Another custom firmware is apparently in the works called the 3.51XR, this one is being developed by pj1115. The developer has given word that it is "based loosely on OE, but I have no association with or rights to OE or Dark_AleX."

In the title of his post, he brazenly announced that his version kicks CFW v3.51 M33's @$$. Well, considering that it hasn't been released yet, we currently don't know if this statement is valid or not, but the feature list along with the upcoming additions do look pretty good. Here's a complete listing of the current features implemented and set to be implemented:

• Fixed compatibility issues with modules and resources. M33 has them.
• Bug fixes.
• Added XR recovery menu.
  
• Increased theme compatibility.
• Replaced network update with my custom firmware updater.
• Load modules & resources from memory stick.
• Config file on the MS for other configuration (spoof version number, recovery theming, etc.)
• Ability to have all 12 BG images as full-res.

Features planned:

• Play MP3/WAV/OGG on boot instead of opening sound. No length restriction.
• Boot password protection & integrate an adapted HideMedia.
• Ability to edit config file on MS from recovery & add MAC spoofing (only affects XMB - iDstorage is untouched).
• Add super features such as dump/write NAND image, dump/write iDstorage to recovery.
• Increase no-UMD compatibility.

The developer said there are already four people testing it.

Homebrew coder pj1115 dropped by QJ Forums today and released a collection of homebrews, including full source codes - just ready to be compiled with the PSPSDK. As much as this sounds great and exciting, this isn't entirely a good day for the community. Because you see, pj1115 is saying goodbye to us all.

According to the homebrew developer, his depression has escalated as of late and he feels the need to get away. It should be remembered that he has done this before, leaving the scene, but pj1115 mentioned that this time is for good. He lamented,

The biggest and saddest reason is the scene. Still glorious as always, though it now lacks the excitement and the triumph you felt waiting for something groundbreaking or using it. Back in the day of 1.50, in the day of 2.50, and in the day of crude, cheerful homebrew. We've come too far, is the bottom line. I don't mean to be a killjoy, but the scene is wilting, and that's the way the cookie crumbles.

So there. He said his goodbye and left the community some of his precious works. It is now up to you to say your farewell to pj1115. Below is a summary of the compilation and we here at QJ hope that whoever will pick them up, will cherish the applications and remember pj1115 every step of the way.

• PSPG (PSPGuides) - Spent a really long time making them, but Google deleted them and I had to go through an unbelievable amount of trouble to get the files. HTML format. A little outdated (goes as far as 3.02, so Devhook, firmware and custom firmware history, downgraders, etc are out of date).
• HideMedia BETA II(FIX) - The fixed version of BETA II, which caused some reversable 'damage' to the MS's folders. Everything works fine now, or so it should. Includes full source. If you encountered this, use my fixer HERE.
• FirmwareAutoBooter - You may not have met this, but I it fashioned a while ago, borrowing some code here-and-there from the open-source SXT's BFM. It's a firmware loader, designed for 1.00 debug, with no GUI, so it's cool if you set it to autoboot in OE. You'll boot straight into the emulated XMB. Full source included.
• HTML Sound Hack + Flasher - My HTML sound hack's latest build, as well as the source code for the flasher. If you didn't see this, it allowed you to modify the PSP's default browser sounds (ie, for the menu). I don't think it works about firmware 3.03 since Sony re-organised the files. HTMLviewer.snd no longer exists.
• Outa-Space PSP - My flash0 space free-ing application. Full source included, as well as some tips for further development (in the main.c).
• PSP3D.com Official XMB Theme + Flasher - I suspect that few of you will be interested in the actual theme (which is outdated and incomplete anyway), though the source code for the flasher is included.

Download: pj1115's SRC and latest binaries
View: QJ PSP Development Forum

 

Care for another serving of PlayStation Portable XMB themes? Homebrew developer pj1115 (recently responsible for the PSP Browser Sound Hack) is letting the PSP personalization aficionados out there know about his new project - VistaPSP R1. This homebrew XMB theme is based on Windows Vista, and aside from the slick visuals, also includes another treat: extra-long menu texts, accredited to ZiNgABuRgA's topmenu hack. Going into details on who made the icons:

• Savedata loading icon (Undertaxxx)
• Game loading icon (Undertaxxx)
• Photo loading icon (Undertaxxx)
• Topmenu Icons & Special extended menu text (3.03 OE-C only) (PSPculture; pj1115's custom text)
• Battery icon (undertaxxx)
• VistaPSP Wallpaper (By pj1115)
• Vista boot sound for opening audio, as well as custom coldboot text (By pj1115)
• "Duality" custom XMB waves (Nevada)
• System Navigation sounds (and browser sounds using my recent hack)
• Volume images (PSPCulture; modified by pj1115).
  

As a last note, remember that this XMB theme will work for 3.03 OE-C or 3.10 OE-A. Be sure to view the file README for full descriptions and installation details - read it BEFORE you install the homebrew application and try it out.

