PS3 modchip/stick.

[Howie6925]

Any thoughts on the new usb stick that allows you to be able to dump PlayStation 3 games directly to your hard drive and also be able to install and play homebrew applications. I kinda want to get it but I have a feeling sony will stop it right away but this thing bypasses forces updates I dont know. It would be nice to use on a secondary ps3.

http://kotaku.com/5616952/working-playstation-3-modchip-is-not-a-hoax-australian-retailer-says

[kupomogli]

What's with all these well known sites promoting piracy now days? VGChartz listing how if you had Modern Warfare 2 you could download every SNK game downloadable on XBL Arcade, now this. Just gives me less respect for the two sites is all it does.

[diskoboy]

So it doesn't do burned blu-ray backups? Because in all honesty, I'd rather use a blank blu-ray to play my backups than the HD.

Backing up games to the HD would eat up space that can be used for PSN games or DLC pretty damn quick.

[norkusa]

So it doesn't do burned blu-ray backups? Because in all honesty, I'd rather use a blank blu-ray to play my backups than the HD.

Backing up games to the HD would eat up space that can be used for PSN games or DLC pretty damn quick.

Extra HDD space is a heck of a lot cheaper than recordable blu-ray discs right now. I'd just be worried about Comcast pulling the plug on my internet after downloading four or five 40GB PS3 games in a single month.

$170 Australian is around $80-$90 USD, right? This looks interesting. I'll probably get one of these if Sony hasn't found a way to disable them in a few months.

[kedawa]

LOL at the price.

If I were interested in this, I'd hold out for the inevitable $10 chinese knockoff or DIY version.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

People who hate how frequently Sony pushes firmware updates aren't going to be very happy in the months that follow this thing's release.

[izarate]

If I read the information right, the "modchip" is just a cloned debug key. Basically it turns your retail PS3 into a debug unit capable of running unsigned code: it's the same thing Sony uses when you send your PS3 for repairs so in a technical sense the PS3 is still uncracked, not that it will matter anyway though.

It'll be entertaining to see how Sony answers to this.

[Emuaust]

Extra HDD space is a heck of a lot cheaper than recordable blu-ray discs right now. I'd just be worried about Comcast pulling the plug on my internet after downloading four or five 40GB PS3 games in a single month.

$170 Australian is around $80-$90 USD, right? This looks interesting. I'll probably get one of these if Sony hasn't found a way to disable them in a few months.

Um the exchange isnt that good for the the USD at the moment, try closer to $150 usd

[geezuzkhrist119]

how much space would a single game take up on the hdd? does it copy the whole disc like game and filler data or like a scrubbed copy?

i might pick up a used ps3 and test that shit on. im not risking my system with that yet.

[CDiablo]

Extra HDD space is a heck of a lot cheaper than recordable blu-ray discs right now. I'd just be worried about Comcast pulling the plug on my internet after downloading four or five 40GB PS3 games in a single month.

$170 Australian is around $80-$90 USD, right? This looks interesting. I'll probably get one of these if Sony hasn't found a way to disable them in a few months.

FYI most PS3 games clock in around 10-15 gigs. Id assume that custom language rips(most PS3 games contain all the audio from all regions even though they may not be useable)/sound downmixes(7.1->5.1) Could bring a lot of games down to the 6-12 gig range.

In all honesty I could give 2 shits less about Sony at this point after the whole OtherOS debacle and I hope this dongle shits all over their income. I would LOL if this dongle gets like 10000 pre orders and the website takes the money and runs though.

I am also interested to see how the homebrew will come along for this device. I have 2 PS3s that I never use and I think one may one day make a great mamebox once the cheap bootleg hacking devices come along.

[Howie6925]

So it doesn't do burned blu-ray backups? Because in all honesty, I'd rather use a blank blu-ray to play my backups than the HD.

Backing up games to the HD would eat up space that can be used for PSN games or DLC pretty damn quick.

It says you could also back them up on an external drive.

[Bojay1997]

I guess I would be more interested in a device which disabled region protection so I could play all my old PSOne and PS2 PAL games on my 60 Gig PS3. I could care less about homebrew or pirating games.

[geezuzkhrist119]

It says you could also back them up on an external drive.

u can also install a bigger drive like 1 tb

[JSoup]

I've been considering getting a PS3 soon, so this is promising news. Particularly because I've more or less switched to piracy for my gaming needs (this PS3 I'm getting is extra cheap). I think I might hold off for a while and see what Sony has to say about all this.

[erehwon]

I guess I would be more interested in a device which disabled region protection so I could play all my old PSOne and PS2 PAL games on my 60 Gig PS3. I could care less about homebrew or pirating games.

