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)

The next firmware release for the PSP could be right around the corner according to a new rumor circling the Internet. The rumor suggests the new firmware, version 4.00, which be released on March 18th 2008 and will feature several new features and improvements to current features. Among the rumored changes in Flash 9 support and the ability to playback Real, Quicktime and WMV audio and video content. Check out the rumored list of features below.

• PLAYSTATION 3 Network titles can be played under PSP [Remote Play] under Game. The PSP is then used as a monitor for any game playable in Playstation 3 game console.
• Real, Quicktime, and WMV audio and video codecs are now supported.
• PSP web browser has been updated to allow compatibility with current websites.
• [Adobe Flash Player 9] has been added as a feature, using the Memory Stick Pro Duo as flash memory.

As usual, there is no official confirmation from Sony so this is classified as a rumor. Look out for more information in coming weeks.

Rumors of the PlayStation Network Store makeover in April have been confirmed by SCEA’s director of Product Development who says "you will see a pretty big change in the PlayStation Network in the early part of April." The new store design has not been unveiled but reports suggest that it will look similar to the Singstore found in the Singstar game.

SCEA’s John Hight said:

"We give [Sony’s PSN team] a lot of feedback based on how our customers are reacting to things, and I think you will see a pretty big change in
the PlayStation Network in the early part of April, where we roll out some new interface stuff largely based on customer feedback.

Simplification, cutting down on the
number of mouse clicks, making it easier to find stuff that you want to
find… that’s kind of an outgrowth of us having more content now, so
we have to make sure that you can get at it easily."

In a recent interview with MCV UK, Ray Maguire of SCEUK revealed some very interesting information regarding the PlayStation 3. The PlayStation 3 has sold over a million units in the UK and has sold faster than the PSOne and PS2. He also revealed that PS3 Firmware 2.40 will include "in-game communication" and is expected in the summer. You read right, he mentioned Firmware 2.40!

Ray Maguire said:

"Achieving one
million PS3 sales faster than both PSOne and PlayStation 2 is even more gratifying considering PS3 is a premium product introduced at a premium price.

Our momentum will continue with the introduction of in-game communication in the summer, firmware update 2.4 and the strongest line-up of games through our third party partners and our own studios. I d personally
like to thank our trade and business partners for helping us on the start of the PS3 journey."

As previously reported, Blu-Ray Profile 2.00 (BD-Live) will also be released on the PS3 in the summer. It looks like the summer firmware version will be the biggest update this year. Lets hope firmware 2.20 and 2.30 have something new to offer too.

­

Dylan Jobe, Game Director for Warhawk, recently discussed some of the features from the upcoming booster pack for Warhawk, Operation Broken Mirror. One of the new additions to the game is a new vehicle, the APC, which acts as a mobile base for the team. Players are able to respawn around the APC and also have access to additional equipment. To protect the APC from enemy fire, a bubble shield spanning several hundred feet is also included.

The new booster pack will also contain a new map with ten new layouts in addition to new layouts for the existing maps. The release date for Operation Broken Mirror hasn’t been set yet, but it is expected that the booster pack will be available sometime in mid-April.

This weeks PlayStation Store update is officially the worst update for European PS3 owners. Europe received only two new game videos as part of this weeks update, while the US Store received a multitude of new content including new game add-on content, new game and movie videos, and new XMB themes. Check out the list of new content below and judge for yourself.

European Store Additions:

• Game Videos
  • Haze Boss Speech trailer
  • Conflict: Denied Ops – Dev Diary #4

US Store Additions:

• Add-on Game Content
• PAIN: Scurv Dogg Character ($0.99)
• Rock Band
• March of the Pigs – Nine Inch Nails ($1.99)
• The Collector- Nine Inch Nails ($1.99)
• The Perfect Drug Nine Inch Nails ($1.99)
• Nine Inch Nails Track Pack 1 ($5.49)
• Guitar Hero III: No Doubt Track Pack ($6.25)
• Game Videos
• MLB 08 The Show My MLB Music Video
• MLB 08 The Show Blog Video
• NBA 08 Amare Stoudemire Bio
• Condemned 2: Bloodshot Trailer 1
• Lost Planet Trailer 2
• Movie and Blu-ray Disc Trailers
• Star Trek Teaser Trailer
• PS3 Themes
• PAIN: Scurv Dogg Theme
• PS3 Wallpaper
• Rocketmen: Axis of Evil Wallpapers (4)

The new issue of the XTREME PSP Magazine is now available to download. This issue contains over 100 pages of great content including game previews and reviews, and all the usual content. This month we preview: Lego Indiana Jones, flOw, Ultimate Board Collection, Command and Conquer Tiberium and Turok. We also review: Patapon, PixelJunk Monsters, TimeShift and Unreal Tournamant 3.

[Download XTREME PSP Mag i032]