The last time we heard any news of Hallo007 or the Flash Agent homebrew application was back in April with the release of version H1. Now, in case the guys here are eagerly awaiting word on this app, we picked up a teaser over at Hallo007's blog that's announcing a new version under development, dubbed Flash Agent "The Return."

The screenshot on the right side is the only clue we've got regarding the author's latest project. Hallo007's apparently going to be gone for the next two weeks, which leaves us guessing at what this latest installment will do for the PSP, aside from its ability to let users change their gameboot, flash their default settings, and clear up their flash chip. Stick around in case we pick up more info on this preview; look forward to this app's eventual release.

Kudos to CodesRCool for letting us in on this big news!

It took a couple of weeks for Hallo007 to release the next version of his Flash Agent, but now we've come to today: Flash Agent H1 with its USB support and improved security, among other things.

• Graphics update: deleted images, new arrow, deleted menusound
• Fixed bug in showing time
• possible to view free FLASH1 space
• added credits, added usb mode
• possibility to flash/recover impose.prx, possibility to rflash/ecover impose.rsc
• improved file check (security)
• entring a folder in file browser is back FAST
• in OK you see now the timer counting down
• RECOVERY MENU is really clear now
• RCO menu is really clear now
• POSSIBILITY to copy folders in file browser (files were already possible)
• possibility to delete folders in file browser (only possible with empty folders) (files were already possible)
• new xmb sound (remix of the previously one)
• fixed bug for flashing photo_plugin.rco (security)
• updated flash security

As the homebrew app allows you to change some XMB default settings, flash gameboots, and clear up your flash chips, please be warned that this could potentially brick your system. There are a couple of README files included in the download below: one for the changelog (and full version history), one for controls, another for supported files, and one about its WiFi functions. Make sure you read all of them if you don't know what your doing. For those looking forward to the next version, here's what he the developer has in mind:

• possibility to preview gameboot
• THEME MAKER - meaning : gameboot.pmf , ltn0.pgf , and other custom files packed with theme maker and possible to flash (so it's one file ), so you can share them to other people very easy

Download: Flash Agent H1
Visit: PSP Development Forums

As his entry for this year's NeoFlash Spring Coding Competition, hallo007 has released the first version of Punani. Those of you who understand what the colloquial slang means, please stop snickering. Homebrew's serious business!

Anyway, Punani is an eboot handler that can extract, make, and load an eboot. It also has a built-in file browser and users can take screenshots using the Note button (hallo007 says it uses his own screenshot module). While in the file browser, you can go back to the main menu by pressing circle when you are in the root menu.

On the technical side, hallo007 says that when making eboots, he creates a header "otherwise the eboot will be correct , if an file isn't included it wont be extracted or packed."

Download: Punani v1.0

Just a little less than a week after releasing Flash Agent F5 for our flashing needs, PSP homebrew coder hallo007 comes back to the development scene with the application's latest incarnation, now upped to version G.

In case you're wondering what this homebrew application does, it allows PSP owners to flash chips, change gameboots, and flash default settings. Now, with regards to the latest tweaks:

• Graphics update (step 1 of 5)
• Menusound added
• Possibility to view the time under menus
• Possibility to exit the exit menu by pressing home
• Fixed security under font flashing (security)
• Fixed check free memory stick space under dump menu (security)
• Possibility to disable the update plugin
• Recovery mode is more clearly
  

On a slightly off-topic note, guys who have just downloaded Custom PSP Theme Pack: March 7 Edition may want to download this to update their copy of Flash Agent.

As always, be sure to view the bundle's README, along with the other accompanying documents discussing how to run the both this application and its recently installed WiFi function. Enjoy the download, and be sure visit its place over at the QJ.NET Forums for the latest details and discussions...such as hallo007's latest logo change plans!

Download: Flash Agent G
Visit: PSP Development Forum

After dabbling on his homebrew application - Battery PRX - hallo007 has now updated his other concoction, Flash Agent - now in version F4. To refresh your memory, this application will let you change your gameboot, flash your default settings, or clear up the flash chip. Now, we go to the changelog for this release.

