Rumor: Firmware 5.0 = PS Store, new RSS, screen capture

by Majed Athab { Sep 30th 2008 at 6:30PM }

It wasn't too long ago that firmware 4.0 (and higher) dropped on our laps, and we're already hearing about the next major revision to hit the handheld: the big five-o. The word on the street (and by street we mean French website PSPGen) is that firmware 5.0 is currently in the hands of an unknown French dev studio and it will include several key features such as that direct-to-PS Store functionality we've heard so much about.

Other features like a revamped RSS reader would (*gasp*) be able to read text files. The inclusion of a screen capture tool echoes another rumor which is also said to be available in the upcoming PS3 Firmware 2.5. Regarding this, parallel development for screen grabs does seem to make a whole lot of sense.

[Via PSPWorld]

Tags: firmware, psp

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Vidaluko @ Sep 30th 2008 6:45PM

Well, I can´t buy stuff from the PSN, because my contry is not supported, I never use RSS, but the screen capture sound awesome, that would be an awesome feature...

Well, if it is what I´m thinking xD

john @ Sep 30th 2008 7:18PM

i'm sorry to ask you this, but what is screen capture???

Hashbrown Hunter @ Sep 30th 2008 7:53PM

Taking a picture from within your PSP (i.e. if you're playing Wipeout and you totally flip over and do something crazy and you want to take a picture of it, you can.)

Darlaten @ Sep 30th 2008 7:20PM

Regarding the RSS news feed change - all I can say with this is "its about time!" My cell phone has been able to do this for years :)

Seriously, this sounds like a great update to the firmware in terms of expanding and enhancing the existing features.

And being able to directly link to the PS store instead of having to go through a computer (which has always been a hassle) or through a PS3 is a welcome change.

Good job! Let's hope it comes out sooner than later.

Hashbrown Hunter @ Sep 30th 2008 7:56PM

Definitely. The RSS thing really pisses me off that they didn't have text support sooner, and I'm still a little annoyed that there is still no video streaming, but hey it's better than nothing.

Sony is most likely gonna talk about this at TGS.

Ramil @ Oct 1st 2008 3:05PM

i wonder if it would record screen too

Hashbrown Hunter @ Sep 30th 2008 7:54PM

Doubt it.

Gurbinder @ Oct 1st 2008 5:39PM

I agree, a psp couldn't handle it, it would need more ram.

Falryu @ Sep 30th 2008 7:29PM

Ps3 screen capture?! Now that sounds like a delicious feature. Soul Calibur IV character screen captures. Little Big Planet screen captures. Now if we could only get record your own video like with the japanese game of the cats.

Screen capture has been on custom psps for ages. Even video output to the pc via usb as well with remote joy. Sony should really learn from the homebrew community. Custom firmware might bring piracy but people should look to the other side of the coin. Programmers who seek to improve the functions of the psp. If sony focuses on using the code of those programmers then it would be a piece of cake to improve the psp officially to new heights and prevent users from wanting to go custom firmware for the added bonuses. If a gameshark made by programmers, screen capture, video output, battery warning sound and millions of other plugins already exist enhancing the psp with custom firmware why can't Sony use this to enhance its own firmware?

This 5.0 update seems a big step for the psp.

Hashbrown Hunter @ Sep 30th 2008 7:58PM

Because Sony is being a lot more careful with how they would make their own plugins because they want to be 100% sure there is no way the new features can be exploited to run custom code (homebrew).

TM @ Sep 30th 2008 7:03PM

sounds great...but why go from version 4.05 to 5.00 so fast? Also is this for NA and when does it come out?

Hashbrown Hunter @ Sep 30th 2008 7:53PM

Most likely alongside the PSP-3000 this holiday season.

lorddshadow @ Sep 30th 2008 7:16PM

direct to psp isn't really that practical for me since my ps3 is a lot faster but the screen capture function will keep me occupied for a long time. god knows how much time i spent taking pictures on wipeout pulse and locoroco.

michael000 @ Sep 30th 2008 7:31PM

XVID support? Guess i should give up on them officially supporting it now that they have their own video store. God forbid you have a fantastic handheld media player that can actually play videos without you having to jump through hoops.

