Although it hasn't been released in the most official of channels (be it the ol' reliable PlayStation downloads), shun goku satsu, moderator of the Official PlayStation Portable forums, has begun a discussion of future firmware updates for the PlayStation Portable. Lo and behold, for within the introductory post, the moderator slapped on Firmware 3.70 - a software update for the North American iteration of the PSP-1001 (as specified).

Find it hard to believe? If it feels like a huge Venetian rug has been pulled right from under you, we know how you feel. Moderator shun goku satsu, though, has enforced his post with a complete changelog for the "future" firmware update:

• You can now set custom themes in [Theme Settings] under [Settings].
• Support has been added for assigning buttons in [Remote Play].
• A scene search feature has been added under [Video].
• Sequential playback is now supported under [Video].
• Simultaneous playback of content under [Music] and [Photo] is now supported.

Now stress has been given that the firmware update is strictly for North American PSP-1001s (PSP Phats) and *NOT* for PSP-2000s (PSP Slim & Lites) nor for any PSP model purchased outside of the US. Also, we've got hold of the PBP format version (the one you can save on your PC) so you can think twice about going through with the update. (Editor's Note: It's now been confirmed for use on both PSP 1000 types and PSP 2000 types)

Much kudos goes out to Mikey_424, hockeyroks33, Dante6660, and WoolySpud for their timely tips!
Originally published on Sep 10, 2007 at 11:00PM

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Our trusty research team has just informed us that an official changelog has been made available on the Japanese PlayStation website. The information given is functionally similar to the stuff we've posted above though, although there is one main exception we've got to note.

Contrary to the information above though, the 3.70 is meant for both the PSP 1000 series and the PSP 2000 series, so whether you're using a "Fat" or a "Slim" - Type PSP, there are new features there for users. Here's the additional information for you:

Network

• (Remote play) [the button to allot to the menu] it added.
• 1000 series: PSP "of Portable TV" (R) "[pureisuteshiyon] portable" for attendant upon the end of image download service, the P-TV idea contest was deleted. Details this (http://www.p-tv.jp/) viewing.

Television

• 2000 series: [It corresponded to data broadcast with [wansegu]].
• 2000 series: Even in the television which does not correspond to progressive image output system, when viewing [wansegu] broadcast, it reached the point where the picture can be output.
• It can output to just the television which corresponds to progressive image output system with state when purchasing.
  

Video

• It reached the point where it can play back the animated picture which is retained in the memory stick duo continually.
• Using “VAIO Mobile TV Ver.5.0,” it reached the point where it can play back the animated picture file of [wansegu] which is retained in the memory stick duo.

Download: PSP Firmware 3.70 (for North American PSP-1001) EBOOT

Japan's Video on Demand (VOD) service P-TV for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable is about to come to an end, said the statement found on the company's official site. The reason for stopping the service wasn't mentioned but it's probably from lacking enough subscribers.

The service began around July 2005 and it allowed content from the official P-TV site to be playable on the PSP through wireless LAN connection. The VOD service, furthermore, allows PSP owners to purchase copyright-protected videos for their handhelds. When the PS3 was launched, P-TV included the new console to the service.

But Sony isn't giving up on VOD service. In a related news, it should be remembered that Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) recently announced a similar service for UK in cooperation with multichannel multiplatform television service operator Sky. The rest of the service will launched for whole Europe later on.

P-TV said that the service will stay live only until 5 p.m. on August 30. Oh well, too bad it's all over. We heard they are offering downloads for pin-up idols.

Over in Japan, there's this thing known as P-TV. It's actually an Internet service sponsored by Sony that allows users to download content to their PlayStation 3 (PS3) and PlayStation Portable (PSP) units. The service is relatively new so you can expect Sony to do everything within its capacity to promote it.

Speaking of which, P-TV is currently offering downloads of pin-up idol Mami Yamasaki. She is a 22-year old bikini model and actress known for her provocative photos and TV commercials. She has also done various TV shows in the past.

If you really want to know, there is a poster of her on the office wall in the level Graniny Gorki Lab 1F of PlayStation 2 (PS2) title Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence.

If we are not mistaken though (site's in Nihongo), you have to register first to the site to get hold of these lovely content. Don't worry, it's for free. And also, we believe that PSP owners have to be on FW 2.60 or higher to access the same. The Read link will take you to P-TV's official page for the offer.

Everybody loves a good bargain, but sometimes, cheaper may not actually be better. To test this theory, the owner of the Japanese blog PSP Gadgetz decided to use a cheap 4GB memory stick as his guinea pig, and the results are pretty comprehensive. To start the experiment, the 4GB memory stick was ordered from a Hong Kong retailer who sold it for ¥4000 (about US$ 35), postage included. After receiving the memory stick, it was then tested and was found to check out in the following areas:

• the memory stick was formatted without problems
• taking photos and movies with the USB camera
• music playback
• MPEG4 and AVC playback
• M-JPEG playback
• game archives
• game demos
• playback of video recordings
• saving game data (using Monster Hunter Portable 2)
  

Despite these, however, the following issues were detected:

• failure to save/play back contents from P-TV
• failure to "transfer the tune" that is obtained via SonicStage

We are yet to try out the same type of memory stick that the PSP Gadgetz blogger used, but we're guessing that most of the cheaper varieties may actually be a good buy if you don't demand too much from your PSP. If you're the type to regularly use services like SonicStage and P-TV, though, it looks like it may be a good idea to just stick with official, licensed products.

In the meantime, a couple of videos were taken which shows the tests that the Hong Kong memory stick went through. Give it a look and see which type of memory stick is actually the one for you.

View more images, and the two videos after the Jump!

The ability to download high-resolution PSP formatted AVC video through the P-TV service has been one of the highlights of PSP gaming for many Japanese gamers, but unfortunately, Sony hasn't even thought about bringing the service to the U.S. or other territories across the globe - or have they?

Using this guide, courtesy of IGN's nixice, you can browse the P-TV website on any computer with an internet connection (no Japanese IP address required), and using a temporary account, browse through the store and download free videos, some of which are in English!

You don't have to be fluent in Japanese either, as with a quick glance at this tutorial and a bit of patience, you too could be watching full resolution 480x272 AVC video on your PSP; previously only possible using homebrew and converting your own video. all thanks to P-TV Japan. The trick is to identify which content you would like to watch and wouldn't mind listening to in Japanese rather than downloading some feature length film which you won't understand.

Find out how to get free high-res videos for your PSP after the Jump!