Developer homemister visited the QJ.NET PSP Forums to announce the public release of LuaPlayerHM7. There's quite a lot of changes with this release, part of which is available over in the full article.


Download: LuaPlayerHM7
Visit: QJ.NET PSP Development Forum

For those of us who enjoyed homebrew developer Art's Time Baby v13c on the Sony PlayStation Portable, here's some good news: the final version, version 13c, is now out and it's sporting the usual extra-special feature. What's the special feature, you ask? We won't spoil it for you, but it involves old remote controls, which is already awesome. Check it out in the full article.

Download: Time Baby v13c
Visit: QJ.NET's PSP Development Forums

PlayStation Portable Homebrew developer Art has released another update to Time Baby. Now on version 12d, Time Baby has even more improvements to the MP3 player, which already got an overhaul in the previous version. Check out the full article for the changelog.

Download: Time Baby v12d
Visit: QJ.NET PSP Development Forums

Homebrew developer Art has released Time Baby v12c. Much like the previous versions,  the application's new function as an MP3 player has taken center stage with this release. Fans of the program will be pleased to know that the developer has made quite a few improvements that make this release much more accessible and functional.

Download: Time Baby v12c
Visit: QJ.NET PSP Development Forums

AcidMods site member F00 f00 isn't called the veritable god of PSP customization for nothing. His latest PSP mod puts together not one, but actually two mods into one handheld.

The rig consists of carefully adding additional LED points from the original, with the note key switching the indicator from mem to power to WiFi. A second mode changes the LED scheme to a light blue with a variation for a pulsing effect tied in with the headphone amp. More on this and the video after the jump!

The good news: Sony has announced by way of the PlayStation Premier in Tokyo that they're making plans to release the 1Seg Tuner for the PSP. This device will attach on the PSP's USB port, like the Go!Cam and the GPS transceiver, and will provide the PSP with the ability to view digital TV broadcasts.

The bad news: Sony further announced that this gadget is exclusive to the upcoming PSP-Slim. The 1Seg Tuner is expected to launch in Japan this September 20. It'll be interesting to see how well this technology will mesh with the Slim's previously announced video out capability. As for its technical specs:

• Model Number: PSP-S310
• Desired retail price: JP¥ 6,980 (US$ 57)
• Hardware specifications
• External size: Approximately 55 x 31.8 x 14.2mm
• Mass: Approximately 17g
• Accessory: Private case
• Interface: USB
• Broadcast system: ISDB-T
• Corresponding area: Japan
• Software specifications:
• Program viewing
• Subtitle indication
• Channel setting
• Program schedule indication and the like

Sony further announced that the PSP-2000 (though we'd just call it Slim) will also have six colors available arriving along its September debut (from left to right): Piano Black (PSP-2000 PB), Ceramic White (PSP-2000 CW), Ice Silver (PSP-2000 IS), Rose Pink (PSP-2000 RP), Lavender Purple (PSP-2000 LP), and Felicia ("Ferri shear") Blue (PSP-2000 FB).

  

Further complementing the PSP-2000's upcoming launch in Japan is a new set of audio/video cables to maximize its new video out function, as well as a remote control-equipped headphone accessory which can be bought for JP¥ 2,800 (US$ 19.99).

No, that's not me mocking MrMr[iCE]'s release, that's what he actually calls this quick update to his homebrew game SnakeSP. If you haven't heard of this flOw-ish Snake game yet, you might wanna check out this video -- it'll put you up to speed in no time.

Now, for those who have been following the game since its original release, I think we can all say that this is one of the best looking homebrew games we've seen lately. And based on the jumps and comments you've given, I'd say this really encouraged MrMr[iCE] to continue improving SnakeSP.

SnakeSP YAR may not have major changes in it, but it does include some of the stuff you suggested to MrMr[iCE] to improve the game further.

