? That's something I can't figure out.

That's the void which this application could fill. If the author can add the ability to play music and view a slideshow at the same time, that would rock! Plus, maybe even transitions. Although it's still speculation on my part, it isn't misplaced. The author's views aren't very different when you consider what he says - "It's not much, but there's definitely more to come in later versions. I think that in the end, people will find this to be a handy little application to pass some time."

And I'll definitely wait for more functionality to be added. For now, enjoy the basic version, or like Epixx calls it, an open beta. Make sure to read the attached text file. It contains the instructions on how to use this nice app. In case you're on a firmware below 2.7 and you want to check this out, Epixx has also attached a video. Check it out.

Download Link : [PSP Flash Image Gallery 0.5]
Download Link : [PSP Flash Image Gallery 0.5 in action (Video)]
View : [Forum Release Thread]

To all those who upgraded past 2.6 and discovered the fact that there's no homebrew, here's a bit of a consolation. Epixx from our forums has just released a Flash Text Reader for 2.7 PSPs. This uses the flash capabilities of the new firmware to read text files from your memory stick.

Quoting him,

"Many of you may know that I had previously released a Flash Text reader, but it didn't work. Well...this one works.

Now before you go saying "The PSP can already view text through the browser!", hear me out. Reading .txt files through the web browser, normally, is just horrendous. This gives you an alternate way to view text files, in a nice graphical interface with scroll buttons."

And it's quite useful too. The interface is pretty clean and I'd rather not use the browser. Installation is pretty simple. Just extract the text.swf file to the Memory Stick and load it by opening file:/text.swf in the browser. Now just put the text file (text.swf) in the root as well. This is the file which will be opened by the text reader.

Now I'd love to mention a few places where you can get all your books in .txt format. But unfortunately, It's illegal. As the old saying goes, just Google it ;)

Download Link : [PSP Flash Text Reader v2]
View : [Forum Release Thread]