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]

This week’s updates are in and ready for you to download. The Stranglehold demo is now finally available to download from the Euro PSN store, and a new PlayStation Eye title i­s also available to download. As usual, you will find a number of new videos and game trailers. Check out the list below. For the US, there are two new playable demos and a number of game videos and movie trailers.

European PSN Store:

• Full Games
  • Mesmerize Trace (PlayStation Eye, £1.99)
• Playable Demos
  • Stranglehold Demo
• Game Add-ons
  • MotorStorm Big I Bunny and Numskull (£1.49)
• Video
  • Uncharted a Living Environment
  • Riff Everyday Shooter trailer
  • BLAZING ANGELS 2 Trailer
  • Wall-E (Blu-Ray)
  • PS3 TV Commercial (SCEE)

US PSN Store:

• Playable Demos:
  • Toy Home
  • Blazing Angels 2
• Game Videos and Trailers:
  • Playstation Network Video
  • Toy Home Video
  • PAIN Launch Trailer
  • High Velocity Bowling Trailer
  • Ratchet & Clank BTS: Animation
  • Ratchet & Clank BTS: Gameplay
  • Uncharted: DF Meet the Dogs video
  • Time Crisis 4 Trailer 2
  • Burnout Paradise Ultimate Driving Trailer
  • Battlefield: Bad Company Teaser Trailer
  • Timeshift FPS Differently Trailer 1
• Movie and Blu-Ray Trailers:
  • The Dark Knight
  • This Christmas
  • David Gilmour – Remember That Night (Blu-ray)

Sony have refused to repair a broken PlayStation 3 on the basis that is was too dusty, but later admitted that dust does not void your warranty. So, what’s going on here? According to one Sony customer service representative, the warranty is only voided if the console "was neglected, abused, dropped or anything like, modification like if you opened it up." Sony said that repairing the console posed a risk to the technician, and demanded a $150 out-of-warranty charge to repair the console.

Check out the images below. Do you think the PlayStation 3 is too dusty to be repaired? Seriously, would you let your precious PS3 get this dusty in the first place? In our opinion, this console does look neglected. Let us know what you think using the comment section below.

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[Sources: 1, 2]

We’ve been working hard over the past few days to improve the website, and since most of the changes are nearly complete, we would like to announce what’s new and improved. We have new FAQs, new guides, a new section and some improvements around the site. Find out more below.

New Features:

Firstly, with the release of PS3 Firmware 2.00, we’ve added a XMB Themes category to the downloads section where you now find a selection of themes to personalize your PS3. [Download XMB Themes]

We’ve now finished working on the Review Section, and have added a few reviews to the list. We will be constantly updating this section so look out for more games every month. You can also rate the games we’re reviewed, using the User Rating form. [View Game Reviews]

We’ve made it easier to search our site by incorperating the different areas into one search page. You can now search through news, downloads, guides and tutorials, and FAQs all at the same time. We’ve also added the top 5 most searched queries so you can see what others have been searching for.

Guides and Tutorials:

We’ve added two new guides to the website to help you make the most of your PlayStation 3, and we have more guides on the way.

• How to create a PS3 XMB theme
• How to rip Blu-Ray discs using your PlayStation 3 and Linux

Frequently Asked Questions:

With the release of PS3 Firmware 2.00, several new features were introduced to the system, which means we have more questions to answer. From the questions we recieved via email, we added a few new FAQs to our list. You can find the new questions listed below:

• What Blu-Ray region is my PlayStation 3?
• ­What are the main difference between the SIXAXIS and DualShock 3 controllers?
• What are the differences between the PS3 model numbers?
• How do I upscale DVDs?
• How do I set automatic login?
• How do I install or delete a XMB Theme?
• How do I activate Remote Start to use with Remote Play?
• How can I turn off the Information Board?
• Updated: How do I access the PlayStation Store?
• How can I turn off the Information Board?
• How can I group games into folders?

We have more improvements planned over the next few weeks so check back regurlary to see what’s new. We will update this post with any new features we add over the next few weeks. If you have any suggestions, please inform us using the comments form below.

DivX, Inc. today announced that DivX video technology will be integrated into the PlayStation 3. DivX content can be identified by the PS3 (with the release of firmware 2.00), but currently cannot be played until a seperate software ­update installs the required software, which will be available at a later date.­

Kevin Hell, CEO of DivC, Inc. commented:

­"We are excited to work with Sony Computer
Entertainment to bring DivX to PS3. Our technology will expand the multimedia functionality of PS3 by enabling users to enjoy access to the broad library of content in the DivX digital media format."

PS3 game title developers will be able to
utilize DivX’s decoder technology by updating the system software of PS3’s Software Development Kit to version 2.00, which was released by SCE on November 2nd.­­­

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According to several reliable sources, Insomniac is working on a sequel to the launch title Resistance: Fall of Man. According to Ripten, ­the sequel is now in the pre-alpha testing stages and strides are being made to take it further. The source also­ revealed that Sony is in the process of recruiting an number of game testers to test Resistance 2.

The original title was the PS3’s flagship title with great graphics, action and story. So, you can expect Resistance 2 to be even better.

­­­­­­­­UPDATE (Nov 13th 2007, 19:40):

The levels in Resistance II have been revealed. They are listed in the order they appear, with asterisks indicate multiplayer maps.

• Iceland­
• U.S.
  Shoreline*
• U.S. Defenses*
• San Francisco
• Redwoods*
• Logging Camp*
• Farmtown U.S.A.
• Badlands*
• Chicago*
• Louisiana
• Mexico*

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Konami have confirmed that they are working on a patch to resolve online lag issues that many users are experiencing while playong online in Pro Evolution Soccer 2008. The patch is expected to go public before November 19th 2007. A Konami s­pokesperson said that "We hope to have the patch released within two weeks at th­e latest".

"We hope to have the patch released within two weeks at the latest, and ­have set a deadline of Monday 19th November to get this to the public,
as we are aware there are a lot of gamers out there that are avoiding a
massive part of the game because of the online issues."

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