147w ago - Update: Unlike the previous version, according to Examiner.com PS3 Firmware Update version 3.41 unfortunately does not appear to contain any 'hidden' features this time.

Earlier today Sony confirmed that PS3 Firmware Update 3.41 adds recommendations for games and videos on the PlayStation Store, and now it is officially released and available for download below.

Download: PS3 Firmware Update 3.41 (US) / PS3 Firmware Update 3.41 (EU)

It's important to note that while the PS3 3.41 update is released, the recommendations feature on Sony's PlayStation Store is slated to go live by the end of July, 2010.

As always, further details and any hidden PS3 features uncovered will be added as soon as...

218w ago - The PlayStation 3 launched in late 2006. Since then, Sony has added plenty of new features via constant firmware updates. Here are the top five added firmware update features on the PlayStation 3.

5. Background Downloading (PlayStation 3 Firmware Version 1.60)

Downloading content from the Playstation Store was a major pain in the early days. You have to stay on the same screen for long periods of time (in some cases, hours). Not to mention that you can't resume from the same point if you disconnected.

Playstation 3 Firmware Version 1.60 fixes that cumbersome problem by enabling background downloading, which let gamers perform other functions while in the process of downloading. In addition, you can resume a download anytime and automatically shut down the Playstation 3 once the download is complete.

4. BD-LIVE (PlayStation 3 Firmware 2.20)

For the longest time, the Playstation 3 was the best Blu-ray player on the market. The main reason for its success was the ability to upgrade to a higher profile. Therefore, the Playstation 3 was able to stay ahead of the curve by upgrading Blu-ray Profile to 1.1 and then 2.0 (BD-LIVE). It isn't just Blu-ray movies either; firmware updates also added Windows Media, DIVX and Flash media support for the Playstation 3.

240w ago - From Eric Lempel (Director, PlayStation Network Operations):

Hi everyone. We've been listening to all of your feedback about the PS3 and PSP, and with these next firmware updates (coming soon), we've added a number of new features and improved some existing functionality to make your PS3/PSP experience even better.

PSP (v5.00) update

Let's start with the v5.00 update for PSP. In this version, you'll notice the addition of the PlayStation Network icon on the XMB. You can now sign up for PlayStation Network, manage your account and access PlayStation Store directly from your PSP - meaning you can download games directly to your PSP while connected via Wi-Fi. Getting games, demos and trailers while on-the-go has never been easier! Check out the screen below.

The current PlayStation Store on the PC will be down in the interim as we take some time to revamp. Don't worry, it will re-launch soon after we've made some tweaks. Please keep in mind, if you already have a PlayStation Network account, simply sign in on your PSP using your existing information. The same account and wallet can be used on PS3 and PSP. You will be able to check out the PlayStation Store on the PSP soon, as we'll have a video demo featuring Grace Chen posted soon on the Blog.