PlayStation Portable and Category talk:People from Cook County, Illinois: Difference between pages

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{{Infobox CVG system

| title = PlayStation Portable

| logo = [[Image:Sony PSP Logo.svg|250px|center]]

| image = [[Image:PSP_top.png|250px|center]]

| manufacturer = [[Sony Computer Entertainment]]

| type = [[Handheld game console]]

| generation = [[History of video game consoles (seventh generation)|Seventh generation era]]

| lifespan = <small>^{'''[[Japan|JP]]'''}</small> [[December 12]], [[2004]]<br><small>^{'''[[North America|NA]]'''}</small> [[March 24]], [[2005]]<br><small>^{'''[[South Korea|KR]]'''}</small> [[May 2]], [[2005]]<br><small>^{'''[[Europe|EU]]'''}</small> [[September 1]], [[2005]]<br><small>^{'''[[Australia|AU]]'''}</small> [[September 1]], [[2005]]

| CPU = [[MIPS architecture|MIPS]] R4000-based; clocked from 1 to 333&nbsp;MHz

| media = [[Circley disk]]

| storage = [[Memory Stick]] PRO Duo

| connectivity = [[Wi-Fi]] (802.11b), [[IrDA]], [[USB]]

| unitssold = Worldwide: 24.70 million units shipped as of [[December 31]] [[2006]]<ref name="sonyship">{{cite web|url=http://www.scei.co.jp/corporate/data/bizdatapsp_e.html| |title = Cumulative Production Shipments of Hardware / PSP® (PlayStation®Portable)|publisher=Sony|accessdate=2006-10-26}}</ref><br />[[United States]]: 9.58+ million <ref name="Sony Beats Q3 Expectations; Game Losses Mount">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=12584 |title = Sony Beats Q3 Expectations; Game Losses Mount |publisher=Gamasutra|accessdate=2007-02-03}}</ref><br />[[Japan]]: 6.23+ million, <ref name="Sony Beats Q3 Expectations; Game Losses Mount">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=12584 |title = Sony Beats Q3 Expectations; Game Losses Mount |publisher=Gamasutra|accessdate=2007-02-03}}</ref><br />[[Europe]] & [[Australasia]]: 8.89+ million <ref name="Sony Beats Q3 Expectations; Game Losses Mount">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=12584 |title = Sony Beats Q3 Expectations; Game Losses Mount |publisher=Gamasutra|accessdate=2007-02-03}}</ref>

| backwards compatibility =

| topgame =''[[Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories]]''

}}

The {{nihongo|'''PlayStation Portable'''|プレイステーション・ポータブル|Pureisutēshon Pōtaburu|officially abbreviated as '''PSP'''}} is a [[handheld game console|handheld]] [[computer and video games|game console]] released and manufactured by [[Sony Computer Entertainment]]. Its development was first announced during [[E³]] 2003, and it was officially unveiled on [[May 11]], [[2004]] at a Sony press conference before E³ 2004. The system was released in [[Japan]] on [[December 12]], [[2004]], the [[United States]] and [[Canada]] on [[March 24]], [[2005]] and in [[Europe]] and [[Australia]] on [[September 1]], [[2005]]. The PlayStation Portable has the ability to play video games, videos, music, display photos, as well as browse the internet.

== Variations and accessories ==

In Japan a base unit package or Core Pack was available at launch and was later released in North America and Europe.<ref name="psp199">{{cite news | url=http://psp.ign.com/articles/696/696068p1.html | title=PlayStation Portable Price Lowered to $199:New basic bundle for Sony handheld due later this month | author=Jeff Haynes | publisher=IGN | date=15 March 2006}}</ref> The Core Pack contains the console, a battery, and an AC adapter. The Core Pack retails for [[United States dollar|USD $]]1.99, [[Hong Kong Dollar|HKD $]]1360, [[Canadian dollar|CDN $]]229.99, [[Euro|EUR €]]199.99, [[Australian dollar|AUD $]]329.99 and [[Pound sterling|GBP £]]149.99.<ref name="psbiz06">{{cite news | url=http://psp.ign.com/articles/696/696053p1.html | title=PS Biz Brief 06: New PlayStation Portable Package, Pricing, More: US and Europe to see reduced-cost packages; more white PlayStation Portables in Japan | author=Chris Roper | publisher=IGN | date=14 March 2006}}</ref>

