Hackers believe third generation PSP is coming

by Andrew Yoon { Dec 19th 2007 at 12:00AM }

In addition to the unsurprising news that the M33 team is working on a custom version of firmware 3.80, the homebrew community unearthed an interesting bit of news. Before the release of the PSP-2000, hackers found an interesting file "pspbtcnf_02g.bin." Its purpose was unclear at the time, but it's now understood that it directs instructions to the revised PSP-2000.

So, what have hackers discovered in firmware 3.80? A file called "pspbtcnf_03g.bin." Once again, its inclusion is quite mysterious. But, if this naming convention follows any kind of logical progression, it doesn't take a huge leap to conclude that Sony could be working on a third generation PSP.

This isn't all too surprising. Sony has revised its hardware a number of times. For example, the PS2 received a number of facelifts in its lifespan so far. If anything, the presence of this new file may suggest that Sony is simply considering a new revision of the PSP. Don't expect anything to come to fruition any time soon, however.

[Via Exophase]

Tags: psp, psp-3000

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Enzogt14 @ Dec 19th 2007 12:17AM

I have my money down on a PSPhone. Sony seems to hint ever so strongly on that recently. Another PSP redesign right now seems to early.

linebeginstoblur @ Dec 19th 2007 12:56AM

I would hope that a PSP redesign and PSPhone would be the same thing. Why not? Why carry more than one portable PlayStation device when they could just make a slightly smaller PSP that has a built-in mic, phone-service, camera, etc.?

Larz @ Dec 19th 2007 4:17PM

PSP-Phone is a pretty good bet. I personally don't like phones mixed with other stuff. I want my cell-phone to have just a few required features and be stripped down to the bare minimum so it can be as tiny as possible.

And I think anyone could have guessed PSP2 was coming sometime... Especially since Sony keeps sending out those polls asking "what features do you like/dislike currently in the PSP, what features would like added/removed, etc."

merc25 @ Dec 19th 2007 12:56AM

I place my bets on a Pandora proof PSP with a new motherboard.

Hashbrown_Hunter @ Dec 19th 2007 1:49AM

Yeah that seems the most realistic. I don't think it will be an upgrade like the Slim was, but an internal upgrade.

lorddshadow @ Dec 19th 2007 1:07AM

Another PSP redesign is improbable, even for Japan. I say PSPhone proto. Other suggestions?

Feedback @ Dec 19th 2007 2:57AM

Obviously they are updating it to be able to power the awesome Duke Nukem Forever port in about a decades time when it's "retro".

OH GOD TOMORROW. TEASER TRAILER. DNF. OH GOD.

Talabags @ Dec 19th 2007 5:30AM

In regards to the file name (pspbtcnf_03g.bin) couuld the bt part of the file be a reference to British Telecom and the PSP phone that has been talked about in the past?

RaiDesu @ Dec 19th 2007 5:26PM

It's more like PSP Button Config, imo.

Alien @ Dec 19th 2007 6:22AM

Maybe we could see one next year ... though I really doubt it ...

Mike Candelaria @ Dec 19th 2007 6:53AM

PSP with a blu-ray laser in it . . . . . nah not really but it would be rad to have a blu-ray UMD for games i would like that but i am going with hthe PSP phone like the rest of you

jango fett @ Dec 19th 2007 7:37AM

gimme an even lighter psp with a much longer battery life that dont leave no bulge, reduce the parts or fire people from the psp ummm place (like the people that were fired from scea) to reduce the price of the thing and a larger memory or creat a 20 gig memory stick where i can save the games and have no loading times or a much smaller one and damn it, im all for it. il buy it no matter what.

merc25 @ Dec 19th 2007 1:45PM

I don't know if it can get much smaller without removing components. The SCEA people that Sony were mostly E3 marketing people(which was significantly reduce this year). It is too close to release of the slim to actually be a new redesign, thus why I a Pandora proof PSP. Software update will never stop Pandora, but a hardware update can.

jango fett @ Dec 19th 2007 7:40AM

oh and by the way, years ago when i played the playstation, i belived also that another generation of video games console would come. an even better playstation. just like when i played the super nes, the n 64 came out. damn i was right on the money on that one. you think i got psychic powers or something?

thadwhit @ Dec 19th 2007 8:20AM

Dual shock PSP, sticks and rumble!

GoBob @ Dec 19th 2007 8:25AM

In before Tim Parsons' trolling.

I wouldn't be surprised if it's a new motherboard. I'm glad I already have a slim!

Also, DAX is making a 3.80 m33? Yeah!!

snake79 @ Dec 19th 2007 10:14AM

how is a psphone possible if the psp slim battery would only last for a few hours? If it's a phone then ofcause the screen will be a bti smaller but then the battery will be much much more smaller and plus the speaker have to be louder. I'll bet you can only play a hour max of psp game before you can't dial any number. It will be too inconvenient for a mobile phone. More like a phone with some better java gaming ability that sony might name it psphone. But i'm sure it can't play psp game. So I won't say it's a psp at all. Just another phone with some better gaming ability like the ngage.

Joshua @ Dec 19th 2007 10:28AM

I just want a price drop.

thisguyrighthere @ Dec 19th 2007 10:32AM

The only way I'd pick up another PSP is if the new one had dual analog so we can finally play some FPS's the way they are supposed to be played.

Screw a phone. I've already got a phone. And if it's anything llike the iPhone is I'd rather not use it as a phone. The iPhone sucks balls as a phone. It does everything else nicely but as a phone, nope. I expect a PSPhone would be the same way. Remember N-Gage? That sucked as a phone too.

I want, no, need, dual analog. Longer bat life would be nice but 2nd to duel analog.

James @ Dec 19th 2007 10:37AM

Before folk get excited - it will not be an updated PSP. It'll be a conservative update like the PSP to Slim and DS to Lite. They won't risk cutting the market in 2.

Maybe with a BT chip for wireless headphones. Maybe an even smaller model or with more internal ram.

I think we can assume it'll be hack-resistant (for a week or 2!).

NukeAssault @ Dec 19th 2007 1:52PM

Please have two nubs and L2/R2....!

Ben @ Dec 19th 2007 2:57PM

The PSP to Slim wasn't a conservative update James. It improved battery architecture, doubled RAM, reduced weight and size and improved the buttons.

Honestly, I don't see Sony putting out a new upgrade any time soon. The Slims have been selling fast as hell, to the point where they are generally sold out for 80% of people looking. Until the time when the Slim sales begin to plateau (hopefully in like a year or two so I don't have to bust another 180 on a PSP) is when we'll see the upgrade. That thing could indicate a HUGE firmware update though, since the article says it's only a .bin file. Nobody said it had to be hardware only that relegated updates to it. If the entire design of the firmware (4.00 anyone?) were to be changed then you would most likely need a new director file to go with it.