As kids, we've always fantasized about kicking some enemy butt alongside our favorite video game characters, or maybe even save them from the clutches of evil people out to eat them. You're going to get your chance with homebrew developer jfig111's Super ShyGuy Universe, where you play as a little ShyGuy out to save Nintendo characters from the clutches of Sony (flame bait, there). More in the full article!

Download: Super ShyGuy Universe v1.60 Beta
Visit: QJ PSP Development Forums

How would you like to be able to control your iTunes via your multifaceted PlayStation Portable? Sounds swell, huh?

Well Ooblik seems to like that very idea himself and so has actually created an application that allows you to do precisely that. Check out what this PSP iTunes Controller is all about after the jump.

Download: PSP iTunes Controller
Visit: QJ. NET PSP Development Forum

Loyal QJ.Net reader Borg Queen X sent us an email regarding a portal for the PlayStation Portable he created with the help of CodesRCool. The said portal is called P-SPot and all you have to do is enter the following address to your PSP web browser: "http://gdteam.uni.cc/" to gain access to it.

We've seen a lot of other web portals in the past but we have to say that P-SPot is one of the more functional ones. Its list of features is as follows:

• All demo's working on any firmware exept: The baseball thing (coming soon though), Killzone and SOCOM FTB2.
• Loads of wallpapers.
• Videos.
• Firmware Upgrades.
• Chat Rooms.
• Private Chat Rooms.
• PSP news.
• Useful links.
• 2 Applications (more soon)
• 100+ online games.
• A forum: http://gdteam.uni.cc/PSP/forum (also accessible from computers)
  
• Some RSS Feeds working on the PSP.

On a related note, you can also access the above mentioned URL address using your PC. However, you will be redirected to the site's PC section and not to the portal itself.

A few days ago, Cpajuste came up with the Custom Firmware Extender v1.0. Now, he is back with an update to this app. But before you get lost in the changelog and all the other technical stuff, we'll give you a general idea of what this nifty thing is. Basically, it's a set of two plugins for Dark_AleX's custom firmware (although he didn't specify which custom firmware), which will add some extra options for your PSP. With this app, here's what you could do:

• Start and stop a ftpd server while under the VSH (PSP Menu) to transfer files via WIFI (WEP,WPA).
• Reset the PSP with a button while under the VSH (PSP Menu) or in-game (UMD/ISO).
• Power off the PSP with a button while under the VSH (PSP Menu) or in-game (UMD/ISO).
• Change the speed of the PSP CPU/FSB while under the VSH (PSP Menu) or in-game (UMD/ISO).
• Start and stop Usb Mass Storage under the VSH (PSP Menu) while browsing.
• Take a screenshot while under the VSH (PSP Menu) or in-game (UMD/ISO) saved in the PHOTO folder.
• Set a default CPU/BUS speed at startup.
• Set Usb Mass Storage at startup.
• Configure your buttons mapping (NOTE button + your selected button).

Now, we head on over to the changelog for v1.1:

• Capture folder will be created under "ms0:/PSP/PHOTO" if it dont exist.
• Enable brightness button to go to the max level.
• Ftpd server wont be launched if the psp web browser was already used

And even if we're sounding like broken records already, we'll still say these friendly reminders - Please read and understand the readme file that comes with the download. Check out the forum release thread for more info. Suggestions, questions, concerns? That's what the comments section is for. With all that said, download link's down there, have fun!

Download: [Custom Firmware Extender 1.1]
Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]

After months of waiting, an update for the PSP Web Browser Simulator has finally been released and is ready for download.

The PSP Web Browser Simulator basically allows one to browse portals and web sites specially created for the PSP. It is a PC software that "reuses the Microsoft Internet Explorer component to render web pages with the same look and feel than on a Sony PSP."

Its list of functions include:

• Browse Web Sites
  
• All major PSP Web Portals listed
• Use the same buttons to navigate, refresh, and return to the home page
• Emulate the rendering of the PSP web browser (no scroll bar, no margin)
• Easy to install, to configure and to use

It has also been noted that this program can make it easier to preview your work quickly if you are the type who creates software for the PSP.

Download: [PSP Web Browser Simulator v1.2]

They have been promising a flash portal for 2.7+ users, and now My PSP Portal delivers that promise. True, the Mypsportal Flash Portal for 2.7+ and DevHook .45 users may currently be just a beta version and there still are some features missing but as the My PSP Portal team said, it still "looks pretty sweet".

This beta release, labored over by the real mr bob and b00ndit, is sure to create a fiery-looking PSP Web Browser with its red, black background. All graphics were created from scratch by the two minds behind the project - all except for the icons, that is. However, you can expect b00ndit-originals replacing these icons in future releases. Future releases will also include a fix in the music player's color plus more songs on a "first come first serve requests" basis...so if you want any songs making its way to future releases, make sure to let your request be heard via the comments.

If you're new to having a flash portal on your PSP, a word from the real mr bob on installation: "To install the MPP.swf file on your PSP simply copy the MPP.swf into the root of your memory stick and copy the MPP folder to the PSP > COMMON > FILE GOES HERE. Once you have copied over the files to your PSP launch devhook and go the PSP web browser and type in file:/MPP.swf (2.7+ users can do the same thing)."

Have fun!

Download: [Mypsportal Flash Portal for 2.7+ and DevHook (.45) users]

uberOne from our forums (thanks for the tip) has updated his PSP Homepage Customizer to version 1.5 today for all those who use the PSPs integrated firmware browser. This program requires Windows to run, but can create a personalized homepage for your PSP web browser. To use this program, first enter the drive letter of your PSP using the drop down box. Then you enter the site title, followed by the URL. By Clicking "Add Link" the program will add the link to an index.htm. Then all you have to do is set your homepage to file:/home.html and you're all set with a customized homepage.