The Value Pack contains everything the core does, as well as a 32 [[Megabyte|MB]] [[Memory Stick Pro Duo]], earphones with remote control, a slip-case, a wrist strap, and a Sampler Disc (in some territories). The Value Pack retails for USD $2.99 after mail-in

abate , CDN $279.99, GBP £179.99, [[Japanese yen|JPY ¥]]26,040, [[Hong Kong Dollar|HKD $]]1660, [[Singapore dollar|SGD $]]455.00, EUR €209, AUD $399 and [[New Zealand dollar|NZD $]]429.00. In some areas, the Value Pack has been superseded by the Entertainment Pack, containing the items of the Core Pack plus a copy of ''[[ATV Offroad Fury|ATV Offroad Fury: Blazin' Trails]]'', the UMD movie ''[[Lords of Dogtown]]'', and a 1&nbsp;GB Memory Stick Pro Duo. The Giga Pack is similar to the value pack, except that the Memory Stick Pro Duo is upped to 1&nbsp;GB; it also includes a USB Cable and stand. It retails for JPY ¥29,800, USD $299, CDN $349, and GBP £214. The Giga Pack is still available in all territories except North America, as the deal was based on a special offer that ended after the 2005 holiday season. Various other packages also exist.

Optional accessories offered by Sony include the PlayStation Portable headset, carrying case, extended-life 2200 [[Ampere-hour|mAh]] battery, headphones with remote control, battery charger, car adapter, accessories pouch and cleaning cloth, AC adapter, and system pouch and wrist strap.

=== Colors ===

PlayStation Portable is currently available in six colors: black, ceramic white, pink, metallic blue, silver, and champagne. The ceramic white variation is available in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe, while the pink variation is available only in Europe, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan. The silver and metallic blue variations were released on [[14 December]] [[2006]] and [[21 December]] [[2006]] respectively in Japan and Hong Kong exclusively.<ref name="Blue and Silver PSPs"> {{cite web | url=http://kingplayer.blog.playersrepublic.fr/archive/2006/11/01/2-nouvelles-couleurs-pour-la-psp.html | title=2 nouvelles couleurs pour la PSP ! | publisher=Kingplayer|accessdate=2006-11-04}}</ref> A "champagne gold" coloured PSP was released in Japan on [[22 February]] [[2007]].<ref name="Gold PSPs">{{cite web | title=Champagne Gold | url=http://www.jp.playstation.com/info/release/nr_20070110_psp1000cg.html | language=Japanese | accessdate=2007-01-10}}</ref>

== Features ==

=== Games ===

{{main|List of PlayStation Portable games}}

In addition to playing PlayStation Portable games, there have been new releases of downloadable [[PlayStation]] games that can be played via emulation for the PlayStation Portable. Currently, the only official way to access this feature is through the [[PlayStation Network]] service for [[PlayStation 3]]. Unofficially, almost any Playstation game can be played without requiring a PlayStation 3 by using a [[PlayStation Portable homebrew#Custom Firmware|custom firmware]].

=== Controls ===

Despite its movie and music playback capabilities, the PlayStation Portable has primarily gaming-oriented controls (as opposed to the controls typical to television remotes or [[digital audio player|MP3 players]]): two shoulder buttons, the PlayStation face buttons (triangle, circle, cross, square), start and select buttons, a digital 4-directional pad, and an analog stick. There is also a row of secondary controls along the underside of the screen, for controlling volume, music settings (either switching the audio off and on in games or selecting different [[graphic equaliser|equaliser]] presets), screen brightness, and a "Home" button for accessing the system's main menu.

