It seems that many people were having problems with xLoader, the newly-released eLoader's sidekick. Not to worry though, the Noobz crew has given instructions to address most problems which plagued those who didn't check the readme (bad!). Here's all the clarifications directly from the official page.

Step-by-step instructions:

• Install xLoader, using either the auto-installer, or by following the instructions in the readme.txt file in the ZIP package.
• Install some homebrew - perhaps by using the Installotron, which you can run from Fanjita's baybeh">eLoader (it doesn't work well in xLoader).
• Use the PatchSFO tool to ensure that your homebrew is ready for xLoader (see below for instructions).
• Now browse to your PSP's photo menu, and open the folder 'xLoader 280'. If everything has worked, you will see 2 file icons, one a round blue circle, the other a 'corrupt data' icon. So long as your PSP hasn't crashed at this point, then xLoader is now running.
• Alternatively, highlight the 'xLoader 280' folder and press START, to attempt a slideshow of the images in the folder. The PSP will complain that there are no pictures to show - this is OK, so long as the PSP hasn't crashed, then xLoader is now running.
• Browse to the homebrew you want to load, in the PSP's 'GAME - Memory Stick' folder, and press X or O (depending on your PSP region) to start it.
• The screen should go white, and then some text about eLoader appears briefly, followed by the homebrew starting. If your PSP crashes, then the homebrew you're trying to run is either not installed correctly, or it's not compatible with xLoader.

Some general info:

• There's plenty of useful and important information in the README file - click here to read it again (because of course you read it when you installed Kriek, right?).
• If you haven't downloaded it already, you should grab the PatchSFO utility (see below). You can also install it via Installotron. If you run PatchSFO, then you'll be able to at least attempt to run all your homebrew via xLoader. Without PatchSFO, the XMB won't even try to start most homebrew.
• Sometimes you'll find that the eLoader and xLoader TIFFs stop working. If that happens:
• Try running a disk checking tool on your memory stick. For Windows, you can use 'chkdsk', or the 'Properties - Tools - Error Checking' option that comes up if you right-click the memory-stick drive icon. On a Mac, you can try the 'First Aid' option of the Mac Disc Utility. This seems to fix about 95% of problems.
• Try reinstalling eLoader.
• Try starting with a different method - if you normally start with slideshow (using the START button, then try just opening the folder (with the X or O button) - and vice versa.
• eLoader will usually crash if you try to run it when xLoader is active. Just hold the power switch on your PSP for 5 seconds to reset it, then turn it back on again. This removes xLoader from memory.

Another thing to take notice in case you don't know, Installatron is only able to use the first access point configuration. So if you're not able to use Installatron properly, it would be wise to delete the rest of the access point configurations. We're hoping that Fanjita can fix that so that there's an access point selector, like in AFKIM or Links2. Until then though, you'll have to make do with the workaround.

AnonymousTipster, the homebrew developer that brought us the original Unzip/Unrar utility commonly-used as a plugin for Ahman's iR shell, has released the source code for his wonderful application. His project allows homebrew gamers to download files onto their PSP using either the PSP's integrated Web browser on firmware 2.0+ or using the homebrew Links2 browser and unzip them ready for use on a PSP without the need for a PC! Here's what AnonymousTipster said:

"I meant to do this earlier, but nonetheless, here is the source code to my .zip and .rar extraction application I released a few months ago." This application is an asset to the homebrew community and now you can see just how he made this useful application which makes homebrew gaming on the go that little bit easier. Feel free to try and figure out a way to make it better if you can!

Download: [Tipster Unzip/Unrar Utility Source Code]

PSPRadio">Raf, the brains behind the PSPRadio, has again marvelled us with an update for his homebrew application - Links2 browser port to the PSP.  It has been updated to Links 2.1-pre23 PSP r1231, and as you already know, this latest version is now based on links2.1- pre23, as mentioned in our earlier reports about this app.

This browser has been tagged by many PSP users as one of the best because it has much more support than the Sony's PSP browser in higher firmwares. As always, you can download the standalone EBOOT if you wish to launch the Links2 browser from your PSPs XMB, or the PSPRadio plugin if you wish to launch it from Raf's PSPRadio application. The source code was also released along with the usual package. For now, Raf filled us in on what is new with this release.

NEW FEATURES

Using a new mouse cursor (Edited off of the freely available theme http://www.kde-look.org/content/show.php?content=13524)
Implemented h/w double buffering to go along the s/w double buffering (more like triple buffering). This solves the flickering of danzeff.
Slowed down the mouse pointer a bit. Also made this a configuration item (mouse_speed_factor).
Renamed config item psp_bb_to_fb_factor to screen_zoom_factor
Added support for 16bpp to danzeff
Modified links to use 16bpp; this saves a lot of memory.

