Extra Boring PS3 Firmware Update Hits. The sequel to PlayStation 3 firmware 2.51 has been launched, with the latest chapter in the saga (2.52) speeding its way to hard drives as we speak. What's new? Two things according to Sony: a fix for a text entry issue with some titles and a note that "the playback quality of some PS3 format software has been improved." What software? Got me. Sony hasn't responded to our request for clarification, but we think it's a safe guess that LittleBigPlanet runs a little bit better.

PSP Firmware 5.01 Coming Soon, Terribly Unexciting. Sony informs us via the official PlayStation.blog that new PSP firmware is coming and coming soon. You'll really only care if you're an owner of a 8 GB or 16 GB variety Memory Stick PRO Duo, which wasn't being properly recognised by the new PSP accessible Store. We were hoping for control over nuclear launch codes and such. Perhaps next firmware...

Klytus, I'm bored. What play thing can you offer me today? How about Flash 9 support for your PlayStation 3? Sony's 'unofficial' PlayStation 3 blog ThreeSpeech has new details on the upcoming firmware 2.5 update for the PS3. On top of all of the nifty new features listed yesterday, their update on the topic indicates that the console's Flash support is getting kicked up several notches.

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PlayStation 3 firmware update 2.41, a fix for the problem-plagued 2.40, is officially live now, and SCEE has released an official statement explaining just what happened:

"The PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) system software version 2.41 is now available for update from July 8, 2008. With this update, we have fixed the problem that prevented a limited number of PS3s from activating properly after updating to version 2.40, when certain system administrative data were contained on the HDD.

The statement continues:

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While the 2.40 PS3 firmware was eagerly anticipated, it didn't go as smoothly as Sony would've liked. Sony actually had to take 2.40 down due to issues a few users were having while installing the update. And as we previously mentioned, the 2.41 firmware should fix any problems 2.40 had. Over at the PlayStation.Blog, PSN director Eric Lempel blogs:

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Sony's big 2.40 update for the PS3 has been down since the middle of last week, following some issues a few users had while trying to install the firmware. When, then, can we expect a fix? Around the same time this week, if Sony's customer support are to be believed. They say that firmware 2.41 - which will fix the busted 2.40 - will be out "midweek". Unless they're making that up, an official announcement from Sony on the matter should turn up later today.

PS3 firmware 2.41 out "midweek", says Sony [CVG]

The release of PlayStation 3 firmware 2.40 last night seems to have caused a wide number of issues for those who updated to the new release, as we reported earlier. It now appears that Sony has since pulled the newest update, reverting back to firmware 2.36 as the most recent available version. We were just prompted to download version 2.36 after having skipped the most recent pair of PS3 software updates.

This may be a temporary move to prevent more widespread reliability issues. We are awaiting confirmation on the move from Sony and will update when we hear back.

Thanks to Eddie H for the quick tip.

Update: SCEA has gotten back to us to let us know they are "looking into it".

According to CVG, the much-hyped PS3 firmware update to 2.40 - the one that'll bring trophies and in-game XMB access - won't be launching "soon". Instead, Sony will be holding it back, and launching it around the time of the company's E3 address in three weeks time. They also claim to have gotten hold of the final list of features contained within the update. It's a literal list of updates - meaning the exact function of some of them is unclear - but hey, use your imagination.

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