Sony has filed a patent for the cell processor to emulate the Emotion Engine bringing back PS2 backwards compatibility to all PS3’s

There are two main ways to emulate hardware. Interpretation is when target code is decoded and converted into a language the host can understand. The other strategy is to decode and recompile programs in the host’s language.
Maybe the concept is better explained another way. Interpretation is like having someone constantly translating English to Japanese for you, non stop, twenty four hours a day wherever you go. Decoding and recompiling is like someone translating a sets of words and putting them in a dictionary you can reference.

Maybe we will see backwards compatibility in upcoming 3.0 firmware update.

More information available via link below:
[ViA]

A few new applications were released recently for the PS3. ifcaro has released a update for his HDD Toolbox, and PS3 Update Extractor.

PS3 HDD Toolbox v0.94is a program to facilitate the encryption and decryption of the hard disk of the PS3. Grab the download here.

PS3 Update Extractor v1.12, is used to extract recent PS3 updates files. Download it here.

RichDevX has also released a modified version of StreetskaterFU’s PS3 Trophy Scanner, it has various new improvements and is more user friendly (and potentially easier to use). Download it here.

Aversion Media have found a way to edit the Xbox 360 achievements, change your gamescore and even change your gamertag!

Watch the video on how to do this below:

Sony has released the newest PS3 firmware, v2.80. This firmware brings the following changes:

The playback quality of some PLAYSTATION 3 format software has been improved.

It also blocks the Open Remote Play, so those who enjoy this don’t update (no stats on current work arounds for newest firmware).

[Download FW 2.80]

The latest CFWEnabler was just released for the PSP. What is CFWEnabler? It is aprogram that activates the functions of the M33 custom firmware using ChickHen (works on PSP-300/TA-088v3).

3.50 Changes:

- Fixed a bug with the game for the network infrastructure (if you fail to function properly it is necessary to return to change the version.txt in this version, simply reescribelo in the menu)
- Improved system for updating network.
- Improved system distorts the direction of Mac
- Improved system plugins (yes, again …)
- Enhanced the program’s inception, is now a second faster.
- Increase the limit of error in the installation 10.

Grab the full update log, how to and download below:
[Download]

FrostyTheSnowman released a new revision of his 360 Modification USB Drive(info).

What’s new/fixed in v1.6:
* Removed manual firmware dump check screen (due to keyboard incompatibility)
* Added firmware dump validation scripting (to replace manual checks)
* Added ‘Advanced Options’ menu
* Added direct custom firmware flashing menu for Samsung/BenQ/Lite-On drives
* Corrected USB Boot Drive Letter detection
* USB Drive can now be created with either FreeDOS or MS-DOS (compatibility fix for older PCs)

[xbins.org]

The JPCSP Team have released a new version of their Java PSP emulator. The project is now closed sourced, and the new update are mostly technical.

r1064 - added io ctl cmd 0×01010005 (umd file seek set, issue 88)
r1063 - fixed interpretation of Z for 2D Vertex, tested with 2DStudio.
r1062 - sceIoPollAsync() should yield in all cases to allow the async IO to complete (completes only on thread switch).
r1061 - fixed “ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException: Sector number 126031 out of bounds.” (Issue 74).
r1060 - implemented VUC2I, VC2I, VUS2I, VS2I - Fixed VH2F - Fixed disasm of VFPU Instructions currently implemented

You can grab download link and view more info on the project below:
[Download JPCSP v0.02]

StreetskaterFU came out with a new program today called “Trophy Scanner” v1.0.

Basically what this program does is that it scans for PS3 game trophy related files like icons and the description files containing the missions to unlock a trophy and it’s status.

The difference between the application and all the public websites which have trophy lists is, that it also will find trophies which are not released to the press people, yet. So you can be sure this will find trophies directly when they are online, even before the journalists get the info

You need Linux with curl installed in order to use this, more info available via SKFU’s Blog or download link below.
[Download PS3 Trophy Scanner v1.0]
[VIA]

Team HyperX presents IXtreme 1.6 firmware for Benq, Samsung and Liteon drives on Xbox 360 (Hitachi drives soon).

Features

-Strict Wave 3 compliance! hybrid (modified disks) will not boot!

-Strict drive speed compliance - 12x only for game discs!

-Support for SS V2!

-Integrated 0800 for game dumping including SS v2!

-Full support for all known game exceptions! eg ddr etc!

-One shot boot mode! - allows a one off boot of gamedisc without -stealth/partition checks (will still use stealth), use activate.iso disk to activate each time!

-Support for easy drive key/version info cmd, same as liteon!

-Strict stealth/wave checking, one shot boot mode will boot wave(x)!

[More info VIA xbins]

Dashhacker has released the Windows version of OPR along with the source code.

* Add joystick support with a default SIXAXIS/DS3 button map.
* Add proper audio+video synchronization (added a quick hack for now).
* Add ability to set/manage buffering and bit-rate profiles.
* Add error messages to the player instead of just bailing silently.
* Implement power-on support.
* Clean-up and document API.

You need a modded/hacked PSP to do this, grab the windows version below:
[Download OPRv1.1 WINDOWS]

Source code + on going updates available here:
[Open-RP Source]