This program has grown in leaps and bounds since the last release, with the addition of many bug fixes and the ability to add a background color. As with everything, there's a downside to this new and improved version: no Easter egg. Anyway, the addition of colour support is good for those that don't know any from of HTML code to spruce up their homepage a bit. To add a background color, input a color in the form of RGB code or the raw color code into the background color field. A list of RGB colors can be found here, with raw color codes here.

This release may seem like the be-all and end-all of new PSP Homepage Customizer versions with color support and link addition, but uberOne still has plans for this funky little application. Features on uberOne's to do list include:

• Colored text links (most likely in the next version)
• Ability to have a background picture
• Will detect links from last input and not delete them every time program is used

You will need Windows and the .NET framework v2 installed, but other than that you can use this in collaboration with any PSP firmware that has a web browser - even emulated DevHook firmwares!

Download: [PSP Homepage Customizer v1.5]
View: [Forum release thread]

Brian Donaldson has enlightened us about a great way to use your PSP as a portable phone! Obviously, you cannot actually speak using your PSP, but through a freely-available service called IP Relay, messages you type on your PSP and PC can be transferred to any phone number within the US.

The service can be accessed through the IP Relay website using Java, and the service will act as an operator, translating voice into text for you and text into voice for the person on the receiving end of the phone call. Of course - the PSP web browser doesn't support Java, so why would it benefit PSP users? That's where homebrew comes in. Danzel's amazing AFKIM (Away from Keyboard Instant Messenger) for the PSP is an AIM client for the PSP, allowing you to connect to America's favourite Instant messenger through your PSP and a WiFi hotspot. IP Relay can be used within AIM, and by following these steps devised by Brian Donaldson, you could be making calls via your PSP for free!

1. You won't actually be speaking to the person you call, you'll be typing what you want the operator on My IP Relay to say to your friend...and believe me they will say anything because the service has been thoroughly tested by Brian!

2. Once you have added My IP Relay to you AIM buddy list on your PC you must now turn on your PSP and go to Game > Memory Stick > AFKIM

3. Now boot up AFKIM and press X so you can connect to your WiFi hotspot (Note: you can only call people from your PSP if you have access to the Internet).

4. Once you are connected to AFKIM you must now setup your account by pressing select and going to AIM. Type in your AIM username and password and then sign on.

5. Once you are signed into AIM on AFKIM scroll down to the screen name My IP Relay.

6. Press on their name and then type in CALL XXX-XXX-XXXX (XXX-XXX-XXXX is the area code and phone number of the number you want to call).

8. Then My IP Relay will type back with a response saying Ring 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc...you get the point. If someone picks up My Ip Relay will type back with the response that the person has said, such as, "y0, hello, hi, hola, etc." Simply use the AFKIM keyboard to type back and tell the person something (Note: You should be highly skilled at using the afkim keyboard before using this service because it'll be pointless if you type to slow. They may hang up if you're too slow).

9. Viola, you'll be having a conversation with your friend from your PSP. They'll be on their phone and you'll be on your PSP. So you'll be text messaging them from your PSP and they will hear a voice telling them the words you're typing. It's pretty cool, I don't really use it that much to talk to my friends because the PSP currently does not have a compatible keyboard. Even more cause for one to be made!

I'm just amazed at how IP Relay works. It's a completely free service with no advertising, all we can hope for now is that it eventually gets rolled out all over the world. This is an amazing tip, and all of the credit goes to Brian Donaldson for the instructions and the idea, with credit to Danzel for making AIM on the PSP possible!

Please use this system responsibly! There are people out there with various handicaps that depend on it, so do not abuse it!

Download: [AFKIM v2.0 for PSP 1.50]
Download: [AFKIM v2.0 for PSP 1.00 and 2.0-2.6]

Digg it!

Uber0ne from our forums has released v1.0 of his PSP Homepage Customizer program for the PC. This program requires Windows to run, but can create a personalized homepage for your PSP web browser. To use this program, first enter the drive letter of your PSP using the drop down box. Then you enter the site title, followed by the URL. By Clicking "Add Link" the program will add the link to an index.htm. Then all you have to do is set your homepage to file:/home.html and you're all set with a customized homepage.

This application is small and nifty with an easy to use GUI. It isn't a masterpiece, neither is it a 2.7 downgrader; but It's a very useful application if you use your PSP web browser often and don't have basic HTML knowledge. Also, Uber0ne is continuing to develop this, hoping to add colored links (not just the plain blue), background color support and background picture support for the next release. Also, an Easter egg has been included in this version - see if you can find it!

Note: Microsoft .Net framework v2.0 must be installed in order to run this.

Download: [PSP Homepage Customizer v1.0]
Discuss: [Forum Release thread]

KaotiK DesignZ and PSP3D have announced the release of a Developer version of the popular X5 PSP web browser portal. Since modability was requested by many for the next version, Kaotik DesignZ have added an all-new section in X5 especially for any applications you have made and want to include in the next version of the X5 browser portal.

Any decent games/applications/mods will be included in the next release, but the team behind X5 have stated that no alterations to the core X5 source code or official documentation are allowed. Please make sure that you read all the way through the documentation before you start developing your own part of X5. You can download this developer version below or through using the "Software Update" function included in X5 version 2.00.

Download: [X5 Developer v1.00]