Just days after releasing a firmware update to close security holes, Sony has dropped another firmware, but this one has some nice teeth. Firmware 2.50 comes with a bunch of web upgrades, but most importantly it includes LocationFree Player support.

LocationFree Player is a way to watch live or recorded TV, DVD and VHS on your PSP and it may allow you to even access the video from virtually anywhere in the world through a WiFi connection. I kid you not.

Here s the description from the official Sony LocationFree site:

The LFA-PK1 LocationFree Player Pak gives you the ability to view live TV, recorded TV (via DVR), VHS tapes or DVDs from your home to your computer over a broadband internet connection. The Player Pak includes the LocationFree base station and easy to install LocationFree Player for PC You can enjoy your TV and favorite A/V content virtually anywhere.

The major downside is that a LocationFree Base Station is required and when I checked last night they were selling for $350. Lets hope they come out with some cheaper PSP version, because that s friggin ridiculous.

When I went through the set-up on the PSP (after downloading the firmware it will be located above your web browser icon) it said that the setting will prepare for viewing TV at home. No mention of roaming television viewing, so who knows.

This has got to be what Howard Stringer was talking last week. At the time Stringer said people would be able to download television from WiFi home entertainment terminals "anytime, anywhere in the world."

Whew, I was just starting to wonder if I was going to have to pick up a video iPod to watch TV and movies on the go. Guess not.

LocationFree [Official Site]