The latest PSP 3000 is a gadget lover’s dream. From remote connectivity
with the PS3 console to web browsing to multimedia playback, there is
nothing that the svelte handheld game system can’t do. It seems that the
only thing that the latest revision lacks is the ability to play homebrew
programs, emulators and applications. That is because Sony implemented
some very strong hardware encryption on the latest model that locks out
hackers and makes it almost impossible to run unsigned applications on the
device.

The homebrew gaming community got a boost this month, however, when
British accessory maker Datel announced that it has finally cracked the
PSP 3000. The company’s new Lite Blue Tool service battery promises to unlock the full potential of the PSP an allow users to downgrade and install custom firmware. Custom firmware is needed to run unofficial homebrew applications such as the Super Nintendo and Genesis emulators.

Right now the device is still being tested, but the company promises that
a consumer version will be ready sometime later in January 2009. After
that point, you should be able to buy the Datel battery from your favorite online or offline electronics retailer.