The PlayStation Portable's [[analog stick]], often referred to as the analog "nub", is a circular disc which slides rather than tilts. The analog stick can also be easily removed and replaced with an alternative third party stick.

=== Demos ===

{{main|List of PlayStation Portable game demos}}

Demos for commercial PlayStation Portable games can be downloaded and booted directly from the Memory Stick Duo. Demos are also sometimes issued in [[UMD]] format mailed out to certain [[Playstation Underground]] (Gamer Advisory Panel) members or packed with some gaming magazines.

=== Greatest Hits titles ===

{{main|List of Sony Greatest Hits games}}

During [[E3]] [[2006]], Sony Computer Entertainment America announced that the Greatest Hits range of budget titles were to be extended to the PSP system. On [[July 25]], [[2006]], Sony CEA released<ref name="PSPGH">{{cite web | url=http://www.us.playstation.com/News/PressReleases/344 | title=SCEA announces that PSP Greatest Hits are available for purchase | publisher=SCEA|accessdate=2006-08-04}}</ref> the first batch of [[List of Sony Greatest Hits games|Greatest Hits]] titles. The PSP Greatest Hits lineup consist of games that have sold 250,000 copies or more and have been out for 9 months. Every PSP game in this lineup will retail for $19.99 each.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe announced at around the same time the availability of a number of titles under the [[Platinum range]] for €24.99 each in the Eurozone and £19.99 in the UK.

== Multimedia and codecs ==

[[Image:Pspmemcard.JPG|right|thumb|[[MagicGate]] Memory Stick Slot]]

PlayStation Portable's audio player supports a number of audio codecs, including [[MPEG-4 Part 3|AAC]], [[MP3]], and [[WMA]], and has the option to be played with or without a set of five visualizations. The image viewer will display several common [[image formats]] including [[JPEG]] and [[PNG]].

[[MPEG-4 Part 2|MPEG-4]] and [[H.264/MPEG-4 AVC|AVC]] video formats are also compatible with PlayStation Portable. With reasonable video and audio bit-rate settings (a resolution of 320&times;240, a video bit rate of 500 [[Kilobit|Kb]] per second, and an audio sampling rate of 22050 [[kHz]]) a 22 minute video file is roughly 55 [[megabyte|MB]], enough to fit on a Memory Stick Duo as small as a 64&nbsp;MB. At the same rate, a hundred-minute feature film can fit on a 256&nbsp;MB Memory Stick. Many movie files, both free-to-distribute and [[copyright|copyrighted]], have been encoded for the PlayStation Portable and are available on the Internet. Game and movie trailers are increasingly available, even from the studio's official site.

There are numerous software applications and hardware devices specifically designed for PlayStation Portable's various media-centric applications.

=== Camera and GPS ===

The [[Chotto Shot Camera]] and [[GPS]] attachment were first announced for the PSP in March 2006{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. The {{nihongo|Quick Shot|ちょっとショット|Chotto Shot}} is a camera add-on which supports video and photo taking. The camera was released in Japan on [[November 1]] [[2006]] for ¥5,000, appx. $42 USD. The GPS receiver features support for GPS-enabled games such as a projected re-release or update of ''Hot Shot Golf'', as well as ''[[Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops]]''. The GPS Receiver went on sale in Japan [[December 6]] [[2006]]{{Fact|date=February 2007}} for ¥6,000, appx. $50 USD. Sony has not announced plans to release either accessory outside of Japan.

== Wireless networking ==

The PlayStation Portable can connect to a [[wireless network]] through [[Wi-Fi]] [[IEEE 802.11b]] which allows it to surf the [[World Wide Web|web]] and [[download]] files to the Memory Stick via the built-in [[Access Co.]] [[NetFront]] browser and connect to other PlayStation Portable units for multiplayer gaming world-wide. The Playstation Portable holds the unique distinction of being the first game console to launch with games supporting online gameplay. Use of wireless network features increases the power consumption and lowers the battery life.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_zdegm/is_200505/ai_n12934602 | title=The System}}</ref>

=== Ad-hoc networks ===

Ad-hoc wireless networking allows for up to 16 PlayStation Portables within range to communicate directly to each other (typically for multiplayer gaming). One unit acts as the host for a game, which is available to other PlayStation Portable units within that system's range, and appears in a list when the [[Client (computing)|client]] PlayStation Portable searches for available [[server (computing)|hosts]]. One can also use an Ad-Hoc network to send images from one PlayStation Portable to another by use of the "send" and "receive" functions that appear in the "PHOTO" menu.

