The August 2006 issue of the XTREME PSP Magazine is now available to download. Issue 14 is packed with over 80 pages of great content including previews of GTA Vice City, Pirates of the Caribbean, NCAA Football 2007, and reviews of Loco Roco, Tomb Raider, and Race Driver 2006. And all the regular content including tips and cheats, the latest news, a new competition and more…

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The FAQ section to the site has been updated to reflect the changes firmware version 2.80 bought to the PSP. If you are unsure on utilizing all the features of firmware 2.80, its best to consult the FAQ section for details.

As Firmware version 2.80 updated the way Videos and Music were stored, we thought is was best to inform everyone on how it works. Check out the FAQ Section here.

CHERTSEY, UK – July 27, 2006 – Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that the popular video game franchise, The Sims 2, is going to the dogs – and for that matter, to the cats, guinea pigs and birds too! The company is releasing The Sims 2 Pets on current generation console systems, handheld platforms and as a PC expansion pack. The Sims 2 Pets will build on the celebrated The Sims 2 experience that allows players to create and control digital characters throughout their lives while determining the outcome of their relationships and choosing their destiny. Each version will feature customised content tailored to the platform.

The addition of a new friend is guaranteed to enrich the daily lives of your Sims! Not only will players have the opportunity to choose from a variety of existing breeds, and hot designer mixes, but they’ll also be able to personally design their new friend with the Create-a-Pet feature. The ability to customise gives fans the opportunity to create their ideal pet by choosing their body shape, unique markings, even their pet’s personalities! With so many different animals to choose from, there’s no telling what unpredictable experiences could occur!

Players will also be able to teach their pet new tricks, take them for a romp in the park, outfit them with new pet accessories and even give them a job! As in real life, your Sims’ pet will require care and training. A neglected cat with an urge to scratch might claw up your new couch if you aren’t careful, and leaving your dog unattended near a freshly planted flower bed probably isn’t wise!

“The Sims 2 Pets captures the magic between pets and their owners,” said Executive Producer Rod Humble. “A dog gnawing at his chew toy, a cat jumping at a dangled feather, a toddler stroking the chest of a big dog who sits by patiently–even a frisky dog getting caught rolling around in the trash. These special moments all come to life through the lifelike animations and artwork of The Sims 2 Pets. There is something delightful about your Sim, a little pet person, having a pet of their own. Pets allows players to tell more stories with their Sims and helps create more emergent anecdotes within the game.”

The Sims 2 Pets will be available on the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the Nintendo GameCube , Game Boy Advance, and Nintendo DS, and as a PC expansion pack* that builds on the original The Sims 2 PC game experience. A version for the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system will follow.

KEY FEATURES

• Sims Have New Friends – Pets! Sims can share their lives with their new pets and add more fun to the Sims experience. From dogs, cats, caged animals and more, your Sims share new friends to experience life’s precious moments. With so many different animals to choose from, there’s no telling what unpredictable experiences could occur!
• Create-A-Pet: Choose from dozens of dog and cat breeds or customize features for a one-of-a-kind pet. You can even modify your pet’s body shape by choosing from specific colours and unique markings. Don’t like the way they act? Change their personality – from smart and sweet to silly and sloppy – anyone can create their ideal animal friend in The Sims 2 Pets.
• “Sit, Spike, Sit”: Your Sims can encourage and discipline pets, training them to shake, roll over, play dead, and more. Unruly pets might dig in the yard, claw the sofa, or topple the trash. Thankfully, a little training can go a long way.
• Classic Sims Open-Ended Gameplay: Create and control digital characters over a lifetime, setting their goals in life from popularity and romance, to fortune and family – their stories are in your hands.
• Share unique Pet unlocks: Use special codes to share unlockable pet accessories, fur types or markings with other The Sims 2 Pets players.

Screenshots

PSP Firmware 2.80 is here and brings with it the RSS Video Streamer among other additions. Althought not all the regional sites have the update available, you will find it using the PSP’s Network Update feature. Here is a full list of the new features:

[Network]

• In [RSS Channel], the download function for animation contents and image contents is now supported.
• In [Location Free Player], it is now possible to login via wireless LAN access point.

[Music]

• AAC files in “.3gp” extension can now be played.

[Misc]

• Supporting saving to “MUSIC”, “PICTURE” and “VIDEO” folders in “Memory Stick Duo”.
• Adding the next downloadable game demo to the “Memory Stick Duo”.
• “Tama Run” demo version download page

Exclusive for members only, we have added a Adult Area for all of you who are over 18 years of age. The new section to the site currently contains images provided by the author of PSP M4M: Magazine 4 Men, DK Jr and is optimized for the PSP Internet Browser. In time, the site will come to include downloadable video chips and more content. If you are a registered member of XTREME PSP, header over to XTREME PSPorn.

You will need to login with your registered email address (all in lower case) and your password. If you are not a member, why not register here. This service is currently free, but if the popularity increases, we may need to charge for use. Please leave any feedback here.

According to Sony’s PSP University at the San Deigo Comic Con, the PSP will work as a remote for the PS3. It will have additional functionality and interactivity with Sony’s next-gen PlayStation 3, but exact details are still to be revealed.
Other info and news from Sony include:

• PSP’s firmware update next Thursday will offer RSS Video feed support for its web browser (it already supports RSS audio feed)
• Thursday’s firmware update will also have a demo of World Tour Soccer 2
• There are no plans to improve text entry on the PSP and no plans for a first-party keyboard
• Sony is in discussion with wireless providers to create more internet hotspots for your PSP to connect easily to the web
• Video out is something they know is important and are working on getting done

DK Jr. has released Issue 4 of PSP M4M: Magazine 4 Men. Issue 4 is packed with 99 pages of photos and a summary of the World Cup and Wimbledon.

Download it here.

Sony Europe has announced the launch of the new 4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo. The increased storage capacity of the 4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo media enables the users to hold large amounts of multimedia data including digital photos, music files, videos and games as well as increasingly popular podcasts and video blogs. Users will be able to store up to 1000 MP3 songs, 3000 digital photos in 5 megapixel resolution or more than 9 hours of MPEG-4 video* on a 4GB Memory Stick, making it ideal for mobile entertainment ? especially given the increasing number of available data hungry applications.

The new Memory Stick Duo line-up with the new packaging design and inclusive adaptor will be introduced in Summer 2006. The 4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo media will be available from summer 2006 and will cost approximately 170 Euros.

To promote the release of Seether’s upcoming CD/DVD package, One Cold Night, which features hits from their debut albums Disclaimer and Disclaimer II and their current release, Karma & Effect, as well as smash hits ?Remedy? and ?Broken,? Wind-Up Records are offering PSP owners free content!

Head over to the Seether Downloads page now!

Sony issued a warning to all PSP owners not to use third party battery to power up their PSP. The company urged the use of genuine Sony battery pack to protect against “the danger of ignition and explosion etc.” Sony said while they can guarantee the standards of their battery pack, other brands could cause “accident and breakdown and it is dangerous”.

They also said to be on the look out for fake Sony battery packs, the company cannot be held responsible for any damages cause by these knock-offs and third party battery packs. If you have experienced any kind of damage from using party battery packs Sony is unlikely to repair or replace your PSP.