We have been working on a new PS3 system software update that requires all PSN users to change their password once PlayStation Network is restored. The update (v3.61) is mandatory and is available now.
If using a PS3, your password can only be changed on your own PS3 (or a PS3 on which your PSN account was activated), as an added layer of security. If you have never downloaded any content using your account on the system, an email will be sent to the registered sign-in ID (email address) associated with your account when you first attempt to sign-in to PSN. This e-mail will contain a link that will enable you to change your password. In this email, click on the link and follow the instructions to change your password. Once you have changed your password you can sign-in to your account using your new password.
We strongly recommend that all PSN account holders with PS3s update their systems to prepare for when PlayStation Network is back online. The release of this update is a critical step as we work to make PlayStation Network significantly more secure. Thank you for your continued support and patience.

An update to the PS3 system software was released on 21 September 2010. If you update your PS3 system, the system software version will be 3.50 and the following features will be updated. In order to download PS3 system software version 3.50, you will need a minimum 170MB of free space on either the PS3 Hard Disk Drive (System Update) or on removable storage media (PC Update).
Main features in system software update version 3.50
Blu-ray 3D disc playback.
The PS3 system can now play 3D content on Blu-ray 3D discs.
Note:
A 3D compatible television that complies with the 3D standard and a high-speed HDMI cable are required to watch 3D content.
Depending on the content, some elements may be displayed differently in 3D on the PS3 system than on other playback devices.
Other new or revised features in version 3.50
Friends
You can now submit grief reports if you receive unwelcome or harassing messages.
Other
You can now access public information on Facebook from Facebook-supported games.

An update to the PS3 system software was released on 7 September 2010. If you update your PS3 system, the system software version will be 3.42 and the following features will be updated. In order to download PS3 system software version 3.42, you will need a minimum 168MB of free space on either the PS3 Hard Disk Drive (System Update) or on removable storage media (PC Update).
Main features in system software update version 3.42
* A patch has been added to address security vulnerability in the system software.

For those users who are replacing the PS3 hard disk drive: we are aware of the symptoms with the system software update 3.41, released on July 27, and that it will cause the update to stop in some occasions while replacing the PlayStation 3 (PS3) Hard Disk Drive (HDD) if the PS3 system is installed with version 3.41.
To resolve these symptoms, we have released a new version of system software update 3.41 with a very minor change (the version number does not change) on August 2. If you are experiencing such symptoms when replacing the HDD of your PS3 system, we kindly ask you to use the latest data and try again. We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused, and appreciate your understanding and continued support.
For any other questions, please contact your local customer service.

Hi everyone, once again were adding new features to your PS3 via firmware update to continue to try and bring you the best entertainment experience possible. PS3 system software update (v3.40) is available available later today, adding the ability to purchase a PlayStation Plus subscription, improved connection between your PlayStation Network and Facebook accounts and more. Additionally, well be launching system software update (v6.30) for the PSP system simultaneously with PS3 v3.40 and adding PlayStation Plus compatibility for the people that own both a PS3 and PSP.