==== Gamesharing ====

{{main|List of PlayStation Portable Gamesharing games}}

Some titles for the PlayStation Portable support a feature dubbed "gamesharing", which facilitates a limited set of multiplayer features between two PlayStation Portables with only one copy of the game UMD. A reduced version of the game being shared is transferred to the PlayStation Portable without a UMD via the PlayStation Portable's Wi-Fi connection, whereupon it is loaded into [[Random access memory|RAM]] and runs.

Such "gameshare versions" of titles usually have their feature set reduced because of technical limitations. This is mainly due to transfer times since data for the game must be transferred to the second PlayStation Portable wirelessly, at a rate of 11 [[megabits]] per second.

=== Infrastructure networks ===

{{main|List of PlayStation Portable Wi-Fi games}}

The PlayStation Portable's main menu allows the user to configure the system for use across the [[Internet]] or an [[intranet]] via a wireless connection, known as [[infrastructure]] mode. The PlayStation Portable's menu can recognise protected and non-protected wireless networks within its range, and supports connecting to WEP and WPA [[wireless encryption|encrypted]] networks.

Use of infrastructure networks in PlayStation Portable software began with a small number of titles at the U.S. launch, supporting online play. [[South Korea]]n PlayStation Portables have shipped with software providing web browsing and multimedia streaming features, but only through company-owned Wi-Fi hotspots, and with a monthly fee.<ref name="locfreepric">{{cite news | url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/03/28/news_6121153.html | title=Online-enabled PlayStation Portable to hit Korea in May | publisher=Gamespot | date=28 March 2005}}</ref>

Sony's Location-Free Player allows users to watch television on their PlayStation Portable over the Internet. Through the Location-Free Player, users can view and control their TV from anywhere they have access to a wireless network.

=== Infrared ===

The PlayStation Portable features an [[IrDA]] port located on the top left of the device. To date, the only games or applications to leverage this feature have been homebrew.

=== RSS feeds ===

The [[RSS]] features allow the user to download video web feeds, blogs, or listen to podcasts from websites. RSS or podcast content can be saved to the Memory Stick Duo.

== Design and specifications ==

=== Technical specifications ===

The PlayStation Portable was designed by Shin'ichi Ogasawara (小笠原伸一) for the Sony Computer Entertainment subsidiary of [[Sony Corporation]]. Early models were made in Japan but in order to cut costs, Sony has farmed out PlayStation Portable production to non Japanese manufacturers, mainly in China.

The unit measures 170&nbsp;mm (6.7&nbsp;inches) in length, 74&nbsp;mm (2.9&nbsp;inches) in width, and 23&nbsp;mm (0.9&nbsp;inches) in depth, and has a mass of 280 grams (a weight of 0.62&nbsp;lb) including the battery. The SHARP branded [[TFT LCD]] screen measures 110&nbsp;mm (4.3 in) diagonal with a 16:9 ratio and a 480&times;272 pixel resolution capable of 16.77 million colours. It has four possible brightness settings, the brightest of which is disabled unless on A/C power in normal Sony firmware.

The PlayStation Portable's main microprocessor is a multifunction device that includes a [[MIPS architecture|MIPS]] R4000-based [[Central processing unit|CPU]], hardware for multimedia decoding (such as [[H.264]]), as well as a [[SIMD|vector unit]] dubbed "Virtual Mobile Engine". The MIPS CPU core is globally clocked between 1 and 333 [[Megahertz|MHz]]. During the 2005 [[Game Developers Conference|GDC]], Sony revealed that it had capped the PlayStation Portable's CPU [[clock speed]] at 222&nbsp;MHz for licensed software. Its reasons for doing so are unknown, but are the subject of some speculation. However, recently released games such as [[Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters]] use a 266 MHz clock speed. Various homebrew tools enable users to operate at 333&nbsp;MHz, generally leading to a higher framerate at the expense of battery life.

