The PSP firmware version 1.5 has apparently been hacked, according to a group called PsP-Dev who say they plan to release the method used in tutorial form tomorrow at 5PM GMT (12PM EST).If genuine, the hack will make widespread piracy on the PSP much more accessible, though the only evidence so far that PsP-Dev have actually cracked version 1.5 is a video file released a couple of days ago:
A video file released to a Web site for PlayStation Portable independent developers, appears to show an independently developed "Hello, World" test application running from memory stick, on a newer model PSP with firmware version 1.5.
Security provisions built into v. 1.5 by its manufacturer, Sony, are supposed to thwart the ability of the system to execute unencrypted binaries from its Memory Stick PRO Duo, as opposed to its local UMD small-size optical disc. If the video is indeed accurate, a small but devoted group of system crackers may be one step closer to their goal of devising an underground distribution system for cracked games.
Chris Gilbert, a professional PlayStation 2 game developer and noted member of the legitimate (non-pirate) homebrew development community, believes this development means "the ability to potentially run pirated software becomes significantly more widespread due to the largest portion of PSPs worldwide now being vulnerable to the exploit." Up until now, only very early versions of PSP that were only released in Japan, could be modified to run programs from memory stick.
Latest PSP firmware apparently cracked
Images of Hello World! on 1.5 PSP
Slashdot: PSP Firmware Broken - Emulation for All
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