The recent release of Firmware 1.80 for the PlayStation bought with it remote access to the PS3 from anywhere around the world via the PSP, so with this in mind, a new PSP Firmware release could be right around the corner. Reports suggest that Sony is prepping Firmware 3.50 for the PSP, that will utilize the PS3 to PSP connectivity providing support for the PS3’s new internet-enabled Remote Play feature. The update could be available for download within the next few days.

No word yet on what other features will be available in the firmware update, but we’ll keep you posted on any developments.

UPDATE (29/05/07 02:14 PM):

We have just heard the Firmware 3.50 will include access to the PlayStation Network, but will only be accessible to those who own a PlayStation 3. Only parts of the PlayStation Network will be included in the update, but it’s nice to see that Sony are finally starting to roll out network access. Hopefully, full integration isn’t too far off.

Square Enix has announced that a new Final Fantasy game will be coming to the PSP, titled Final Fantasy Dissidia. The official website is now open although no content is currently available, except for the message “Fantasy is endless. Fantasy has no limited form.” According to Jump Magazine, Dessidia will bring together characters from past Final Fantasy titles from as far back as Final Fantasy I.

So far, Jump Magazine has revealed that Zidane from Final Fantasy IX (9) will make an appearance as well as Kuja. It is not know how these characters will affect the story line and what other characters will make an appearance. Square Enix is also keeping a tight lid on the new combat system. We will bring you more information as soon as it is available.

Sorry for the late notice, but incase any of you have missed it, XTREME PSP Magazine Issue 23 had been out for a number of days now and weighs in at over 100 pages.Issue 23 is packed with great content including previews of Smackdown vs Raw 2008, Ghost Recon, The Fast and the Furious and more, plus reviews of Lego Star Wars 2, MTX Mototrax and more. And all the regular content including tips and cheats, the latest news, the results of our PS3 competition and more music reviews.

Remember, you can download the magazine serveral days before it is released on the website using our RSS feed. You can use your PSP to download it (but you will need a PC to unzip the files), or you can use the Sony PSP Media Manager which will do all the hard work for you!

Firmware 3.30 OE A was released only last week and already Dark_AleX has updated it to 3.30 OE A2 (or A’) and has even released Firmware 3.40 OE A. The 3.30 OE update fixes a few bugs with the firmware while the entirly new version, 3.40 OE A, utilizes the new Sony Firmware and also fixes a few bugs. See below for the full change log for both firmwares.

3.40 OE A Change log:

• Updated from 3.30 firmware to 3.40
• Security patch: Fixed a bug that has been in all 3.XX OE, that caused random data to be written to a location in lcdc.prx or (in worst case) emc_sm.prx ram space.
• Autboot that is missing since 3.03 OE-C has been reimplemented.
• Improvements in the flasher. It will now generate also the flash1 directories, and it will check that the dxar is the correct for this update, so no more bricks by accidentally using other DATA.DXAR.

3.30 OE A2 Change log:

• Security patch: Fixed a bug that has been in all 3.XX OE, that caused random data to be written to a location in lcdc.prx or (in worst case) emc_sm.prx ram space.
• Autboot that is missing since 3.03 OE-C has been reimplemented.

[Download 3.30 OE A2]
[Download 3.40 OE A]

PSP Firmware 3.30 was released less than a month ago and already Firmware 3.40 is here. Only a few minor changes have been made in the latest update including support for more PlayStation 1 titles and the ability to transfer your PSOne gamesava data between the PlayStation 3 and PSP. Check out the full change log below. You can update to the latest version via the regional websites or using the Network Update feature from the Settings Menu.

Game

• Support for PLAYSTATION Network titles has been expanded.
• Saved data from PlayStation (PS one) format software can now be used on both the PSP system and the PS3 system.
• [Certificate Utility] was deleted.
  Information that was displayed in [Certificate Utility] can be checked by the following method: select the icon of the game you want to display information for, press the TRIANGLE button, and then select [Information] from the options menu.

Final Fantasy I is now available on the PSP, but is only available in Japan. Some of you may expect the game to be in Japanese, however to our suprise, the game also features English. So you can import the game from Japan and enjoy the remake before most of the other people in your country (providing you live outside of Japan that is). Check out the screenshots below for the proof. We managed to obtain a copy of the game thanks to pre-orders over the internet.

Dark_AleX has done it again! 3.30 OE (Open Edition) is the newest version of Dark_AleX’s famous custom firmware, utilizing Sony’s latest firmware update.
3.30 OE-A retains all of the original Sony 3.30 Firmware functions, such as extended PSOne game support, Internet navigator, etc. However, it also includes lots of added features and changes, check out the list below.

• Homebrew support under either 1.50 or 3.30 kernel
• Region spoofing
• Patched a protection that prevents the FW to load higher firmware modules
• Fixed a bug that could have caused instability in 3.10 OE after recovering from sleep mode
• Recovery Mode
• Direct launching of PSOne games (converted with PSP format)
• Direct launching of demos and homebrews
• Possibility of regulating hte speed of the PSP’s processor
• Direct launching of ISOs/CSOs

DAX says this doesn’t support popsloader at the moment due to “Sony rearranging again the module list of pspbtcnf_pops”, but rest assured, DAX will be making a new version that will support all current pops in 3.10 OE, 3.30 OE and maybe 3.03 OE-C.

For the full installation guide, please look over the Readme. Please take care when installing this firmware since you could end up bricking your PSP if not installed correctly.. This can only be installed to PSPs with firmwares 1.50, 2.71 SE, 3.02 OE, 3.03 OE, or 3.10 OE. You will need to downgrade if your PSP has a different firmware already installed. 3.30 OE-A cannot be installed on PSPs running (Official) Firmware Versions 3.10, 3.11, or 3.30.

[Download Firmware 3.30 OE-A]