Detailed yesterday morning, PS3 firmware 3.15 is now live, available for download from Network Update. It brings two major additions to the table, granting the ability to play PSP Minis on PS3 and also introducing one-click data transfer solution that beams PSN content across a pair of PS3s connected via LAN. Due to certain regulations, we're told that copy protected save game files will not transfer over, so keep that in mind.

The full changelog is after the jump.

PSN director Eric Lempel has offered up a plethora of details on PS3's next firmware update -- 3.15. While sporting only a minor bump in version number, this update actually packs a couple of noteworthy changes. First out of the gate is the data transfer utility, which allows existing PS3 owners to transfer all network content and media over to a new system via LAN connectivity. It's essentially a one click solution that will get you up and running on the new unit in no time. Useful for those who may be upgrading to a PS3 slim in the future.

Another addition is the ability to play PSN bought Minis on the PS3, confirming recent rumors. Going forward, all Minis will be cross-compatible with both PSP and PS3, providing an ample amount of value. The best part? You won't be paying extra for the privilege. This also opens the gateway to a larger potential audience for Minis, a change that will certainly be welcomed by developers involved in creating these bite-sized efforts.

PS3 3.15 System Software Update [PS Blog]

PS3 Firmware 3.15 Detailed, Brings PSP Minis To PS3 [eXophase.com]

The bite-sized PSP Minis may be getting more attention in the near future as an anonymous source close to Joystiq has suggested that these offerings will be playable on PS3 down the road. Assuming the information pans out, we could reportedly see a cross-platform push behind the Minis as soon as “before Christmas.” Such a move would without a doubt make these titles even more attractive to impulse buyers.

Sony, for its part, is not commenting on the rumor right now. Doesn’t exactly seem far-fetched to us, though. The only question is if developers will have to handle porting duties themselves or if Sony will develop a solution that enables seamless cross-platform play. If the latter, we assume it’d mean that all Minis going forward would be playable on both PSP and PS3. We’ll see.

Rumor: PSP Minis playable on PS3 before Christmas [Joystiq]

Sony To Enable Cross Platform Play With PSP Minis? - [eXophase.com]

With the launch of a App Store-esque “Minis” section on the PlayStation Store, Sony has given smaller, independent developers an incentive to create games for the PSP. Not only are the costs of entry lower, but studios are allowed to set their own pricing. At face value, yes, this is appealing to start-ups, but it’s not that cut and dry – at least in the US.

One cavet to the program is receiving ESRB approval. In the US, getting a rating stamped on your game costs $2500, apparently, and Sony mandates that each title goes through this process. This is in stark contrast to the iPhone and iPod Touch platform, which does not require having to funnel content through a third party organization for screening purposes. In a recent interview with Gamasutra, Fieldrunners dev Sergei Gourski shed light on this particular topic:

Having game development experience is a must. You have to invest some money into dev kits and into getting ratings for your game. The costs of ratings such us ESRB is significantly more then we had realized.”

This could very well explain why we’ve seen certain developers employ higher pricing ceilings than originally expected on Minis, so as to offset the cost of ESRB approval.

Devs Size Up PSP Minis Development Vs. App Store Games [Gamasutra]

ESRB Approval A Significant Cost Hurdle for PSP Minis - [eXophase.com]

With over 100 digital titles to choose from, this week’s North American PlayStation Store update is all about the PSP. A cornucopia of content went up today and while majority of the storefront additions are UMD legacy titles, there’s plenty of new, original offerings as well, such as THEXDER NEO. Let’s not forget the newly launched PSP Minis section either, which opens its gates with seven all-new titles.

Despite being primarly focused on PSP, Sony still manages to appease content hungry PS3 owners as well, with Digger HD and UNO making their debut as digital downloads. Headlining the add-on content segment is Operation: Anchorage and The Pitt DLC for Fallout 3, in addition to a bevy of LittleBigPlanet costume packs.

Either way you look at it, this is one of those rare updates that manage to make everyone happy, covering all bases. Kudos to Sony. See the full list of offerings past the break.

Although comments made by SCEA senior account manager Justin Cooney painted a bleak picture for the possibility of WiFi support and DLC with PSP Minis, PSN boss Eric Lempel clarified the situation today, letting us breathe a sigh of relief.

The long and short of it is that while both features are out of the question right now, that could very well change going forward. Essentially, Sony wanted to debut with a solid foundation, making it easy for smaller devs to jump on board. As time goes on, we may see an expansion of the Minis program and a subsequent loosening of requirements, giving studios more in the way of freedom.

