PSP World

New PSP Firmware 3.30 With T-Mobile Hotspot Access

Sony Computer Entertainment America recently announced a new firmware upgrade for the PSP(PlayStationPortable) system, version 3.30, enabling PSP users to play compatible games online, surf the Web, and download podcasts at more than 7,000 T-Mobile HotSpot locations, including select Starbucks coffee shops, Borders bookstores, Hyatt Hotels, and more than 70 major airports across the United States.

The Sony press release confirmed that this limited time promotional offer includes six months of Wi-Fi network access to T-Mobile HotSpot starting at the initial log-in on the T-Mobile HotSpot network for PSP owners who have downloaded the firmware update. Once the six-month period is complete, T-Mobile will offer PSP owners an option to purchase a subscription at a special rate. Details of the post offer will be available directly from T-Mobile. PSP owners must log-in to the T-Mobile HotSpot Network by March 28, 2008, to access the six-month promotional period.

"This new offer enables SCEA to take portable gaming and entertainment to a new level of mobility and convenience for PSP owners," said Peter Dille, senior vice president of marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "With T-Mobile's service, we're making it possible for the PSP community to connect in new ways and access the online content they want in more places than ever before. More and more PSP users are going online to challenge each other in multi-player games, and we can now make it more convenient to access online gaming as well as the Internet, showcasing the rich feature set that PSP has to offer."

Joe Sims, vice president and general manager, broadband products and services, T-Mobile USA, said, "Through SCEA's offer to PSP owners, T-Mobile HotSpot is expanding the ways customers can stay connected. Now the millions of loyal PSP users in the United States will be able to go online at thousands of T-Mobile HotSpot locations across the country that they may already frequent daily."

PSP users can now enter a T-Mobile HotSpot location and access compatible online games via the PSP's Wi-Fi functionality. Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters, the highly acclaimed newest chapter in the popular franchise, is the first title to take advantage of this new online access, enabling PSP owners to tackle the title's various multi-player options whenever they're at a T- Mobile HotSpot. Additional software titles supporting access to T-Mobile HotSpot locations will be released later this year.

Additionally, this new capability makes it easier than ever to access the PSP system's multimedia features beyond online gaming. PSP owners can take a break from the controls and watch a streaming video or download a podcast while drinking lattes at Starbucks, check out online reviews of the latest book releases while browsing at Borders, or access online city guides for restaurant and nightlife recommendations when passing through the airport or a Hyatt hotel.

Additional Firmware 3.30 Upgrades

The firmware 3.30 update is now available and includes the addition of T- Mobile HotSpot access as well as the following upgrades.

- Full-resolution video - PSP users can now view videos saved on a
Memory Stick Duo in full resolution (720x480).
- Thumbnail support - Thumbnail files for video and RSS content can
now be displayed.

PSP system firmware updates can be wirelessly downloaded directly to a PSP system using a Wi-Fi connection; downloaded to a PC from http://www.us.playstation.com/psp and transferred to a PSP system through a USB cable; or installed using upcoming UMD software.