PSP Media Manager 2.0 was released a week or two ago in North America for $16.99. Now, Sony has made the PSPMM available to European PSP Owners for just £9.99 (download) or £14.99 (boxed). The downloadable version will be available from November 3rd 2006, and the boxed version will be on sale in stores from November 8th 2006. For those unaware of the PSPMM, it is a content organiser that uses a drag-and-drop interface to allow users to easily manage file between their PC and PSP.

The PSPMM supports many operations from extracting music from audio CDs to converting videos into MP4 format. There are also features available to easily backup game save data, download RSS content to your PSP and convert documents for portable reading.

[Via: SCEE Press]

Sony today released a minor update to the PSP Firmware addressing security vunerabilities in the system software. Not exactly the update we were hoping for but I guess Sony is more interested in stopping homebrew users from running unsigned code on the system. No new features have been added to the update, but it does contain all the features of previous updates. Please be warned that updating will stop any homebrew applications from running on your PSP using any known exploits.

You can update your PSP (if you are interested) using the usual methods including the Network Update or via the Regional PlayStation Websites (give them some time to update the update pages).

[Via: PlayStation Japan]

The PSOne Emulator for the PSP will get its games from the PS3. Instead of building a network specifically for the PSP, or trying to connect the PSP to Sony’s Connect service, gamers can log into the PlayStation Store using their PS3, find their favorite PS1 games there, buy and download them, and then enjoy it on your PSP. PSOne emulation will also be supported on the PS3 sometime in the future.

IGN speculates that that the PlayStation Store will also be integrated into the PSP in a future PSP firmware update. But for now though, the PS3 is integral for digital distribution. A number of PS1 gamers are already listed on the PlayStation Store. There is no promise though if the titles will be available for the PSP during launch. PSOne games will retail for approximately $15, although no exact details are available.

The PS3 to PSP connectivity doesn’t stop there. A demonstration by Sony during Gamer’s Day suggests that the PS3 will be able to send media to the PSP via Wi Fi, similar to the technology used in the Location Free player. The feature, known as “Remote Play”, showed a trailer of Casino Royale being transmitted from the PS3 to the PSP. The exact details have not been released but this is certainly something to look forward to.

UPDATE:

Speaking to SCE Marketing Vice President Peter Dille, GameDaily BIZ was able to confirm that a “PSP downloads site” was up and running to distribute PSP games without the use of PS3, although this stops short of confirming that the full PlayStation Store will be on PSP as soon as the next PSP update releases.

UPDATE 2:

Phil Harrison from the PS3 conference said that “PS1 downloads will initially be for play only on the PSP, but will later work on the PS3 when the emulation software is available.” You can, however, play these games on both the PSP and the PS3, and they will actually be playable by 2007. All the other titles from the previous consoles will be playable on the PS3, obviously. He also said, “They are as exactly as they were.” Put bluntly, the PS3 won’t offer any visual enhancements to the games. Additionally, you can download your PS1 games up to five PS3s, regardless of whether it’s on someone else’s PS3, but you should use your own account.

Not all homebrew application are compatible with the Undiluted Platinum Mod Chip, and to help users identify working and non-working homebrew applications, a new section has been added to XTREME PSP. You can now help us test hoembrew applications or simply refer to the Undiluted Platinum Homebrew Compatibility to see what can be used.

We will try and test as many application as possible, however, there are hundreds of homebrew applications on the net, so any help is appreciated. We will be testing all games using Firmware 2.71 with Epsilon BIOS 1.1. Please let us know about any amendments that need to be made to the list. Submit your results via the Contact Form.

Sony has released a new version of the PSP Media Manager with bigger and better features. Version 2.0 now allows you to convert DVDs, Documents (Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Text, HTML and more), and Internet Explorer Favourites to a PSP compatible format. But that’s not all, several other new features have also been added including support for additional formats and the ability to convert files even the PSP isn’t connected.

For a limited time only, exisiting owners can upgrade for only $9.95 by following this link, which is valid until October 31st. Normal retail price is $16.99. Here is a list of the changes:

• Prepare files for conversion even when your PSP system isn’t connected to your PC
• Transfer video from DVD home movies or DVD camcorders to your PSP system
• Transfer Internet Explorer favorites to your PSP system
• Transfer and view documents on your PSP system – supports Excel, Word, HTML, .txt, and more (files are converted to HTML which can be viewable via the Internet Browser).
• Support for additional formats – .m3u and .wpl playlists, ATRAC? audio files, and Windows Media Center .dvr-ms files

John Lamond Jnr, a Bangkok based independent movie producer has made a US$250,000 budget movie available as a free download in PSP format. The movie, “Killing Time 24/7” can be downloaded at www.killingtime-24-7.com, for free! Please note that the movie contains mature content and is aimed at those of you who are over 18 years of age.

The movie was shot over 9 days in Bangkok, Thailand. The movies is set to be released on DVD in Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.

[Via: PSP Vault]

Sony UK Boss Ray Maguire claims that the PSP UMD format is doing well, despite many retailers turning down the format due to low sales. Maguire claimes the company is “pretty pleased with UMD”. Many retailers claim that UMD sales are moderate, and only do well as part of cross-promotions.

Do you think the UMD format for movies is slowly dying? A survey we did over a year suggested that not many people bought UMDs since you could ‘rip’ movies onto a Memory Stick. What do you think?

[Via: EuroGamer]

Issue 16 of the XTREME PSP Magazine has just been released. This issue is packed with over 90 pages of great content including previews of Work Time Fun, Pro Evolution Soccer 6 and Ridge Racer 2, plus reviews of Gangs of London, Super Monkey Ball Adventure and more.

You will also find all the usual content including news, tips and cheats, wallpapers and a all new homebrew feature. Download a copy now (6.4MB).

Sony is already planning to release a Pink PSP soon in Europe, but now it will also be sold in Japan. Sony has also announced that Japan will also be getting a Silver PSP, making the PSP available in 4 colours. The Silver PSP is being shown off at the Tokyo Game Show 2006, along with other prototypes including Red, Blue, Yellow and Camo PSPs.