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Windows 7, the next version of Windows, is closer than you might think, with early copies already in the hands of OEMs and trusted partners. Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer demonstrated an early version of its user interface at the D6: All Things Digital conference in May but Steven Sinofsky – who took over Windows 7 after his success getting Office out of the door on time, time after time – is well known for keeping things close to his chest.

There's been very little solid information about just what's going to go into Microsoft's flagship OS, just plenty of speculation and rumour. So what can you expect from Windows 7? Here's what we predict...

1. Windows 7 won't be a from-the-ground up rewrite of Windows. Instead it'll be an evolution of the NT kernel as updated in Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, according to Windows Product Manager Chris Flores. This will mean that applications should run without needing significant cha... More »  


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A new PlayStation 3 Firmware has hit Network Update, namely version 2.42.

According to PlayStation Network director Eric Lempel via the PS Blog, PS3 Firmware 2.42 improves the playback quality of some PLAYSTATION 3 and PlayStation format software.

As usual, a direct link to the PS3 Firmware download is provided below in case you wish to install the update manually.

Download: PS3 Firmware 2.42 (US) / PS3 Firmware 2.42 (EU)


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To quote from Eric Lempel (Director, PlayStation Network Operations) via the PlayStation Blog yesterday: As many of you know, we released PS3 Firmware update v2.40 last week, but had to take it offline temporarily because, for a limited number of users, the XMB wouldn’t display after the update was installed. We’ve been able to fix the problem, and I’m happy to report that Firmware Update v2.41 will be released shortly.

That being said, those interested can grab PS3 Firmware v2.41 below!

Download: PS3 Firmware Update v2.41 (US) / PS3 Firmware Update v2.41 (EU)

More soon, when official word is availab... More »  


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Firmware 2.40 brings the PS3 closer to a fully-fledged system, but there are still problems with the system software and features that are missing.

In this article, we detail some of the problems faced by the existing system software and what additional features can make it better. While not everyone will agree with the problems and improvements features in this article, it just goes to show how many flaws the system has and how far off it is from perfect.

Don't get me wrong here. I love my PS3 but there is always the need for criticism.

Current Problems (and possible solutions):

The friends list takes long to load - if you have over 50 friends, your friends list can take a while to load, in addition, it takes some time for their online status to refresh. One way to solve this problem is to cache the list and reload it as needed. Currently, it seems that the list is loaded fresh every time the console is started.

Lack o... More »  


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Sony's Patrick Seybold (Director, Corporate Communications & Social Media) has issued an official response to reports that they've taken Firmware v2.40 offline.

They confirm that they have indeed removed the Firmware due to a 'limited number of calls from consumers' and reassure us all they are working dilligently to sort the problem 'for those few consumers' and find a solution before putting the Firmware back up.

To quote: As has been reported on many gaming blogs and Web sites, we have temporarily taken Firmware v2.40 offline. We’ve received a limited number of calls from consumers experiencing an issue with installing the system software update on their PS3. While our consumer services department has seen a low volume of calls on this topic, we are committed to providing the PS3 community with XMB access features delivered in the v2.40 update.

We are working diligently to isolate the problem for those few consumers and to i... More »  


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Update: Via Sony's online help desk in response to the 2.4 issues:

"The PLAYSTATION 3 system software version 2.40 has been temporarily taken offline and will not be available for download as our engineers examine any possible issues with this update. The Knowledge Center will be updated with information as it becomes available; please check back here for further details."

After countless reports of problems across the Internet (here, here, a... More »  


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Thanks to reader Ben Torode, we've got a proper translation of this Watch Impress article, detailing a number of new features coming to 2.40 not yet mentioned by SCEA, as far as we know:

1. The way to quit games has also been modified in line with these changes, and a game can be exited by pressing the PS button during a game and selecting "Game" then "Quit Game" from the XMB.

2. On the XMB in general, added functions include a clock displayed on the XMB, a function to delete all entered text in the entry field when using text entry with a keyboard, and a function which displays an icon to indicate when operation of the PS button is disabled.

3. In "Users" under the XMB, an item has been added to power off the PS3 console. Under "Settings", options have been added to automatically power off after a system software update, and "assign controller", "controller vibration fu... More »  


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SCEE have just announced that PS3 Firmware 2.40 will be made available on July 2nd, bringing PS3 owners some excellent new functionality. Read on for SCEE’s press release...

Get more from online gaming on PLAYSTATION®3 with the Free 2.40 Firmware enhancement

PS3™ to give online gamers the features they’ve been requesting: XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) access in-game and trophies available in this free, automatic system upgrade

June 30, 2008: Sony Computer Entertainment Europe today announced new online gaming functionality for PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™), which will become available on July 2, 2008 with the 2.40 enhancement, an automatic firmware upgrade that delivers several of the features most requested by gamers. Combined with PLAYSTATION®Network’s unique service of free* online gaming, the enhancement makes PS3 an even more attractive platform of choice for the online gamer.

Firstly, the 2.40 enhancement allows XMB™ (XrossMedia... More »  


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