Sony continues to roll out minor system software updates for the PS Vita, deploying firmware 1.52 via Network Update today. While there’s no supplied changelog – as is the norm for these types of updates, word has it an instance where the 3G Vita would not recognize a SIM card has been fixed.

Apart from that, there appears to be no other noteworthy changes, but we’ll let you know if we stumble upon any new features.

Additionally, the firmware update is a mandatory one. Users attempting to access to the PlayStation Store will be greeted with an update prompt upon connect. This marks the third firmware update since the Vita’s December debut in Japan, and we doubt it’ll be the last we see before it launches in the US and Europe next month.

Another coder who wishes to remain anonymous has managed to pull off a ‘Hello World’ on PS Vita. While the feat isn’t based on teck4′s earlier exploit, it does share the same approach, in that it executes code from within a PSP environment.

It’s a proof of concept at this stage, with some timely visuals added for good measure. Take a gander at the video above to see it in action. Firmware 1.510 was used for testing, the latest available at the moment.

more »

Although the limelight has been set on the PS Vita as of late, Sony hasn’t forgotten about the PSP. The company today announced three new PSP dual pack bundles.

Carrying a bargain-bin price of $14.99 each, the dual packs feature two UMD games a piece. The packs are as follows:

* MotorStorm: Arctic Edge and Twisted Metal: Head-on
* Patapon and LocoRoco
* Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee and Hot Shots Tennis: Get A Grip

Look for these bundles to show up on US shelves beginning this January, unfortunately missing the holiday shopping season. For those that prefer to go digital — which is a must for Vita backwards compatibility, downloadable versions will also be available via PlayStation Network at the same price.

The PS Vita just hit store shelves in Japan yesterday and not to our surprise, hackers are already fiddling with the device. teck4 reports that the PS Vita is still vulnerable to a save game exploit present in PSP firmware 6.31. Above is a photo of the PS Vita running a ‘Hello World’ application inside the Vita’s PSP environment.

We’re filing this under rumor for now, seeing as the work in question has not been published, but it looks legit.

Given that the PS Vita runs PSP code inside an emulator, which chances are is completely sandboxed, it seems unlikely that privilege escalation is possible. Time will tell however.

Like the PSP and PS3 before it, a steady stream of demos will grace the PlayStation Store for PS Vita. It’s been confirmed via a Dengeki PlayStation report that a demo of Dynasty Warriors Next will be available on day one for the Japanese launch — December 17.

The demo will offer a sizable chunk of content, featuring three stages and eight selectable characters. more »

UMD Passport, the digital buyback program Sony announced for UMD owners earlier this month, has gone live. Through the program, users can buyback digital downloads of UMDs they own at a discount price for playback on the PS Vita. So far, the selection list comes in at around 262 games — that’s about 1/3 of the entire PSP library.

What strikes us with concern is that offerings from major publishers like Capcom, Square Enix, and Konami — all top Japanese publishers — are completely missing. You’d figure titles already available on the PS Store would be an automatic lock in this program, but apparently, that’s not the case. Hopefully it’s just a slow start and we’ll see more titles added within the coming weeks, as the December 17 launch of PS Vita nears in Japan.

Sony’s North American and European group have yet to announce region-specific equivalents of the program.

While the PS Vita has yet to grace Japanese store shelves, it would seem hackers are already poking around Sony’s new hardware. SKFU – a name you may recognize from the early days of PS3 hacking scene has released a firmware extractor for system software version 00.945.040.

Judging from the version string, it seems likely this is a development build of the firmware not publicly available. In any case, chances are it will not be the same firmware pre-installed on launch units.

Moreover, this tool merely extracts the firmware, it does not decrypt any of the modules within. Regardless, we’re sure this will spark some interest among the homebrew crowd.

Sony is launching a currently Japan-only initiative dubbed UMD Passport that will allow existing UMD owners to purchase digital conversions of titles they already own at a discount for PS Vita. Previously, the idea was merely being considered, but now it’s official.

How does it work? The program, which is run on a PSP — presumably for verification purposes, prompts users to register their UMD disc by following the on-screen instructions. From there, the title will display on the PS Store at the discount price.

Sony has offered up a complete list of eligible titles, with prices ranging from the 500 to 1500 yen mark ($20 US). Bare in mind the program has not been announced for other regions at this time. Given currency rates and licensing, pricing and available titles would of course differ if SCEA and SCEE roll out equivalents.

Sony Computer Entertainment is busy ramping up support for its cross-platform framework PlayStation Store in November, announcing an closed beta test open exclusively to developers.

Entry into the closed beta test is limited, with sign-ups now accepted on Sony’s official site. Subject to license agreement, developers will receive an early version of the PS Suite SDK (software development kit), along with associated tools and libraries. SCE will take in feedback received during the beta to help guide refinements and usability enhancements. more »

PS Vita owners will be able to purchase and download hits from the PSP’s backcatalog — possibly at a discount price if you own the UMD. What’s still up in the air is whether save data between the two portables will transfer over.

To that end, Sony Computer Entertainment Japan has said it is ‘looking into’ save data transfer, further promising that details will be announced ‘shortly.’ This comes by way of a FAQ posted over on the official Japanese Vita site.