Sakya has released a new version of LightMP3 on the PSP Development forum. This latest release ups the playlist limit to 300 tracks, allows the use of .PNG files as coverart, and adds a Shuffle/Repeat play mode. A complete changelog is in the full article.

Download: LightMP3 v2.0.0 Alpha 4
Visit: QJ.NET PSP Development forum

Sony Japan has unveiled via press wire three new products it's planning to release for the months of March and April.

While the new microphone and PSP color are certainly interesting news, we have to say that the new cradle attachment for the Slim could be a potential hot-seller. Details for these three are in the full article.

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

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).

If you head over to PSPChina, you'll find a post for eBook reader: eReader v1.59. We have written about eReader v1.4, and that's a good place to start if you want to know how to use this program and navigate through it. Basically, the eReader by Aeolusc is an eBook reader program for your PSP. It lets you read simple text files, but more importantly, it lets you read HTML files, display images, and play MP3s. You can also download fonts in different sizes so you can choose one that's easy to read.

We'll update this as soon as we get more info. Meanwhile, if anybody out there knows more about it, then you can help out the rest of the non-Chinese-reading PSP community by telling us more about it.

Also, we'd like to welcome the PSP newbies who got PSPs for Christmas: Check out the FAQs, Guides, and Tutorials at our forums. You might look at Guides: General PSP for general PSP stuff (like figuring out the version of "firmware" you have in your PSP), and then you can jump into homebrew by reading the threads in the Guides: Hacks, Homebrew and Emulators forum. Recommended reading includes the ULTIMATE Homebrew Guide and the The Ultimate QJ Guide.

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Update: Tom sent in a very helpful translation of the original eReader post and of the readme. He provided info on what the newest features of eReader v1.59 Xmas Version (Ebook and Image Viewer) are, including info on the controls. There's also a very long and extremely important tutorial in this translation.

So for those who want to use this updated app ASAP, click on Full Article.

Remember Lua PC Remote Viewer we reported about earlier? Well, sanguinus, the developer who made it, has released a new version of the application which lets you control your PC with your PSP.  This one's a major update, making the program much snazzier by adding mouse control.  Here's how the mouse control (not to be confused with mind control) works:

• Dpad Up --> Mouse Up
• Dpad Down --> Mouse Down
• Dpad Left --> Mouse Left
• Dpad Right --> Mouse Right
• Left Click --> Cross
• Exit PC app --> Circle

Sanguinus has also included a config file so that you can control the mouse speed. This is the final version unless a major bug is found or if many people request for a new feature; so make sure you get this application if you like the idea of remote control.

Download: [PC2PSP v0.8]
View: [Forum release thread]

Okay, enough with the conflicting reports in Engrish, enough of Casino Royale trailers on Gamers' Day, enough of the wild speculation and rampant imaginations. If you haven't been toying with your PSP and your PS3 at the same time - because you don't have one of each, or you currently are or will be too busy playing games, and you don't know how Remote Play really looks like...

Thank salimdao who sent us these YouTube embeds of his PS3 (FW1.10) throwing itself to the PSP (FW3.0) through Remote Play. That's the PS3, a music CD, a BD of "Talladega Nights", and a Memory Stick full of media files, all on the small widescreen of the PSP. You see everything from PS3 setup, to PSP setup, to the handshake between the two, and then Remote Play getting down, four on the floor. No, really. The PSP was on the floor the whole time.

That's four YouTube videos to look at. The Blu-Ray one, however, is either incomplete, or salimdao wasn't able to make it work, because it ends before the guy could make the movie play on his PSP. Hey salimdao, if you're reading this, can you tell us if the movie did play?

PS3/PSP Remote Play Network setup

The three other videos of the PSP getting down and dirty with the PS3 via remote play at the full article. No, this is not a pr0n video, Ron J.

The wonderful Ahman, the same person who is bringing us the latest version of iR Shell to the PSP soon has released another application to make your PSP much more useful. If you have no idea what this does then here's PSP VNC in a nutshell: VNC stands for Virtual Networked Computing, and it simply means you can use your portable console (i.e. PSP) to control things that run on your PC. Sound cool? Yes it does. The project was first started by TeamXos and has been updated by Zx-81  to include a host of new updates. Now, it has been modified by Ahman to run on firmware 2.71 via Dark_Alex's HenC.

Although many users are now on Dark_Alex's custom firmware 2.71 SE, it's nice to know that there are still a few developers out there making other 2.71 applications for some users. This update to PSP-VNC v1.2.2a not only adds support for firmware 2.71 via Dark_Alex's HenC but also enables you to use the HOME button to exit the application. The download includes 1.5 and 2.71 binary versions as well as the source code. Enjoy your PC's new remote control!

Download: [PSP-VNC v1.2.2a]

Trex6662k5 has once again updated his great application called the XBMC Remote Interface Mod. For those of you who came in late, the XBMC Remote Interface Mod is a mod of the original XBMC Remote Interface by Jonny2002. This little piece of homebrew allows you to set up an interface between your PSP and a modified Xbox running Xbox Media Center.

Here is a list of what's new in this version:

• added duration next to currently playing time
• removed a random number generator that was in init() (Why that was there is beyond me)
• Autosync when time elapsed meets duration (Dont be seeking while this occurs)
• Made exiting out of remote control mode slightly easier on the person, xbox and psp

Click on the download link below to start turning your PSP into a remote media controller. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't be shy and discuss this release on our forums. For instructions on how to install the XBMC Remote Interface Mod, check out this previous QJ article.

Download: [XBMC Remote Interface V0.7.3 Mod]
Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]