That would be nice. I've been kind of interested in this for the homebrew software. It would be nice to see xbox media center ported to the PS3. I'm a collector, so piracy isn't of much interest to me.

[TonyTheTiger]

I just want my Linux back and region free PS1/2. If somebody can make just those two things happen I'll be as happy as a clam.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I just want my Linux back and region free PS1/2. If somebody can make just those two things happen I'll be as happy as a clam.

If this device can geniunely enable homebrew applications, I'm sure that's a gateway to enabling/re-enabling those things (and in turn your happiness).

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Those who are interested in the device but have scoffed at the high price should know that there are reports that the USB device has already been successfully cloned by 3rd parties ...

... give it a week or so and it'll be like Free McBoot, or Pandora's Battery available for anybody on the web who can follow instructions on how to make one themselves.

[Howie6925]

From Kotaku:

Yesterday, Sony Computer Entertainment Australia was granted a temporary injunction by the nation's Federal Court to block the importation and sale of the new PS3 modchips.

The injunction means that until August 31, none of the modchip's Australian distributors will be able to import, sell or otherwise offload the devices. What's more, they have to take all the stock they already have and leave them with Sony's solicitors until the August 31 deadline passes.

Sony has from now until August 31 to convince the courts that the injunction becomes a more permanent arrangement (temporary injunctions are designed to maintain the "status quo" until a matter can be settled). If they succeed, it'll mean the end of legal sales of the device in Australia, but if they fail, then once September 1 rolls around the chips will be able to go on sale.

This is an interesting development, since a 2005 Supreme Court ruling determined that the sale of modchips was legal in Australia (though Nintendo was recently successful in banning the R4). We've contacted Sony to see how they managed to get around this, and will update if we hear back.

UPDATE - Sony Computer Entertainment has provided the following statement to Kotaku:

We will not be providing further commentary with regards to this case; however, as we always have we will continue to take necessary actions from both hardware and software to protect the intellectual property of the content offered on the PS3 system.

Dont know how it effects us in Canada and the States as some people already have them.

[Battlesmurf]

I stopped caring about Sony's bottom line when they started taking away features of my PS3. Honestly- I don't even have the urge to play some PS3 games anymore- I haven't turned my PS3 for games save for the firmware update I did right before they nerfed Linux :(

I hope they lose in court. Oddly enough- I think if these things get widespread, sales of PS3's will go up (if they hadn't already at the news)

[kupomogli]

I stopped caring about Sony's bottom line when they started taking away features of my PS3. Honestly- I don't even have the urge to play some PS3 games anymore- I haven't turned my PS3 for games save for the firmware update I did right before they nerfed Linux :(

I hope they lose in court. Oddly enough- I think if these things get widespread, sales of PS3's will go up (if they hadn't already at the news)

Even if sales for the system do go up software sales will go down.

Also. About Linux. http://www.mydyingbride.org/phpbb/images/smilies/nopityA.gif No one cares about Other OS than those that want to just complain, many of those don't even have a PS3. Everyone who has used Linux on the PS3 knows it sucks. I'm sure most people here who own a PS3 have used it once and never used it again.

[Cryomancer]

Tell that to the military branches that bought a bunch of PS3s as cheap cluster computers.

[kupomogli]

Tell that to the military branches that bought a bunch of PS3s as cheap cluster computers.

If that's the case they'd have no need to upgrade.

[Jaruff]

Linux on the PS3 sucks because, well, Sony only added the Other OS option to appease IBM and to give them a feature to that the Xbox 360 and Wii didn't have. Now that they're making a profit on systems and that IBM has shelved the CELL processor, there was no reason to keep the Other OS available. The Geohot debacle just gave Sony justification for removing it.

With the modchip, like others have said, it's just a USB chip so the actual software will eventually be available. No reason to spend $150 when a $10 or less thumb drive will do.

Sony made a mistake with this legal proceeding. There's no better way to confirm that an exploit works by using legal measures to try to prevent its distribution.

More media coverage = more sales of the device = more problems for Sony.

[JSoup]

From Kotaku:

Yesterday, Sony Computer Entertainment Australia was granted a temporary injunction by the nation's Federal Court to block the importation and sale of the new PS3 modchips.

The injunction means that until August 31, none of the modchip's Australian distributors will be able to import, sell or otherwise offload the devices. What's more, they have to take all the stock they already have and leave them with Sony's solicitors until the August 31 deadline passes.

