Blu-ray Digital Copy for PSP

- From Joystiq:

"Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has finally debuted the first batch of Blu-ray discs that take advantage of Digital Copy for PSP. With this feature, people that own both a PS3 and a PSP will be able to copy a portable version of a movie directly from a Blu-ray disc to Sony's handheld. Well, almost directly.
There are a few steps you must take to activate the PSP copy. When you insert the Blu-ray disc into the PS3, you'll see two icons appear on the XMB, one that allows you to store a SD version of the movie to your PS3 hard drive. You must be logged on to the PlayStation Network and then enter a unique 12-digit code included with the disc. Once the activation process is complete, a 2GB file will transfer to your PS3. You can watch this movie on the hard drive (but why would you when you have the Blu-ray disc?), or you can copy it over to the PSP -- a process which takes about five minutes total.
The video quality of the "Digital Copy" is fantastic, especially on the PSP's smaller screen. Unfortunately, the initial batch of movies leaves a lot to be desired: Godzilla (the 1998 American version), The Ugly Truth and Angels & Demons. Hopefully, SPHE will start implementing the feature on some ... y'know, good movies in the future."

PS3 Firmware v3.15 - Play PSP Minis on PS3

- PS3 Firmware v3.15 is out now and adds support for playing PSP Minis on the PS3.
- Like PSone classics, buy the game once from the PlayStation Store and it will work on both platforms.
- If you have already bought a Mini on your PSP and want to play it on your PS3, access it from the Store's archived Download List.
- Only five titles work at first, ("Blast Off", "Echoes", "Kahoots", "Stand O' Food" and "Zombie Tycoon",) the rest coming next week.

Sony planning paid PSN subscriptions for 2010

- From GameStop:

"Slides accompanying a Thursday presentation by Sony show that the company is planning a "new revenue stream from subscription" on PSN in 2010. During the presentation, which emphasized Sony's plans to make its game business profitable in the next fiscal year, Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Kaz Hirai confirmed the plans. "We will be building upon our current free [PSN] service offering with premium content and services to start the subscription model," he told attendees.
Perhaps to assuage PS3 owners' fears that they would soon have to pay to play online, Hirai issued a subsequent statement indicating the present level of service would remain gratis."

Firmware v3.10 Released

- Firmware Update v3.10 allows PS3 players to post events to their Facebook wall, including Trophies won in-game, PSN purchases, and game events.
- If you enable the option on your console you will be prompted to approve each potential message first.
- Also included, unrelated to Facebook, are enhanced Photos and Friends List designs.
- There is also an error reporting mechanism which pops up after console freezes/crashes.

Sony Being Sued For v3.0 Firmware Failures

- From Courthouse News Service:

"SAN FRANCISCO (CN) - Thousands of Sony PlayStation 3 owners say they downloaded a mandatory software update that irreparably damaged their machines, causing the consoles to freeze and the controllers to stop working. In a federal class action against Sony Computer Entertainment America, disgruntled gamers say their PS3s crashed after they installed Firmware 3.0, which Sony claimed would add "a number of great new features" and "changes that improve navigation on (their) PS3."
Sony allegedly released another software update several months later that not only failed to cure the problem, but also caused users' Blu-ray drives to malfunction.
Lead plaintiff John Kennedy says Sony told him it would cost an extra $150 to repair his damaged console after he downloaded the software updates.
Class members demand declaratory relief, compensation and restitution for breach of implied warranty, negligence and unjust enrichment.
They are represented by David Parisi with Parisi & Havens in Sherman Oaks, Calif."

Assasins Creed 2: PSP/PS3 Linking

- Take a look at how playing Assasins Creed 2 on PSP can help you in the PS3 version:

PS3 Adds Voice Recognition

- Sony have announced that they are adding voice recognition to their Cell SDK:

PlayStation Motion Controller

- Sony talk about the development of the PlayStation Motion Controller:

Firmware v3.00 Bugs

- Firmware v3.00 has apparently caused players to see several issues.
- Some controllers no longer respond, even after restarting them or restoring the system. Some inconclusive evidence hints that this only happens to unofficial controllers.
- Uncharted players also say the game is freezing quickly and often.
- Sony have announced that they are looking into the problems. Check here for updates.

"SCEA is aware of reports that PS3 owners are experiencing isolated issues with their PS3 system since installing the most recent system software update (v3.00). Rest assured that we are looking into the matter and will provide an update here as soon as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience, as it’s our mission to deliver the best consumer experience on all PlayStation platforms."

PS3 Firmware 3.0

- PS3 Firmware 3.0 is now available, adding a "What's New" section, a status indicator, a renovated friends list, PlayStation Store shortcuts and animated backgrounds to your PS3's main menu screen.

PS3 Slim Sold at a Loss

- Joystiq has this:

"Speaking to the UK's Times Online during last week's GamesCom event, Sony boss Kaz Hirai provided some insight into the ramifications following the introduction of the smaller, cheaper PS3 Slim. Hirai noted that while the system itself would be sold at a loss, it would be buoyed by other elements of the PlayStation platform.

"If you look at the growth of the installed base, it is slower than the PS2 was but it's pretty much on track with the growth that we had with the original PlayStation," Hirai said. Responding to the issue of selling the redesigned PS3 at a loss, Hirai explained, "I don't actually know that that's the true nature of the business that we're all in, whether it's PlayStation, Xbox or the Wii. I think the better indicator is to look at the business as a whole platform, to ask: are you profitable in terms of the hardware, software and peripherals. And the answer to that question is yes on a gross profit level since the last fiscal year."

If Sony's price-cutting measures have their intended effect and lift the whole PlayStation platform, Hirai might just be in a position next year to boast about profits so plentiful ... it's gross."

Cheap Third Party PS3 Chatpad

- Blazepro's Wireless Keypad is now available for your PS3 typing pleasure.
- It may be ugly, but at only $11 compared to the $50 for the offical chatpad you get yourself a bargain.
- You have to use a 2.4GHz USB dongle to communicate with your PS3 rather than the built-in Bluetooth, but again, this is ~80% cheaper than Sony's.

PS3 and PSP How-To Guides

- The PlayStation Blog has posted several How-To Tutorials to help you out.

• How to make your own PS3 Themes


• How to make your own PSP Themes


• How to create and view a photo slideshow on PS3


• How to import a music CD and create an audio playlist on PS3


• How to setup remote play between your PSP and PS3


• How to surf the internet on your PS3


• How to start a video chat on PS3


• How to use the PS3 visualizer

Use a Blackberry as a PS3 Remote

- Another remote and keyboard alternative, for those of you with a Blackberry anyway, has appeared from Unify4Life.
- Check out the Game|Shadow dongle and app.

Windows Drivers for Dualshock 3

- An enterprising young lad by the name of wraggster has posted some PS3 controller drivers for Windows that he has hacked together.

3-in-1 Keyboard, Remote and Joypad

- Don't like Sony's chatpad? Try this third party model instead which combines a keyboard, remote control and gamepad.