So you can patch Minis, but we won’t have multiplayer functions in the beginning. Basically, to get these developers on board, and to make it easier to test and get it through the pipeline, we won’t be allowing that functionality for the first stage of Minis.

It’s something we will consider in the future.

Glad that’s cleared up.

Future PSP Minis could support DLC, multiplayer [CVG]

PSN Boss: WiFi Support, DLC for Future PSP Minis Not Ruled Out - [eXophase.com]

We know of the 100MB size limit that titles under the PSP Minis banner must adhere to, but it appears there are more restrictions in the content department, if comments from SCEA senior account manager Justin Cooney are anything to go by.

Cooney says no form of WiFi multiplayer component is allowed, nor is downloadable content. Additionally, software updates are also a no-no, meaning quality assurance testing will likely be more stringent as opposed to a standard PSN effort.

When you look at it from a testing perspective, you have to do more QA. [Allowing those features] would defeat the purpose of having a dedicated service for smaller content.

From our perspective, if we’re going to reduce the time it takes to get through our internal process, it helps that we don’t have to check multiplayer features.

The first serving of Minis are slated to hit the PlayStation Store on October 1 to coincide with the launch of PSPgo.

GDC Austin: PSP Minis Drop Features To Hasten Approval Time [Gamasutra]

Sony Says No To WiFi Multiplayer, DLC for PSP Minis - [eXophase.com]

Sony is positioning Minis as byte-sized, sub-100MB experiences for PSP available on the PlayStation Store. Despite being optimized for digital transfer, the most popular Minis may make the jump to UMD if Sony sees fit. At least, that’s what SCEE developer relations head Zeno Colaco suggests, speaking in a recent interview with Develop:

The most successful Minis titles will probably transition to UMD.

Interesting. This would definitely give developers more of an incentive to be stringent on quality and not resort to releasing shovelware for a quick buck. Although things are changing, the retail market is still comparatively smaller than digital, meaning the increased visibility offered by UMD is certainly a boon to independent developers. At the same time, such a move would also keep retailers happy.

Sony: PSP Minis ‘will probably transition to UMD’ [Develop]

Sony: Popular Minis Could Make Jump To UMD - [eXophase.com]

Next month Sony will introduce minis on the PlayStation Network, smaller bite-sized games that pack a punch. Many have viewed this as an answer to the iPhone’s app store and while it is similar, the cost of entry to developing on PSP is still much faster. Beyond acquiring acceptance, one of the hurdles to becoming a licensed PSP developer is the $1500 fee imposed on dev kits. While that may seem insignificant to larger independent studios, it’s a hefty investment for any startup.

As the PSP gains momentum in the digital space, Sony may opt to negate this fee and offering dev kits gratis, free of charge. SCEE head of developer relations Zeno Colaco gave a lengthy response to such a prospect in an interview with Develop:

Further down the line, we may investigate a totally free model or supported model.

Right now, we’re looking for a good portfolio of games. Unlike with the App Store, we’re looking to support everyone that develops for us, instead of leaving developers out in the wilderness. We’re not immediately interested in giving developers free access and no help.

There are dangers in having total open access; having six thousand applications where probably only thirty are discovered by the consumer. Some of the developers working on the App Store and PSP Minis tell us that they prefer our approach because they get more visibility.

Our focus isn’t directed straight towards the App Store. We acknowledge that we’ll be competing in that space, and I think at some point we’ll give developers access that allows things to move down that route.

First and foremost, we at Sony need to develop Minis as its own category.

We’re not short of product. Right now we’re working with about 60 developers with about 50 games coming out before Christmas. I think we’re going to launch with about 15 titles.

Making the cost of entry to develop on PSP practically free would be an interesting move. Will it happen? Time will tell.

Q&A: Sony on PSP Minis [Develop]

Sony May Provide PSP Dev Kits On A Gratis Basis - [eXophase.com]

One of the titles slated to debut alongside the PSPgo on October 1 is Vempire, a casual puzzle game that blends item hunting and strategy, developer Impressionware announced today. Billed as “more than a classic match three type of game,” players can summon minions and collect powers for later use during levels.

We are pretty excited to have a title launched with the new Sony’s channel. VEMPIRE has been one of those titles that we have been thinking about and have been working on for a long time before deciding it was a perfect match for the PSP minis download service. Seeing the game being played by kids at the Sony’s booth at the GamesCom last week has been a very high point of our careers.

It’s heading exclusively to the PSP and is being released under the newly-unveiled Minis banner. Judging from the description, Vempire sounds like a pick up and play type effort, so this is a good fit. No word on pricing yet.

Vempire Pegged for PSPgo Launch - [eXophase.com]