The latest firmware update to the PlayStation 3 is now available to download. The release of the update was mentioned earlier this week by Eric Lampel, Director of PSN Operations. The update is designed to fix some of the network errors experienced by users since the last update. In addition, the PSP also got a new firmware update today.

According to the Japanese PlayStation 3 website, the changelog contains a single line:

• Stability of network connection was improved.

Firmware 3.70 came out only a few days ago and already a new version is out. As promised by Eric Lampel, Director of PSN Operations, the new PSP firmware is now available to download. Although the regional websites have not been updated yet, the firmware can be downloaded using the [Network Update] feature. The new firmware update increases PlayStation One title compatibility and also strengthen the security of the software.

Another point to note is that the update has no affect on Japanese PSPs. We are still waiting for a official changelog and will update this article shortly.

According to a post over at the PlayStation Blog, a new firmware update for both the PlayStation 3 and PSP will be available within the next few days. Eric Lampel, Director of PSN Operations, has revealed that the PS3 update will fix the network error encountered by some users while the PSP update will add a few new requested features.

Lampel’s post reads:

"Taking into account customer feedback and some internal testing, we will be making available in the next few days a firmware update for the PS3 (1.93) that fixes the network disconnect issue that some of you have experienced as a result of downloading Firmware 1.92. In addition, we are adding a new firmware update for PSP (3.71) as well, which adds many features that readers of this blog have requested.

The main feature we’ve added with the recent updates for PSP is the ability to set themes on your PSP. Over time we will be providing themes on PlayStation.com, our official PSP site and through PLAYSTATION Store. You can download themes based on some of our popular titles."

Lampel has not revealed the changelog for the new PSP update, however we should expect more details in the next few days.

Firmware 3.70 is now available to download for your PSP. The latest update has a number of new additions including the ability to install custom themes. The update can be installed on any PSP model (PSP-1000 or PSP-2000). In addition to custom themes, the new firmware also allows scene search under Video, multi-tasking capabilities and a few other features. Check out the changelog below.

Changelog:

• Settings
  • You can now set a custom theme under [Theme Settings]. The Home Menu colour background or icon design can be changed, based on the theme that is selected.
• Network
  • [Assign Buttons] has been added to the [Remote Play] menu.
• Video
  • Sequential playback of videos that are saved on the Memory Stick Duo media is now supported.
  • You can now search for a scene when playing a movie that is saved on a Memory Stick Duo media.
• Other
  • Simultaneous playback of content under Music and Photo is now supported.

Sony has informed IGN that a playable demo of Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction will be available to download from the PlayStation Network Store on October 4th 2007. After hearing the news, IGN checked with SCEE who confirmed that this was indeed true. News of a demo first surfaced during an interview with the Insomniac team on website TheDaily.com.au.

An unhelpfully nameless Insomniac employee commented, “We essentially flat-out demolish the symbol of PlayStation 2 Ratchet & Clank: the city of Metropolis [in Tools of Destruction]. Players will get a sneak peek of this level via a downloadable demo that should hit the PlayStation Network Store in the not-too-distant future.” The demo will allow gamers to play the opening level of the upcoming game.

[Via: IGN]

Team M33 have released a new version of their Custom Firmware, however, this time it for the new slim PSP (PSP-2000). Since Firmwar 3.60 is not publicly availabe, this custom firmware can only be installed on the new PSP model using Pandora’s Battery. The custom firmware includes all the features of Firmware 3.52 however the 1.50 Kernel has not been included due to incompatibilities with the new configuration.

Instructions on how to install the firmware are included in the ZIP package. Please note that Pandora’s Battery is required to install this firmware. If you do not have a properly configured battery then a PSP capable of running homebrew will be needed to create Pandora’s Battery.

[Download Custom Firmware 3.60 M33]

Team M33 has released a universal popsloader that is compatible with all of M33 Custom Firmware versions. If you enjoy playing PSOne titleson your PSP, then this good news for you. You can now use savadata files fron any version of pops – the plugin will convert the files for you. Check out the features below.

• Added the remaining pops: 3.00-3.03
• These pops require the following modules: kd/meaudio.prx, kd/popsman.prx, kd/pops.prx and vsh/module/pafmini.prx. As always, they go in seplugins/popsloader directory with the naming meaudio3xx.prx, popsman3xx.prx etc.
• Added compatibility between savedata <= 3.30 and those of 3.40 and higher.
• The thing works like this: If you have been playing in for example 3.52 pops, and then you select a pops from 3.00-3.30, popsloader will automatically convert the savedata into the old format.
• The reverse operation, from old format to new format, will be done by Sony code with a confirmation dialog.
• Popsloader plugin work in 3.51 M33, 3.52 M33 and….. 3.60 M33 for PSP slim. Coming soon.

[Download Universal popsloader]

The European release dates released yesterday are incorrect according to SCEE. A SCEE spokesperson has commented on the dates stating “That’s not an official release schedule. None of the dates on the list have been confirmed at this time.” Among the release dates list was a provisional date for PlayStation Home, the spokesperson revealed that Sony will be “making more announcements about Home at this year’s Tokyo Game Show.”

Games are sure to be disappointed regarding this bit of news, however, we hope the release dates are somewhat close to those stated in the earlier report. Look out for the actual release dates once they have officially been released by SCEE.