BUG FIXES

Cleaned up the call to the input handler. This resolved some timing issues that were causing the graphic glitches (menu screens not clearing up correctly).

It also wouldn't hurt if you guys will share what you think about the app, so as the good developer can hone his craft and perfect this fine application. So don't hesitate to think out loud through your comments.

Download: [Links 2.1 Browser r1231 Stand Alone]
Download: [Links 2.1 Browser r1231 PSPRadio Plugin]
Download: [Links 2.1 Browser r1231 Source Code]

The creator of PSPRadio, Raf, has once again updated his Links2 Web browser PSP port which can be used as either a standalone application or as a plugin for Raf's PSPRadio application. The Links2 web browser for PSP is based the open source browser for Linux which is also being constantly updated. This new version is now based on links2.1-pre23, whilst the previous version was based on links2.1-pre22; bringing various upgrades along with it. Here's the changelog:

New features:

• Cookie save/restore patch from cvs.pld.org.pl/SOURCES/links2-cookies-save.patch?rev=1.2 applied.
• Merged to 2.1pre23 See Changelog.orig
• Made psp_bb_to_fb_factor a configurable parameter in links.cfg (default=1, set to 2 to enable zoom mode)
• Also changed default font to 12 from 24. (Change to 24 in html.cfg if want to use zoom mode)

Bug Fixes

• Reverted UP/DOWN behavior (user requested). (R+UP/DOWN still does page up/down, though).

I know that many PSP users are happy using the 2.0+ firmware browser and DevHook, but the advantages of this browser only become clear when you actually use it. Controls are smooth, and as you can tell, this browser loads the PSPupdates homepage with no trouble. It certainly gets rid of that annoying 'Not enough memory' error while using the firmware browser. No, it doesn't support flash, but for everyday surfing it's much more efficient.

Download: [Links2 Browser r1222 standalone for 1.5]
Download: [Links2 Browser r1222 PSPRadio Plugin]
Download: [Links2 Browser r1222 Source code]

Raf, creator of PSPRadio has released another update for his amazing Links2 browser port to the PSP. This latest version of Raf's port of Links2 (an open source browser for Linux) to the PSP i still based on links2.1-pre22, but has a whole host of new features  bundled with it. This version (r1214) is available as a standalone EBOOT or packaged as a PSPRadio plugin. Here's the changelog:

Uses links-2.1pre22 PSP r1214 ( 2006-07-08 )

• Updates to pspgu driver:
• Default resolution is now 960x544 (Its scaled down to the PSP's 480x272)
• Links scaling is now disabled (as it used too much memory, and was one of the main culprits of memory errors)
• Font size changed from 12 to 24, so it is readable without zoom (at 960x544)
• Zoom (along with new virtual resolution of 960x544 implemented using a kind of double buffering)
• New button mappings:
• UP/DOWN = scroll up/scroll down (former R+UP/DOWN)
• R+UP/DOWN = page up/page down
• L (held) = zoom (while L is held). Use analog stick to move around.
• L+CROSS = toggles zoom lock. (Once locked, the analog will control the mouse. Use L+analog to move zoom window).

This is the browser of choice for most PSP users as it has much more support than the Sony's PSP browser that was included with firmware 2.0 and above, so if you've just downgraded from 2.5/2.6, I suggest you get this to compensate for the loss of the later firmware's web browser. Download the standalone EBOOT if you wish to launch the Links2 browser from your PSPs XMB or the PSPRadio plugin if you wish to launch it from Raf's PSPRadio application.

Download: [Latest version of PSPRadio for Firmware 1.5]
Download: [Links2 r1214 PSPRadio Plugin]
Download: [Links2 r1214 Standalone]

The juggernaut that is PSPRadio gets another update in the form of an updated Links2 plugin. In case any of you have just downgraded to 1.5, I'm sure you haven't heard much about Links2.

Well, Links2 is THE best homebrew browser if you're on 1.5. Now I know you can already use FW2.5 browser using DevHook, but for those who don't want all that hassle of dumping firmware, Links2 is what you should be using.

There are two files for download. One is a PSPRadio plugin, and the other one is a standalone version of Links2. I'd personally recommend the standalone version, simply because of that fact that you get a little more usable memory, which PSPRadio would've eaten up if it was running.

Finally, let's go through the changelog.

New features:

• New driver based on the linux framebuffer driver. This new driver access video RAM directly. Most of the graphic problems with SDL seem to be gone; but theres some new problems (the menus don't clear correctly. by raf.)
• Using direct VRAM version of Danzeff to free up the memory used by the previous SDL version. (by sandberg)

The main new feature is the use of a new video driver, based on the linux framebuffer driver. Although the implementation seems to be a bit buggy right now, I'm sure it will be cleared over time.

