Sony's new PSP proves to be a hackers' paradise

You have to admire the way computer hackers take to new devices - they turn them inside out and figure out how to do things with them the manufacturers never intended.

Sony's handheld gaming machine, the PSP, officially hits the market here on September 1 (you can pre-order the value pack at Dick Smith Electronics for $430).

The PSP will let you play games, connect wirelessly to multiplayer gaming websites, watch movies, look at pictures and listen to music. But overseas users have already made it do much more.

Innovative hacks for the PSP include giving it the ability to freely surf the web (something not currently possible on the device), host internet chat sessions, store regular media files and emulate versions of old games from other platforms.

A whole community has sprung up on the web devoted to developing such hacks. Toms Hardware has assembled a list of the top 10 PSP hacks (www.tomshardware.com/game/20050727/) while websites like www.psp-hacks.com give intricate details of the way the PSP's functionality can be pushed to the limit.

These modifications usually involve tweaking the firmware that comes with the PSP and acts as its operating system.

You have to be relatively geeky to get these hacks to work and delving into the firmware carries the risk of damaging the device.

But hacking devices is nothing new. Nintendo's pint-sized DS video gaming console was well and truly hacked by the time it had been in the market a few weeks.

The PlayStation and Xbox consoles have also been modified by inventive enthusiasts.

What I want to be able to do with the PSP is connect to my wireless network from the comfort of my couch and surf the web on a miniature web browser. Why on earth would I want to do this? I may wish to peruse an electronic programming guide to see what's on TV, chat on an instant messenger program or check my email. If I can do all that without having to reach for my laptop, I'll be happy.

I hope a hack comes along allowing me to do that or, even better, there's a legitimate firmware upgrade from Sony to pave the way for open internet access. You can, after all, do this type of stuff from a Pocket PC handheld computer, which is a fraction of the size of the PSP.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY

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