On the brightside after owning a PSP since the NA launch, i think i'm finally ready to give Sony the middle finger and go custom firmware.

Hashbrown Hunter @ Sep 30th 2008 8:01PM

Don't go to the Dark Side, Luk...I mean, Michael! :D

andwhyisit @ Sep 30th 2008 10:52PM

CFW can be used for good or evil, it depends entirely on the user.

Like how a knife can be used for preparing food, but can also be used for killing someone. Is the knife evil?

Frastoglegnia @ Oct 1st 2008 2:43AM

Stellar analogy, whyisit -- cogent and to the point.

Hashbrown Hunter @ Oct 1st 2008 11:03AM

@ andwhyisit

Yeah I know. I would absolutely LOVE to have CFW but the only reason I didn't is because I knew I'd be tempted to pirate the games so I decided to stay official.

dave @ Oct 1st 2008 6:05PM

get ripbot264, uses h.264 so no need for xvid :)

Hashbrown Hunter @ Sep 30th 2008 8:06PM

THANK GOD about the RSS reader...hopefully they can add streaming video soon afterwards ;)

PS Store is a given, but I hope it's nice looking and software-based not web-based.

Screen capture might seem like a pretty cool toy to play with, but it's not that big a deal.

ediddy999 @ Sep 30th 2008 8:48PM

I want this.

Morbo- (PSN: ummfada) @ Sep 30th 2008 8:57PM

Since buying a iPod Touch (32GB), I have not picked up my PSP... it makes it useless

matthew cobb @ Oct 1st 2008 8:49AM

2nded
i got a 2nd gen ipod touch 32 and have yet to touch my psp i keep getting on here hopeing for a reason to pick it up but really to no point yet. i wish they would release some new good games.

Extinction @ Oct 1st 2008 4:31PM

I own an iPhone. I still use my PSP almost daily. The iPhone is a horrible movie player, a horrible game system, and has a horrible web browser (crashes far too often)

Jeremy @ Sep 30th 2008 9:25PM

I thought you could already read text files using the web browser?

Don @ Sep 30th 2008 10:06PM

You could... until they "updated" it. Sony is great at breaking their own innovations.

Hashbrown Hunter @ Oct 1st 2008 11:06AM

Yeah, Sony really dropped the ball on that one. But at least there's a chance it's coming now with (hopefully) better integration.

Angel Mass @ Sep 30th 2008 10:45PM

Finally a new Firmware! woohooo! I hope its here soon :D Finally a better RSS reader, this one sucks, I couldnt get the pspfanboy.com rss to work on it. The screen capture can be real good to show things around :D I know Its mostly sucky to try to take a picture of the screen! !

pmasterfunk @ Oct 1st 2008 1:00AM

i'll wait for 5.00 m33

Warner Young @ Oct 1st 2008 5:59AM

And speaking of the PSP-3000, anyone know when this thing will actually go on pre-order? I haven't seen it listed at any of the usual sites yet. If it's coming out Oct 14th, you would think it's about time you could pre-order it.

Hashbrown Hunter @ Oct 1st 2008 11:08AM

As I recall with the PSP-2000, you couldn't pre-order it from anywhere until maybe a week or two before it's release date.

Warner Young @ Oct 1st 2008 4:01PM

"As I recall with the PSP-2000, you couldn't pre-order it from anywhere until maybe a week or two before it's release date."

Gah! Oh, well. Still looking forward to getting a lighter, brighter PSP that won't smear fingerprints all over it (or at least, not as badly as my old black Phat one).

raindogtoo23 @ Oct 1st 2008 11:26AM

Make fun of it all you want but the text file ebook reader function of the GBAMP is one of the reasons my GBA micro rides the subway to work with me everyday.

If the PSP can let me read ebooks (bookmark them) and listen to music at the same time (like I do with the GBA), it might finally replace my GBA's everyday use.

Not every gamer wants to just watch movies and play games during their commute. Many of us are quite smart and yes, many of us actually read.