Attention, people who enjoy playing console games on a portable system via a wireless internet connection: We have important news for both of you! The new PSP firmware version 3.95 offers two minor tweaks to enhance your remote playing experience.

Remote players can now remap the PSP's limited button layout to more usefully replicate the DualShock when playing PSOne games. The new firmware also allows players to stop remote play without turning off the PS3, allowing any background downloads to continue unabated. While these new tweaks aren't exactly revolutionary, it's always nice to see a company continuing to support product features well after their release.

[Via PSPFanboy]

That's right, another firmware update - and less than a month after the last one, too. Whether you're a fan of frequent updates or not you won't be able to enjoy this latest revision to its fullest without access to a PS3. A miniature update, by all accounts, that adds two PS3-based features to your favorite handheld. Eric Lempel details v3.95, which will be "made available shortly" on the PlayStation.Blog. The update contains the following:

• While playing PSone games on your PSP, you can now customize how the buttons are assigned by going to [Controller Settings] > [Assign Buttons] and select [Custom]
• You can now quit Remote Play and choose to turn off your PS3 or leave it on after quitting. This is useful if you are performing a download and want to quit Remote Play, but still want your download to continue on the PS3. Select [Quit and Turn Off the PS3 System] or [Quit Without Turning Off the PS3 System] from [Quit Remote Play] when you press the HOME button on the PSP system.

[Update: Firmware is now available through Network Update.]

People have been excited about the latest PS3 firmware, 2.20. However, some many be confused by all the features hidden in this latest update. SCEA's Eric Lempel walks us through the firmware in this very informative feature. Not only does he talk about BD-LIVE, he talks about connectivity with the PSP. Watch how he transfers a playlist to the handheld. Not bad, huh? The internet browser has also been enhanced -- something we've all been waiting for. All in all, this seems like a solid update.

Dylan Cuthbert should be a name familiar to any real PS3 fan. Responsible for Q-Games, and their PixelJunk series of PSN games, the team has been hard at work at delivering unique experiences exclusively for the PLAYSTATION Network. Not only has the team delivered one truly stellar game (PixelJunk Monsters), it has worked on a few other technologies for Sony. Did you know that they're responsible for the Earth music visualization? We chatted with Cuthbert at GDC, and we're proud to present our interview.

I wanted to start with a topic that I'm sure no one has asked you about yet. Q-Games is responsible for the Earth visualizer, yes? Where did that come from?
Well, we've always had a close relationship with Sony. They came to us and asked us to make an intro for the PS3 before it came out. For the OS and everything. They had these ideas that were like the earth, and the PS3 logo were in a bubble. So we said instead of making a fake earth, we should make a proper rendering. We showed a prototype to them, but ultimately Sony wanted to go for a more simpler style. The intro became much simpler, orchestral. So we had a very well rendered earth and we didn't know what to do with it.

We've got to admit that over the last 12 months, we've been increasingly more impressed with the PSP, and we'd bet you have been too. Now, thrill as it becomes an even more relevant system: Capcom's Ben Judd recently let it slip to MTV that PSN game Bionic Commando: Rearmed will be playable on PSPs using the Remote Play feature. If this and Pixel Junk Monsters mark the start of a trend, it seems like a PSP purchase should be all but an afterthought for PS3 owners.

We are a little concerned though about how well an action game like Bionic Commando will make the leap across the internets to land in the PSP. As excited as we are for PSP arm swinging, it could all go to pot if lag is an issue. We'll keep our six-million dollar robotic claw crossed.

As if you needed another reason to pick up Bionic Commando: Rearmed, Stephen Totilo of MTV Multiplayer has received confirmation from a Capcom representative that the NES remake will be playable on the PSP. The game will be available from the PSN this May and will feature full remote-play capabilities. This will allow you to play the game anywhere in the world as long as you've got a wi-fi signal. Not bad eh?

Rearmed joins PixelJunk Monsters and Lair as some of the games that currently allow Remote Play. We certainly look forward to more third parties taking advantage of the system. So if you have a PS3, a PSP, a love of old school 2D platformers and are too lazy to get out of bed, you can still play Bionic Commando: Rearmed. Not bad, eh?

As discovered by MTV Multiplayer, the upcoming PSN title, Bionic Commando: Rearmed is coming to PSP, via PS3 and Remote Play. The title, which originally started as a PSP-exclusive title, made the jump to the next-gen consoles with much enthusiasm. Good thing to see PSP owners aren't left behind, though. Rearmed joins the slowly-growing line-up of titles that support Remote Play, such as PixelJunk Monsters and Lair.

Of course, this feature will not be available on the PC and Xbox 360 versions of the game.

Care to see just how useful the new Sony firmware update can be for the retro gamer on the go? GameVideos tested out the new Remote Play feature for PlayStation One games, specifically the target of so many remake requests, Final Fantasy VII.

Check out the video after the break, and hope for a time when a PlayStation 3 firmware updates allows for streaming PS2 play.

DivX for the PS3 and internet radio for the PSP weren't the only treats buried in this morning's latest Sony firmware updates. Nope, they've got a little something special for those of you rocking both of Sony's latest consoles: PS1 games are now playable via Remote Play. What does that mean to you, Joe Gamer? You can download PS1 games on your PS3 through the PSN Store but, instead of swapping games on and off your no doubt ballooning Memory Stick, you can stream them straight from the PS3. You can also leave your favorite PS1 game in the drive and Remote Play that, if digitally distributed media ain't your thing.

Coupled with the PS3's recently acquired Remote Start capability and the PSP's internet-enabled Remote Play functionality, you can tap into that library of PS1 games at home from anywhere in the world. That's a pretty exciting feature ... but, there is one shortcoming: when's that library of PS1 games coming?

[Via PS3F]

Users have been reporting that Remote Play has been secretly updated in the last firmware revision. With PS3 2.10, PS3 owners that have a Remote Play-ready system will be able to play any PS1 game on their handheld. Yes, that includes both games downloaded from the Store and PS1 game discs. We've personally tried Wild Arms (the downloadable version) and confirmed that it will play via Remote Play. Our tipster tried playing Metal Gear Solid (on disc) and also found that it works. Happy news!

We find ourselves using Remote Play more and more with the inclusion of DivX and WMV playback. Now, PS1 support will increase our time spent with this feature.

[Thanks, Nick C.!]