Here are a few highlights from the new PS3 firmware update (v3.40):
PlayStation Plus: PSN users will be able to purchase membership to PlayStation Plus which is a new premium subscription service on PSN that lets you expand and enhance your gaming experience and enable you to gain an exclusive set of features and content. Dont forget though, all PSN users will continue to have free access to PSNs existing and brand new features while PlayStation Plus subscribers will also gain access to an exclusive set of gaming features, content and functionality.
Games & Special Offers access to great games every month worth over 200 a year, exclusive discount on PlayStation Store and early access to demos and beta trails.
Exclusive Content download and keep loads of new and exclusive premium avatars, dynamic themes and game add-ons.
Full Game Trial Try full games each month for a limited period before you decide whether to buy them.
Automatic Download Set your PS3 to automatically wake up, download and install all of your game updates, new game demos and even download the latest system software. All without you lifting a finger.
Limited Special Offer To celebrate the launch of PlayStation Plus we are also offering users the chance to get hold of LittleBigPlanet completely free. Simply sign up for a 1 year membership between now (29th) and the 3rd August 2010 and a downloadable copy of the award winning PS3 game is yours to keep forever.
Photo Gallery: A new network based photo sharing feature is now available on the Photo Gallery. The enhancement allows you to upload, browse and comment on photos on Facebook and Picasa. You can also opt to share your photos between your PlayStation Network friends as well as print photos from Photo Gallery.
Video Editor & Uploader: Video Editor and Uploader is a new function found on the XrossMediaBar (XMB), which enables you to edit, save and upload video files stored on the PS3 system to sites such as Facebook or YouTube.
PlayStation Store Five Star Rating Support: Users can now rate PlayStation Store content they have purchased with one to five star ratings.
Power Save Settings: The default setting for PS3 System Auto-Off will be set at 2 hours, providing you with additional power save options and further improving power save features on the PS3 system.
As well as the latest features introduced in PS3 system software update (v3.40), a separate, new PSN application will be made available on Facebook. This builds on the previous connection with Trophies and the ability to share purchases from the PlayStation Store. Now you can further integrate your PSN and Facebook accounts with this new application, which allows you to display your PSN profile on Facebook, send a PSN friend request to friends on Facebook and add the PSN application tab to your Facebook Profile.

Hi everyone, in our continued effort to provide the best, most comprehensive entertainment experience possible, well be adding a few new features to PlayStation 3 (PS3) via the latest system software update, which is a mandatory update and will be available shortly. Most notably, youll see some new sorting options within Trophies that make it easier to claim bragging rights among your friends on PlayStation Network.
Trophy enhancements - Now you can more easily sort trophies in the [Trophy Collection] and [Comparing Trophy] sections. Sorting can be done with [Trophy Collection] in the [Game Category] and also when comparing trophies with your friends in the [Friend Category]
Trophy Folder (Title List) can be sorted by game name/ by title according to the date in which you earned your last trophy (ascending/descending)
Add-on list (Group list) can be sorted by original/the date in which you earned your last trophy (ascending/descending)
Trophy list can be sorted by original/trophy name/grade/date of obtaining the trophy (ascending/descending)
In addition, this update preps the PS3 system for some upcoming new features, including 3D stereoscopic gaming, which is coming soon to PS3, in time for the launch of Sonys 3D BRAVIA TVs.

PS3 Firmware 3.21 will be available this Thursday. It will disable the Install Other OS feature that was available on the PS3 systems prior to the current slimmer models, launched in September 2009. This feature enabled users to install an operating system, but due to security concerns, were now removing this feature.
For most of you, this wont have any impact on how you use your PS3. If you are one of the few who use the Other OS feature, or if you belong to an organisation that does, then you can choose not to upgrade your system. However, doing so will mean that the following features will not be available:
Ability to sign in to PlayStation Network and use network features that require signing in to PlayStation Network, such as online features of PS3 games and chat.
Playback of PS3 software titles or Blu-ray Disc videos that require PS3 system software version 3.21 or later.
Playback of copyright-protected videos that are stored on a media server (when DTCP-IP is enabled under Settings).
Use of new features and improvements that are available on PS3 system software 3.21 or later.
If you currently use the Other OS feature and you wish to update to system software 3.21, make sure you back-up any data stored within the hard drive partition used by the Other OS, as they will not be able to access that data following the update.

Hi Guys
The next system software update for PS3 will be available very soon. Update 3.15 is an optional update and has two key features which are explained below
minis come to PS3:

We launched minis for PSP back in October but from the 17th December you will be able to enjoy these bite size games on your PS3 as well as your PSP. This firmware update allows the minis emulator to work on PS3 and we are working on getting the majority of the current minis ready for the PS3 from the 17th December.
Check out great titles like Blast off (8.5/10 IGN), Fieldrunners, a wonderfully crafted casual nugget (8/10 Eurogamer) or Kahoots, a must-buy (8/10 Videogamer).
If you buy a minis game from the 17th it will work on both platforms so if you have a PS3 and a PSP you will only need to buy it once and it will be available to download to your PS3 and your PSP.
If you have already bought a mini for PSP and want to get it on your PS3 as well, just go to your download list in the Store and download it again for free. The game will then work on your PS3 as well.
PS3 Data Transfer:

