Following last weeks announcement from Sony, Firmware 2.20 for the PlayStation 3 is now available to download. The firmware update includes Blu-Ray Profile 2.0 (a.k.a BD-Live). BD-Live offers users new interactive features such as a variety of downloadable content, including bonus scenes, shorts, trailers, subtitles, ringtones that can be sent to mobile phones, images, and interactive games. Blu-Ray movies requiring Profile 2.0 will be available from next month. See the changelog below:

Changelog:

• General
  • Blu-ray Disc Profile 2.0 (BD-LIVE) is now supported. Visit the BD-Live guide in Help & Support under PS3 > Video at eu.playstation.com for more details.
  • You can now copy playlists that you create in Music and Photo to a PSP system.
• Settings
  • The way you register Bluetooth devices has changed. Also, you can now manage your registered devices.
  • A [BD Internet Connection] setting has been added under [BD/DVD Settings].
  • An [Audio Output Device] setting has been added under [Remote Play Settings].
• Photo
  
  • You can now display an image while editing a playlist.
• Music
  • You can now play a music track while editing a playlist.
• Video
  • You can now play DivX and WMV format files that are 2GB or larger.
  • You can now display subtitles in DivX-format video files.
  • You can now begin playing a DVD from the point where you previously stopped it (Resume Play).
  • A [Mosquito Noise Reduction] option has been added under [AV Settings] in the control panel for standard DVDs.
  • You can now play BD-R version 1.2 (LTH BD-R) discs.
    • LTH, or low to high, is a recording method that supports organic dye write-once BD-R media.
• Network
  
  • You can now change some PS3 system settings during remote play.
  • [Save Target] has been added as an option under [File] in the browse mode menu of the Internet browser. This option lets you save a file that is linked from a Web page, such as an image or video file, or other type of file, to your PS3 system’s hard drive or storage media.
  • The Internet browser now displays Web pages more quickly.
  • Using the Internet browser, you can now play a linked video file as it is being downloaded.
    • Some types of video files cannot be viewed in this manner and must be downloaded completely before playback.

This weeks PlayStation Store updates are in and the European store has finally got a fairly decent update. PAIN is finally available to download from the European store and also available is a bunch of add-on content for it. The US store has received two new playable demos and plenty of add-on content. In addition, the US store also have several new game trailers and Blu-Ray movie trailers.

European Additions:

• Full Games
  • PAIN (£4.99)
• Game Add-on Content
  • PAIN
    • Cookie character (£0.69)
    • Hung Lo character (£0.69)
    • Santa character (£0.69)
    • Scurv Dogg character (£0.69)
    • Muffy character (£0.69)
    • Ginger character (£0.69)
    • Fun with Explosives Pack
  • Stranglehold – Map Pack (£9.99)
• Videos
  • Motorstorm 2 trailer

US Additions:

• Playable Demos
  • Condemned 2: Bloodshot Single Player Demo
  • SEGA Superstars Tennis Demo
• Game Add-on Content
  • Rock Band
    • Blinded by Fear – At the Gates (US$ 1.99)
    • D.O.A. – The Haunted (US$ 1.99)
    • Thrasher – Evile (US$ 1.99)
    • Earache Thrashpack 01 (US$ 5.49)
  • Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 08
    • Doral Golf Resort – Blue Monster Course (US$ 4.99)
    • Maxed out Player (US$ 2.49)
    • Turnberry Golf Resort
• Game Videos
  • MotorStorm 2 Teaser Video
  • Eye of Judgment Set 2 Trailer
  • Gran Turismo 5 Prologue Japan Intro Movie
  • Ape Quest PS3 spec trailer
  • Turning Point Trailer
  • Soul Calibur Character Reveal Trailer
  • Condemned 2: Bloodshot Launch Trailer
• Movie and Blu-ray Disc Trailers
  • Gattaca Special Edition Blu-Ray Disc Trailer
  • Sleuth Blu-Ray Disc Trailer

In a press release today Sony announced that system software update v.2.20, for PlayStation 3, is planned
for release in late March, and will add Blu-ray Disc (BD) Profile 2.0
(known as BD-Live). BD-Live
promises to offer PS3 users the ultimate interactive film experience, with the ability to take full advantage of interactive features, such
as downloadable video content, ringtones, games, and more. In addition to BD-Live, the firmware update will enable photo
and music playlists on a PS3 to be copied to a
PSP, as well as other new features.

