The US PlayStation Network Store has been updated earlier than usual this week because of Thanksgiving. The US store has received a massive update ­with two new PlayStation Eye titles and several other­ full games. In addition, there is a new demo for you to enjoy: MX vs ATV; and several add-on packs. There are 18 Rock Band add-on packs available to purchase and add-on packs for NFS: ProStreet and flOw. Check out the complete list below.

US PlayStation Store:

• Playable Demos:
  • MX vs ATV: Untamed
• Full Games:
  • Aquatopia ($1.99)
  • Operation Creature Feature ($4.99)
• Full Games (Discounted until Nov 29th 2007):
• Calling All Cars ($4.99)
• flOw ($4.99)
• Everyday Shooter ($4.99)
• PixelJunk Racers ($4.99)
• Add-ons:
  • Rock Band Add-ons (18 in total, from $1.99 to $5.49)
  • flOw Expansion Pack ($2.99)
  • NFS: ProStreet Collector’s Upgrade ($9.99)
• Videos:
  • Snakeball Trailer
  • Ratchet Behinds the Scenes: Story
  • Ratchet Behinds the Scenes: Design
  • Battlefield: Bad Company Trailer 2
  • Superbad Trailer

The latest firmware update for the PlayStation 3 is now available to download. Firmware update 2.01 improves the stability of the PlayStation 3 system, and eliminates the problems encountered by some users after updating to firmware 2.00. In addition, the Internet Browser and Information Board stability has been improved, as well as the stability of the PS2 game upscaler. You can check out the changelog below:

Firmware 2.01 Changelog:

• Stability during playing some PLAYSTATION 3 format software has been improved.
• Stability of System Software including Internet Browser and Information Board has been improved.
• Stability of the upscaler for PlayStation 2 format software has been improved. (Playability of PlayStation 2 depends on model)
• [Remote Start] feature is changed to avoid unintended power on.

Sony is trying to get more game developers interested in the PlayStation 3, and has recently cut the price of the Software Development Kit (or SDK) by 50% to convince any developers having second thoughts on developing for the PlayStation 3. The SDK is essential to making games for the PS3. Without it, developers cannot take advantage of the features of the PS3, such as the Cell Processor and Blu-Ray.­

If this strategy works, we should see several new third-party software titles emerging soon, and hopefully boost PS3 sales in the long run. The new prices for the SDK are as follows:

• $10,250 in North America
• ¥950,000 ($8,600) in Japan
• €7,500 ($11,250) in Europe

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) has been sending out email messages informing people that the Europe PC-browsable PlaySt­ation Network Store will be launching some time after Christmas. What’s more, to celebrate its launch, Sony will be giving away a free downloadable game to every member of the PlayStation community – call it a late Christmas present!

The new PlayStation Store will replace the current PSP Store found on the European PlayStation Website, and will offer the same content as the PlayStation 3 Network Store including games, wallpapers, videos, trailers and more. This means that those who downloaded some content from the old site will have to store their downloads on their memory stick duo to avoid losing any of it.

Access to the new store will only be given to those who have a PlayStation Network Account. Sony said that they would be sending out info to members of the existing PSP store with instructions on how to set up their accounts.

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Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) has been sending out email messages informing people that the Europe PC-browsable PlayStation Network Store will be launching some time after Christmas. What’s more, to celebrate its launch, Sony will be giving away a free downloadable game to every member of the PlayStation community – call it a late Christmas present!

The new PlayStation Store will replace the current PSP Store found on the European PlayStation Website, and will offer the same content as the PlayStation 3 Network Store including games, wallpapers, videos, trailers and more. This means that those who downloaded some content from the old site will have to store their downloads on their memory stick duo to avoid losing any of it.

Access to the new store will only be given to those who have a PlayStation Network Account. Sony said that they would be sending out info to members of the existing PSP store with instructions on how to set up their accounts.

The PlayStation 3 is going to get an update to its firmware that will allow it to play Blu-ray profile 1.1 movies much sooner than expected. On the 2nd January 2008 Sony will be releasing Resident Evil: Extinction, it’s first Blu-ray movie t­o use profile 1.1. It is promising to be the most technologically advanced blu-ray movie ever as it will feature true picture in picture and ‘Blu-Wizard 2’ which will allow your player to ‘remember’ your viewing preferences for the movie, even after you have ejected it.

High-Def Digest report the movie will also feature PlayStation 3 high-definition trailers of Devil May Cry 4 and
the new Resident Evil game and not demos as was first thought. ­Sony are going to want to be sure that the biggest market of Blu-ray consumers, PlayStation 3 owners, will be able to take advantage of these features. So expect a firmware update by the end of 2007.

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[Via: High-Def Digest]

A new system update is in the works according to Eric Lempel, Director of PlayStation Network Operations. The minor update will improve the stability of the PlayStation 3 and most likely fix the problems encountered by some users with Firmware 2.00. No specific details about the update have been revealed, but expect more information closer to the time of release.

The PlayStation Blog post reads:

Hey everyone. We know you like to hear about updates a few days in advance, so here’s a quick heads up that we have a new System Software update in the works.

Firmware v2.01 is a minor update that will improve the stability of PLAYSTATION 3.

We’ll provide more specifics as the update is abou­t to go live, but we thought we’d give loyal blog readers advance notice!

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[Via: PlayStation.Blog]

Next week Thursday is Thanksgiving in the US, so the PlayStation Store update will take place on Tuesday, 20th November instead. The change was announced over at the PlayStation Blog in a post by Grace Chen, Senior Manager of the PlayStation Store.

Its unclear if only the US store will be updated on Tuesday, but since the post was made on the US website, it’s safe to assume that the European and other PlayStation Stores will be updated as usual on Thursday. Look out for an update next week.­­

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[Via: PlayStation.Blog]