More details on PS3 Firmware 2.40 have been revealed, which is due for release in around three weeks’ time, which coincidently is around the time of E3 2008. According to CVG, the firmware will feature four types of trophies: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. The Platinum trophy will only be awarded when you connect all other trophies in the game. As for in-game XMB, we now have a list of features that can be accessed (see below). It is currently unclear whether you are able to play your own tunes in-game in all games or only games that support it.

In-game access is limited to:

• Friend category
• View, send, receive messages
• Manage downloads
• Set the vibration feature of the controller
• Sign in to PlayStation Network
• Register friends
• Manage Bluetooth devices
• Terminate the game
• Music category
• Use the system BGM
• Work the system BGM operation panel
• Settings category
• Assign controllers
• View profiles
• Game category
• Set audio devices
• Use the voice changer

Sony has not confirmed or denied the in-game access list above, but CVG confirm that these features were accessible during their run through of Firmware 2.40.

[Via: CVG]

Following the release of PSP Firmware 4.00, Sony has release a minor update to the firmware brining the firmware version to 4.01. This minor update improves the new features introduces in Firmware 4.00. This includes improved search results for certain languages when using Google Search from the XMB, and improved playback of video content for certain file types. The new update is available to download now using the PSP’s Network Update feature.

Changelog:

• Display of search results under Internet Search has been improved for certain languages.
• Playback of video content under Video has been improved for certain file types.

This new update should not hinder the development of Custom Firmware 4.00 M33 so you can still expect that soon.

­

PlayStation 3 Firmware v4.00 scheduled for release soon brings with it trophy support. A few images of trophy support have emerged on the Internet, but maybe fakes. Needless to say, we though some of you might be interested in what this new feature may look like. Sony has not made any announcements regarding this feature in particular so please take this as a rumor for now.

"Compare Card"

"Gamers Card"

Also, with regards to in-game XMB, you can do most things from in-game, including comparing trophies and playing music. Some things will require you to leave the game, however, which could possibly include playing videos and changing some settings. Pressing the PS button once will bring up the XMB in-game, and holding the PS button will show you the same menu you see pre-2.40. That means that no features are being removed.

[Via: PS3Fanboy]

­UPDATE:

New screenshots of the Trophies feature have emerged:

The PlayStation Network is going offline for a few hours today, for what could preparation for the upcoming Firmware v4.00 for the PlayStation 3. The network will go down between 8:00am until 2:00pm PST (3:00pm to 9:00pm GMT, 4:00pm to 10:00pm BST), during which time you will not be able to access the PlayStation Store or play online games that use the PlayStation Network.

The Official statement from the US PlayStation Website reads:

The PLAYSTATION Network will be taken offline during the following times for a scheduled maintenance:

Starting on June 24, 2008, at 8:00 a.m., Pacific Time
Ending on June 24, 2008, at 2:00 p.m., Pacific Time

During this time, access to the PLAYSTATION Network will be restricted, including:

* No access to the PLAYSTATION Store
* No access to play online games on the PLAYSTATION Network

?

A new patch for Grand Theft Auto IV is now available to download for both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The new patch mainly deals with online bug fixes and improvements, and also improves the reliability of the online leaderboard, as well as increasing the frequency of updates. You can download the patch by booting the game and selecting "Yes" at the prompt. You can find a full list of changes below.

1. Fixed an issue where players were unable to enter or exit vehicles in GTA Race.
2. Fixed an issue where scripted vehicles were causing games to unexpectedly crash.
3. Improved reliability and frequency of PS3 online leaderboard updates.
4. Fixed a rare hang some players encountered when moving from a Race or GTA Race lobby into gameplay.
5. Fixed a hang that would occur when players were switching teams during the countdown in the lobby.
6. Fixed an issue where players were able to get ridiculously high scores from Cops ‘n Crooks matches.
7. Changed GTA Race and Race so that the last player remaining always receives a reward of 250 dollars.
8. Fixed an issue where spectating players would prevent the game from finishing.
9. Fixed an issue where players were unable to spectate in Round 2 of Cops ‘n Crooks games.
10. Changed countdown timer in lobby so that it no longer resets when new players join a game.
11. Changed the kick option so that kicked players are no longer brought back to single player.

The Metal Gear Solid database is already available as a free download from the PlayStation Store in the US and Japan. Konami has announced that the database will be available to download in Europe as part of this weeks PlayStation Store update. The Metal Gear Solid 4 database is a comprehensive archive detailing characters, weapons and plot elements from 1987’s original Metal Gear title right through to the most recent title.

