It's time once again for another edition of the QJ.NET How-To series. This time, we're going to focus on CXMB, a homebrew plugin developed by Poison (aka poisonhzkj) for the Sony PlayStation Portable. Let's get cracking!

In case you've got an inkling to customize your PSP's externals as much as its insides, we've got an interesting heads up from Team Xtender. The console mods group has just announced that they're releasing XCM Crystal color faceplate kits for our PSP's use.

The kits come in two colors - clear and blue crystal - and includes matching buttons for the D-Pad, analog nub, face buttons (start, select, volume, display, audio, home), and action buttons (Triangle, Circle, Square, X). The XCM kit, as with Team Xtender's previous releases, also comes with its own screwdriver, which should ease up the swapping process for guys planning to make a purchase:

  

We don't have an exact price tag on these new PSP peripherals at the moment, although we'll update accordingly when we find out.

 

Gamespot reports that the Sony Ericsson SO703i will be released in Japan preloaded with a mobile version of the beloved PSP "joy-fest" of a game, Loco Roco.

The SO703i is also known as the "smell'O'phone" due to a series of interchangeable fragranced "aroma sheet" faceplates, which smell when the user opens up the phone. Another thing about the phone worth mentioning is that the display of the phone utilises some of the technology already implemented in Sony's Bravia HDTVs. The cellphone will be available on the NTT Docomo network.

Sony has yet to confirm if LocoRoco will also grace Sony Ericsson phones in Europe and the US. Moreover, there is still no word if a custom LocoRoco faceplate will be available. We've always wondered what that yellow blob of joy smelled like.

The other day, we were toying with the idea why manly men oughta own pink portables. We came up with several reasons and most of you probably found yourselves agreeing and laughing, if we may add. While we are still fascinated with the color pink, we'd like to move to the other side of the spectrum and share this with you.

Over at eBay, we found an item that is sure to pimp your PSP a few notch up and will probably earn you the moniker Gran' Mamah. It's actually a mercury golden faceplate cover for our PSP units. It says it's for UK but what the heck, that never stopped you from bidding before, eh? Starting bid is at US$ 1.92 and the last time we look, there aren't any bidders yet.

The item originally comes from Hong Kong so shipping it here will cost you somewhere around US$ 15.50. The Read link below will take you directly to the item's page at eBay. Please take note that bidding will end 2 days and 4 hours from now. But then again, in case you don't make it or win the bid, we know that you could always come up with your own.

can we hack it sure works fast! Yesterday, we posted an article on his internal dual analog PSP mod, albeit the prototype, and today, he's now got the new video for the analogs now in the PSP.

Here's what he had to say about it ('cause we wouldn't dare misquote him on anything if we paraphrase his statement):
 

IT IS IN! The analog is in the PSP now, well bore of it sticks out to the faceplate but it still works. And to have a working prototype to go off of that's a great thing to have...it took a lot of work but it was worth it totally..

So there. We totally understand if he seemed pretty frazzled composing that. After all, excitement in heavy doses do affect your overall system. Anyway, he also says that he's currently writing a tutorial on how to this the way he did it. You can expect it to be out some time this week. Also, the supplies you'll be needing are available at the Acidmods.com E-store, so at least now you know where to get them.

kudos to can we hack it!

Mjw from the QJ forums has come up with an extremely simple yet very effective analog stick mod for your PSP in order to make it that little bit more bulky, a few millimeters away from the faceplate of the PSP. This isn't one of those pull-your PSP apart mods, it doesn't require a single screw, piece of glue or anything like that. All you need is your PSP and a piece of paper. It's so easy that we can't believe we didn't think of it before and you can rest assured that we will probably be using it in the future!

All you have to do is take a tiny piece of soft paper, remove your analog stick, place the tiny piece of paper in the hole on the back of the stick (As shown in the above image) and put it back on the PSP! It's as simple as that! This will take you about 10 seconds and could make it much more comfortable for you when playing your favourite game.

