The new issue of the XTREME PSP Magazine is now available to download. This issue contains over 100 pages of great content including game previews and reviews, and all the usual content. This month we preview: Lego Indiana Jones, flOw, Ultimate Board Collection, Command and Conquer Tiberium and Turok. We also review: Patapon, PixelJunk Monsters, TimeShift and Unreal Tournamant 3.
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Articles posted by XTREME PSP
XTREME PSP Magazine Update (2)
Thank you to everyone who sent us an email or posted a comment regarding the discontinuation of the XTREME PSP Magazine. After careful consideration, we have opted to continue the publication of the magazine so expect a new issue every month. Issue 32 will be released within the next day or two so look out for that. Any further suggestions on this matter are welcome so feel free to post a comment or send us an email.
We may integrate the PSP M4M Magazine with the XTREME PSP Magazine to save time and increase readership for both magazines. It would really help us if you could all post your age in the comments section below so we can determine who read our magazines.
XTREME PSP Magazine Update
The XTREME PSP Magazine has been around for over two years now, and it looks like it may come to an end very soon. The number of readers have declined over the past few months and the PSP is loosing ground to the PlayStation 3 and other consoles. As a result, you may or may not see another issue of the XTREME PSP Magazine. However, your thoughts on the matter may convince us to continue publication.
The new issue of the XTREME PSP Magazine is scheduled to be released towards the end of this month, but we are lacking enough PSP-related content to provide a decent issue. Any help or donations you could provide will help us in more ways than one. We are looking to hire writers to cover the homebrew scene as this is still going strong.
The number of new PSP releases have steadily dropped, and we don’t have a lot of content to cover. The PS3 is still new so there is a lot of content for us to cover, but the magazine was primarily for the PSP. PSP M4M: Magazine 4 Men is likely to continue, but we may also discontinue that in the future.
One option we have is it to discontinue the PSP magazine and instead work on a PS3-only magazine. This will most likely be viewable on the PS3/PC only since we will use a larger layout for the magazine. Please use the comment section below to tell us what you think. Alternatively, you can contact us here.
PSP System Software Ver. 3.90
Network
- [Go!Messenger] has been added as a feature under Network*. Available soon on PSP.
- This feature is compatible with PSP-1000 series and PSP-2000 series.
- [Skype™] has been added.
- This feature is compatible with PSP-2000 series only.
Game
- Support for PLAYSTATION Network titles has been expanded.
PSP Firmware 3.90
As promised by Sony earlier this month at the Consumer Electronics Show, the latest PlayStation Portable firmware update is now available to download, and comes with Skype. There isn’t anything else new in this update except that support for PlayStation Network titles has been expanded once again. As we previously reported, only those of you who have second generation PSPs (PSP-2000) can enjoy the use of Skype.
Skype Features:
- Free voice calls between Skype users
- Skype contact list management (view existing contacts, add new ones)
- Skype presence (see which friends are online and available to talk)
- SkypeOut calls to make calls to landlines and mobile phones anywhere in the world (requires the purchase of Skype credit)
- Optional SkypeIn number that lets users receive calls on Skype from landlines and mobiles anywhere in the world (requires the purchase of Skype credit)
- View and modify Skype settings and account details (including username creation, SkypeOut settings, voicemail settings and call forwarding)
Official Sony Press Release:
London, 30th January 2008 ? Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) today announced the immediate availability of the latest system software update for PSP(PlayStation Portable). Version 3.90 will enable all owners of the new PSP Slim & Lite*(PSP 2000 series) to make and receive phone calls, adding a whole new raft of functionality, highlighting the true portability of PSP.
Skype is a simple to use piece of software that allows users to make free calls over the internet to other Skype users, anywhere in the world, whilst also having the ability to make paid for calls to traditional landline and mobile phones. With the addition of these functions, alongside the ability to send and receive voicemail to over 200 million Skype users worldwide, PSP can now claim to be a highly cost effective and accessible portable communications device, alongside its entertainment credentials.
To use Skype on PSP, users simply need to upgrade to system software 3.90, register and talk, using a headset and remote control.
Also added through system software update 3.90, is the Go!Messenger icon, highlighting the commitment shown towards communications on PSP**. Go!Messenger, with the ability for video and voice chat, as well as numerous other features will be available at the end of February, and the presence of the icon not only emphasises its impending arrival but also allows users to obtain more information about the feature from a dedicated website, accessed via clicking on the icon. More information about the release of Go!Messenger will be announced soon.