To access Blu-ray Profile 2.0, users require an Internet connection and at least 1GB of local storage. Movies with BD-Live are scheduled for
release next month.

The following features have been demonstrated to be possible with BD-LIVE and will vary depending on the title:

• A variety of downloadable content, including bonus scenes, shorts,
  trailers, subtitles, ringtones that can be sent to mobile phones,
  images, and more.
• Interactive movie-based games can pit players
  who are sitting in the same room, or are across the world and online,
  against each other.

The other feature in Firmware 2.20 include:

• "Resume play" will enable PS3 to start playing a BD and DVD video
  at the point it was stopped, even if the disc had been removed.
  • BD-J format disc is not supported.
• Audio Output Device” will be a new Remote Play setting, enabling PSP
  to serve as a remote control for music played through PS3.
• PS3’s Internet browser will be enhanced: Video files directly linked
  from a Web page will be able to be streamed, and the browser’s view
  speed will be improved.
• DivX and WMV format videos that are larger than 2GB will be playable.
• "Mosquito Noise Reduction" will be added as an AV setting in the
  control panel of the DVD/BD player for improved movie playback.
• BD discs recorded with BDMV format are not supported.

Earlier this week, leaked release dates for the European PlayStation emerged suggesting that PlayStation Home will be released in July. In addition, the leaked document also revealed release dates for other content for the PlayStation Store from April to July. Sony has neither confirmed nor denied the release dates in the document but stated that "Internal working documents naturally have proposed dates against titles, but these change frequently and dates are not confirmed until issued as part of a press release or formal announcement."

Statement from Sony:

"Internal working documents naturally have proposed dates against titles, but these change frequently and dates are not confirmed until issued as part of a press release or formal announcement. The same applies to titles of games, which may be working titles or placeholders subject to later confirmation.

As a result, no weight should be given to titles or dates that appear in this document, other than to those which have already been formally confirmed. We will not be commenting on any title mentioned that has not already been confirmed and/or given an official launch date."

Rumored Release Dates:

• 15th April
  • Superstardust Solo
  • Lair: Diabolical Dragons Pack
  • Resistance 2 Trailer
  • PAIN: Nigel character
  • Dark Mist
• 17th April:
  • Warhawk: Operation Broken Mirror
• 24th April:
  • High Velocity Bowling Add-on content
  • Echochrome Trailer
  • Elefunk
  • Ape Quest
  • Toy Home Add-on content
  • PixelJunk Monsters Add-on content
  • Everybody’s Golf 2 Trailer
  • SOCOM: Confrontation Trailer
  • Wipeout HD Trailer
• May:
  • Wipeout HD
  • The Last Guy
  • Echochrome
• June:
  • Buzz! Add-on content
• July:
  • SOCOM: Confrontation
  • EyeCreate 2
  • Flower
  • Ratchet: Quest for Booty
  • PlayStation Home

The PSP has just received a new firmware update, bringing the current version to 3.93. The update is a minor one and expands support for PlayStation Network titles and adds 20 new Internet Radio players. According to John Koller, Senior Marketing Manager for the PSP, "More than 50 percent of PSP users listen to music on their system, so we think a lot of you will enjoy this free, new expansion of their music library."

You can update your PSP from the Settings menu, since the regional websites have yet to be updated (excluding Japan). We will post the official changelog shortly. The changes according to the Japanese PlayStation Website are:

Network

• [Skype] has been added (Japan only, PSP-2000 models only)
• Number of players for [Internet Radio] have been increased

Games

• Support for PlayStation Network titles have expanded

[Via: PlayStation.Blog]

This weeks PlayStation Store update is in and once again it’s bad news for European PlayStation 3 owners as only three new items are added to the store. The US on the other had has received a fairly large update with a new playable demo, lots of game add-on content and several new videos and XMB themes. Europe have received a new game add-on pack for Guitar Hero 3, a new theme and a new game trailer. Check out the list below.

