Update: As promised, firmware 6.10 is now available and can be downloaded at the link below or via Network Update.

In preparation for tomorrow’s launch of the PSPgo, Sony has announced that firmware 6.10 will soon be available on Network Update.

This update is primarily focused on improving compatibility with select PSN titles and features several Media Go enhancements. Additionally, starting with 6.10 tethering will be supported on the PSPgo. Essentially, this means owners of the handheld can use any Bluetooth mobile device as a source of internet connectivity, such as a mobile phone.

Sony’s proprietary music mood and tempo detector known as SensMe is also making its debut in 6.10. The application can automatically scan and evaluate tracks that have been transferred to a PSP through Media Go.

Download PSP Firmware 6.10

Update: PSP Firmware 6.10 Available - [eXophase.com]

Nintendo rolled out System Update 4.2 for Wii owners in the states today, with the official changelog vaguely dropping word of “behind-the-scenes fixes” and performance improvements. The ho-hum level is high.

These so-called fixes reinforce Nintendo’s anti-homebrew stance, deleting the homebrew channel, BootMii and related cIOS files. While it almost goes without saying, if that concerns you, then passing on this one until a workaround is found may be the best course of action. If history is any indication, it’ll only be a matter of time, once again making this attempt at defeating the homebrew crowd futile.

Wii Firmware 4.2 Out Now, Once Again Targets Homebrew Users - [eXophase.com]

Heads up, PS3 owners. Sony has rolled out firmware 3.01 on Network Update. Being classified as optional, it’s a rather uneventful update, but promises to “improves system stability” during use of certain software titles, particularly Uncharted. Whether or not you’ve been experiencing any issues, you might as well update — can’t hurt.

Download PS3 Firmware 3.01

PS3 Firmware 3.01 Fixes Stability Issues - [eXophase.com]

A quick trip over to Network Update has turned up a new PSP firmware: 6.00. Despite the major version increment, this one is practically devoid of any significant changes. The underwhelming changelog in all its entirety is detailed below.

* Games can now be grouped and displayed in folders based on their expire date under [Game].
* Under [Settings], [Network Update] has been changed to [System Update]. Under [System Update], you can now choose how to update the system software.
* The number of colors that can be selected under [Settings] > [Theme Settings] has been increased.
* Revisions to strengthen security have been added. (Internet Browser)

Extra XMB colors? A nice touch, but not what we were expecting. No new features or usability enhancements makes this update quite a letdown. We suspect there are a lot of “under the hood” changes to support the PSPgo, but honestly, that is of no tangible benefit to us. Makes you wonder why Sony refrained from waiting until more features were ready to avoid disappoint.

Download PSP Firmware 6.00

PSP Firmware 6.00 Released, Underwhelms - [eXophase.com]

PS3 firmware 3.0 is shaping to be quite the update. In fact, it’s so massive that PSN director Eric Lempel says it’ll be the last significant round of additions to hit the PS3 for the remainder of 2009.

You know, I wouldn’t say that or sure just yet because we are working on some things,” said PlayStation Network operations director Eric Lempel in a phone interview following Sony’s GamesCom announcements. “But this is a big and significant update, so you would be correct to assume that [it's the last major update for 2009].

Now, it’s very plausible that we’ll see other minor system software updates after and even before 3.0 drops, but as far as experience-changing enhancements go, 3.0 is it. For this year, at least. With the feature set it boasts, we certainly aren’t complaining. The inclusion of software-based backwards compatibility would make it extra special, but only time (TGS?) will tell us if that happens.

PS3 Firmware 3.0 Marks Last Major Update for 2009 - [eXophase.com]

Earlier this month, Nintendo stealthily issued a Wii firmware update in Japan — version 4.1 — designed to fix an unidentified issue in Wii Sports Resort. The supplied changelog is rather vague, mentioning only that this update includes “behind-the-scenes fixes” designed to improve system performance.

If the same Wii Sports bug exists in overseas copies of the title, rest assured it is fixed with firmware 4.1. On another note, Nintendo warns that 4.1 will check for modified save files and automatically remove them. Avid users of homebrew beware and update with caution.

Wii Firmware 4.1 Hits Rest Of The World - [eXophase.com]

An eagle-eyed attendee of the Paris-based Japan Expo happened to notice that one of the PSP demonstration units on display to showcase Soulcalibur Broken Destiny was running a yet-unreleased firmware 5.55. No visible changes were observed, so if we had to wager a guess, this is another minor update. Nevertheless, it piques our interest, leading us to believe that the update could be game-specific or was designed to further patch up security holes that have cropped up within the past couple months, much to Sony’s dismay.

As we have witnessed in the past, not all firmware updates are released through the traditional means of Network Update and instead are kept solely to UMD discs, so whether this one will see the light of day is unknown at this point. We’d assume that official word will be coming from Sony soon if so.

PSP Firmware 5.55 Spotted On Demonstration Unit - [eXophase.com]

Update #2: And the firmware is live! Check Network Update to download, or this direct link.

Update: In a PS Blog post, PlayStation Network director Eric Lempel has confirmed that firmware 2.80 for PS3 is indeed on its way. Changelog? Nothing to get excited about, this one simply improves the “playback quality of some PLAYSTATION 3 format software.”

We’ve just been informed by a well-placed source that PS3 firmware 2.80 is due out “soon.”

For what it’s worth, a debug version of said firmware appeared on the Sony press site earlier this afternoon. However, the supplied download link is not working as of writing, meaning it was likely made public inadvertently.

No word yet on what new features or functionality the update will introduce, if any. It’ll be a relatively minor version bump from 2.76, so we’re not expecting much, honestly. Stay tuned.

PS3 Firmware 2.80 Out Now - [eXophase.com]

Well lookie here, a new PSP firmware has conspicuously appeared on Network Update. As you’d expect, firmware 5.51 is a minor revision, with the supplied changelog vaguely mentioning of improvements in “system software stability” during use of certain features.

Not to sound cynical, as stability enhancements are always important, but in the end this amounts to changes we will likely never notice. That makes this firmware version bump a rather uneventful one. Here’s hoping something more substantial is on the way. It’s been far too long since the PSP received a meaty, feature-filled update.

Download PSP Firmware 5.51

Update: Firmware has been released. Grab it via Network Update or use this direct download link.

PS3 owners: it’ll soon be time to fire up Network Update, as Sony has announced that a firmware update is due for release soon. According to PSN director Eric Lempel, firmware 2.76 will simply improve “the playback quality of some PS3 format software.”

No other changes beyond that were noted, making this update rather uneventful, but still essential. As always, we’ll post an update once it goes live, likely by tonight or tomorrow morning.