A new firmware update for the PS3 is now available, adding the ability to play DivX encoded videos on the console. The v2.10 update also introduces Blu-ray profile 1.1 (known as Bonus View) that will enable PS3 owners exploit the potential of Blu-ray titles coming in 2008.

The update also offers a voice changer feature, enabling users to alter the tone and pitch of their voice from the control panel during AV chat. Finally, the update also adds VC-1, alongside DivX, video playback capabilities.

Meanwhile, the PSP was also updated to v3.80, gaining the ability to play streaming internet radio. Most interestingly, these updates allow even more interactions between the two platforms, letting users stream and play PlayStation games on the PSP using Remote Play on the PS3. This applies to both physical and downloaded PS1 games.

It is being reported that the v1.94 firmware for the PS3 will add DualShock 3 controller support, offering rumble in games which support it. Though the update isn’t available for download yet, the retail copy of Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction is bundled with the update.

The controller itself is expected in Japan sometime next month, with US and European launches coming this Spring. Among other games that are reported to support the option are Warhawk, Unreal Tournament 3 and a whole host of other titles.

With the release of the v1.92 firmware update for the PS3, Sony has put up a backwards compatibility site, allowing users to search for PS1 and PS2 titles to check their compatibility status on the new console.

Also, at the bottom of the page, the company notes that it is working with publishers and peripheral manufacturers to let gamers play peripheral-based PS1/PS2 games on the PS3.

Already released in Japan, Sony has announced details of the v1.90 firmware that will be available in other regions tomorrow. The major feature in this update is the ability to set custom backgrounds (wallpapers) in the XMB menu interface and the ability to add bookmarks in the built-in browser. Here’s the full list of changes and additions:

• Ability to rearrange games on the XMB
  
• Option menu now includes “eject disk”
  
• Press triangle to eject games/CDs/movies in the XMB
  
• XMB backgrounds
  
• Change the folder classification
  
• Emoticons
  
• Change CD output to 44.1/88.2/176.4kHz
  
• Force 24Hz output for Blu-ray over HDMI
  
• Change PS3 video settings in-game
  
• “Bit Mapping” in the “Music Setting”
  
• Save AVCHD type animations from a Memory Stick
  
• Change settings like upscaling while playing PS and PS2 games
  
• Add bookmarks
  
• Web browser security function in the browser’s tool section
  
• Avatar moves during audio visual chat

Microsoft has already released the ‘Autumn’ system update for Xbox 360, adding the highly touted 1080p resolution support, expanded video playback features, reorganized Xbox Live Arcade features, XNA support and more.

All changes are listed just after the jump.
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Sony has updated the PSP’s firmware again, adding the ability to download video and image content through RSS feeds, among other things. Besides stopping the use of homebrew applications, the new v2.80 firmware update also lets users register devices with a wireless LAN access point, play AAC files with the 3.gp file extension, and play video and audio content saved in any folder on the Memory Stick.

With the release of the new firmware, Sony is offering a demo for World Tour Soccer 06. Unfortunately for users of previous firmware, the demo is exclusive to v2.80 and will not run on any other older revision.

Yes, you’ve read that right: hackers have successfully downgraded v2.5/2.6 PSPs to v1.5, allowing users to run homebrew applications as well as illegal ISO games.

Note: the “downdater” requires an original copy of Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories to work.

In its bid to add new features to the PSP, Sony has released the v2.71 firmware upgrade for the handheld, adding two new bullet points to the devices features list.

The bigger of the two changes included in the update is the ability to download game directly through the handheld’s internet browser into the system’s memory stick. The other change is a patch, fixing a function for the LocationFree Player so that video output is displayed properly when an external tuner is selected. Additionally, users in Japan now have access to Sony’s Portable TV download rental service in the country.

The update is available to users from all territories and can be installed by using the built-in update function, or by downloading the update from Sony’s website.

The PSP has been updated to v2.7 with a new firmware upgrade available through Sony’s website.

According to the company’s announcement, the upgrade adds Flash support to the PSP’s web browser, letting those who browse the internet view animations, as well as play web games through the portable. The upgrade also allows users to stream podcasts to the PSP and save them to the Memory Stick. The 2.7 upgrade also adds support for more popular music formats, enhancing the media playback capabilities of the device. And last, but not least, the upgrade prepares the PSP to act as a receiver for LocationFree, a Sony innovation that allows users to watch TV, play back recorded programmes and set up future recordings through mobile devices.

As an incentive to upgrade, Sony has made available a Loco Roco demo that only runs on 2.7 PSPs.