In conjunction with the advent of PSP firmware 2.70, Sony Computer Entertainment (Japan) will be offering a demo version of its much anticipated LocoRoco “ロコロコ” – puzzle game (official release date in Japan: July 13th, 2006; US: September 2006). Naturally, the demo will require the new PSP firmware version 2.70 and the demo will be available for download (to PC and then upload to Memory Stick) on April 25, 2006.

LocoRoco “ロコロコ” : Official Site | Demo Download

Instructions: Create a new folder - [UCJS10041] - within PSP>GAME and copy the LocoRoco Demo file (EBOOT.PBP, 7,782 KB) into the newly created folder accordingly.

Picture Source: GameWatch

UPDATE NOW AVAILABLE: PSP Firmware 2.70 (Japanese version) | (US version)

Sony Computer Entertainment (Japan) announced today (click here for the official press release) that the much anticipated PSP firmware version 2.70 will be available via network update and manual download beginning April 25, 2006. As usual the new firmware update will be available for all other region shortly. Unfortunately, the much discussed Camera/GPS library is not present within this upcoming firmware. As shown below (during PlayStation Business Briefing 2006 March), additional features will follow this 4th quarter.

Noteworthy improvements include Macromedia Flash Player, ability to save audio contents of a registered RSS Channel and Traditional and Simplified Chinese “Display Language” support. 

PSP FIRMWARE 2.70 UPDATE INFORMATION PAGE: Japanese | English

Improvements with Firmware 2.70:

Network

• Incorporation of Macromedia Flash for the PSP’s [Internet Browser] (featuring Macromedia Flash Player 6) Note: you must adjust a setting to enable this feature. A connection to the Internet is required to adjust the setting.
• [Connection Settings] added within [Settings] of PSP’s [Internet Browser]
• Ability to save audio contents under [RSS Channel] to a Memory Stick Duo
• Added new [Automatic] feature to the [Rate] settings of the [LocationFree Player]

Music

• A new file extension has been added to playable AAC formats

Settings | New addition to the PSP:

• [Enable Flash Player] within PSP’s System Settings
• [Simplified Chinese] and [Traditional Chinese] have been added as options under [System Language] in [Settings]>[System Settings].
• [RSS Channel Settings] has been added under [Settings].
• New [UMD Video L and R Buttons] within [Video Settings] under [Settings]. Note: you can now disable the channel skip feature of the L/R buttons. This applies to UMD VIDEO.

Other

• Fixed issues relating to Memory Stick PRO Duo with over 2GB of free space

A new software update for CONNECT Player is now available for download. The update is of version 1.0.04.16100 and amount to approximately 23 MB (*actual installer size may vary regionally)

Improvements with update Ver.1.0.04.16100

• Improved overall speed of CONNECT Player v. 1.0.04 – startup, transfer, exit program and scroll function.
• Improved support for Enhanced CD
• Improved support for WMA VBR; fixed previous conversion/transfer issue
• Improved bit rate setting issues; fixed previous tracks transfer issue where tracks can’t be transferred at a set bit rate.
• Improved file conversion of a format and its corresponding bit rate during a transfer.
• Improved Gracenote CDDB CD information feature; fixed acquisition of CD information especially for system that employs proxy server.
• ATRAC3plus 352kbps is now supported.
• Retain playlist as M3U file
• Additional dialog/info regarding an operation is available.

DOWNLOAD LINKS: Sony Japan | Sony Europe | Sony Asia-Pacific | Sony Canada

Sony announced today that the MDR-EX90SL with a MSRP of 12,390 yen will be available for retail sale in Japan on May 10, 2006. All other region should expect the MDR-EX90SL (North America should expect the “LP” version) sometime this quarter.

The new earbuds as we have reported during CES 2006 will feature a larger 13.5mm drivers to “allow wider dynamic range,” neodymium magnets, aluminum housing and comes bundled with a 1m gold-plated stereo mini-jack extension cord, soft silicon earpieces (Size: S, M, L), earphone case and a premium leather case. (pictures of bundled accessories after the jump)

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We are definitely expecting Sony to announce a series of new products this quarter. But to our surprise, Sony China announced yesterday of a new flash based Mp3/WMA player – the CE-P series – which does not support ATRAC format. The CE-P series (CE-P13, CE-P15 & CE-P17) will be strictly an Mp3/WMA player, which features a 1.5″ 260K color OLED display with built-in FM tuner, FM recording, voice recording and ability to view BMP/JPEG files.  According to themp3players.com, the new CE-P series is the first ever Sony DAP designed in China – by Sony China Creative Center based in Shanghai.

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