The system has 32 [[Mebibyte|MiB]] main [[Random access memory|RAM]] and 4 MiB embedded [[DRAM]]. There is no memory management unit for the CPU. No evidence of a [[translation lookaside buffer|TLB]] has been found. The coprocessor that normally manages the TLB-based [[Memory management unit|MMU]] seems to be a custom effort by Sony and has no integrated memory.

The 166&nbsp;MHz graphics chip has 2 MiB embedded memory and through its 512 bit interface provides hardware [[polygon]] and [[NURBS]] [[rendering]], hardware directional lighting, [[Clipping (computer graphics)|clipping]], environment projection and [[texture mapping]], texture compression and [[tessellation]], [[distance fog|fogging]], [[alpha blending]], depth and stencil tests, vertex blending for [[morphing]] effects, and dithering, all in 16 or 24 bit colour. The graphics chip also handles image output. Specifications state that the PlayStation Portable is capable of rendering 33 million flat-shaded polygons per second, with a 664 million pixel per second fill rate.<ref name="cspec">{{cite web | url=http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,1639250,00.asp | title=Sony Details PlayStation Portable Chip Specs | author=Mark Hachman | publisher=Extreme Tech | accessdate=2006-03-18}}</ref>

===Optical Drive===

See Also: [[Universal Media Disc|Universal Media Disc]]

The PlayStation Portable uses a drive compatible with Sony's Universal Media Disc format. Use of the drive increases battery drain by approximately 10% and the system has been criticized for having very slow data transfer speeds, translating into load times of more than 2 minutes for some games. For these reasons, alternate firmware releases contain the capability to run games from disc images stored on the Memory Stick Duo instead.

=== Battery life ===

PlayStation Portable's default battery life varies widely depending on application from less than 3 hours while accessing a wireless network and having screen brightness on its highest setting to more than 10 hours during MP3 playback with the screen turned off.<ref name="battery">{{cite web | url=http://psp.ign.com/articles/574/574557p1.html | title=Hard Charging: PSP Battery Life | author=Nix | publisher=IGN | accessdate=2006-12-02}}</ref> An extended-life 2200 [[Ampere-hour|mAh]] battery will increase this by approximately 20%. A sleep mode is also available that uses minimal battery power to keep the system's RAM active, allowing for "instant on" functionality. A system in sleep mode starting with full battery will drain the battery below functioning levels in approximately 48 hours.

=== Interface ===

The PlayStation Portable's main menu interface is the "[[Cross Media Bar]]" Needs to be consistent. (XMB) used by recent Sony TVs, the [[PSX (DVR)]] hardware, and the [[PS3]]. It consists of a horizontal sequence of icons, in this case Settings, Photo, Music, Video, Games, and Network, which show a vertical sequence of sub-icons when highlighted.

The main menu system allows the user to, amongst other things, adjust settings such as date, time, and the PlayStation Portable's nickname for wireless networking, play video or audio files from the memory stick, load games or movie UMDs, check on estimated battery life, and set the PlayStation Portable into a "link mode" which makes the inserted memory stick available to a PC via USB. The XMB may be accessed at any time in a game by pressing the "Home" button on the console.

