147w ago - Today Examiner.com (linked above) reports that numerous users who opted to upgrade the PS3 HDD are now experiencing issues with the recently released PS3 Firmware 3.41 update.

It is not yet determined if these issues are related to the PS3 Firmware Patches Sony instituted beginning with PlayStation 3 Firmware update version 3.41, however, there is currently a lengthy thread on Sony's official board covering the issues.

To summarize, quoting from Examiner.com: "The problems being reported are the following: PS3 owners are unable to update their system to firmware 3.41, HDD upgrades aren't being allowed, systems are crashing, and after installing a new HDD the system isn't fully downloading the file and then prompts users with a message stating 'no applicable data found'."

150w ago - Square Enix recently announced that the PC version of Final Fantasy XIV will arrive this September while the PS3 version is delayed until March 2011, and according to FFXIV producer Hiromichi Tanaka the reason for the delay on Sony's PlayStation 3 is due to technical issues.

In a recent interview with JeuxOnline he explained as follows, to quote:

"We understand the wrath of players and developers are sorry because they did everything they could to have a simultaneous release date, but unfortunately they have encountered many technical problems on the development of the game for PS3. We strive to release the game as soon as possible.

If possible, we would publish the game sooner, we would like to start as soon as possible the beta on PS3."

159w ago - Sony's Portal Manager Emmanuel Orssaud has posted up a PlayStation Network and Error Code 80029564 issues update today for those currently experiencing problems with the PSN Store.

To quote: We are aware of the issues with PSN Store. Here's an update on the problem:

Wallet Top ups using Credit/Debit Cards

Some customers were unable to add funds to their account yesterday. If customers tried to top up their wallets multiple times yesterday they should wait a few hours from their last attempt before trying again.

As we expect traffic on PlayStation Network to be extremely high over the coming days customers should try to make any purchases outside of peak hours if at all possible (off-peak hours: morning/early afternoon Western European time).

A small number of customers may have noticed PlayStation®Network transactions on their credit/debit card or their available credit limit reduced, but these top ups may not have been reflected in their PlayStation Network accounts. These transactions should be reversed within the next 24 hours.

Wallet Top ups using PSN Cards

Wallet top ups using PSN Cards should not have been affected by the problems yesterday. If any customer has had problems redeeming their PSN Cards please...

181w ago - It's now been over two weeks since Sony released PS3 Firmware 3.10, however, according to several reports this weekend including Loot-Ninja.com (linked above) and the official PlayStation Forums it introduced a nasty Bluetooth controller sync issue.

Apparently many gamers who updated to PS3 Firmware 3.10 now have to use their PS3 controllers connected with a USB cable to play games, however, most reports are isolated to new PS3 Slim console although some early PS3 owners are also having issues it seems.

To quote: "Yesterday I ran into a troubling issue with my PS3 Slim where none of my three DualShock 3 controllers sync to my console via the wireless Bluetooth standard. Whenever I press the PlayStation button, all I get is four flashing lights as the controllers make a valiant attempt to sync with the PS3, but fail miserably.

After going through the troubleshooting steps provided by Sony, I did what any frustrated gamer would do: I searched Google. Turns out, there are quite a few people experiencing the exact same issue, some of which are having trouble with Bluetooth headsets...

182w ago - According to Hardocp.com (linked above), the British Royal Navy sailors in the UK are being issued with PSPs in order to help them with their training.

Apparently, the PSP units come preloaded with slides and commentary which are about 8-12 minutes per training session.

To quote: "While the US builds PS3-based grids for cracking passwords, the UK is buying Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) units and issuing them to Royal Navy sailors for use in training. The units come preloaded with study packages of slides and commentary and are about 8-12 minutes per session.

The first to receive the devices are marine warfare engineering technicians, who maintain the fleet's radar, sonar, VHF radio and communications systems.

If the PSPs are a success, their distribution could be widened throughout the Navy, starting with air and marine engineers but potentially to many other disciplines."