It's a huge day for the PlayStation 3 homebrew scene. Developer NDT has released the PlayStation 3 Rebuilder v3.50, which lets you unscramble the blocks of a PS3 dump to make them readable and extractable. It even allows you to re-scramble it. Details after the link.

And a huge thanks to NDT for sending in the tip!

Here's a bit of a progress report for PlayStation 3 owners out there. Another dev team has found a way to downgrade your Sony PS3's firmware to an earlier version. You'll be needing a console with an Infectus modchip - and you don't need previous dumps. Check out the full article for more info.

'Tis either a sad or great day for owners of Sony's PlayStation 3 - but no matter what your viewpoint, you may not be seeing an end to the developments aiming at a more open Sony next-generation platform. A recent report says that Mainman, developer of the PS3 NAND Extractor/UnPacker has just upped his application to version 0.4. What's more is that there are claims of 'successful' backup execution on the PlayStation 3.

Hopeful PS3 homebrew developer out there might be interested to know that mainman has come up with a useful tool which allows you to read the extracted code off the flash files that Sony upgrades on your PlayStation 3. The PS3 NAND Dump Extractor can only be used on consoles that have the InFeCtuS hardware modification installed.

For more information, read more after the jump!

Download: PS3 NAND Dump Extractor

Two new InFeCtuS programs have been released recently - the new InFeCtuS Programmer and the InFeCtuS Tool. For those who are unaware, InFeCtuS is a modchip that is supposedly the ultimate next-gen solution, as it can be used for all three next gen consoles. So having said that, here's a changelog for the new Programmer, which is InFeCtuS Programmer v0.0.3.4.D

• Fixed a problem in wizard. Hid the commands write/erase when xbox flash is selected.
• Fixed a problem in memory size for SST-39SF020A. Fixed Flash ID Detector (caused problems on wizard and first connection).
• Changed gui interface. If the flash isn't recognized all the commands are hidden.
• Added Double Nand Flash controller. Fixed a delay on HY27US08281A reading.
• Updated the reseller list. Flash Support for: SAMSUNG K9F1208U0B XBOX 360 DEV - NOT TESTED.
• Compatibility fix for NAND Flash and Double NAND Flash
• NAND Flash and Double NAND Flash controller ( PS3 )

As for the new InFeCtuS Tool, InFeCtuS Tool 1.1 says that the new version should be more user friendly.

Again, we have to note that using InFeCtuS, you can downgrade your PS3's firmware. We're not quite sure what that implies, but we're pretty sure that all you developers will be able to figure something out. Now that the latest InFeCtuS software is out, the tinkering should be easier for all of you.

We'll leave you with a two things before we go. First is a little observation posted by an Administrator at the InFeCtuS forums, and next, a download link for the new InFeCtuS software. Enjoy folks!

Admin says: "After some tests, we can confirm that the firmwares are specific and unique for each console, and it's not possible to use a firmware from a PS3 console to another one."

Download: InFeCtuS Programmer v0.0.3.4.D and InFeCtuS Tool 1.1