After almost 4 years of being on the market, someone hacked the PlayStation 3 to run unsigned code. The PSJailBreak (sound familiar iPhone users?), is a USB dongle that is inserted into the PS3 at launch to turn any retail model into a Debug unit. The debug software allows you to install the backup manager to copy games to the internal drive or an external drive. Then you can play the copied games without the need to have the original disk in the system, but it does require you have any game in the drive.

PSJailBreak.com is the official website for the "mod chip" and has videos demonstrating the hack in action. At first there were several skeptics due to other fakes on the market, but several mod chip resellers have confirmed the legitimacy of the mod. The unit should also be able to be used for home brew games and applications, but may take a while since the mod has yet to be released. North American distributor ShopPSJailBreak mentions their first shipment is to arrive this Monday, August 23. They currently have a waiting list for those interested in purchasing one. ShopPSJailBreak is listed as an "authorized" distributor for the PSJailBreak, but I do have a few concerns on their website. First off, ShopPSJailBreak is the spitting image of an infomercial. The website has a very 'clean' look to it, but reads too much like an ad. I wouldn't normally criticize this as this mod was just announced a few days ago and it takes a bit of time to create website. BUT, the domain name was purchased June 30, 2010 and the SSL cert purchased July 8, 2010. They obviously knew of the mod and had time to create a website for over a month. I think this 'distributor' is directly affiliated with (if not) the creators of the mod. Since the website has been around for a while, they were obviously in the 'know' so that sort of adds their legitimacy. Plus their first shipment will arrive on August 23 while other websites are reporting August 27. It only makes since that the creators would get the 'first' shipment (on August 23) then distribute to other retailers at that time.

Not sure how I got side tracked on the only North American distributor, but I found it a bit interesting... Anyways, since this mod appears to 100% authentic this leaves us to ponder how long it will take Sony to break this functionality (if at all possible). This is very similar to how the PSP was hacked with the Pandora battery and the only way to break that functionality was to redesign the hardware. Will Sony be able to patch this with a quick software update? Or will a redesign of the motherboard be on its way soon? If a software update is released the dongle is supposedly upgradeable via USB port, but how long until they can crack that? If users don't update the software to retain 'backup capabilities' will new games released require newer software and not work correctly? Only time will tell.

One thing is for sure, I am sure they are some ticked off people at Sony right now. Maybe they should be happy though, this is bound to increase sales of consoles. But could also lead to a decrease in game sales. Time to wait and see.

Didn't get that Wii or PS3 preorder? Well, you might want to check out these websites as they have some "insider" information on where you may have the biggest chance of getting a Wii and a PS3.

I also realized that Stick & Stones didn't get transferred over to our new site. The TotalGamerZ server is still up, so until I can get it up and running you can access our old content here. I am still thinking of doing an "Expansion Set" so there may be some new ones in the near future.

It appears that UK gamers may be a little mad this Fall. Sony announced that the PS3 has been pushed back to March 2007, whereas the previous release date was November 17th 2006. So right now only Japan and the US are still dated for release this November (11/17/06 for you US gamers).

I also remember seeing somewhere else that Japan was only getting 100k units where the US is launching with 400k units. So you better get those preorders in or get your camping gear ready for those stores that don't take preorders. For those people with money to spend, I am sure EBay will have systems for a pretty penny.

Official Press Release Inside

Sony has finally unvieled the PS3. The Playstation 3 which is confirmed to be released sometime in 2006 will not be near as powerful as the Xbox360 but the specifications do look very promising. It will be backwards compatible with previous Playstation and Playstation 2 games. It will also use the new Blu-ray disc format. The console will also have built in wireless networking which will enable the PSP to act as a remote. I'm excited about it, but not near as much as the Xbox360.

Full article and specs here.

Quote:
A number of media outlets are erroneously reporting that Sony can no longer sell its PSone and PS2 gaming consoles after losing a decision in their case against Immersion Corporation. Sony has been battling Immersion for some time now, as the two companies are disputing the technology behind Sony's DualShock vibration feedback system for controllers. Back in September of 2004, Sony lost to Immersion, and was ordered to pay $82 million in damages. Immersion would have also prevailed against Microsoft, but Microsoft wisely settled with them for about one-third that amount, and the other big players such as Nintendo have licensed the technology.
/Quote

Looks like Microsoft & Nintendo played it safe. Sony should have done the same but, they tried to be cheap and stick it out. Now they are being forced into licensing the technology among paying the fines, not to mention all of the court fees. Ouch.

Source: Arstechnica

Is this what the PS3 will look like? Its a possibility, but I hope not.

Bigger Pic!

At first glance I thought it was a DV projector. Still kinda looks like one.