The database allows users to search via three central hubs: GENE (a glossary), MEME (which maps the relationships between characters in the series), and SCENE (a timeline for the series). Users can jump from page to page using specific keywords, with the relevant information appearing instantly. All information relating to Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, however, can only be accessed when the software detects a save data file created when the game has been completed, as to avoid spoiling the final adventure.

Now that Firmware 4.00 is available for the PSP, it’s only a matter of time before a new custom firmware is available too. Homebrew developer Mathieulh recently revealed some of the new features that will be added into the upcoming custom firmware that Dark_AleX and team M33 are working on. One of these new features is an in-XMB recovery mode that will allow users to change settings directly from the XMB, so users will no longer need to boot into recovery mode in order to change settings.

Another new feature is savestate support for UMD games. Users will now be able to save their progress at any given time during gameplay and be able to load their game at that point after restarting. It has not yet been confirmed if the savestate feature will be integrated directly into the firmware or will be released as a separate plugin.

[Via: QJ.net]

PlayStation Home gets closer to the the public beta release this week. On June 25th 2008, PlayStation Home closed Beta version v0.9.4.2 is released being with it some improvements and prepares Home for the expansion in July. The update will improve the targeting system used to interact with objects, chat animation, and alert system, and will also enable the modular download system, which will download new content dynamically.

Another update is expected on July 10th 2008 where PlayStation Home will be moving to new servers. Existing beta testers will lose all their saved data but this will be the last time your data is deleted. In July, the closed beta will be extended to include new users but will remain in the closed beta phase until fall this year.

New Features:

Patching

The first item we need to mention is our new patching system. When the patch is released the first time you connect you will be prompted to get the latest files as normal. If you decline the patch and then still try to log on to PS Home it will crash. The new patching system is really built for v0.9.4.2 upwards and its compatibility with 0.8.6 is limited.

Targeting system

What your character targets when looking around is now controlled by a new system that combines character position, facing and camera orientation. By making some existing elements interactive you now have a means of going full screen with videos and posters and also viewing extra information about items of furniture. You will also find it easier to target characters around you and check their profiles.

Chat animations

If you’re chatting with text or voice your character will now animate to visually indicate that you are communicating. This is not lip syncing but it should help conversations feel more natural.

Alert System

We have started to replace pop up messages, where appropriate, with alerts. Previously a pop up would notify you of an event, like an invitation, but they would interrupt whatever you were doing and demand attention. The alert system will make interacting with things like this less intrusive; allowing you to deal with them when it suits you.

A means of reading and handling your alert messages has been added to the PSP under "Messages". An example of something new we can do with this system is the alert you get when a friend enters or leaves your location.

Modular download system

The items in PS Home, like clothing and furniture for example, are now downloaded dynamically on demand – a bit like downloading a location the first time you visit. This means that PS Home is more modular and we can add and remove things easily and, importantly, without the need for a patch. This will allow us to expand and update PS Home easily in the future.

World Map

The World Map allows us to represent all of the locations using our "chip system" interface and also allows you to add favourite locations to your PSP. It’s hard to describe such a visual system but we think you’ll see what benefits this will bring – especially as more and more locations are added.

New character loading and relocation transitions

The white screen you see while relocating and the blue squares on the floor as you load into a location were a frequent source of questions and complaints. They have been removed and replaced by something much better.

The first thing you’ll notice is that when you relocate your view of the world will fade and blur and then the new location will draw into focus.

The blue squares on the floor have been replaced with ghost characters which will help you feel like you’ve arrived much quicker. These ghosts can be interacted with as if the normal, fully loaded character was already there.

The old system brought a sense of disconnection to moving between locations and so we feel this new approach is not only quicker but does it without taking you out of the experience.

Relocating to a friend

We have added additional spawn points to each location that are used when you try to go to or invite another person. As a result you will appear much closer to the target, you will be facing them and the friend icon above their head will flash. This will allow you to meet up with your friends much faster.

Changes

Back and exit

We’ve made a change to the way you exit from a system (like the Wardrobe or World Map). Previously [CIRCLE] had been used as a universal back and exit function. However this does not work in a global service like PS Home where the [CIRCLE] button has a different function depending on where you live in the world. Therefore whilst [CIRCLE] remains a back function within a system to exit that system you press [START] and choose "Exit".

An extra benefit of this change is that you can exit from a system at any point now – you don’t have to return to the top level any more.

