Last month, an update to the PS3 firmware allowed the PSP Remote Play function to reach across the boundless expanse that we call "the internet" -- but the PS3's connective capabilities aren't going to stop there, according to a recent statement from Sir Howard Stringer, Sony's CEO and resident knight. During a speech in Tokyo, Sir Stringer announced the company's plans to enable connections from the system to a number of electronic devices, including certain mobile phones, as part of their up-and-coming three year plan.

Stringer then announced his company's intention to expand the PlayStation Network service over the next fiscal year, putting them "in the direct line of fire with Apple and Microsoft," perhaps heralding a restructuring of their online gaming service, or the addition of some form of an online music market through the PSN service (ala iTunes). Or maybe, he literally meant "in the direct line of fire," meaning the three mega-corporations will establish dominance in a three-way, Old West style gunfight. We heard Steve Jobs puts an ace in his deck every time he kills a man.

In addition to becoming the PlayStation 3's power button of choice, the PSP has made relations with the PC. At the Tokyo Game Show press conference, Kaz Hirai announced that the PS Store will soon be accessible via the computer.

According to Hirai, you will be able to purchase and download PSP content without using the PS3 as a middle-man. The service is reportedly available now in Japan; no word on when it will be coming elsewhere.

[Via Engadget]

No, this is not a joke. Lair can be played on PSP through PS3's Remote Play functionality. As discovered by Dubbedinenglish on the PlayStation forums, this is quite possibly the first Blu-ray PS3 game to run successfully on the PSP. By reducing the visual quality and increasing the response time, the game is actually quite playable. In fact, because the game uses the PSP's analog stick instead of tilt controls, it actually controls better than the PS3 counterpart.

Stay tuned for a video.

[Thanks, Nightz!]

No, this is not a joke. Lair can be played on PSP through PS3's Remote Play functionality. As discovered by Dubbedinenglish on the PlayStation forums, this is quite possibly the first Blu-ray PS3 game to run successfully on the PSP. By reducing the visual quality and increasing the response time, the game is actually quite playable. In fact, because the game uses the PSP's analog stick instead of tilt controls, it actually controls better than the PS3 counterpart.

Stay tuned for a video.

[Thanks, Nightz!]

This one's coming from user sqrtlsqd7 over at the PS3Forums. We've all gotten those e-mails from PlayStation Underground about new releases on the PS Store, or little announcements about games coming out, just released, or off in the distance. What sqrtlsqd7 brings to our attention is something we had nearly forgotten about -- surveys. When we first signed up for the PlayStation Network, we took a survey. But these questions were not found there.

If you can't read the screenshot above, Sony is asking about what you'd like to see with PSP/PS3 connectivity. The ideas highlighted are:

• Side missions or unlockables for PS3 games on the PSP,
  
• Transferring media wirelessly to the PSP (not just what we've got now, we mean broadcast television and new levels for games),
  
• Using your PSP while playing the PS3 as additional weapon or utility (radar, 2nd controller, etc),
  
• Recording your gameplay for boasting abilities later on in life.

These ideas are interesting. It sort of reminds us of the connectivity between the GameCube and GameBoy Advance, specifically in regards to Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance and the Game Boy Fire Emblem games. Except, you know, with a lot more options available. What do you guys think? Would more advanced connectivity options with the PSP get your juices flowing? Would you snag a slim PSP if these proposed ideas came to fruition?

If you haven't gotten the newest update for your PSP's firmware to get Remote Play cranking out worldwide awesomeness, you aren't alone. Media streaming and Remote Play seem to be creating frustration with a lot of people. We've got ours working and we can assure you that if you get everything connected ... wow. To add icing to the already sickeningly sweet cake, Sony is making a Japanese PS3 title available for everyone via the Remote Play function.

The game is Mainichi Issyo, some crazy title about a cat doing whatever you tell it to. The game, available as a free download exclusively on the Japanese PS Store, can be played via remote play on your PSP and even access microtransactions in-game for added content. That means there is in-game PlayStation Store support via Remote Play. Even though we've got no idea what's happening in the game, that's an impressive feat and indicative of the potential of this feature. Perhaps someday we'll get Super Stardust HD or other titles available for play wherever we are in the world (assuming there's a wireless access point nearby). Perhaps.

For PSP owners itching to test out the game-playing capabilities of Remote Play (made possible from the last firmware upgrade), you'll want to go here for a walkthrough on setting up a Japan PlayStation Network account for your PS3. Mainichi Issyo has been (and still is) only available through the Japanese PlayStation Store. As reported during the firmware 3.50 release, the Remote Play functionality will allow Mainichi Issyo gamers to "interact with Toro the cat" through any available internet access point. New details unveil the game's unique ability to complete microtransactions through the PlayStation Store in-game, instead of dumping you out to the PSP built-in browser. Feel free to have yourself a look-see. We'll be sure to update you with our in-depth impressions on Remote Play, as promised.

[Update: Changed the wording of the post to reflect the newly unveiled features within Mainichi Issyo, using Remote Play. The post title changed to reflect the description of these new in-game features.]

