Hack your PlayStation 3

Update: So it’s real after all; sort of… If you have Unreal Tournament 3 and the skills to compile UnrealScript, you too can do this –

• place the USERDATA.JAM file on the root directory of a usb memory stick
• then add mod via UT3 on ps3 the normal way you would any other mod
• start up an instant match, set opponents to 0, select mutator option
• go down the list select Hello World, run game.
• hud will be replaced by hello world screen.

And a better video to back it up –

Now, whether or not this will lead to further developments… It’s iffy.

Dave said it, “seeing is believing.” Mind you, we saw a ton of nonsense in the past, so who really knows… Nevertheless, a very convincing “Hello World” video from the reputable PSP hacker, Dragula96.

Dragula96 claims to have discovered a successful method to launch homebrew on PS3 firmware 2.20. And, of course, the source code or method is yet to be publicized; apparently that will be available once further testing is completed.

April Fools or realer than Real Deal Holyfield?

Thanks Dave.

- source: ps3-evolution.dcemu.co.uk

Not quite the hack we’re looking for, but a PS3 hack nonetheless…

Foster City (CA) – Sony has issued a statement warning Playstation 3 users that a “small percentage” of online accounts may have been compromised due to an attack on the database that allowed a hacker to change user passwords.

Sony said it is directly contacting individual users who are believed to have been affected. According to the statement, immediate measures were taken to fix the vulnerability manipulated by the hacker.

- source: tgdaily

Thanks Anthony

Update: By now you already know what it’s all about…

• You can now play discs that support Blu-ray Disc Profile 2.0 (BD-LIVE). You can connect to the Internet while playing discs that support this format so that you can obtain additional features. Features that are available vary depending on the software in use.
• You can now copy playlists that you create in photo (Photo) and music (Music) to a PSP® system.
• The way you register (pair) Bluetooth® devices has changed, and you can now register more devices.
• A [BD Internet Connection] setting has been added under [BD/DVD Settings].
• An [Audio Output Device] setting has been added under [Remote Play Settings].
• You can now display an image while editing a playlist.
• You can now play a music track while editing a playlist.
• You can now play DivX and WMV files that are 2 GB or larger.
• You can now display subtitles when playing DivX files.
• You can now resume playing a DVD from the point where you previously stopped it.
• A [Mosquito Noise Reduction] option has been added under [AV Settings] in the control panel for standard DVDs.
• You can now play BD-R version 1.2 (LTH* BD-R) discs.
• LTH, or low to high, is a recording method that supports organic dye, write-once BD-R media.
• You can now change some PS3™ system settings during remote play.
• [Save Target] has been added as an option under [File] in the browse mode menu of the Internet browser. This option lets you save a file that is linked from a Web page, such as an image or video file, or other type of file, to your PS3™ system’s hard disk drive or storage media.
• The Internet browser now displays some Web pages faster.
• Using the Internet browser, you can now play a linked video file* as it is being downloaded.
• Some types of video files cannot be viewed in this manner and must be downloaded completely before playback.

Sadly, no in-game XMB access.

Sony has released PS3 firmware 2.20. Grab it now via System Update. I’ll report back in a few…

Download: PS3 FW 2.20

Update: And Sony says…

• New for 2.17: System stability during use of some PLAYSTATION®3 format software has been improved.

Update: “Anonymous Asshole” points out (in the comments)… When selecting your timezone, the globe is now displayed and moves accordingly. That’s new, I think… Can’t say I change my timezone all that often to have noticed any earlier.

Sony has released PS3 firmware version 2.17. You may grab that now via System Update, or wait a bit; we’ll have a copy posted for download shortly. I’ve updated my console, and as far as I can tell, there are no obvious or visible changes. Lets wait to hear the official word from Sony.

Stay tuned.

Download: PS3 Firmware 2.17

Say what, two updates in one day?! Here is something else worth mentioning… Posted last Wednesday at TG Daily –

Foster City (CA) – Playstation 3 users can expect a “pretty big change in the Playstation Network in the early part of April,” according to Sony Computer Entertainment America’s John Hight.

The “pretty big change” comes in the form of a major interface overhaul which is said to be based largely on customer feedback, according to Hight in an interview with Gamasutra.

Well that’s nice, so where’s Home?

- source: tgdaily

Thanks, chelsea_fc.

Finally something worth mentioning…

CJPC, from ps3news.com *cringes*, has apparently succeeded with launching [copied] PS3 games off the HD and DVD/BD-ROM drives. But wait! Before your pants tighten up — do know this [unreleased] method only works on PS3 DEVELOPMENT consoles — not RETAIL units, and neither is this an ISO loader.

As mentioned, no public release yet; even then, if there was, it’s pretty much rendered useless from an average Joe’s perspective. C’mon, how many readers out there own a DEV. unit? Now, that isn’t to say this doesn’t hold potential — it could possibly pave the road for opening up the retail PS3 console. But who knows… Till then, the wait continues…