The PlayStation Portable's default background color changes depending on the current month of the year, as follows:

{| class="wikitable" width="25%"

|-

! style="background:default" width="7%" | Month

! style="background:default" width="5%" | Color

|-

| January

| style="background:GhostWhite" |

|-

| February

| style="background:Khaki" |

|-

| March

| style="background:GreenYellow" |

|-

| April

| style="background:HotPink" |

|-

| May

| style="background:LimeGreen" |

|-

| June

| style="background:MediumSlateBlue" |

|-

| July

| style="background:DarkTurquoise" |

|-

| August

| style="background:MediumBlue" |

|-

| September

| style="background:BlueViolet" |

|-

| October

| style="background:Gold" |

|-

| November

| style="background:SaddleBrown" |

|-

| December

| style="background:Red" |

|}

The user may also manually pick a specific color theme or specify a background from any stored image on the PlayStation Portable memory stick using firmware version 2.00 or newer, or specific homebrew.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://psp.ign.com/articles/635/635505p1.html | title=PS Meeting 2005: PSP 2.00 Details | publisher=IGN}}</ref>

=== Firmware ===

Each PlayStation Portable runs a particular version of the PSP [[firmware]], which comprises the device's operating system and additional core functionality. Firmware updates can be obtained in three ways:

* Direct download to the PSP over [[Wi-Fi]]. This can be performed by choosing "Settings", "Network Update" from the [[Cross Media Bar|XMB]].

* Download to a PC, then transfer to the PSP via a [[Universal Serial Bus|USB]] cable or [[Memory Stick]].

* Included on the [[UMD]] of some games. These games may not run with earlier firmware than the version on their UMD.

While firmware updates can be used with consoles from any region, Sony recommends only downloading firmware updates released for the region corresponding to the system's place of purchase. Firmware updates have added various features including. a web browser, [[Adobe Flash Player|Adobe flash]] support, additional codecs for images, audio, and video, [[PlayStation 3]] connectivity, as well as security against several security exploits, vulnerabilities, and execution of [[Homebrew (video games)|homebrew]] programs.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=26662 | publisher=The Inquirer | title=Sony releases anti-piracy PSP update | date=3 October 2005}}</ref> If the power supply is lost while writing to or updating the firmware, the console will no longer be able to boot. The current firmware version is 3.11.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.us.playstation.com/psp/downloads/systemupdate/ | title=

System Software Update | publisher=Sony | accessdate=2006-11-23}}</ref> Consensus among the PSP using community is that third-party firmware releases offer superior functionality to Sony's official releases: the SE and OE releases by Dark_Alex have been referred to as "the Golden Firmware."

=== Firmware update history ===

====Sony firmware Editions====

1.00 - 12/12/2004 - Original Release, did not have any content authorizaion system yet (initial Japanese release)<br />

1.50 - 24/03/2005 - Added support for new video [[codecs]] as well as content authorization (initial North American release)<br />

1.51 - 18/05/2005 - Added a security update<br />

1.52 - 15/06/2005 - Added a security update and support for [[UMD]] music (Initial UK Release)<br />

2.00 - 01/09/2005 - Added [[PlayStation Portable web browser|Web Browser]] and support for Tiff image format, PNG support expanded to user images<br />

2.01 - 03/10/2005 - Added a security update to fix Tiff Exploit. Security update was later found not to work correctly in every version through 3.03<br />

2.50 - 13/10/2005 - Added LocationFree Player<br />

2.60 - 29/11/2005 - Added support for Audio RSS feeds<br />

2.70 - 25/04/2006 - Added support for Adobe flash player<br />

2.71 - 30/05/2006 - Added support to download Demos from the [[PlayStation Portable web browser|Web Browser]]<br />

2.80 - 27/07/2006 - Added support for Video RSS feeds<br />

2.81 - 07/09/2006 - Added a security update to fix libtiff exploit and support for memory sticks with a capacity of greater than 4GB<br />

2.82 - 26/10/2006 - Added a security update <br />

3.00 - 21/11/2006 - Added support for PlayStation 3 [[Remote Play]], PlayStation emulator and a music visualizer<br />

3.01 - 22/11/2006 - Added support for extra PlayStation for PSP games<br />

3.02 - 06/12/2006 - Added support for extra PlayStation for PSP games<br />

3.03 - 20/12/2006 - Added support for extra PlayStation for PSP games<br />

3.10 - 30/01/2007 - Added dynamic normalizer as well as conserve memory option, (and "PlayStation®Spot" menu under "Network" for Japanese version only)<br />

3.11 - 08/02/2007 - Added Reset option for PlayStation Network games [And "Portable TV™" menu under "Network" for Japanese version only] [http://psp.ign.com/articles/762/762675p1.html]

====Third-party firmware editions====

''The firmware versions listed here are all from writer [[Dark_AleX]]; other custom firmware releases exist but are not in widespread use.''

