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PSP 3.30 update includes free HotSpot access

Latest firmware update to Sony's handheld expands PlayStation Network support, enables full-resolution video playback--and comes with six months gratis access to T-Mobile HotSpots.

In its quest for constant improvement, Sony has issued the latest firmware update for the PlayStation Portable. The 3.30 update makes a series of minor tweaks to the handheld, including expanded support for PlayStation Network games. It will also let users play back videos stored on their PSPs at full 720x480 resolution, versus the prior scaled-down 320x240 resolution.

The 3.30 update will also let PSP owners access T-Mobile HotSpots all over the country for free for six months. Normally the 7,000-plus wireless Internet hubs, most commonly found in Borders and Starbucks, charge a onetime $9.99 fee for 24 hours of use. T-Mobile also offers a variety of monthly subscription packages at flat rates.

To take advantage of the promotion, PSP owners must log into a T-Mobile HotSpot by March 28, 2008. Once the six months expire, those gamers can buy a discounted subscription from T-Mobile, although the rate had not been announced as of press time.

148 Comments

  • Thorpe89

    Posted Apr 7, 2007 9:47 am GMT

    Sounds like a cool enough update but can't be asked to go download it.

  • kaz78689

    Posted Apr 5, 2007 6:04 pm GMT

    daft tossers when are they gonna give it decent games rather than pissin around with useless crap

  • Kappassah

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 8:31 pm GMT

    A semi intresting update. Sony hasn't really made any incredibly intresting updates for it lately though.

  • trenken

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 1:02 pm GMT

    I havent turned my PSP on in over a year.

  • ColdfireTrilogy

    Posted Apr 3, 2007 8:40 pm GMT

    ManOfTeal

    "Yay, really who gives a $&!@"

    apparently you dont lol, i think its great ive already used it countless times to stream movies from the mini-server i have running in my house while im out and about ... having a 120 movie selection at your fingertips is a very nice thing. So to answer your question i "give a $&!@"

  • mojahid_1st

    Posted Apr 3, 2007 4:52 pm GMT

    full video play back is long over due! Thanks Sony for finally getting that fixed, keep it up

  • bihboy69

    Posted Apr 3, 2007 2:56 pm GMT

    amazing, i cant wait for 3.30OE - A

  • robsta24

    Posted Apr 3, 2007 10:03 am GMT

    I h8 noncy coffe shops....stik ya free access! improve the psps faults instead!

  • jpfondeur

    Posted Apr 3, 2007 7:51 am GMT

    3.10 OE-A' + GT2, sorry, but until GT4 Mobile leaves "vaporware" status, I ain't updating !

  • vaejas

    Posted Apr 2, 2007 7:03 pm GMT

    Would be cooler to listen to GameSpot podcasts wirelessly.

  • m-m-f

    Posted Apr 2, 2007 2:55 pm GMT

    that's totally sweeeet ....

  • Pedro7_2000

    Posted Apr 2, 2007 1:20 pm GMT

    Cool! Now can we get some more games with online play?

  • _-SMILEYDUDE-_

    Posted Apr 2, 2007 1:07 pm GMT

    have 3.03 oe-c this isn't enofe to make me change customs the way to go

  • gagan21

    Posted Apr 2, 2007 12:02 pm GMT

    interesting

  • Bgrngod

    Posted Apr 2, 2007 10:54 am GMT

    Anything to speed up the web browser? Or perhaps make it work without running out of memory? Streaming video? Support for more video formats? How about a revamped music playback tool with more features that other MP3 players have standard?

    Oh wait. None of that in this update.....

  • crushgoil

    Posted Apr 2, 2007 10:44 am GMT

    oo better resolution..

  • chevydriver1123

    Posted Apr 2, 2007 7:49 am GMT

    I got to update my PSP

  • MrLetty

    Posted Apr 2, 2007 6:45 am GMT

    I have wifi at my house so dont need a hotspot.

  • chrisdojo

    Posted Apr 2, 2007 5:50 am GMT

    psp still falls short....

  • MaxoidRodi

    Posted Apr 2, 2007 2:47 am GMT

    HyperMetaDragon: T-Mobile hotspots are spots (places) where you can access the internet on your wireless device. Of course you'll have to pay for it either monthly or per-use.

  • HyperMetaDragon

    Posted Apr 1, 2007 9:41 pm GMT

    DOOM_SONYMAN, STOP spamming that crap everywhere on the news.

    As related to the PSP, I have absolutely no clue what T-Mobile HotSpots is.

  • Fathomglow

    Posted Apr 1, 2007 8:33 pm GMT

    definitely looking forward to the full resolution video. The T-mobile offer.. eh.. maybe when i go to starbucks.. lolz

  • GHOSTxDAWG

    Posted Apr 1, 2007 8:02 pm GMT

    what

  • haloguy888

    Posted Apr 1, 2007 4:05 pm GMT

    Woooooooot! Better video graphics!

  • Oblivion_Awaits

    Posted Apr 1, 2007 3:56 pm GMT

    Yay?

  • RoC1909

    Posted Apr 1, 2007 3:30 pm GMT

    @synapticflow

    What a stupid comment! And why should Sony do a whole lot more for the homebrew scene seeing as the homebrew scene is about playing games illegally! DON'T tell me that you use it to 'change your background' or 'some other system setting I REALLY NEEDED to change and Sony didn't give that as a option' lame excuse at justifying why you use it.....plain and simple, homebrew is used for illegal purposes and hopefully they (Sony) will continue to make it harder on the users of it.

