It appears that the first ever USB device to successfully hack the PS3 has been cloned.

According to the website of the PSJailbreak device that surfaced earlier this week, 'imitators' have already cropped up online.

Astonishingly, the dodgy party is asking for a bit of loyalty from consumers.

A message on the hacker's website reads:

'Beware of imitators and Chinese knock-offs, PS Jailbreak is the original solution, Buy original for warranty and support.'

Sony is yet to respond to reports of the jailbreak.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/ar ... ?id=261223

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Warranty and support?

PSJailbreak nothing but 'rumour' - Sony

Sony's dismissed stories of the 'PSJailbreak' PS3 hack as "rumour and speculation".

Reports over the weekend suggested that a successful PlayStation 3 hack had been cloned and made available via USB.

The 'modchip' supposedly contains software allowing users to copy games to the hard drive and play backup games.

Earlier today it was reported that Sony could actually detect users of the hack and issue bans to those awash with guilt.

But Sony has now started to issue its standard 'no comment' equivalent of, "we don't comment on rumour and speculation."

We're not sure which part exactly Sony is suggesting is rumour - as it all looks pretty real to us.

Then again, we wouldn't be surprised if the platform holder's got a trick up its sleeve to crush the new-found threat.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/ar ... ?id=261316

It'd be easier to believe Sony if every time they said "rumour and speculation" it didn't turn out to be true

I do not down load games. I have in the past and could not get them to work. Simples. More of an experiment and to try the games out.

Now I buy the genuine games usually second hand or delayed considerably until the price is sensible. I do not play online either so will not connect my consoles to the net. So bugger all chance that Sony would ever know I am jail-breaking it. I might be in the minority but decent games at a decent price and I do not need to get around the system.

Hack dealers sending out warnings to customers

The next PlayStation 3 firmware update will allow Sony to detect the PSJailbreak hack, reports suggest.

Dealers of the hack are apparently sending emails to 'customers' warning them of the potential firmware update, and advising that users do not update their PlayStation's for the time being.

The following message has apparently been received by some Jailbreakers:

"Just a friendly update email and some advice for you over the coming days and weeks.

"While PS Jailbreak team have told us it should be possible to support future firmware versions on the PS3, it's is not guaranteed, they will need to access any newer firmware's than 3.41 and if needed release an update for the PS Jailbreak to support the newer firmware's.

"So we wanted to give you all some advice that if a system update is released for the PS3 in the coming days or before you receive your PS Jailbreak which blocks system updates, we recommend that nobody update their PS3 for the time being.

"If a PS3 system update newer than 3.41 is released you should keep an eye on the PS Jailbreak website for news on compatibility with the PS Jailbreak on the new firmware's. Only update your PS3 past 3.41 firmware if the PS Jailbreak team say that it's safe to do."

It's all a bit odd this isn't it? Customer service notices, stock shortages and loyalty rewarded with warranty for what is actually a dodgy hacking tool.

There's still no official word on a firmware update to deal with the hack - Sony refused to comment on the matter - but there have already been murmurings that the hack could be detectable by the platform holder.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/ar ... ?id=261462

Am I right in thinking you can't go online without the latest firmware though?

Yup. PSN login won't authenticate without it. Most games also a do a firmware version check on launch (usually to check for certain features or libraries). You can pretty much bet most games that come out after the 'fix' firmware will check for it and refuse to progress without it.

Jon

PS3 Jailbreak blocked in Australia

The PlayStation 3 hack known as PSJailbreak has been temporarily banned in Australia.

The 'modchip' contains software allowing users to copy games to the hard drive and play backup games.

But now Sony has been granted a temporary injunction against the PSJailbreak in Australia until the end of August, giving the platform holder time to make a case for the permanent restriction of the device.

Sony will has to convince courts that the hack, available as a USB dongle, is illegal otherwise it will be back on sale in September.

You can probably expect Sony to seek similar injuctions in other countries.

The PlayStation hack has been so popular that PSjailbreak stock was reportedly sold out earlier this month.

It was thought that Sony would try to combat the hack with a firmware update, but there have been no further developments on that kind of action yet.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/ar ... ?id=262084

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Wonder why we're hearing about Oz before other markets?

I suppose that are worried about users being able to get around all the DRM which will mean that they lose a huge chunk of their long term revenue. I wonder what the percentage of users that will use a jail-broken PS3 really is?

I was wondering if it was cos the Aussies would try and download the proper versions of the games they've been buying

This is a copy/paste from an article. Spot the misplaced apostrophe. I know, pedantry sidelining the main topic, but do 't they have proof readers for web content?

I see that sort of stuff everywhere now, from the BBC to game sites that up until recently were fine. I'd say the recession was a great excuse to fire someone...

PSJailbreak makers slam Sony's 'scare tactics'

The makers of the PSJailbreak USB hacking device (sorry, 'plug and play solution') have allegedly hit out at Sony for using 'scare tactics' to stop distributors handling the product.

Sony succeeded in getting the device blocked via the Courts in Australia this week - thanks to a temporary injunction.

But according to online reports, the firm behind PSJailbreak is claiming that the USB contains no copyright material, and is therefore not illegal.

It has also allegedly reassured distributors that 'nothing illegal has been done' and that Sony's court injunction is nothing but a 'scare tactic'.

'There is no copyrighted code, and we have not interfered with any intellectual property law', it added, claiming the device is 'designed for homebrew'. Oooookay.

PSJailbreak first emerged earlier this month.

Sony is yet to officially acknowledge the device via the press - but rumours abound that the firm can detect and ban users of the USB via PSN.

Amazingly, the PSJailbreak makers have advised potential customers not to buy 'Chinese knock-offs' of their device.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/ar ... ?id=262171

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What a team

Sony has won its first major battle against the PSJailbreak hack that threatens to create widespread piracy on the PlayStation 3.

An Australian court ruling has permanently banned retailers from selling the PS3 JailBreak device - after a temporary injunction expired earlier this week.

Australian retailers OzModChips, ModSupplier, and Quantronics have removed the product from their product listings.

Sony has also dealt a killer blow by successfully claiming damages for the sale of the product. Retailers are being forced to turn over all profits from the sales to Sony, as well as compensate Sony for the inconveniences caused.

Australian courts temporarily banned the PSJailbreak dongle earlier last month, granting Sony a temporary injunction against the sale of the product in Australia.

The new ruling issues a permanent injunction, preventing the sale of the product as well as the import of it into the country.

Sony has also filed a suit in California against Zoomba LDC, who distributes the product in the U.S.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/ar ... ?id=262945

All that this will do is drive the market offshore and so buyers will just have to take a risk that entails. I doubt that the customs will be able to detect them all. End result users will still jailbreak their PS3.