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!"