Well, after we covered the upcoming PS3 firmware update, v2.40, we hope you weren’t one of the unfortunate people who had problems with the new firmware, which Sony soon pulled. We’re hearing that it’s likely v2.41 will be released this week, which should be what v2.40 claimed to be.

Of course, many people won’t care about their PS3 this week, as they continue to try to get the O2 website to accept their iPhone 3G upgrade order, which has failed for many people.  Some people are claiming that it’s deliberate marketing ploy by Apple to keep stocks limited to add to the hype.

Sony have confirmed that the next PS3 update, v2.40, will include in game XMB menu access, and trophies, for which Sony promise more information soon. A word of warning though, the v2.36 PS3 update needs to ship out first, so it may still be some time before we see the v2.40 firmware.

The PSP v4.00 firmware is due to become available “soon”. Despite the impression of a major update based on the version number, but actually, it appears the main new feature is the ability to perform Google searches direct from the menu system, with a search history recall of the last 20 searches. You will also be able to speed up or slow down the playback speed of videos from the memory card. This is achieved by pressing the up or down directional buttons whilst playing a video.

We’ll give you more news when it’s actually available.

After releasing the initial support for the Nintendo Wii last week, the BBC have also explained that they weren’t able to reach a deal with Sony to provide the same functionality on the PS3. However, an enterprising individual has created the website PS3iPlayer.com, which, if you access it from your PS3, will get you access to the BBC iPlayer website. It’s doesn’t work perfectly, but it at least shows what could be possible if the BBC and Sony were able to resolve their artistic differences.

Story courtesy of Tech Digest.

If you are a 3 user, they have signed a deal with Sony BMG to provide free music videos (free of all charges, including data download charges). This service will encompass a whole range of Sony BMG’s signed artists. The downside? There will be a targetted ads at the start of every music video.

According to Engadget, we should see a new firmware (v2.20) for the Sony PS3 before the end of the month. This will include support for the Blu-ray v2.0 spec, downloadable video content, ringtones, and interactive movie-based games. Resume Play will also be included, which means a Blu-ray disk can be restarted from where you were when it was stopped, even if the disk is removed. Also, DivX and WMV files larger than 2GB will be supported.

Sony have announced this iPod / iPhone Dock / Clock Radio, with the catchy model name of ICF-ClipMK2, which will be available in the US in May for around $100 in both Black and White. No word on UK availability though. Interesting that a main brand like Sony is to support a rival’s device like this…

As discussed before here, Sony have now (finally) released the new PSP-Lite firmware (v3.90) which includes Skype support. You additionally need the PSP Skype Headset. This offers a full Skype experience, including SkypeIN and SkypeOUT. It is currently only available via the Network Update facility direct on the device, but a PC download option should appear soon.

According to Engadget, Sony has had to delay the launch of their Skype service, as the hardware involved failed Skype certification. This should only be a delay of a few weeks.

Sony have confirmed that Skype will be coming to the PSP-Slim via a firmware update later this month, but that it will not be available on the original PSP.

The Skype functionality includes SkypeIN and SkypeOUT though, which the 3 Skypephone doesn’t have.

The rumour mill is in full swing, in advance of International CES (Consumer Electronics Show), and this one caught our attention. Apparently the next PSP firmware update will include Skype support.  More details should be revealed by Sony next week.

As well as the new PSP firmware we’ve just mentioned, Sony have released a new firmware for the PS3 too (v2.10). This adds DivX support (following on from Microsoft releasing the same function for the Xbox 360). They’ve also added support for Blu-Ray Profile 1.1, which adds a useful Picture-in-Picture facility. Maybe best of all (for some people), they’ve enabled Remote Play of PS1 games on your PSP from your PS3, whether using the original disk, or if you have downloaded it direct from Sony onto your PS3.

If you have a Sony PSP, then you may be interested in the new Streaming Audio feature available in the latest PSP firmware, v3.80. This new feature can be used for listening to Internet Radio on your device. Also of interest, an update to the RSS reader means it can now display images too. The video player has also been updated with a video scene search feature.

It’s not clear if this firmware is released for UK PSPs yet, but if not, it won’t be long before it is.