So with that, let's move on to the stuff that's changed for this release:

• You can use the headphone remote to steer the snake, as well as the analog (dont use both though as the headphone remote is rigged to act like the analog stick).
• Modified Controls: Rewind steers left, Forward steers right. Play/Pause will *exit* the game, so be careful pressing down on the remote (I did that intentionally for debugging)
• You all asked for it and you got it: the snake will wrap around the screen edges now. If it leaves left edge, it reappears on right side..rinse and repeat for the other edges. Kudos to Shine in #pspdev for code to do this.
• New pickup item: The Booster. It'll show up as a blue item with 1-8 circles on it. This will add +1 to +8 on the score multiplier, but will also increase the speed of the snake per each +.
  

Not to worry, MrMr[iCE] assures us that the game menu that you're all asking for will be available in his next release. Some of you might have been able to catch this update already (MrMr[iCE] told us via a comment in a previous SnakeSP post), but for those who haven't, why don't you bump up the SnakeSP you already have installed in your PSP's with this one, eh?

Download: [SnakeSP-YAR]
Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]

Two days and two new releases from homebrew developer, Art. Yesterday it was X-flash v15f and today we have a  new application which utilizes Iteixeira's audio library to record input from a SOCOM microphone to create an audio file. Unlike Iteixeira's PSP Memo Recorder, this has the ability to create an audio file on your memory stick instead of being stored in RAM and therefore is permanent. Here is what Art said about what you need to use this program:

You need a Socom headset and PSP headphone remote control dongle for this to receive microphone input. There are numerous other mods to tap a microphone input out of your remote, or find a 4 conductor 3.5mm jack, and convert your own standard PC microphone headset, or, as I have done, convert a mobile phone headset for use with the PSP.

You need at least 20Mb free on your memory stick to use this program because although the program itself is very small, a 20Mb "Reel.dat" file is be created when the program is first launched. Just plug in your Headphone remote, and Socom compatible headset and your on your way. Here's the version history (Note: All of these were released today in succession):

Virtual Tape Recorder V2a

• Screen errors fixed.
• Fast forward and rewind can be used during playback, and are disabled during recording.
• Microphone level is adjustable.

Virtual Tape Recorder V2

• Headphone remote buttons implemented.

Virtual Tape Recorder V1

• First release.

Art is continuing to work on this application and although Virtual Tape recorder has a rather crude GUI at the moment, expect a nice, user-friendly interface to be included with future versions. Make sure you read the included 'readme.txt' and enjoy!

Download: [Virtual Tape Recorder V2b]
View: [Forum release thread]

GEAR4, manufacturer of iPod accessories, just informed us about their newest product - a speaker system for the Playstation Portable. The company claims that its SonicBoom speakers are a vast improvement over the sound of the PSP's original speakers. The SonicBoom comes with two speakers (2.4W each) and one sub-woofer (9.6W) and being a handheld accessory, it's all designed very compactly. Despite the small size, the high definition output is supposed to fill whole rooms with the sound of your PSP's MP3s, videos or games.

A two-metre-long "Freestyle" cable allows you to freely move their PSP in the room while the SonicBoom system is connected. Alternatively, you can fit the PSP directly into the SonicBoom. Using it while the PSP is being charged should be no problem either.
The speaker system utilizes normal headphone outputs, so you can connect it to a variety of devices, like iPods, laptops and other sound sources.

The SonicBoom will retail for £49.99, which is about $95 - quite hefty for "just" a bunch of miniature speakers. Personally, I don't feel the need to use my PSP as a stereo - I'm satisfied with a pair of good earbuds which are a lot less pricey. Nonetheless,  should anyone reading this pick it up - let us know what you think about it!

We all agree that the best travel companion is your PSP. What if you're the designated driver and you can't even lift a finger off the wheel? What then? Just to get a sense of your PSP being by your side, a good idea would be to hook it up to your car stereo. So everybody can enjoy music, movies and games stored in your PSP.

What you have to do is set your car stereo to the frequency that is also on the modulator, usually it's in the area of 88.7 or 89.1. Plug the RCA connectors from the cable into the RCA jacks on the modulator. Now take the headphone end of the cable into the PSP and there you have it.

One example of such FM modulators is Pelican's PSP FM Modulator that has full channels from 88.1 to 107.9. It sells at Gamestop for $29.99.