PS Meeting 2005: PSP 2.00 Details
Net browsing, AVC video, wallpapers and more, oh my!
by Nix
July 21, 2005 - Just announced in Japan today, Sony's first major update to the PlayStation Portable operating system is packing some major features -- there are still a gaggle of requests that we have for other upgrades, but this 2.00 package goes a long way towards fixing the quirks and complaints users might have had about the system. The 2.00 update has some significant new features, and with a due date in Japan of July 27th in Japan (with a NA release likely soon after or the same day), these cool features might be yours in the very near future.
Sony Computer Entertainment has released a list of the features to be included in PSP v2.00, and we have translated and pulled out details on these in the list below. Once it's available, you can get the 2.00 update either by downloading it from a hotspot to your PSP, by uploading it from your PC via USB after grabbing the file from SCE's service, or by updating with a PSP game with 2.00 included. Here's what's in the package:
NETWORK - Internet Browser - The biggie of the bunch, a new browser function has been added to the PSP so that you can connect to a website any time you are in the area of a compatible / accessible WiFi hotspot. The browser supports standard 4.01 HTML, but will not support Flash (although it is listed what sounds to be a sniffer function for Flash to show when it is requested but not available ... might it be part of the PSP brower someday?)
NETWORK - New Network Menu - This is where the web browser will be housed. The icon for it will be a globe, and it'll cycle in with the music note, film frame, and game logos.
VIDEO - Jump Feature in UMD Video/Music - Yes, it doesn't sound nearly as interesting as our original translation of "Performance Jump." It's a new skipping feature in UMDs, perhaps direct chapter access control or something to that effect.
VIDEO - A-B Repeat Mode - A handy feature for watching clips you like, this feature allows UMD Video, Music or Memory Stick videos to repeat your favorite scenes
VIDEO - 4x3 Video Mode of Memory Stick Video - We're not sure what this accomplishes, as videos were already 4x3. The only way for videos to be bigger and wider was to cheat the system and stretch would-be 4x3 pixels in odd ways with alternate apps.
VIDEO - Audio Adjustment Function of Memory Stick Video - Seems to be muting and gain controls for when your homemade videos are not the way you want.
VIDEO - MP4 (AVC) Playback - This is the good stuff. Homemade PSP videos have so far been hobbled by limited codec implementation and an adherence to a regulated Memory Stick standard. Instead, the PSP is finally allowed to branch out and play more complex, high-quality, full-screen video in the advanced h.264 codec. Exact implementation of the AVC codec may still depend on certain variables, but get your compressors ready.
MUSIC - ATRAC3plus Support on PRO Duo - Correcting a silly technical gaff in the Memory Stick format, music fans can now put ATRAC3plus files on their PSPs. (SonicStage v3.2 software is required.)
MP4 AAC & WAVE Support - The PSP can now play MP4 audio (MP4's AAC format) as well as Linear PCM WAVE files.
PHOTO - Wallpaper Feature - We're guessing this is the much-requested feature for taking your favorite pictures and smacking them in the background of the PSP menu. There's no mention of a randomizer or anything else that would make this feature even more cool, but at last, something other than that swishy swirl on this month's color.
PHOTO - Picture Sending - You can now trade photos with other PSP owners over an ad-hoc (local) wireless connection
PHOTO - New Formats - The PSP can now read TIFF, GIF (we're not sure about animated GIF yet) and BMP files.
SETTING - Korean Language - A new language option on the menu. That'll be nice for them
SETTING - New Character Set - No details available on this -- hopefully, this is a quick-select for punctuation and other hard-to-type characters.
SETTING - Theme Setting - No details.
SETTING - Internet Browser Restriction Setting - A set of options for configuring the access your PSP has to the net, presumably your cookie and personal security handling.
SETTING - WPA Support - If WEP isn't secure enough for your home, you can now access PSP with WPA-PSK (TKIP.)
SETTING - Web Support on Keypad - It's unfortunately not as cool as it sounds (we were hoping for USB keyboard support to be added, as there are a couple of USB manufacturers with mini-keyboards on deck.) The old dial-a-letter keyboard will be the input for the web browser.
Version 2.00 is a free update for PSP, and has a lot of features to help put the PSP in even better shape as a multimedia machine. The only issue with the update, of course, is that the security updates in previous updates will carry over to the newest version -- that means that the homebrew and EMU applications that are running wild in the PSP underground will be locked out in the newest edition. Hackers are notorious for finding a way where there is a will, and the will of the PSP gamer to get all of these features in their system without losing some of the cool extra apps will certainly be a driving force. However, cracking the security of the PSP in version 2.00 won't be as easy as it was with the swiss cheese early PSP versions, so it is unknown when or if any of that access will be returned. Since homebrew/hacker applications have also allowed access to pirated PSP games (copies of many games have unfortunately already been ripped off and posted up), that's just how Sony wants it, and they will certainly keep seeking to lock down their system.
Whether or not there will be a winner in that game of cloak and dagger, these features are handy and much-needed upgrades on the system for general users, so look for news on availability in North America of the 2.00 update soon.
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