Sony PSP Controls Aibo, No Hacks

Sony has yet to respond to the increasing number of PSP hacks, but back in 2001 the owner of Aibopet.com (and AiboHack) was on the receiving end of a law suit simply because he provided information on how to teach an Aibo to do more tricks than Sony had taught it. Fans then boycotted the Aibo and Sony eventually relented. Leading some analysts to suggest that Sony themselves learn (or have learned) a lesson and allow PSP hacks and homebrews to run their course.

“The hacks show there’s enthusiasm for the platform — that”s good news,” says P.J. McNealy, an analyst with American Technology Research. “If people want to use the device to chat with someone, where’s the revenue loss for Sony?”

Technology Review says with Aibo, Sony’s hand was forced by the public’s reaction, but in the game space, several examples exist of companies succeeding by allowing - and even encouraging - hacks. One obvious example being Valve and the stellar success of the ‘hacked’ Counter-Strike version of the original Half-Life game.

Wireless Watch Japan recently found out that the Japanese version of the Sony PSP apparently (unintentionally) works electronic wizardry on Aibo the wonder ‘bot. One in the eye for Nintendo and its recently released new virtual pet game, Nintendogs.

Japanese entertainment weekly Famitsu put the PSP through its paces in the April 15th issue of the magazine. Pressing combinations of buttons on the PSP will make Aibo do different tricks. No hacking necessary.

Proof that you can teach an old dog new tricks?