Changelog for Flash Agent F4

• Bug fix : crash after relink dummy files
• Bug fix : a "." can eb added in your own instruction manual site
• Bug fix : Manual hacks should work 100% now
• Graphics Bug fix: dumping
• new start up
• !!Security  upgrade!!
• Music can be played under file browser
• screenshots can be made while pressing note
• Possibility to flash system_plugin.rco and recover
• Possibility to flash game_plugin.rco and recover
• Firmware version showed while start up
• Possibility to view the size of a file
• Possibility to move faster in file browser

If you're going to use this application you have to be reminded of some things (cue red-texted warnings) - first, this version supports 3.03OE and 3.10OE only; second, flashing your PSP can be dangerous and could cause a brick; third, to avoid that scenario be informed by voraciously reading the readme files that comes with the download.

Now that the customary, red-texted reminders are mentioned, we give you the download link. We here at QJ thank Jimmey for the tip!

Download: [Flash Agent F4]

A few days back, we brought to you hallo07's Battery PRX. This time around, homebrew developer EvilSeph informed us that his group, Team tOc, has released Battery InfO V.1. By simply looking at the screenshot below, you'll have an idea what this app does.

 

This nifty tool is an OE PRX that provides you with a detailed information about your PSP's battery. The devs mentioned that you need not go through your XMB and go to Battery Information since every info you need about your PSP's juice is displayed on the right hand side. Team tOC also said that this is just a small part of a larger project that they're thinking of (or working on already).

As always, if you're planning on using this, please read and understand the readme file that comes with the download. The file holds the installation and usage, plus the known bugs for this release. It would also be best if you guys will also browse through the configuration text as it also holds vital tidbits about this app.

Team tOc is made up of EvilSeph, Moca, TUW (The Unique Warrior), MaTiAz, Ahadiel, and kando. We hope to hear more from them in the coming weeks.

We give our props to Jordan Black for the heads up!

Download: [Battery InfO v1]
Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]

Custom firmware users had a treat with hallo07's nifty Battery PRX. For those who missed it last time, Battery PRX lets users view the exact percentage of their PSP's battery life from the XMB. We all know how much of a bummer it is whenever our handhelds die on us. So this is really very useful.

The homebrew coder mentioned during the last release that he will be including a lot of new features when the next version comes out. And what do you know, Battery PRX v0.021 is already here! Here's the changelog:

v0.02

• Start up button is HOME
• Possibility to look at the minutes left for battery
• See the CPU speed
• Battery is lower then 20?-->text is red
• Display fixed

v0.021

• Bug fix

Installing Battery PRX is quite easy. All you have to do is copy the files to the SEPLUGINS map. After that, create either a vsh.txt or game.txt. You can try pushing HOME twice to see it. Lastly, enable the program in recovery mode.

Download: [Battery PRX v0.021]
Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]

Homebrew shells such as iR Shell have an integrated battery monitor which tells you what percentage your battery is at. This can be very useful as you can see exactly how much power your PSP has before it runs out of juice.

Conventional battery icons just don't cut it when you only have 1 bar and it's the final level of the game you've been trying to complete for ages - you need to know exactly how much time you have left. That's why the creator of Flash Agent, Hallo007 has released a new PRX for custom firmware users.

Currently, this battery PRX only shows the percentage of battery life when you press the note key, but Hallo007 plans to add more features in future versions now that he has the hang of making PRX's. This is his first PRX and therefore there may be a couple of bugs in this release. It has already been noted that the screenshot PRX uses the note key to operate as well, but this will all be fixed in future versions.

To install the battery PRX, simply copy the extracted folders into the SEPLUGINS folder, make a vsh.txt  and enable it in recovery mode.

Download: [Battery PRX v0.01]
View: [Forum release thread]

Let's get straight to business. Hallo07's PSP application, Flash Agent, is far from over and is in fact back with the new version, F3. By now, you ought to know what this does: lets you clear up the flash chip, change your gameboot, or flash your default settings. If you didn't know that, then great. Now you do.

Here's the changelog for Flash Agent F3:

• change your CPU speed where you want
• display bug fixes
• possibility to flash custom volume bars
• possibility to recovery volume bars
• if you free space is lower then 500kb it will ask for replace dummy files
• Recovery menu is like all the rest now
• new startup sound (as requested)
• possibility to copy/paste files
• graphics update
• complete rewritten source(possibility to make faster updates:P)
• fixed bug in put your own manual site (bug made in F2)

Again, it works on 3.03 OE and 3.10 OE firmwares. Make sure to check out the instructions in the zip file (it's good for you). And be warned that since this flashes your PSP, it has potential of bricking your PSP. You can also visit the forums to see what others have got to say about it.

Download: [Flash Agent 3]
Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]