Although it hasn't been released in the most official of channels (be it the ol' reliable PlayStation downloads), shun goku satsu, moderator of the Official PlayStation Portable forums, has begun a discussion of future firmware updates for the PlayStation Portable. Lo and behold, for within the introductory post, the moderator slapped on Firmware 3.70 - a software update for the North American iteration of the PSP-1001 (as specified).

Find it hard to believe? If it feels like a huge Venetian rug has been pulled right from under you, we know how you feel. Moderator shun goku satsu, though, has enforced his post with a complete changelog for the "future" firmware update:

• You can now set custom themes in [Theme Settings] under [Settings].
• Support has been added for assigning buttons in [Remote Play].
• A scene search feature has been added under [Video].
• Sequential playback is now supported under [Video].
• Simultaneous playback of content under [Music] and [Photo] is now supported.

Now stress has been given that the firmware update is strictly for North American PSP-1001s (PSP Phats) and *NOT* for PSP-2000s (PSP Slim & Lites) nor for any PSP model purchased outside of the US. Also, we've got hold of the PBP format version (the one you can save on your PC) so you can think twice about going through with the update. (Editor's Note: It's now been confirmed for use on both PSP 1000 types and PSP 2000 types)

Much kudos goes out to Mikey_424, hockeyroks33, Dante6660, and WoolySpud for their timely tips!
Originally published on Sep 10, 2007 at 11:00PM

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Our trusty research team has just informed us that an official changelog has been made available on the Japanese PlayStation website. The information given is functionally similar to the stuff we've posted above though, although there is one main exception we've got to note.

Contrary to the information above though, the 3.70 is meant for both the PSP 1000 series and the PSP 2000 series, so whether you're using a "Fat" or a "Slim" - Type PSP, there are new features there for users. Here's the additional information for you:

Network

• (Remote play) [the button to allot to the menu] it added.
• 1000 series: PSP "of Portable TV" (R) "[pureisuteshiyon] portable" for attendant upon the end of image download service, the P-TV idea contest was deleted. Details this (http://www.p-tv.jp/) viewing.

Television

• 2000 series: [It corresponded to data broadcast with [wansegu]].
• 2000 series: Even in the television which does not correspond to progressive image output system, when viewing [wansegu] broadcast, it reached the point where the picture can be output.
• It can output to just the television which corresponds to progressive image output system with state when purchasing.
  

Video

• It reached the point where it can play back the animated picture which is retained in the memory stick duo continually.
• Using “VAIO Mobile TV Ver.5.0,” it reached the point where it can play back the animated picture file of [wansegu] which is retained in the memory stick duo.

Download: PSP Firmware 3.70 (for North American PSP-1001) EBOOT

The latest information from the rumor mill is that the PSP will be receiving a firmware update by mid-September. This information was found by PSP Vault in an article about a Sony VAIO feature that creates 1-Seg broadcasts on a Memory Stick Duo.

It specifically mentions that "a PSP system software update is planned for mid-September for the playback of recorded 1-Seg programs." Aside from that, there was no other information given in the article regarding the update.

It should be noted that this rumor further supports earlier news that a firmware update is in the works because of a bug in playing Biohazard Director's Cut on the PSP. The official statement from Sony stated that the bug will be fixed in a firmware update in the beginning of September. Could it be that the two firmware updates are one and the same?

Here's some more good news for Sony gadget owners. It seems like the company has taken a cue from the genius Bars at Apple stores and has unveiled Backstage, Sony's very own in-store tech support.

This new addition to the Sony Style retail shops will support both technical help and consultations. Owners of Sony-made gadgetry such as Vaio laptops, PSPs, and the like can take them in for diagnosis or parts replacement. According to Electronista, Sony says that Backstage can also help customers choose the system that's perfect for their needs.

Prices for the services have yet to be announced, but Electronista mentions that for an extra fee, out-of-warranty service will be available. You can check out Backstage at Sony Style outlets in New York and New Jersey. More stores will be getting the Backstage treatment in the following weeks.

Sony announced the other day that development of the much-talked about memory stick PRO-HG Duo is now in full swing and will become available in authorized dealers and online retail store SonyStyle.com across North America starting August of this year. This hasn't been mentioned in a long time so let us refresh your memories about this particular memory stick (Pun not intended).

Sony's Memory Stick PRO-HG media is capable of recording times and data transmission and is three times faster than the standard Memory Stick Duo products. This is because of its 8-bit parallel interface and the flash memory device. The addition of four more connector pins results data transfer of up to 30MB/s (240 Mbps) megabytes per second.

But if for some other reason you still want to use just four connectors, PRO-HG Duo media is also capable of that but take note that the minimum write speed of 15 megabits per second will be employed. Quite curiously, the new memory stick features copyright protection technology MagicGate that provides security to commercial content like digital music and downloaded movies.

In relation to this, Sony will also be releasing Memory Stick Duo ExpressCard adaptor. This is for personal computers with an ExpressCard slot - mostly familiar in the 2007 line up of VAIO computers. How fast will this make the data transfer, you ask? Well, let's just say that you can transfer one hour of personal video to your computers in around two minutes from a regular memory stick handy cam.

Memory Stick PRO-HG media is also available in three different capacities: 1GB (US$ 60), 2GB (US$ 90), and 4GB (US$ 150).

Looks like Sony lawyers are due back in court. After Immersion won more than $90 million for its Dual Shock patent suit last March, another company, Agere Systems is taking Sony through the legal circus.

According to the semiconductor company, Sony committed patent infringements on eight products, including the PSP, PS2, PS3 (based on announced specs), VAIO computers, Handycams, Walkman players, Memory Stick Duos, and Location Free TV. The technology being contested are the LAN technology and tungsten plugs, among other things.

The lawsuit claims Sony willingly infringed on the patents and - here's the scary part - Agere wants to see Sony's books so it can determine how much money they can wring from the electronics giant. Sony denies the charges, naturally, and claims some of the patents issued by Agere omitted important information when it filed for them. Does that means some of the patents were filed properly but Sony used them anyway?

According to lawsuit-magnet Sony, it has the rights to use seven of the eight patents through a 1989 cross-licensing deal with AT&T and Lucent (whose microelectronics group became Agere Systems). Sony believes the patents in question are invalid and wants the case flushed down the judge's toilet. This is not the first time Agere sued Sony. By the way, Sony counter-sued Agere last month and demanded a jury trial.

Looks like a job tailored-made for Denny Crane.