Sony has released its expected 2.81 firmware via network update and on its Japanese PSP Web site. The biggest change in the firmware is the the 4GB Memory Stick limit is lifted.

Other additions have been translated by DCEmu member b8a:

• A fix for corrupted protection management data in ATRAC files that were protected in SonicStage and saved to Memory Stick Pro Duo.
  
• A fix for files formatted with a PSP or Memory Stick formatter that are recognized as unformatted media on a Memory Stick Pro Duo when connecting the PSP to a PC with USB cable

More than likely, this new firmware is Sony attempt at combatting the new libtiff exploit that allowed for downgrading 2.71 PSPs, but we'll know for sure once a few people who are much more smart than me start picking through the update.

I'm downloading the update now and will let you know how it goes.

(Thanks Craig)

[Update 1: After updating, the following text is displayed: "Revisions to strengthen security have been added."]

In this video from computerwiz, he compiles official and what are most likely mock images of features that we may be see for the PSP in the near future.

He offers several images of what may be in store for firmware 3.0, which in his dream world includes support for an HDD in excess of 14GB, Sony Mail, a Sony Organiser, Sony Paint and Sony Music Store downloads. The video goes on to show more stills of the PSP PS1 emulator, the PSP camera and the PSP GPS peripheral.

If Sony can come through with half of the things this guy has thought of for firmware 3.0, I'll retract every bad thing I've ever said to the PSP. I'll have it in writing and send an official apology letter to Sony. C'mon, Sony, stop pussyfooting around with the PSP and do something that will blow us away. Please.

Sony has released its new PSP firmware 2.80 update today. You can download it using the Network Update feature in your PSP.

When updating, the firmware reads it contains the following features:

• You can now download video and image content under [RSS Channel];
  
• You can now register devices via a wireless LAN access point under [LocationFree Player];
• You can now play AAC files with file extension .3gp under [Music]; and
  
• You can now play content saved in "Music," "Picture" and "Video" folders on a Memory Stick. (Apparently, this means you don't have to rename video files, and you can play them without using special folders.)

Sony recently announced its plans for the new upgrade at Comic-Con. It will be interesting to see in the coming days whether Sony has addressed any of the recent breakthroughs in the homebrew scene.

[update 1: Fixed a misspelled word and hopefully clarified the post a bit.]

[Thanks Chris]

Looks like another upgrade is upon us. Sony today released their latest firmware upgrade for PSPs, which knocks the firmware version up a smidgen to 2.7. The update adds several new features, the most appealing of which is the ability to play Flash content on the device's built-in Internet browser and save RSS feed content to your Memory Stick. Other enhancements include an option to disable the L/R shoulder buttons during UMD playback, an additional file extension to playable AAC formats, and a handful of menu improvements.

There's a good chance that a fix for the GTA hack for Firmware 2.6 is included with the update, so unless you want to be stuck without all your beloved homebrew apps, we'd suggest holding off until someone out there figures out how to make 2.7 do our bidding.

[Via oreillynet; thanks to everyone who sent this in!]