Sony's Facebook integration is the coolest aspect of the forthcoming firmware. It lets users bind their PlayStation Network account to their Facebook account, automatically feeding their status updates with Trophy information, PlayStation Store purchases and specific in-game events that developers can include in PS3 games. We're guessing it's similar to what Naughty Dog attempted to do with Uncharted 2: Among Thieves and Twitter, letting players automatically boast of game winning moments or special accomplishments without having to type it all out.

Fortunately, all of these Facebook features are optional. It also appears the software will prompt users if they'd like to post these types of updates to their Facebook news feed at each occurrence.

The new photo browser makes better use of screen real estates, offering a grid of photo thumbnails for quick viewing instead of a long vertical list.

Finally, due to popular request...

A less visually offensive version of the PlayStation 3's Friends list—perhaps the most reviled change in firmware 3.00—is coming. Sony has listened to fan feedback, offering a more toned down look at who's online in the XMB.

PlayStation Network account holders will also be able to choose the color that best represents them, the final piece of the firmware update previously leaked. Not confirmed is this rumor of cross-game voice chat.

Baby steps, folks. Baby steps.

PlayStation 3 Firmware (v3.10) Update Preview [PlayStation.blog]

Images of PlayStation 3 dashboard screens spotted by ScrawlFX highlight a few possible additions coming in future firmware updates. Also rumored to be included is a new photo viewing option and additional gamercard customization options — OK, the option to change the color on your gamercard, which isn't all that exciting.

Those images of the PS3 XMB were reportedly taken directly from the UK version of PlayStation.com, lending some serious credibility to their authenticity. They have since been removed.

We're following up with Sony to see when we can expect Facebook on the PS3.

Rumor: Facebook, Gamercard colors in next PS3 FW update [Update: Real] [ScrawlFX - thanks, Lino!]

Tethering may be the most enticing new feature in the imminent PSP firmware update, offering an alternative method for connecting to the internet via a Bluetooth device. And since that's a Bluetooth feature, we're guessing that's for PSPgo owners only, as that device features built-in Bluetooth.

Slightly less enticing is new SensMe music categorization support, a proprietary Sony application that automatically categorizes whatever music PSP owners have transferred to the device. If you've ever wanted to listen to some tunes that are "Evening" flavored, SensMe has you covered.

Finally, PlayStation Network Ops director Eric Lempell says that a new PlayStation Store interface for the PSP's Media Go software will be supported in 6.10. It looks very iTunes-esque from our expert squinting.

Expect the newest firmware update to hit soon. Very soon.

PSP Firmware Update (v6.10) [PlayStation.blog]

Patrick Seybold, senior director of corporate communications, updated the official PlayStation.blog today to assure PS3 owners that SCEA is investigating those reports.

"SCEA is aware of reports that PS3 owners are experiencing isolated issues with their PS3 system since installing the most recent system software update," Seybold writes. "Rest assured that we are looking into the matter and will provide an update here as soon as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience, as it's our mission to deliver the best consumer experience on all PlayStation platforms."

When we contacted SCEA reps earlier this week, we were given the impression that the reports of firmware 3.0 causing issues with Uncharted: Drake's Fortune and some controllers was not something widespread or a known issue. We've received little in the way of complaints from our readers, with most of those reports relegated to Sony's own PlayStation message boards and places like GameFAQs and NeoGAF.

How about you, Kotaku readership? Still having issues?

Update on PS3 Firmware 3.00 [PlayStation.blog]

The new text chat supports up to 16 users in up to 3 chat rooms, both in-game and out-of-game, making it that much easier to coordinate your online gameplay sessions. On top of that, you'll be able to sort your friends list by online status or alphabetical, making it easier to know when "Zzyzx Boy" is available for chats or not.

You'll also be able to send larger file attachments—up to 3 MB—and back up any content purchased via the PlayStation Video Store on an external storage device. That means more room for easily accessible porn!

Finally, for the vast legions of you who have purchased videos specifically for your PSP and now want to watch those on your PlayStation 3, well, you can do that too.

We'll throw a note up when firmware 2.70 hits.

PS3 Firmware (v2.70) Update [PlayStation.blog]

The official PlayStation blog adds that the 2.36 update, coming sooner, will improve "system stability" for select PlayStation games. Stability? Pfft! We want shiny trophies and we want them now!

Firmware (v2.36) coming soon, (v2.40) to include trophies, in-game XMB [PlayStation.blog - thanks, Sean!]

Far less exciting than that feature is the option to speed up or slow down video playback via Memory Stick. Yup. Things will be slower or faster, depending on which direction one presses on the D-pad. Hey, remember that Google thing from earlier? Wasn't that awesome?

PSP (PlayStation Portable) v4.00 Update [PlayStation.blog]