Look what we have here. An open source version of that PSJailbreak hack is now available. All you need is a compatible programmable USB microcontroller, a bit of know-how and you’re on your way to enabling unsigned code to run on your PlayStation 3 — all without coughing up $130+

The folks who released this open source version of the hack disabled the ability to play backups, but people have already re-enabled it. However, on the plus side, it looks like the dongle requirement was arbitrary and a pathetic attempt to extract more money from people with multiple PS3s.

If you don’t want to buy a USB microcontroller, according mathieulh (well known PSP hacker) there is a possibility of a PSP version of this hack.

So what’s my opinion on all of this? It’s still too early. First of all, since there hasn’t been any worthwhile homebrew applications released yet, there’s no compelling reason to jump on board yet. In addition, we don’t know how Sony will respond to this. Will they be able to plug it? Will I be instantly banned from PSN? Still too early to tell.

Also, I’m not sure who to feel sorry for with this one. Sony? The original PSJailbreak hackers? Or maybe all those retailers which bought all those overpriced PSJailbreak dongles?

Update: The hack was reverse engineered. It turns out that it uses an legitimate exploit to get the ball rolling. Folks have also discovered that this PSJailbreak cannot be updated which means that $129.95 CAD hack could be worthless if future games require new firmware.

Is it really hacked? Yes, if you count using a $100+ USB dongle to install a piece of code to boot into “debug/service mode” in order to run unsigned code “a hack”. Some folks are suspecting that this was developed using a leaked PlayStation 3 SDK. This USB dongle enables homebrew possibilities and, of course, playing backups. And most importantly, it works across all hardware revisions.

As impressive as this is, there are some caveats:

• According to these early impressions, you currently cannot remove this little hack.
• Sony can potentially block this in future firmwares which could mean that you will need two PS3s; one for online use and the other for back ups. (Just like hacked 360 owners do)
• It currently costs $100+ for what could end up being a temporary hack.
• Running games with mandatory installs may yield poor results like with Halo 3.

Those issues aside, there are so many possibilities for this. I’d love to be able to load up my entire PS2 and PS3 library onto the HDD and just play games without switching a disc. I may have to get up at the moment, but if this hack pans out, we may not even have to do any of the disc ejecting in the future.

It was only a matter of time before Windows 7 was cracked.

It turns out the time is now.

Lenovo’s OEM copy of Windows 7 Ultimate was leaked onto a Chinese forum and as a result, crafty folks were able to extract the manufacturer’s master key and activate PCs with it.

The process is similar to Windows Vista’s activation process, but at the moment you can only do it via actual BIOS modifcations. But alas, it’s only a matter of time before you can activate via a program like on Windows Vista.

Poor Microsoft.

If you picked up one of those new PSP-3000 with their controversial screens, you may be wondering when the crafty homebrew scene will hack the thing. Well, your wait is over because Datel has your answer in the form of their “Lite Blue Tool”.

This little thing will enable your PSP 3000 to boot into the PSP 3000′s service mode where you could do wonderful things such as install previous firmwares and eventually custom firmwares. No instructions or videos on how the process will go down, but it is a retail product so I would imagine that it will be easy as pie.

The Datel Lite Blue Tool will be available on November 28^th, 2008 for $29.99 USD.

My original plan was to install Vista on the Dell Mini, but I was sidetracked when I came across an article about someone’s “Run Leopard (Mac OS 10.5) on a Dell Mini 9” article.

I was intrigued.

I’ve always wanted play around with the Mac OSX, but I could never justify the purchase of a Mac nor did I have the patience to go through the “Hackintosh” route. I also wanted to be able to use my desktop machines at their full potential.

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All the usual Nintendo DS flash carts aren’t working with the new DSi, but do not worry. It looks like talented folks have already managed to produce a “Hello world!” proof of concept on the new DSi.

Baby steps.

Oh snap, non-E3 2008 news? Yeah, I’ll keep it short, though. Apparently some crafty Portuguese speaking fellows managed to unlock the iPhone 3G. The method appears to be similar to the original iPhone unlocking methods which mimicked the original SIM card’s International Mobile Subscriber Identity.

I have no idea how complicated this hack is, but I’m sure those of you who’re willing to spend $499.99 CAD on a iPhone will be more than willing to put in the time and research exactly how to pull this off.

For the curious, the mentioned Portugeuse video is below.

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