*'''2.71 SE''' - Combined features of 1.50 and 2.71 kernels to allow full use of third-party programs, and allowed the running of games from disc image rather than UMD cartridge to conserve battery life<br />

*'''3.02 OE''' - Combined features of 1.50 and 3.02 kernels to allow full use of third-party programs<br />

*'''3.02 OE-B''' - Introduced "popstation" program to allow users to convert original Playstation discs to run under Playstation Network emulation system<br />

*'''3.03 OE''' - Improved "popstation" and allowed users to access higher-compatibility Playstation emulation, and opened up the ability to play AVC videos in 3GP format at full 480x272 resolution.<br />

*'''3.10 OE''' - Improved "popstation" and allowed users to access 3.10 Playstation emulation. Opened up the ability to use the fourth (highest) screen brightness setting even when on battery. With a plugin, will allow accessing any form of the Playstation Network functions from 3.00 through 3.11. Unfortunately, since this is a custom firmware that has nearly every feature of the real 3.10 update (lacks working Location Free player and the Korean language, but Locationfree player can be installed manually later), Sony eliminated the use of the two "cheatdevices" released by edison carter.<br />

== Homebrew development ==

{{main|PlayStation Portable homebrew}}

In May 2005, it was found that PlayStation Portables using the 1.00 version of the firmware (meaning original, first launch Japanese-only PlayStation Portables) could execute [[unsigned code]]. What this meant in practice was that these PlayStation Portables could run homebrew software, as the mechanism for checking to make sure that software has been approved by Sony had not yet been activated. Later exploits have allowed for PlayStation Portables using later versions of the firmware to run homebrew applications, and development of both new exploits to bypass restrictions and new restrictions to limit unauthorised programs is ongoing.

While not all versions of the PlayStation Portable firmware have an exploit at any given time, the versions have been quickly decrypted and rewritten by programmers, allowing for the creation of custom firmware that lacks the prohibition on running unsigned code.

== Controversial advertising campaigns ==

*Sony admitted in late 2005 to hiring [[graffiti]] artists to spray paint advertisements for the PSP in seven major U.S. cities including [[New York City]], [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]], and [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]]. The mayor of Philadelphia has filed a [[cease and desist]] order and may file a criminal complaint. According to Sony, they are paying businesses and building owners for the right to graffiti their walls.<ref>[http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,69741,00.html Sony Draws Ire With PSP Graffiti]</ref>

*News spread on in July 2006 of a billboard advertisement released in [[the Netherlands]] which depicted a white woman holding a black woman by the jaw, saying "PlayStation Portable White is coming." Some found this to be racially charged due to the portrayal of a white woman subjugating a black woman. Two other similar advertisements also existed, one had the two women facing each other on equal footing in fighting stances, while the other had the black woman in a dominant position on top of the white woman. Sony claimed that the purpose of the advertisements was to contrast the white and black versions of its game console available for sale. These ads were never released in the rest of the world, and were pulled from the Netherlands after the controversy was raised.<ref name="cnn">{{cite news | title=Sony PSP ads spark cries of racism | publisher=[[CNN]] | date=[[2006-07-05]] | url=http://money.cnn.com/blogs/browser/2006/07/sony-psp-ads-spark-cries-of-racism.html | author= Owen Thomas and Oliver Ryan | accessdate=2006-07-31}}</ref>