Sony has from now until August 31 to convince the courts that the injunction becomes a more permanent arrangement (temporary injunctions are designed to maintain the "status quo" until a matter can be settled). If they succeed, it'll mean the end of legal sales of the device in Australia, but if they fail, then once September 1 rolls around the chips will be able to go on sale.

This is an interesting development, since a 2005 Supreme Court ruling determined that the sale of modchips was legal in Australia (though Nintendo was recently successful in banning the R4). We've contacted Sony to see how they managed to get around this, and will update if we hear back.

UPDATE - Sony Computer Entertainment has provided the following statement to Kotaku:

We will not be providing further commentary with regards to this case; however, as we always have we will continue to take necessary actions from both hardware and software to protect the intellectual property of the content offered on the PS3 system.

Dont know how it effects us in Canada and the States as some people already have them.

I've been seeing rumors on 4chan and similar sites about then going back on sale as soon as a day from now. I'm also seeing people claiming to have a dumped version of the hack for download and are trying to sell it.

[TonyTheTiger]

I don't know. This all sounds a bit iffy. We keep hearing about the hack but haven't actually heard specifics of how people are using it. Instead it's all about what it might do. You'd think something like this would be all over the place by now.

[g00ber]

I'm very wary about trying any kind of hack. Chances are Sony is going to be looking for this, and it could get your console banned from any kind of multiplayer (regardless of whether you are online with the hack or not).

Consoles these days store a lot more information, and who knows what kind of data they are pulling when you go online.

Not worth the risk of bricking a $300 console IMO.

I see a lot more recent posts in the classifieds for selling PS3's that don't work online. I wonder what kind of stuff people are trying to do that gets them banned? Modifying their level in COD or something?

[Namnuta]

Just to clarify some things.

This is not just a usb stick with software on it. Yes you can make your own, but you need a usb development board like at90usb1287 or an alternative. These can be had for $35 but are sold out everywhere at the moment. (Hmm i wonder why) The code to make your own Psjailbreak is already available in the home brew scene, with backups being disabled. But if you search for PSGroove_ML_PACK.rar it has been patched.

Search for more PSGroove if you want more info. Many of the sites are being hammered at the moment and have shut down forums and are chatting in IRC for the latest developments.

I should have 2 at90usb1287 dev kits in about a week. I dont care about pirating games, i really would love if the PS3 could run XBMC (Well it would be PSMC) :)

Dont buy the over priced USB dongle, make your own when these development boards are back in stock. Pirate the pirates :)

http://github.com/psgroove/psgroove

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Those who are interested in the device but have scoffed at the high price should know that there are reports that the USB device has already been successfully cloned by 3rd parties ...

... give it a week or so and it'll be like Free McBoot, or Pandora's Battery available for anybody on the web who can follow instructions on how to make one themselves.

Okay. So, maybe it took a little over a week.

[poloplayr]

I just want my Linux back and region free PS1/2. If somebody can make just those two things happen I'll be as happy as a clam.

Regionfree PS1/2.... *DROOLS*

[theclaw]

While you're at it, hack the XMB to allow PAL as a selectable video mode.

Assuming NTSC PS3 hardware supports it internally. But I've yet to see evidence of that.

[SegaAges]

Even if sales for the system do go up software sales will go down.

Also. About Linux. http://www.mydyingbride.org/phpbb/images/smilies/nopityA.gif No one cares about Other OS than those that want to just complain, many of those don't even have a PS3. Everyone who has used Linux on the PS3 knows it sucks. I'm sure most people here who own a PS3 have used it once and never used it again.

I was one of the very slim few people that was going to get a ps3 for the cell processor and drop linux on it.

My solution was pretty simple once they took that option out, just don't buy it.

[IcBlUsCrN]

i have one of these sticks on the way, almost cant wait to dive into it.



I was one of the very slim few people that was going to get a ps3 for the cell processor and drop linux on it.

My solution was pretty simple once they took that option out, just don't buy it.

so you are saying you did not get a ps3 for the past 4 years ? but then they dropped support and you conveniently said forget about it?

[TonyTheTiger]

i have one of these sticks on the way, almost cant wait to dive into it.

If you can, it would be great if you could fill us in on just what this thing can do and how it works. Seems like there's not much word about it's potential uses beyond booting game rips.


so you are saying you did not get a ps3 for the past 4 years ? but then they dropped support and you conveniently said forget about it?

For the record, I have a similar story. I spent a while browsing Ebay earlier this year looking to score a PS3 on the cheap. The reason I went on Ebay is because I specifically wanted a launch 60 gig model. I had my plan. Space is tight so with that model I could pack away my PS2 and I planned to install Linux to give me the benefit of both a decent web browser in my basement along with convenient access to MAME on the TV as well.

