Gizmodo: 2.40

Reports of PS3 2.42 Firmware Difficulties Surface

John Mahoney — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:36:02 EDT

Another PS3 update, another round of complaints. It seems as if people on the official Playstation forums are having issues with discs not reading, games locking up, and fans blowing out of control under the recent 2.42 firmware update. We don't know if it's just uber-paranoid people who were burned by 2.40 or an actual problem that Sony will need to fix. What about you—any problems with the 2.42 update or are things just peachy? [Playstation.com]

Sony Pulls PS3 2.40 Update To Fix Bricking Issues

Jason Chen — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:52:16 EDT

Sony's just pulled the 2.40 PS3 firmware update due to reports of it bricking and causing various other problems. If you're unlucky enough to already have installed it and ran into issues, Kotaku has a few solutions up. If not, just hold off until the fixed release is available soon. UPDATE: Sony has issued an official statement acknowledging the situation, below.

[Kotaku, Playstation Blog]

As has been reported on many gaming blogs and websites, 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 identify a solution before we put the firmware back up.

We’ll provide further information as necessary here on the Blog.

PlayStation 3 2.40 Firmware Now Live (Trophies, In-Game XMB)

Jason Chen — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 01:11:01 EDT

Go download that 2.40 firmware update now for your PS3! It's got trophies, in-game XMB as well as a Google Search Bar. The trophies (achievements from Xbox 360) will be great for hardcore gamers, and the in-game XMB, which allows you to access various settings and send messages to your friends while inside games, makes for a very convenient gaming experience. We've got a video walkthrough as well as photos here. Seriously, go get it now or else you're going to have to spend 15 minutes doing it later when you actually want to play something online.

PS3 Firmware Update 2.40 Arriving for E3, Plus Full Feature List

matt buchanan — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:20:00 EDT

The PS3 firmware update you've really, really been waiting for—2.40, which brings in XMB access and achievements—you're gonna have to wait a little longer for. Like, 'til E3. CVG says that Sony's holding the update back for its address at E3 in about three weeks. But, to tide you over, they've got the supposed full list of features being added.

Here's what you'll be able to do from the in-game XMB:

* Friend category
* View, send, receive messages
* Manage downloads
* Set the vibration feature of the controller
* Sign in to PlayStation Network
* Register friends
* Manage Bluetooth devices
* Terminate the game
* Music category
* Use the system BGM
* Work the system BGM operation panel
* Settings category
* Assign controllers
* View profiles
* Game category
* Set audio devices
* Use the voice changer

Under the music category, you can play back your own music, though it's not known whether you'll be able to do it with every game or just specific titles that support it. Either way, it'll be nice to finally have some basic functions that sorta should've been there in the first place. [CVG via Kotaku]

Sony Confirms PS3 Firmware 2.40 Bringing In-Game XMB and Trophies

matt buchanan — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:31:08 EDT

The hot and heavy rumors that an imminent PS3 firmware update would finally bring in-game access to the XMB (cross media bar, the PS3's menu) are true: Sony's official PlayStation blog confirms that firmware update 2.40 will include the long-awaited menu access, along with trophies—the PS3's version of achievements—and "some other new enhancements." We'll have to sit through firmware update 2.36 first, though—it's pretty boring, just adding some system stability for certain games. No word on the date, but we're still crossing our fingers for this month. [Playstation Blog]

Holux GPSlim 240: Little, Doesn't Eat Much Power

Mark Wilson — Sun, 08 Oct 2006 10:26:31 EDT

The Holux GPSlim 240 is a GPS receiver that can interface with a PDA, smartphone or notebook via Bluetooth or USB. It's very small - about the height of a key - and runs off a rechargeable 8-hour lithium-ion battery (or car charger, etc). And the GPSlim 240 uses SiRF Star III architecture, which is the latest, fastest GPS system on the market.

It's available now for $99 and probably a good option if you've blown your cash on a smartphone or just don't want another largish piece of tech around. – Mark Wilson

Product Page [via gpsgazette]