Picture Frames

While the implications of sharing pictures via the Picture Frames in your PS Home Space are being debated, this function has been removed.

Wardrobe

You can no longer access the Wardrobe whilst in someone else’s PS Home Space. This prevents the problems that can occur if they leave their own PS Home Space whilst you are still there but in your Wardrobe.

Game Launching

This now supports Parental Controls.

Improvements

Character customisation

Several aspects of facial customisation have been adjusted to allow a greater range of possible values:

• Brow set
• Eye size
• Eye droop
• Lip depth
• Lip twist
• Chin width

Animated objects

We’ve started to animate objects in the scenes to make the world a more natural place. Take a look at the boats in the harbour for instance; you will see a gentle bobbing motion now.

Clothing

You’ll find more clothing options available to you in the Wardrobe and the Marketplace.

Graphics Engine

We’ve improved the specular lighting for indoor locations and outdoor shaded areas. For example, look at the floor in your Harbour Studio apartment.

PSP Themes

We’ve added some new background images and icons for you to spruce up your virtual PSP to your liking.

Bug Fixes

That loud noise you would sometimes hear when people spoke on voice chat has been tracked down and fixed.

There are far too many bug fixes to mention them all individually but we have spent some time working on the stability issues that you have all witnessed before, and you should witness noticeable improvements.

A massive update for the US in this week PlayStation Store update (as usual), while Europe received a average sized update. The US has received four new playable demos as well as a new downloadable game, while Europe has received two demos (which have been on the US store for some time now). Both stores have received a number of new downloadable content for games including the Warhawk Combo Booster pack for Europe and the Metal Gear Solid 4 database for the US. You can check out the full list of new items below.

European Additions:

• Playable Demos
  
  • Civilization Revolution
  • Dark Sector
• Game add-on Content
  • Warhawk Combo Booster Pack (£4.99)
  • Guitar Hero III (Coldplay Track Pack: Violet Hill, God Put A Smile Upon Your Face, Yellow) (£3.99)
  • Everybody’s Golf World Tour (Oceania Resort Course) (£2.99)
  • High Stakes Poker (3 new modes)
• Themes
  
  • High Velocity Bowling
  • Pain: Nigel
• Trailers and Videos:
  
  • GT Academy
  • Bad Company
  • Movement

US Additions:

• Playable demos
  
  • Fatal Inertia EX Trial
  • NCAA Football 09 Demo
  • Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 Demo
  • Hail to the Chimp Demo
• Downloadable games
  
  • Fatal Inertia EX ($29.99)
• Game add-ons
  
  • Hot Shots Golf: Out Of Bounds Oceania Course ($4.99)
  • Metal Gear Solid 4 Database
  • The Incredible Hulk Downloadable Content
  • Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Coldplay Track Pack ($6.25)
  • Rock Band: Rock n Roll Dream – Crooked X ($0.99), Afterlife – Avenged Sevenfold ($1.99), Critical Acclaim – Avenged Sevenfold ($1.99), Hammerhead – The Offspring ($1.99)
• Game Trailers and Videos
  
  • Linger in Shadows
  • PAIN: Character Intro
  • Fatal Inertia EX Titan
  • Golden Axe: Beast Rider
  • Prince of Persia Debut Trailer
  • Hail to the Chimp Campaign Trail Madness Trailer
• Blu-ray Movie Trailers
  
  • Step Brothers
  • AST Dew Tour Theme
• Game Music
  
  • PAIN Theme Song

Firmware 2.36 for the PlayStation 3 is now available to download. According to Eric Lempel, Director of PSN Operations, the minor firmware update improves system stability when playing PlayStation format software titles. In addition to announcing Firmware 2.36, Lempel also confirmed that PS3 Firmware 2.40 will include XMB access in-game, as well as the "trophies" feature. A release date for Firmware 2.40 has not been set but we can expect a post on the PlayStation.Blog closer to the time. As for the other speculated features, nothing official was mentioned.

Official PlayStation.Blog Post by Eric Lempel:

"A new PLAYSTATION 3 firmware update (v2.36) will be launching soon, improving system stability when playing select PlayStation format software titles. We’re also happy to officially report that the 2.40 system software update for PS3 will include "XMB" access in-game. The update will also include "trophies," an exciting new feature that we’ll be providing more details on soon, as well as some other new enhancements. We’ve talked about some of this on the blog previously and know that many of you can’t wait to get your hands on these features. You can expect us to share all of the official details shortly."