The PS3 Firmware debacle continues. Last week, we talked about the EULA that lets Sony do things like remove the “Other OS” option from your fat PS3 and get itself out of pesky lawsuits. This week’s new update, firmware version 3.30, is ostensibly just to add 3D support for 3D HDTVs. But it seems new parts of the updated EULA raise a lot of concerns with just how Sony wants you to use your console.

The version 1.4 EULA includes a line in which “services may be provided automatically without notice when you are online.” In other terms, you could be browsing the PSN while Sony downloads and installs a firmware update without your knowledge. And they’re completely allowed to do so. You can’t blame users for being a little aggravated, considering that one line lies within a 1,700 word document you usually view on your HDTV.

In the end, users would like a say in how the expensive electronic device they paid for works. Who would’ve thought?

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If this is actually true, folks, you can look for some serious lawsuits to get flung at Sony in the coming weeks.  The PS3 got its version 3.0 firmware upgrade not too long ago, and ever since, strange difficulties have come to light.  Especially for those with off-brand controllers.

The Sony controllers, meanwhile, had nary a problem operating in the new environment.

So it’s left to ask–is Sony’s new firmware just too much program for the knockoffs?  Or is Sony looking to lock some people out of the market?  If it’s the locking part, well, like I said–Sony’s going to be lawsuit bait within weeks.

[via Joystiq]

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For those of you lucky enough to own a 13-inch or 15-inch Macbook Pro, you’ll be glad to hear that Apple issued a Firmware update today that fixes the hard drive’s tendency to make noise or freeze.  This update applies to those who purchased the Unibody laptop in June and with a 500GB 7200rpm hard drive.

A buddy of mine, who purchased a 15-inch Macbook Pro has already had his hard drive replaced after just a few months of use.  Since were on the topic of flaws, Apple’s design team overlooked just how uncomfortable the computer’s edges are on the wrists.  Anything else that’s worth noting?

To grab the update, just hit your system preferences and fire up ‘software update’ or hit the ‘read’ link.

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Last week we saw the UK and Japan receive a Nintendo DSi firmware update that enabled the handheld gaming system to upload photos directly to Facebook.  Now, according to Crunchgear, Nintendo will issue the same update to North American DSi owners that will allow them to post photos directly to their Facebook page.   The update will be available sometime today after 5pm PST.

I’m still surprised this update wasn’t initially issued in the US, where FB is much larger, than in Japan.

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As rumored, the lastest iPhone firmware update hit today, 2.2. So what’s included in this update? The major upgrades are Google street view, share location via email, public transit info, walking directions and podcast downloads direct to device from iTunes.

Update: To use street view, tap the man in the red circle icon

• Google street view
• Public transit and walking directions
• Display address of dropped pins
• Share location via emai
• Resolved issues with scheduled fetching of email
• Improved formatting of wide HTML email (this always bothered me)
• Improved stability and performance of Safari
• Podcast downloads over WiFi and cell network
• Decrease in call setup failures and call drops
• Improved sound quality in voicemail
• Pressing the Home button from any Home screen takes you to the first screen
• Preference to turn on/off auto-correction in Keyboard Settings

To grab the update just plugin and go to town.

Nothing is confirmed, but according to rumors circulating in the blogosphere we can expect the iPhone 2.2 firmware update in 10 days, November 21st to be exact. We’ve already seen a few of the updates, but what else can we expect?

• New look for the Safari with the Google search bar now occupying its own space on the title bar (here)
• Toggle On / Off to disable the auto-correction
• 461 Japanese emoji icons
• Support for new languages.
• Line-in audio is activated and can be used through the headphone jack
• Google Street View, Google Transit information – Routes public transport, Walking directions, Location sharing.
• App Store: ‘Categories’ now shows the icons of the applications instead of the list, In each page of the application has been added by a button ‘Tell A Friend’ & ‘Report A Problem’, Added the possibility of scoring the application when the user chooses to delete from the device, Added the possibility for direct downloading of podcasts from the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store

[Macrumors]

PSP owners will be glad to know that Sony has released the latest firmware update for the portable gaming system, 5.0.  It adds the ability to download content directly to the PSP from the Sony Playstation store, a full screen keyboard, sleep timer and new XMB background designs.

[Akihabaranews]

I had to get this one in because I think those with the 3G iPhones are gonna be clamoring for it.  The latest iPhone firmware update, which will supposedly fix a bunch of bugs and connections issues, plus battery battery life, will be available this Friday, 9/12/08.

You see, I wanted to make the ‘green’ in the title a double entendre, but just couldn’t figure it. Oh well, screw it, but you’ll get my point after you read this.

D-Link is set to release a firmware update (it’s already been released in a few of their products) that’ll cut the power consumption of select routers.  See, now you get the ‘green’ part.  The first two boxes to receive the update are the DIR-655 Extreme Router and the DIR-855 dual channel router.  It’ll cut their power usage by as much as 32% and 41% respectively.  Sweet Mary of God!  Can everyone do that with a firmware update?  Or is this just simply a question of the router powering down when not in use?

[TrustedReviews]