This feature enables you to transfer all of your saved data from one PS3 to another. So if you decide to get a new PS3 you can make sure you dont loose any of your existing content. Content such as games, game save data, and videos downloaded from PlayStation Network can be transferred to the new PS3 system and deleted from the current PS3. Other content, including personal media files (photos, music, videos), can be copied onto the new PS3 and remain on the current PS3 system.

Hi Guys, just wanted to give you some more detail on the main features of firmware 3.10 for your PS3. Hopefully you will have seen the American video previously posted that demos some of these features. If not check it out here.
As shown in the video and the screenshots below, the Photo view on the XMB has been improved. Your photos are now shown in a grid format rather than in one line to make it easier for you to skip straight to the photo you want or browse an album quickly.

Weve added some links to the worlds most popular social network site, Facebook.
If you want to show your friends what trophies youve earned or brag about your gaming prowess, simply go to account management, under PSN, and turn this option on to share your triumphs with your friends
You can also share information about your PSN Store purchases if you want. Turn this on the same way and you will be asked each time you purchase from the store if you want to share it on Facebook or not. Let all your friends know what youre playing and get them to join you online.


Television lovers in other parts of Europe can now enjoy faster access to catch-up on TV with the addition of the following on-demand TV sites to the XMB over the next few days
RTVE, Antena 3 and LaSexta Spain


NOS Netherlands

AXN/Animax Czech/Poland/Hungary/Bulgaria/Romania & Slovakia


No need to watch catch-up TV on your PC anymore, enjoy it in the comfort of your living room and on your big screen.
We are working on adding more of these as soon as we can
You will also see in the screenshot below, and the previous video post, that the next stage of the Friends list update is complete and, as you can see, only the profile thats selected has the coloured box.

This brings us to the final part of the main updated features which is that you can now customize your PSN profile with your favourite colour. Just open up your profile and click X on the upper left tab to get the colour pallet and to choose your colour.

This is the colour that your profile will appear as on all your friends PS3s.
Hope you like the new features and we will let you know about the next update as soon as we can
Cheers
James
Update: Hi Guys, just wanted to clarify a couple of things regarding the catch up TV icons for the XMB
There seems to have been some confusion that these might be access to the live TV stations but they are not. They are quick links to the broadcasters catch-up TV sites that have been optimised for the PS3 browser and TV screen viewing. (programmes that have previously been broadcast live.)
Also I have been informed that Animax is not available in Poland and Bulgaria, as previously stated
Poland AXN
Czech AXN and Animax
Slovakia AXN and Animax
Hungary AXN and Animax
Romania AXN and Animax
Bulgaria AXN

Hi everyone, PS3 system software update 3.01 is now available for download. This is an optional update that improves system stability during use of some PlayStation 3 format software.

Have you heard? Firmware 3.00 has been unleashed and is now available to download via System Update on the XMB. In case youre not entirely sure what new features this update contains, weve got a video walkthrough, showcasing some of the major improvements. Check it out below.

I also wanted to take some time to discuss one specific 3.00 feature with you the Whats New Screen. By default, this is the first thing that you will see when you enter the XMB (though you can turn this off in the PS3s settings). Were aiming to provide links to content that PlayStation fans will find interesting. This content can be streaming video, a link to a webpage (such as a blog post, perhaps!) or a direct link to an item on the the PlayStation Store.
The aim is for the Whats New Screen to be a community tool. Weve got some big plans already, but we also want to know what you, the community, want from it. Have a think and let us know in the comments section below.

Hello, I just wanted to provide everyone with a heads up that the next PLAYSTATION 3 system software update (v2.80) will be coming soon. The playback quality of some PLAYSTATION 3 format software has been improved.