View: [Forum discussion thread]

Today we are going to break open our precious PSP's once again. This time for some nice cosmetic enhancements. Right off the bat I would like to warn this is a moderately difficult modification. However with the necessary tools and some patience you will be on your way to a sweet looking PSP in no time. I see you sitting there at your PC palming your PSP as  I speak, so without further ado let's hop to it...

Supplies:

In order to perform this modification you will need a few tools and supplies. Everything should be available from Radio Shack. Just this last time when I went in they did not carry 26 Gauge Wire (AWG). I'm not sure if this is only my location or nationwide so I have specified other places to obtain parts.

Two SMT LED's (Surface Mount) - eBay
Soldering Iron and Solder - Radio Shack, Ebay, etc. (many places)
26 Gauge Wire - Sometimes marked AWG - Usually available at Radio Shack [eBay, Mouser]
Shrink Wrap / Electrical Tape
10 ohm resistor - eBay, Mouser
Drill - optional
Small Phillips and Flat Head Screwdrivers

A few items you will need [ Battery and Penny shown for size comparison]

First remove your faceplate. This is what the phillips is for so break it out and get to work. A few screws on the back (including in your battery compartment. Finally a single screw on the bottom will allow you access to the inside of your PSP. Here's the next few steps, check the image below as a guide.

1. First we need to remove the home bar assembly. This is the bottom row including Home, screen brightness etc. Find the clip on the right and use your small screwdriver to flip it up to remove the cable. Then slide your Home Bar Assembly off the LCD screen.
2. This part is a bit more tricky. Take your flat head screwdriver and place it in the square holes marked above. Then press in gently and pry the screen upwards. I unclip two on the same side [left or right] then the screen pops out easily.
3. Now that you are able to life the screen upwards you will have access to the 2 cables that connect the LCD screen to your PSP. Gently pry the larger of the two up like you did previously with the Home Bar Assembly. When you get to the smaller of the two wires carefully pull the wire out. When removing the wire make sure not to pull up on the wire, and just pull directly away from its connection.
4. Now your LCD will be completely unattached from your PSP. Place it to the side and remove the screws that are marked in the image above. There are 7 screws in total (place these to the side as well). Now you can remove the LCD mounting bracket.

Chaos, not quite. A few simple steps and you will be ready to proceed.

First you will need to remove the triggers from their spot on the top left and right of the PSP (Ok, I think we know where the triggers are). So once you have removed them now...

Its Decision Making Time!

Well folks, heres the decisive moment. You need to decide if you are going to drill into your PSP Triggers or not. I personally found it to be better in the long run however there are a few advantages and disadvantages both ways. For example, If you choose to not drill into your triggers the light emitted from your LED will be a bit more dim then it would be if you do use the drill. Drilling could also be potentially dangerous since the triggers themselves are rather small. You could also ruin your Triggers since there is a slight possibility of drilling straight through your Trigger. If you are inexperienced in certain areas theres no harm in asking someone for help. (This feels kinda like one of those pick your own adventure books.)

If you don't want to drill into your PSP Triggers click Next Page...

If you are going to drill into your PSP Triggers click Full Article...

Team Xtender has never failed us in delivering new accessories. It seems like they live to please. Their balanced mix of the flamboyant and the practical is their biggest asset of all. Last time they wowed us with their release of XCM Deluxe Chrome PSP faceplate and their Metallic Edition. You can literally make your PSP look like a different one every day using these faceplates.

Now they are back with a new collection they call Smooth as Silk. According to their website, their new line has undergone coloring through a special process, making the faceplate extra smooth. They say that this could also be an enhancing factor to your gaming experience. They boast of a new mold, lens, smooth coating and the best quality plastic.

The images are rather small, but I think you can make it out. Give the buttons a good, hard look and I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised at what you'll discover.

What's in the box:

• Includes the digital pad (D-Pad) & analog stick
• Includes all face buttons (start, select, volume, display, audio & home)
• Includes all 4 main action buttons (2 sets)
• Includes screw driver