  • fathertroy

    Posted Apr 1, 2007 2:05 pm GMT

    @hoodfella45

    it said BY march 28, 2008 not on march 28, 2008

  • Built

    Posted Apr 1, 2007 11:39 am GMT

    wondering wen dey gonna update da psp and ps3 wifi capabilities

  • hoodfella45

    Posted Apr 1, 2007 10:24 am GMT

    did any of u read it said by march 28, 2008 this is 2007

  • sniper_99

    Posted Apr 1, 2007 10:09 am GMT

    good good

  • TIMMYSILL

    Posted Apr 1, 2007 9:58 am GMT

    the 6 months free on the T-mobile hotspots would be in the uk aswell wouldn't it?

  • waleywu_basic

    Posted Apr 1, 2007 9:36 am GMT

    Ooooh, so it's DS + gp2x? Gosh, when I read "especially when Nintendo offer this same service,".. I was just on my way to get my DS for all that. now you're telling me DS isn't capable of web browsing (regardless how much you dislike the interface, at least it has one) or video playing, photo viewing and music?

    I mean, what are you gonna tell me next? That Wii doesn't even play CDs?

  • GrimBee

    Posted Apr 1, 2007 9:25 am GMT

    "right??? DS fanyboy?"

    I may of had two ds lites and a ds phat, and THREE psps... I guess Im all even for ds/psp ownership

    Yes, I do hate psp updates, you dont have to be a DS "fanboy" to have that point of view.
    I hate them because you NEED to update in order to play new games. And that, i do not like.
    As for listening to mp3s and watching videos - I would rather use my gp2x for movies and yes mp3s on the DS is just fine (at least I can safely take it in and out of my pocket without worrying about screen scratch...).

    As an internet browsing device, the psp is awful. I cannot stand on-screen keyboards, the gp2x has its own nifty keyboard that you can plug in (3rd party of course), but no internet (but great for amiga games!).

  • darkpresence

    Posted Apr 1, 2007 9:05 am GMT

    interesting indeed.

  • ScoopRevenge

    Posted Apr 1, 2007 6:13 am GMT

    mmm...interesting

    sr

  • especensor

    Posted Apr 1, 2007 3:52 am GMT

    interesting.

  • ObiKKa

    Posted Apr 1, 2007 2:16 am GMT

    "It will also let users play back videos stored on their PSPs at full 720x480 resolution, versus the prior scaled-down 320x240 resolution."

    *Gasps* 720x480 resolution? Well, I never thought that they'd do that like ever! But that's still not satisfactory, as the better players should be able to handle any range of resolutions up to its maximum limit. Hey, even the GP2X, a great, open-source gaming handheld, which can play lots of emulators of the older systems of pastime, can handle any resolution with a limit, of course, from three different main types of video file formats.

  • waleywu_basic

    Posted Apr 1, 2007 12:05 am GMT

    >I didn't realize that we had to log into a T-Mobile hotspot before Wednesday in order to get on board with the free HotSpot access.

    I have a question, is anybody here capable of reading anymore?? read the date again.

  • theKSMM

    Posted Mar 31, 2007 10:50 pm GMT

    This stinks. I didn't realize that we had to log into a T-Mobile hotspot before Wednesday in order to get on board with the free HotSpot access. That might have been convenient for the occasional times when I find myself in a Starbucks. On the surface, the update seems good, but Remote Play still isn't working for me any more...

  • Bigboss232

    Posted Mar 31, 2007 10:11 pm GMT

    sigh waits for all the anticipated games

  • galduke

    Posted Mar 31, 2007 7:58 pm GMT

    I wonder how long it will be until a devhook lets you switch between 1.5 and 3.3? Right now my PSP owns my DS BECAUSE of homebrews and emulators, not because of it's pricey and mostly mediocre games and it's marathon lasting battery life.

  • overachiever92

    Posted Mar 31, 2007 7:57 pm GMT

    In response to kanedajjj ("If only SONY could right the first time for a change...) maybe that's part of their intent. They keep you waiting on something to be perfected, so you'll stay an interested costumer. The most important word in that sentence being the last. Then, when they do have it just right, they'll pull out the PSP2 and blow our idea of right away. Again.

  • NooBAFIED

    Posted Mar 31, 2007 7:49 pm GMT

    NICE

  • gatsbythepig

    Posted Mar 31, 2007 6:49 pm GMT

    Thank god, another update.

  • kanedajjj5757

    Posted Mar 31, 2007 6:46 pm GMT

    if only sony could right the first time for a change. oh well, nothin' else to do but to update...

  • synapticflow

    Posted Mar 31, 2007 6:12 pm GMT

    In its quest to stop firmware 1.5 and custom firmware users, Sony has issued the latest firmware update for the PlayStation Portable. I wonder how many people will finally take the bait this time. I know there are a lot of people who don't care about the homebrew scene, For those who do, Sony needs to do a whole lot more to entice them.

  • amirsnake

    Posted Mar 31, 2007 5:49 pm GMT

    psp isnot a good screen, WHY?
    because it is not TFT screen

  • waleywu_basic

    Posted Mar 31, 2007 4:46 pm GMT

    >When I can get a lifetime of online on PSP for free, and not even leave my house.

    Do you maybe also want Sony to pay for your living expenses too? or maybe people to come to your basement and cook for you as well?

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