At the time I was searching for a YLOD PS3 that I could fix myself but I ended up scoring a perfectly working and complete in box one for a steal. I got it home, unpacked it, tested it out, and immediately ordered a larger HDD for my laptop (which I needed anyway) and was going to transfer the old one to the PS3 since 60 gigs was too little for what I had planned. The new HDD came, I transferred all my data, and...I'm not joking...almost the day I had planned to install Linux and get the PS3 up and running the axe came down. My PS3 hadn't even gotten used outside of a test run at that point because I was busy working with the HDD.

Suffice to say I was a little peeved. But no matter. Geohot had begun work on a workaround and I waited, PS3 packed away without updating. I figured either Geohot would do it or somebody else would given the public outcry. But Geohot stopped his work, nobody else seemed to take the reigns and that was that. I was calm because I figure, hey, no biggie, eventually somebody will pull through.

Then this new exploit shows up and I think, "See?" I'm curious but not willing to bite yet because of all the uncertainty at this point. My backlog and studies had been keeping me busy anyway but, yeah. My PS3 has been, and still is, sitting unused since late March and all because OtherOS was taken out. I've got too big a chip on my shoulder to cave and update. I'm getting my MAME and Firefox, dammit.

[norkusa]

I REALLY want to order one of these now but DealExtreme will probably start selling them in a few weeks for $20 since the software has been dumped. This place is selling the official ones for $125 though:

http://www.shoppsjailbreak.com/

Been checking the torrent sites and seeing lots of PS3 rips going up. Not all games are compatible though and a lot of the ones that do work are pretty old and can be purchased for $10 at Gamestop. I really hope Jailbreak opens the door for homebrew & emulators though.

[megasdkirby]

I REALLY want to order one of these now but DealExtreme will probably start selling them in a few weeks for $20 since the software has been dumped.

I surely hope so! :)

[rbudrick]

I guess this device emulates a 6-port USB hub and quickly switches virtual USB devices (don't know what these devices are) with millisecond precision in order to take advantage of an exploit and run code. The device is also NON updateable. So, without knowing if a firmware update can block it from working, there's no way I'm plunking down the cash for one now.

-Rob

[norkusa]

The device is also NON updateable. So, without knowing if a firmware update can block it from working, there's no way I'm plunking down the cash for one now.

-Rob

You sure it's not updateable? Everything I've read so far says otherwise.


Here's Jailbreak running from a TI-84 calculator. There's also JB source code for Android phones too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOSpCoCmOns

[Howie6925]

kotaku:
Well, that didn't take long. Sony has just pushed out a firmware update for the PlayStation 3, with users reporting that it "breaks" devices like the PSJailbreak.

Able to circumvent the PlayStation 3's copy protection and allow users to run games installed to a hard drive, a flood of these jailbreak contraptions have hit markets around the world in the last two weeks, along with a free, downloadable version for more tech-savvy users.

Gaming site eXophase claims that, since Sony released firmware update 3.42 earlier today, it has been able to verify that "all variants of the USB-hub emulating exploit (PSFreedom, PSGroove, PSJailbreak) are no longer functional".

It's far from the end of this war - many of the device's suppliers claim that they in turn can update their devices to get around Sony's future firmware - but for this week at least, it seems to be the end of this battle.

We've contacted Sony for confirmation on this, and will update if we hear back.

UPDATE 1 - Sony's PlayStation Blog says the update "includes additional security features".

UPDATE 2 - The European PlayStation Blog has a little more detail, saying "A patch has been added to address security vulnerability in the system software".

I guess now people are cracking into the ps3 using thier cell phones with the variants of PS3 Groove on installed on them, it is even being cracked with a TI-84 plus Calculator. I dont know if these videos are pre patch or not.

Videos Here:http://kotaku.com/5631436/watch-a-ps3-get-cracked-by-two-mobile-phones-and-a-calculator

[kedawa]

Just like with the other OS option, if you want to keep the exploit working, just don't get the update. I'm sure it won't be long before someone gets a hacked PS3 to trick PSN into seeing it as having the 3.42 firmware when it really only has 3.40 or whatever.

[norkusa]

I've read that they're working on a version of Jailbreak for PSP's. Should be out soon.

There's also a couple of stealth patches available but I don't think they're 100% safe.

[rbudrick]

You sure it's not updateable? Everything I've read so far says otherwise.


Here's Jailbreak running from a TI-84 calculator. There's also JB source code for Android phones too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOSpCoCmOns

Hmmm. Perhaps I read an early report. I read something indicating the hardware on the USB device isn't updateable, not being a flash device.

-Rob