European Additions:

• Game Add-on Content
  
  • Guitar Hero 3 – Modern Metal Track Pack (£3.99)
• PS3 Themes
  
  • PixelJunk Monsters Theme
• Video
• Elefunk Trailer

US Additions:

• Playable Demos
  • Major League Baseball 2K8 Demo (free)
• Game Add-on Content
  
  • Toy Home Expansion Pack ($6.99)
  • PAIN Characters:
  • Nurse, Ginger ($0.99)
  • Cheerleader, Muffy ($0.99)
  • GUITAR HERO III: Dropkick Murphy’s Track Pack (free)
  • Famous for Nothing
  • Flannigans Ball
  • Johnny
  • I Hardly Knew Ya
  • Rock Band
  • Shockwave – Black Tide ($0.99)
  • Beethoven s C – Serj Tankian ($0.99)
  • CrushCrushCrush – Paramore ($0.99)
• Videos
  
  • Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds – Characters & Courses
  • Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds – New Shot System
  • Viking: Battle for Asgard Teaser Trailer
  • Viking Episode 1 – Skarin s Calling Trailer
  • Viking Episode 2 – Siege of Caldburg Traile
• PS3 Themes
  
  • God of War: Chains of Olympus Theme
  • PAIN: Ginger Theme
  • PAIN: Muffy Theme
  • Condemned 2: Bloodshot Theme 1
  • Condemned 2: Bloodshot Theme 2

Sony has unexpectedly released a new firmware version for the PlayStation 3, bringing the current firmware version to 2.17. A new post on the PlayStation Blog by Jeff Rubenstein, Social Media Manager for SCEA, confirms the firmware release which is available to download using the Network Update feature from the Settings menu. The update is minor and simply improves the "stability of some online PS3 titles". The regional websites have yet to be updated with the download.

PlayStation Blog post reads:

"If you’ve signed in to the PLAYSTATION Network tonight on your PS3, you probably noticed that you were prompted to upgrade the system’s firmware to v2.17. In case you were wondering what it’s all about (and a quick Google search indicates that yes, you are) the operating stability of some online PS3 titles has been improved.

Hope that clears things up!"

The first PlayStation Network Store update for March brings a big improvement to last weeks update for Europe, where only two new videos were added. This week, Europe has several new additions to the store including new game add-on content, a new XMB theme and lots of new videos and trailers. As for the US, there is lots of new game add-on content and a new downloadable game. In addition, the US have received new videos trailers, a new XMB theme and some new wallpapers. Check out what’s new below.

European Store Additions:

• Game Add-on Content
  • Flow Expansion Pack (£1.99)
• Guitar Hero 3 – No Doubt – Track Pack (£3.99)
• Game Videos and Trailers
  • Uncharted DJ Shadow
• WipEout HD
• The Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles Trailer
• Movie and Blu Ray Trailers
• The Pursuit of Happyness
• Reign Over Me
• Perfect Stranger
• Themes
• Graffiti

US Store Additions:

• Downloadable Games
  
  • Rocketmen: Axis of Evil (free demo, US$9.99 full game)
• Game Add-on Content
  
  • Guitar Hero III: Modern Metal Track Pack (US$6.25)
    • Almost Easy by Avenged Sevenfold, The Arsonist by Thrice, and Hole in the earth by Deftones.
  • Rock Band
    • Casey Jones -Grateful Dead (US$1.99)
    • Sugar Magnolia -Grateful Dead (US$1.99)
    • Truckin’ – Grateful Dead (US$1.99)
    • Franklin’s Tower – Grateful Dead (US$1.99)
    • I Need A Miracle – Grateful Dead (US$1.99)
    • China Cat Sunflower – Grateful Dead (US$1.99)
    • Grateful Dead Pack 1 (US$9.99)
• Game Videos and Trailers
  
  • NBA Ballers: The Chosen One Trailer
• Movie and Blu-ray Trailers
  
  • Hancock Theatrical Trailer
  • 21 Theatrical Trailer
• PS3 Themes
  
  • Lost Planet Theme
• PS3 Wallpaper
• Condemned 2: Bloodshot wallpaper (3)