PlayStation Portable homebrew

Hello World program running on a PlayStation Portable.

PlayStation Portable homebrew refers to the process of using exploits and hacks to execute unsigned code on the
PlayStation Portable (PSP).

History of homebrew
Soon after the PSP was released, hackers began to discover exploits in the PSP that could be used to run unsigned
code on the device. Sony released version 1.51 of the PSP firmware in May 2005 to plug the holes that hackers
were using to gain access to the device.[1] On 15 June 2005 the hackers distributed the cracked code of the PSP on
the internet. Hackers refused to apply updates which would render their hacks unusable so Sony attempted to
convince users that there was a benefit to upgrading by including new features in the firmware updates, such as a
web browser, and not just security patches to plug the vulnerabilities. BusinessWeek dubbed this the "carrot-and-
stick" approach.[2]

In August 2005 Sony released version 2.0 of the firmware which included the web browser, file compatibility
updates and other features.[3] Hackers and other homebrew enthusiasts then encountered the first trojan for the PSP.
Symantec called this Trojan "Trojan PSP Brick". Users attempting to downgrade their PSP using this software
instead found that it was rendered inoperable as this software deleted mandatory/important system files.[4] Over the
course of 2005 Sony released six different versions of the firmware and hackers typically responded to it by
downgrading to avoid the new security updates.[2]

In Mid-2006, after several months of problems in defeating the PSP's firmware a file was posted online which
allowed new PSPs running firmware version 2.6 to downgrade to 1.5 so they could then be hacked using older
methods. This reportedly caused more buzz in the community than any recent official offerings for the device.[5]
 Dark Alex
Two PSP-1002s running on 5.50 GEN-B.

Dark Alex (aka Dark Alex, Dax) is a Spanish

programmer who writes homebrew applications for the
PlayStation Portable. Dark Alex, as well as other
variations of the name, is a pseudonym under which he
works. One of the drawbacks of downgrading the PSP is
that new official media may require the presence of a new
firmware edition. Dark Alex had released a custom
firmware called "Dark Alex's Open Edition firmware" or
"Custom Firmware (CFW)" which opens the firmware
but allows users to use the existing feature set of the
current edition. Sony quickly patched the firmware again,
continuing the cat-and-mouse game with the hackers and
users. In 2006 Sony released six updates to the system
firmware and in 2007 they released another six updates.
In July 2007 Dark Alex officially stopped his work on the
PSP, citing perceived problems with Sony as one of the reasons for his departure. Some people even suggested that
Dark Alex was paid by Sony not to release any more custom firmware, but Sony denied this.

Custom Firmware allows the running of unsigned code such as homebrew applications and UMD backups,
emulators for other consoles, as well as PlayStation games when the disc images are converted into PSP format.

Motivation for homebrew

Hackers have stated that the motivation for unlocking the PSP has nothing to do with piracy, but allowing
individuals full access to the products they've purchased and the freedom to do what they want with the item as
well as the interest in exploring something unknown. Fanjita, a member of the hacker group "N00bz!", stated,

"Everyone has the right to do what they want with their own hardware. Piracy does upset me, and because what we
are doing opens the way to piracy it's harder to justify it morally. But our stance on piracy is clear, and we hope to
be role models. Sony have never been in touch with me, so I am confident that what we are doing is legal."

Additional features added including the ability to emulate and play the ROMs of other consoles, play homebrew
games, share music, print photos, watch videos from streaming sites such as YouTube, and run additional video
formats originally unsupported by the device.

Sony's position

Sony has told the media that any issues resulting from running modified code on the device would void the
warranty. They have also stated that the problem is not with homebrew but piracy. However their constant
firmware updates are seen as attempts to hamper homebrew development. According to Phillip Torrone from
Make Magazine, this hampering could be due to the attempts to curb piracy and may cause more harm than good.

"I think the really smart companies should release their products to the alpha geeks for six months and let the alpha
geeks play around with them. It seems to me they'd save a lot of money on R&D, and they'd come out with much
more solid products."

However, Sony has also said that, when questioned about homebrew game support, Jack Tretton replied with,

"I think that is something that is in the works. We certainly see some of the stuff that has been done via homebrew,
and it's incredibly creative. And I think we'd like to try and tap into that a little bit more."