For now, enjoy the best homebrew browsing experience on FW1.5

Download Link : [Links 2.1 - pre22 Release r1206 PSPRadio Plugin]
Download Link : [Links 2.1 - pre22 Release r1206 Standalone Version]

Keith Goldrick created the PSP Weather Feed for his personal use, but when he realized how often he used it, he decided to share the useful application to the PSP community. PSP Weather feed is a collection of PSP formatted HTML pages that provide a user-friendly method of viewing current and future weather conditions in the US. Up-to-date info are pulled from weather.com. If you get the chance to try this one it, you'll see a display of current infrared satellite images as well as temperature readings. If you don't care much about weather conditions from other regions, you can bookmark the HTML file that links you directly to your region.

The app works on all firmware versions, though you need DevHook or Links2 to use it on firmware 1.0 and 1.50. You also need to be within rage of a Wi-Fi connection to get the application working.

To install, just copy the "w" directory into /PSP/COMMON on your memory stick, and call up the web browser specifying this path: “file:/psp/common/w/s.html”.


Download: [PSP Weather Feed v1.0]

The all-wonderful Raf has updated his Links2 standalone browser for the PSP to version r1195 today. This latest version of Raf's port of Links2 (an open source browser for Linux) to the PSP uses the latest version of Links2 (links2.1-pre22), along with the addition of a whole host of new features and bug fixes. This version (r1195) is available as a standalone EBOOT or packaged as a PSPRadio plugin.

Here's the changelog:

• StandAlone: New connection selection: "None" allows the user to continue initialization without having to connect.
• Plugin: Changed the plugin priority to 45, this should prevent skipping while listening to pspradio.
• Now when adding a bookmark, bookmarks are saved automatically. 
• Bug fix: Cosmetic changes when taking screenshots, and reconnecting. (Wait for the user, redrawing).
• Updated to links-2.1pre22

The details of Links-2.1pre22 update are as folllows:

- Sponsored by Alex Poylisher
- Use 8-bit gamma correction on machines with slow FPU (or with FPU emulation) which significantly reduces startup time
- Optional scrollbars in frames
- Implemented porn mode (bare image auto-scaling aka fullscreen).
- Fixed ignorance of aspect ratio for images where only one dimension is specified.
- Fixed crash when deleting item at the top of the window in bookmarks or associations or extensions
- Ignore space at the end of url
- Fixed memory leak on image with no src attribute and usemap attribute
- Support 4th and 6th mouse button on svgalib

Download: [Links2 browser r1195 standalone EBOOT]
Download: [Links2 browser r1195 PSPRadio Plugin]

Summer is upon us people! I'm not sure about those in the rest of the world, but I am certainly feeling the heat in the UK this month. There's one problem with the summer, and ironically, although the sun is out and there's a million and one things to do: there's still the problem of boredom.

Students get the summer off school, others take their holidays from work and sometimes you just feel bored. You've done everything in your local area, and there's nothing to do but laze around in the sun - which isn't as fun as it sounds. Then there's the idea of going on holiday somewhere different. Whether you go abroad or stay in your home country, there's still the problem of boredom whilst travelling. So here, we've compiled a top 10 list of homebrew applications or games that will keep you alive throughout the summer, whether your sat in your back garden or on a plane to Hawaii.

Now, some of you may be thinking Only homebrew? What about UMD releases. Well there's a story to that one too. To be frankly honest, there aren't really any UMD releases this summer to get excited about. Titles such as PQ - Practical Intelligence Quotient and Tenchu: Time of the Assassins both of which are released on June 23rd could be interesting but you can't be sure. The only other titles on the horizon that catch my attention are Pac-Man World Rally and Super Monkey Ball Adventures, but the release dates of these two games are yet to be confirmed.

Now lets get onto the homebrew. After all, this is the stuff thats gonna to keep you going through the summer.

See the list after the jump!

Raf has once again updated his PSP Radio homebrew application to the latest pre-release version, 0.38.11. PSPRadio allows you to stream music and listen to Shoutcast servers (WiFi Radio) from the comfort of your PSP. This version contains a few new features since the previous release last week.

This application works on 1.50 and 2.0-2.6 (with the Static Version) and should work on firmwares above 2.0 other than 2.70! As with these Pre-release versions, they are not up to the same standard as full releases, and therefore use at your own risk! Here's a list of the new features for this version:

• Added support for the new Shoutcast DB Listing. This will retrieve now 500 stations by default. Look at the config file to change.
• Dynamic version/Retawq: Updated priority to 45 so it will co-operate with pspradio better.
• Core: Updated danzeff to support 90 degrees CW rotated keyboards.
• Code: Started adding proxy support. Test it by enabling in the .cfg file.

1.5 users should download the Dynamic version which includes the retawq and links2 plugins, whilst 2.0-2.6 users should download the eLoader compatible static version.

Download: [PSP Radio 0.38.11 Dynamic for 1.5 users]
Download: [PSP Radio 0.38.11 Static for eLoader users]