- That PS3 keypad addon that wraps around your controller will be available in stores during the first week of December for $50.

- PS3 Firmware v2.50 is now live.
- For a reminder of what is included, Sony has you covered:

"# Support for the PS3 Official Bluetooth Headset - we’ve told you about the upcoming Bluetooth Headset and SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation Bundle on the Blog. This latest firmware installment enables High-Quality (HQ) mode, which delivers clear and wide-band online voice chat. On top of that, an added on-screen indicator shows battery status, volume level and use of HQ mode.

# PlayStation Trophies interface enhancements - I know that many of you are busy collecting trophies and raising your PlayStation Trophy level. This update makes sharing and comparing your trophies with your friends even easier. On 1st part of the profile page you’ll see a symbol under level that represents level and the actual percentage towards the next level along with the existing level meter. The level symbol carries over to the trophy comparison screen where you will now be able to see your level, your friend’s level and the percentage towards the next level for both users along with all of the game by game comparison information you see today.

# Friend status – Offline friends on your Friends list will have information below their avatars that will indicate how long it has been since they were last online.

# Video – This update adds the Scene Search feature similar to the feature on the PSP. Activating this feature while viewing a video on the PS3 will break the video up into scenes that you can quickly access by pressing the X button. You can break the videos into one, two or five minute intervals. In addition, you can now choose to have all of the videos under the video section of the XMB play in sequence. Go to Settings then Video Settings to turn this option on.

# PlayStation Store – We’ve added a redeem codes option right on the store to make it easier to redeem your PlayStation Network Cards and promotion codes. In addition, PlayStation Network Sign Up and Account Management have been redesigned.

# Power Save Settings – You can now set your PS3 and wireless controllers to turn off automatically after set periods of inactivity. Go to Settings then Power Save Settings to turn on these features.

# Background Downloading - You now have the option to set the PS3 to turn off automatically after a background download or installation of content has completed. This option is available when you turn off the system from the button under [Users] while content is being downloaded or installed.

# In-game Screenshots - this tool will allow everyone to capture, share and in other words, immortalize their favorite gameplay moments. This will be supported on a game by game basis. Please check back to find out which games will support this feature.

# In addition to all of the features above there are some additional features and enhancements included in 2.50."

-There is also Flash 9 support added to the web browser.

- "PSP Plus" is a new tech being utilized in upcoming PSP game Resistance Retribution. Players will be able to connect their PSP to their PS3 via USB and then play the PSP title with their PS3's wireless controllers, complete with dual-analog control and rumble.
- On top of all that, if you also own a copy of Resistance 2 for the PS3 then you can enable Infection mode. After connecting your systems an option in the PS3 game's menu lets you activate Infection which will alter the PSP game by transfering the Chimeran virus. This gives your character regenerative health and the ability to breathe underwater which means you can access previously inaccessible areas of the game world and uncover extra secrets and details on the overall Resistance plot.

- AlexP is a smart guy and has written Windows drivers for the PS3's PlayStation Eye.

- From IGN:

"This Fall, PSP will gain direct access to the PlayStation Store. This long promised feature will allow for PSP users to download demos and more directly to the portable without having to go through the PS3 or PC.

In Japan, Sony will commemorate the new PS Store-friendly PSP with the release of Mainichi Issyo Portable. The PS3 version of the Japan-only title is available as a free download, with Sony charging for items and gameplay modes that are added every month.

Perhaps more significant than both these developments, Sony will be offering PSP players some new connectivity options thanks to a new service that further ties the portable with the PS3. This Fall, select PSP titles will allow players to go through the PS3 to take their ad-hoc multiplayer modes online. When playing in this fashion, the PS3 can be used for text and chat messaging and also for matching.

Currently, Sony has confirmed that Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G will be compatible with this new service. In Japan, this is big news, as that title has sold over 2.4 million units.

Other titles, as well as further details on the service, will be announced in the near future.

Both these features will be compatible with all models of the PSP, from the original up to the new PSP-3000."

- There are some rumours circulating that this is a way to backup your PS3 games to the HDD and play from there without the need for a disc.
- More news as we get is, but Engadget tips us off.

- VidZone is a new music service for streaming and downloading songs and music videos to your PS3 and other Sony devices.
- Joystiq do their unboxing of PlayTV.
- And finally there is EyePet, which you can see a trailer for below.

- Two rumours about upcoming features in future PS3 firmware updates.
- First is the ability to rip PS2 Singstar tracks into the PS3 version, much like Rock Band.
- Second is screenshot functionality via the XMB.

- A pair of new PS3 SKUs are making themselves available.
- First is a 160GB version, packaged with Drake's Fortune, Pain and a DualShock 3 for $500. Buy Now
- There is also a new 80GB version which is rumoured to contain new
65nm CPU and GPU chips. Buy Now
- Joystiq put together a chart comparing the PS3 SKUs.

- Multiple reports of Sony's new Wireless Keypad accessory for the PS3 are showing up, including a listing on Amazon for $50.

- Here is a post to catch up on a bunch of PS3 news.
- First, there have been some firmware updates. v240 was taken down, but v241 quickly followed up. v242 is out now too.
- For those interested in Trophies, info has come out about the Little Big Planet additions. Apparently Sony may mandate some unique trophies for their titles, (in other words, challenges that are different to Xbox 360 achievements.)
- Qore have continued to put out new episodes.
- Logitech released a steering wheel.
- There is now a Greatest Hits line of games for PS3. Find out which are worth buying. In other cheap games news, Ratchet and Clank: Quest for Booty is only $15.
- Sony cut the price of the 80GB PS3 down to $400. EU/Australia will get it in August. The FCC got in on the action and showed off some details of the new model.
- Your PSN account will work cross platform.
- Then there is the PSN video store. It is open now, but not in the PAL regions. However, the EU will get PlayTV in September.
- Certain areas of Home will be region locked. A couple of game specific areas were revealed for Warhawk and Uncharted.
- Some more lifestyle apps, "Life with PlayStation" is coming this month.
- Sony love their XMB interface, of PSP and PS3 fame. So much so that the XMB is coming to Vaio laptops.
- And PS3 homebrew is kicking off and we now have the inevitable Pong for PS3.

- Firmware v241 is now out to fix the problems in v240 from earlier this week.
- Now that the issues are all fixed, here is a closer look at some of the things you get with it:

• Cleaned up PSN Store Interface


• Platinum Trophy image changed already

- The Official Sony Blog has news on the firmware issues:

"As has been reported on many gaming blogs and websites, we have temporarily taken Firmware v2.40 offline. We've received a limited number of calls from consumers experiencing an issue with installing the system software update on their PS3. While our consumer services department has seen a low volume of calls on this topic, we are committed to providing the PS3 community with XMB access features delivered in the v2.40 update. We are working diligently to isolate the problem for those few consumers and to identify a solution before we put the firmware back up.

We'll provide further information as necessary here on the Blog."