*The Skype functionality is only available for the PSP Slim & Lite (PSP 2000 series) and not older versions of PSP (PSP 1000 series)
** Go! Messenger functionality will be available with all models of PSP (PSP 2000 and PSP 1000 series)
Custom Firmware 3.80 M33
The latest Custom Firmware for the PlayStation Portable is finally available to download, thanks to Dark_AleX and Team M33. Firmware 3.80 is the latest firmware for the PSP adding various new features to the portable console, and now you can enjoy it more with the added features of a custom firmware. Like previous released from Dark_AleX and Team M33, CFW 3.80 will allow you to run homebrew applications and legally backed up game ISOs. Check out the changelog below:
- HEN core: user mode can load now signchecked files from flash.
- recovery: flash1 format will create flash1 directories after format. This could fix some flash1 issues with the previous versions.
- Network update from dark-alex.org page. By default is enabled. You can turn it off in recovery (when off, network update will download sony updates as usual).
- Nids resolver for various kernel libraries.
Installing the Custom Firmware carries risks and could brick your PSP. Before installing, make sure you read and understand the readme file and the risks associated with flashing custom firmwares.
PSP Go!Explorer launches early Spring
Go!Explorer, the GPS Navigation System for the PSP was originally announced at the Leipzig Games Convention last year. SCEE has announced that Go!Explorer will launch in early Spring and will initially be available in the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, the Nordic countries, and Benelux. The retail pack will come with GPS receiver and UMD containing the maps, and will retail for ?119/£89.
Similar to the Japanese GPS device, the Go!Explorer GPS will slot into the USB port above the UMD drive. The UMD will support relevant landmarks (all modeled in 3D) and will be available in 11 different audio languages.
CES 2008: Skype coming to PSP late January
The announcement for Skype on the PSP is now official, and we have details about the service. As long as you have Internet access and a second generation PSP (PSP-2000), you will be able to enjoy all the features of Skype currently being used by around 248 million registered users. The service will let provide free calls between registered users, whether on a PC or PSP, as well as the other services provided by Skype. See the details below.
The Skype PSP service will provide:
- Free voice calls between Skype users
- Skype contact list management (view existing contacts, add new ones)
- Skype presence (see which friends are online and available to talk)
- SkypeOut calls to make calls to landlines and mobile phones anywhere in the world (requires the purchase of Skype credit)
- Optional SkypeIn number that lets users receive calls on Skype from landlines and mobiles anywhere in the world (requires the purchase of Skype credit)
- View and modify Skype settings and account details (including username creation, SkypeOut settings, voicemail settings and call forwarding)
A firmware update will provide the PSP with Skype functionality and is expected in late January. A new Skype icon will appear under the Network menu on the PSP XMB once the service has been installed. The unfortunate thing about this service is that it will only work on the second generation PSP (PSP-2000). Look out for more information later this month.
UPDATE:
The first generation PSPs (PSP-1000) cannot support Skype due to its memory limitations. Sony’s Nick Sharples stated:
Although PSP-1000 and PSP-2000 are identical in basic functions, there are
differences in hardware specifications to some extent and, for that
reason, PSP-2000 may differ in features from PSP-1000. We had studied
the possibility of supporting Skype with PSP-1000 but had to give it up
because of the smaller size of main memory on PSP-1000 series.
Sony to charge PSN subscription fee for unlimited downloads
Sony could introduce a subscription fee that allows users unlimited download access to PSP and PSOne games for a monthly charge. Sony has launched a questionnaire in Asia quizzing customers on their use of the new PlayStation Store on PC, in which one of the questions suggests a “Monthly subscription plan (1 price for unlimited download)”. It also asks users to choose from a selection of UMD titles they would “Very agree” to see as downloadable titles, including LocoRoco and Tekken.
Subscriptions are a brilliant idea, so long as Sony gets add more PSOne titles to the US and European PlayStation Stores. Currently, the Japanese PSN Store has the biggest selection of PSOne titles, and it’s updated weekly.
XTREME PSP Magazine i030 now available to download
The January 2008 issue of the XTREME PSP Magazine is now available to download. Issue 30 has over 100 pages of content including PSP and PS3 game previews and reviews. In this issue you will find PSP previews of MX vs. ATV: Untamed, Star Ocean: First Departure and Patapon and PS3 previews of GT5 and Burnout Paradise. You will also find PSP reviews of Warhammer 40,000 and Medal of Honor: Heroes 2 and PS3 reviews of Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune and Pro Evo Soccer 2008.
The issue also contains all the usual content including news, mail bag, PSP wallpaper and more. Download the issue below. As always, the issue can be downloaded early from our Magazine RSS Feed.