Sony has released another firmware update for the PSP, this time bring some much needed features such a full resolution video playback and expanded support for more PlayStation One titles. The firmware update can be downloaded in the usual way, but be warned that homebrew applications will not work with this firmware version. Check below for the full change log.

Change log:

• Game
  • Support for PLAYSTATION Network titles has been expanded.
• Network
  • Support for thumbnail images of items has been added under [RSS Channel].
• Video
  • Support for thumbnail images of videos that are stored in the “VIDEO” folder of Memory Stick Duo? media has been added.
  • The following types of files can now be played in the “VIDEO” folder.
    ? MPEG-4/H.264 AVC Main Profile (AVC CABAC) video files of the following sizes:
    720 X 480, 352 X 480, or 480 X 272
    * Depending on the data type, some files cannot be played.

• Settings
  • [Use Wireless Hotspot] has been added as a feature under [Network Settings].

Sony has finally lifted the lid on the release date of PlayStation Home. Sony has revealed that PlayStation Home will be available for the PlayStation 3 from October after successful beta trials running from April to August. Home, weighing in at approximately 500MB, will be available to download for free initially.

A closed beta trial will be held from April to August for 15,000 users, and will begin public testing between August and October for 50,000 users. Sony has promised to expand features available on Home from time to time, including the ability to sell goods and services using Home. A launch date for the PSP has not been revealed yet.

Following the announcement of PlayStation Home at the Game Developer’s Conference (GDC), a question lurking on everyone mind is if the service will be available on other devices. In a Home technical FAQ on Sony Computer Entertainment’s DevNet service, the company addressed the question of whether Home will be accessible outside of your PlayStation 3. The company confirmed that aspects of Home are being considered for use on the PSP and possibly even mobile phones. Sony did not release any information about a mobile version of Home or give a timeline of when to expect further answers on these possibilities. The full quote about how Home relates to PSP is as follows:

“Q: Is Home a PS3 specific service? Will users be able to access Home through other devices? Initially Home will only be accessible via that PLAYSTATION 3, although over time our intention is to enable users to interface certain Home features and services via other networked devices such as PlayStation Portable (PSP) and mobile phones.”

If a PSP version is released in the future, it could feature standard communication service like text chat, VOIP exchanges, AIM-style Friend Lists, etc. instead of a 3D version of home seen on the PlayStation 3. Here are some screenshots of the upcoming Home service for the PlayStation 3:

[PlayStation Home Website]

The latest issues of Dengeki PlayStation and Famitsu suggest that a playable demo of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII will be available in time for the Square Enix Party, taking place from May 12th to May 13th at Makuhari Messe near Tokyo. The game is already about 70% complete which means we could very well be playing a demo version soon!

If you happen to be in Tokyo at around the time of the Square Enix Party, you might want to swing by the event and be among the first to sample this amazing looking game.

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) has announced the unveiling of a first-of-its-kind 3D online user community service for the PLAYSTATION 3. The service, known as “Home”, will enable users to create their own avatar and explore a real-time virtual community, as if they are playing a detailed 3D game for PS3. The service will become available globally beginning in fall 2007.

Home is to be demonstrated at the Game Developer’s Conference (GDC) in San Francisco, California as a key element of SCEI Worldwide Studios’ President Phil Harrison’s keynote presentation titled “Game 3.0: Developing and Creating for the 3rd Age of Videogames.”

Home is a real-time online 3D, networked community available on the PLAYSTATION Network. It allows PS3 users to interact, communicate, join online games, shop, share private content and even build and show off their own personal spaces to others in real time. Home will be available as a free download from the PLAYSTATION Store and will launch directly from XMB on PS3.

With an avatar uniquely customized according to each user’s preference, users can explore the 3D community that is Home – a sleek, modern environment featuring spacious common areas; custom spaces dedicated to specific games; and personal apartments. Each user is assigned an apartment in Home where they can invite others to join them as they show off their own style in an area they can personalize themselves with furniture, art and other items – even a different view from their windows. They can also show their personal video, pictures and other digital media content found on their PS3 hard drives in their apartments. Very rich interactive communication with others is achieved through built in text, audio and video chat, along with sophisticated emotional animations for each character.

Sharing continues in the “Hall of Fame”, where users can display new 3D trophies that will be unlocked through in-game milestones for the games they own as well viewing the trophies of other users across the PLAYSTATION Network and for other games they’ve yet to purchase.

[Via: SCEE Press]

Once again, the XTREME PSP Magazine is available to download. Our latest issue, was released little over two days ago and contains over 100 pages of content. Issue 21 has previews of Full Auto 2, Hard Rock Casino and more, plus reviews of World Snooker Challenge, Sid Meier’s Pirates and more. Also included are our usual monthly features such as new stories from last month, a new competition, tips and cheats, emails from our readers and more.

Here is a summary of the issue:

Previews

• UEFA Champions League
• Asphault 2: Urban GT
• Full Auto 2: Battlelines
• Hard Rock Casino
• The Hustle: Detroit Streets

Reviews

• Sid Meier’s Pirates
• Rocky Balboa
• World Snooker Challenge
• Battlezone

Homebrew

• HEN for Firmware 3.03
• VSH Analogue Mod
• tgaWave Creative Studio

[Download]

In a recent Press Release, Sony has confirmed the software prices for first-party launch titles. The PlayStation 3 will be released on March 23rd for £425, along side the release several titles will also be released including Motorstorm and Resistance: Fall of Man. It was previously thought that these titles will cost GBP 50 but Sony has confirmed that the games will cost GBP 39.99 (EUR 59.99, AUD 99.95, NZ 109.95). In addition to the launch titles, downloadable titles will also be available from the PlayStation Network retailing between EUR 2.99 to EUR 9.99, with titles like BlastFactor, flOw and Super Rub a Dub, and Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection available on launch day.

Additional content can also be downloaded from the PlayStation network such as trailers, bonus game content and various other items all starting from just EUR 0.99. The items available range from a new SingStar track to a premium pack for MotorStorm, which would include a new track, additional vehicles, liveries and multiplayer modes.

March 23rd will see the PlayStation 3 launched in 44 new countries with the PlayStation Network being available to only 23 of them.

[Via: SCEE Press]