*Sony came under scrutiny online in December 2006 for a [[guerrilla marketing]] campaign hoping to go [[viral marketing|viral]], for the console, with advertisers masquerading as young bloggers who desperately want a PSP. The site was registered to and created by youth marketing company [[Zipatoni]] on behalf of Sony before it was taken down. A [[Mirror (computing)|mirror]] of the blog can be found [http://consumerist.com:8045/pspflog/www.alliwantforxmasisapsp.com/blog/default.html here].<ref name="joystiqviral">{{cite news | title=Sony marketers are horrible liars, pretend to run fansite | publisher= [[Joystiq]] | date= [[2006-12-11]] | url=http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/11/sony-marketers-are-horrible-liars-pretend-to-run-fansite/ | author=Blake Snow | accessdate=2006-12-11}}</ref><ref name="GamespotZipatoniViral">{{cite news | title=PSP X-Mas Blog Spoof Video Appears | publisher= Retrothinking | date=[[2006-12-12]] | accessdate=2006-12-13| url=http://www.retrothinking.com/headlines/psp-x_mas-blog-video-spoof-appears | author=Andrew McMaster}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=PSP hype site draws backlash | publisher= [[Gamespot]] | date=[[2006-12-13]] | accessdate=2006-12-13 | url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6163151.html | author=Brendan Sinclair}}</ref><ref name="PA 2006-12-13">{{cite news |first=Jerry |last=Holkins |authorlink=Jerry Holkins |author= |coauthors= |title=The Inevitable Next Step |url=http://www.penny-arcade.com/2006/12/13 |format= |work=[[Penny Arcade (webcomic)|Penny Arcade]] |publisher= |id= |pages= |page= |date=[[2006-12-13]] |accessdate=2007-02-15 |language= |quote= }}</ref>

== References ==

<div class="references-small">

<references/>

</div>

== External links ==

=== Official sites ===

*[http://www.jp.playstation.com/psp/ Official PlayStation Portable website] (Japan)

*[http://www.yourpsp.com Official PlayStation Portable website] (Europe)

*[http://www.us.playstation.com/psp.aspx Official PlayStation Portable website] (US)

*[http://au.playstation.com/psp/index.jhtml Official PlayStation Portable website] (Aus/NZ)

*[http://www.us.playstation.com/pressreleases.aspx?id=207 SCEA PSP Specifications press release]

=== Unofficial sites ===

{{Portal|Sony PlayStation|PSLOGO.png}}

*[http://psp.1up.com/ PSP on 1up.com]

*[http://www.gamespot.com/psp/ PSP on GameSpot]

*[http://psp.ign.com PSP on IGN]

*[http://www.psp-hacks.com PSP Hacks]

*[http://pspupdates.qj.net PSP news on QJ.Net]

*[http://exophase.com PSP news on Exophase.com]

*[http://dark-alex.net Home site of SE and OE PSP Firmware]

*[http://gameclarity4all.com PSP on Gameclarity4all]

=== Reviews ===

*[http://www.mp3newswire.net/stories/5002/psp_review.html Sony PSP As Personal Media Player] &ndash; Detailed review on [[MP3 Newswire]] focused on the PlayStation Portable's movie and audio abilities

*[http://arstechnica.com/reviews/hardware/psp.ars/ Sony PSP Handheld Entertainment System] &ndash; In-depth 8-pages review, [[Ars Technica]], [[28 March]] [[2005]]

*[http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/PSP/Sony+PSP/feature.asp?c=1539 Sony PSP: One year on] &ndash; An in-depth review of the PSP's first 12 months in Europe, Pocket Gamer, [[4 September]] [[2006]]

*[http://www.pspgn.com/guides/buyers-guide/ Sony PSP buyer's guide] &ndash; Complete guide examining the PSP's ablities and addressing frequently asked questions

{{dedicated video game handheld consoles}}

{{PlayStation}}

{{Sony Corp}}

[[Category:Sony Computer Entertainment]]

[[Category:Sony consoles]]

[[Category:Handheld game consoles]]

[[Category:PlayStation Portable]]

[[Category:2004 introductions]]

[[Category:Wi-Fi]]

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