Pornography addicts, rejoice! No longer is your extensive collection of graphic pornography shackled to your 1.80 PS3, as the new 3.50 firmware for the PSP has upgraded the Remote Play feature to work over the internet. Now, anytime you're near a WiFi connection and the need for pornography (or, we guess, any other sort of movie) strikes, you can browse your PS3's hard drive and, you know, embrace your carnal urges.

Oh, and RSS Channel Guide has been added as a feature under RSS Channel. So, there's that too.

• Support has been added to allow remote play over the internet in [Remote Play]
• [RSS Channel Guide] has been added as a feature under [RSS Channel]

While the expansion of Remote Play and its new ability to be used to connect to your PS3 from anywhere in the world is excellent, the lack of any real accompanying features leaves us a bit cold. Perhaps it's the idea of a list consisting of just two items. Is a list really a list if it has less than three? That's something for you to ponder on while the update downloads and installs.

No doubt we'll be posting our thoughts on the new firmware later today, after we've had a chance to test it out. In the meantime, why don't you try it yourselves and get back to us with what you think? It's a two way thing, you know.

[Thanks, Lucas]

Download the update from PSP Fanboy. Include file in directory PSP/GAME/UPDATE.

Tucked away inside the latest PlayStation 3 firmware update are improvements to the console's Remote Play functionality, though we'll need to wait until the PSP's 3.50 firmware update drops -- sometime this week -- before samplings the goods proper. Yet still, we're able to sneak a glimpse of the forthcoming update by selecting "Remote Play" from the PlayStation 3's "Network" menu, resulting in a screen that reads: "When connecting the PSP system over the Internet, you must sign in using your sign-in ID, "yourname@email.com", on the PSP system."

Are we looking at the first signs of a universal ID for the expanding PlayStation Network? Perhaps a single friends list that will follow you from device to device? Throw in that "long overdue" PSP-based PlayStation Store to download those PSone classics sans PS3 -- or maybe some videos -- and you've got a deal.

[Via PSP Fanboy]

PS3 is receiving a significant firmware upgrade tomorrow. 1.80 allows PS3 users to playback DVD movies and PlayStation 1 and 2 games in full 1080p resolution. Another feature added to the upgrade is Advanced Remote Play: it was supposedly added in a previous update, but many frustrated gamers were unable to get it running.

With Advanced Remote Play, PSP owners can access content stored on the PS3 from any wi-fi connection in the world. Not only will the new PS3 1.80 firmware be necessary for Remote Play to properly function, but according new press materials, PSP firmware 3.50 will also be required. According to Sony, firmware 3.50 will be available "at the end of May," although more specifics were not provided. Additional enhancements to be found on the firmware were not made available, but we're thinking it might have something to do with PSP's newfound VoIP functionality.

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

Sony has officially unveiled plans for PS3 firmware 1.80. This update looks to be the most significant yet. Here's a breakdown of what to expect:

• Full 1080p upscaling for DVDs, PS2 and PS1 games. With upscaling, there's no need to throw away your old DVDs and PlayStation 2 games. The content will be converted to resolutions as high as 1080p, and will breathe new visual life into your old discs. DVD movies can only be upconverted using an HDMI connection.
  
• PSP Remote Play via internet. Although this feature was supposedly included in a previous update, many were unable to have it properly run. This hopefully corrected feature will allow PSP users to watch and listen to content stored on the PS3 from any wi-fi connection in the world. PSP firmware 3.50 will be required.
  
• DLNA media center connectivity. Media content stored on DLNA-enabled PCs and laptops can be shared and viewed on PS3 systems.
• Print photos with Epson printers. Images stored on the PS3 hard drive can be printed using compatible printers.
• Transfer PS1/2 save files from PS3 using Memory Card Adaptor. Previously, users could only transfer save files to the PS3. Now, gamers will be able to transfer data to and from the PS3.

This update hits European PS3s on May 24th. A worldwide release should arrive on or near that date.
[Update: SCEA has contacted us with confirmation that the update will also hit American PS3s on May 24th as well. See past the break to see pictures of the newest firmware update in action.]

We were told to expect Advanced Remote Play functionality in today's big PS3 update (version 1.6). Looks like we were played the fool: you will not be able to access your PS3's content from any wi-fi point: once again, you must be in wireless range of your PS3. Until they correct this, the Remote Play functionality loses a lot of its purpose: what's the point of being tethered so close to the system? Update 1: It looks like Sony has delivered, but in a very unreliable fashion. Personal tests show that a "PS3 is not detected" error message is given more often than not. A variety of factors may be causing this glitch: firstly, your PS3 may lose its internet connection, especially if it's not wired. Secondly, Folding@home seemingly activates even when your PS3 is in Remote Play mode, which can cause some glitches. Personally, I've been able to successfully connect to my PS3 from an external wi-fi source less than 1 in 10 times. We shall investigate further.

There are some additional improvements made in this firmware revision, but they are very subtle. You'll be able to easily register a PSP for Remote Play use by accessing Remote Play from System Settings on PS3. Also, you'll be able to connect a wi-fi bridge to 20GB PS3s, allowing them to interface with PSP like the 60GB versions do.

[Thanks, Ryan!]