Kudos to pj1115 for the application - we look forward to seeing future updates for this pack.

Download: VistaPSP R1

So you want to hear something different when you cruise around your PSP's official web browser, eh? Well then this app is just right for you. This is pj1115's Browser Sound Hack. Basically, what it does is to enable you to "fabricate and flash custom sounds" in your browser.

Now, he's got specific instructions for those using Windows. Check it out:

• Get your 7 VAG files (under 2 seconds each; if it's not VAG, convert it with the included MFAUDIO tool). Place them in the RES folder of the program. There are checks to make sure they're all there.
• Run start.bat in the program folder, and it will compile a custom file header along with your seven sound clips into "htmlviewer.snd", which will reside in the "OUT" folder.
• Flash the htmlviewer.snd file with the included flasher which pj1115 made, or you can do it with PSPfiler or the OE recovery's Flash0 USB feature.
• Open up your browser and test!

This is just a POC mod, so he says it's not always guaranteed to work 100%. But it usually depends on the VAG files that you use. So, go try it out and have some fun. Included in the archive which you can download right here are the default sounds and the default htmlviewer.snd file. So you better make sure to go look at the Readme, ayt?

Download: Browser Sound Hack

pj1115 recently dropped the latest HideMov build on our laps. HideMov BETA II improves on the first one by adding even more file stealth options for other kinds of files, wider firmware support (hopefully), and an easy install option. Changelog comes before the Download link.

The program is STILL a BETA (hence, the name), there may be some bugs to run into. Oh, and as always, Read the Readme for the instructions, warnings, etc. As to why one would like to stealth some of their files from the XMB... but hey, everyone has their reasons, and not all of them have to do with Memory Sticks and "off-game recreation." Privacy is, after all, a treasured right.

But then, why are you suddenly sweating buckets?

• Enhanced video hiding (adds VIDEO folder support)
• Hides Games (GAME, GAME150, GAME303, GAME310)
• Hides Music
• Hides Photo
• Hides Savedata
• Hides Browser stuff (ie, bookmarks)
• SHOULD be more compatible with older firmwares (I increased the time that the PRX allowed for other threads to work)
• Added auto-installer for Windows

Download: [HideMov BETA II]

For those who like to keep their top secret video files with them at all times, well, you can now carry them around in your PSP without worrying about your content being viewed by unauthorized eyes. And no, we're not referring to the downloaded porn videos that you don't want your little brother to see. It could be that music video that you've been prepping up for its international debut on YouTube, or it can be a video which shows your super top secret homebrew app that would put veteran coders to shame. Now, if you don't want anyone stealing your ideas, then take pj1115's advice and start using this little app called HideMov Beta.

As the name implies, it's an app that means to keep your video clips safe from prying eyes. This means that even if you passed your PSP around the whole office (because everyone just wants to have a go at Loco Roco...), they wouldn't be able to snoop on your vids... unless, of course, they know the key combination that you set which unlocks your whole stash.

According to the app's maker, HideMov is meant to work with Dark_AleX's OE firmwares. When launched with the XMB, it basically stops the PSP's video menu from detecting any files until the correct combination of keys is pressed. Until then, it will simply keep displaying the message "There are no videos". On top of that, you can even re-disable the videos with a second button combination.

Weighing in at a featherweight 3.58KB, you might want to give this app a try.

Now, just remember folks: as with any piece of homebrew, ALWAYS READ THE README FILE BEFORE YOU TRY ANYTHING. Once you've gone through pj1115's notes, then go ahead and have fun.

Download: [HideMov BETA]

Homebrew developer, pj1115, informed us about this app he has concocted called Outa-Space PSP. Now if you'd remember, we have been dishing out apps to pimp your XMB for days now, Outa-Space is also for your XMB but it has a different function from the others we've talked about.

According to the dev, this app is designed to remove any features of the XMB that you don't want so that you'd have more room for gameboots or things that you like. pj1115 adds that this "includes the usual font switching stuff, but you can also dispose of camera & GPS functionality, network update, the certificate utility, photo functionality, music functionality, video functionality, the XMB browser, and RSS. You can choose which ones you want to dispose of in the menu of the program, but all-in-all, if you were to completely sap your XMB of features, you could save around 4mb."

If you choose to use it, only the XMB will notice the difference and UMDs will work just fine. He also cautions you that the features you remove aren't disabled, they're deleted. So if you remove some of your XMB's features, they would only be re-installed if you pick up a new firmware (be it downgrading, upgrading, or restoring a custom firmware). This is designed  for Dark_AleX's OE firmwares (preferably 3.10 OE-C), but it will work on 1.50.

Anyhow, some may find this app to be scary to use, others may find it useful. Whatever is your take on this app, just be sure to be properly informed and read the readme file that comes with the download. The dev won't be held liable for any damages, so you better read up and think before using this app.

Download: [Outa-Space PSP]