The latest update for Sony’s PlayStation 3 has gone live. Firmware 3.50 brings the promised support for 3D Blu-ray movies. The PS3 now supports both 3D movies and games. Along with the update, the PS3 has jumped on the social network bandwagon, with Facebook integration being put in place for supported games and a “grief reporting function”.

• Facebook Integration: Developers will be able to create PS3 games that have more interaction with Facebook. Once compatible PS3 titles are available, PS3 users can choose to access public information on Facebook – including user name, profile, uploaded photos and friends list – to enhance their gameplay experience.
• Grief Reporting Function: Users can send claim reports directly from the XMB for any inappropriate messages they receive from other PlayStation Network users. This feature is accessible from the option menu of the messages list in the FRIENDS category.

While Sony’s previous firmware update for the PS3 left much to be desired, with one PS3 owner filing a class action lawsuit, it’s good to see some good things come from a firmware update. Perhaps the main feature for some, is the ability to game in 3D. The update brings 3D stereoscopic gaming, coincide with the launch of 3D Sony Bravia TVs.

The sorting options within Trophies has also been made easier in both the Trophy Collection section and while comparing Trophies.

April the 1st saw the release of an official system update for the PlayStation 3, an update which has landed Sony in hot water with one disgruntled customer. The update – v3.21 disabled the ‘install other OS’ facility which basically blocked the ability to install the Linux OS on any PS3, although this feature was available on all but the ‘slim’ versions of the PlayStation 3 prior to the update.

Sony have released an update for the PlayStation 3, which has caused quite a stir. The 3.21 update removes the ability to install another operating system, though the “OtherOS” option. If you don’t update, you lose the ability to connect to the PSN network. Fortunately, if you have updated, or need to update but, want to keep your Linux install on your PS3, there is a work around. Geohot, famous for his simple iPhone jailbreak, has found a way around the update, in the form of a custom firmware. Unfortunately there’s no information on when he’ll be releasing it to the public. However there is currently a work around available:

– On your PS3, sign out of PSN
– Download and install PS3.ProxyServer.GUI here: http://www.mediafire.com/?ywnmy1wykzi
– It doesn’t create shortcuts so navigate to C:\Program Files\CF3B5\PS3.ProxyServer and run PS3.ProxyServer.GUI.exe
– Type your current LOCAL IP ADDRESS (probably 192.168.*.*), you can leave the port as 8080, check PS3 Mode
– Whatever port you use must be open on your router, so if 8080 is blocked, open it now
– Go to the Replace Files tab and click Add
– In the left box, paste this address: http://fus01.ps3.update.playstation.net/…st/us/ps3- updatelist.txt
– In the right box, click browse and find your LOCAL COPY of the 3.15 ps3-updatelist.txt file, download from here: http://www.mediafire.com/?dyjldy24yod
– Back to the Proxy Settings tab, click Start
– From your PS3’s XMB, go to Settings, Network Settings, then Internet Connection Settings
– Keep everything the way you have it configured now except for the Proxy Server option, make sure you click Use
– Type the IP address and port number to your local computer (from step 4 above)
– Finish configuring, test connection, make sure it connects
– That’s it. If the connection test works, you can now sign into PSN with 3.15 and bypass the 3.21 firmware check
– Note that you must keep PS3.ProxyServer.GUI running when you want to use your PS3 until we get Custom Firmware

(Source)

If you haven’t updated yet, there is also a way to still access the PSN network:

You don’t have to update to fw 3.21 to use the PSN. Just enter the following
DNS — 67.202.81.137 — into your PS3 under Network Settings. The server fakes
the authentication and hands the connection back to your PS3 shortly thereafter.
No proxy needed.

(Source)

In the UK, a moderator of neogaf, has emailed Amazon to explain that, because of the new firmware and the removal of the OtherOS option, it no longer fits the description when originally purchased and violates European law Directive 1999/44/EC, specifically “be fit for the purpose which the consumer requires them and which was made known to the seller at the time of purchase.” The said PS3 model, was an original PS3 60GB and therefore out of warranty but, Amazon refunded him £84 including tax, which is around 20% of the value he paid. I also purchased a PS3 from Amazon, a 60GB model, so have contacted them and am awaiting a response.