The good news is, well, you've seen the good news. The bad news is, if you can't see the good news ... there is no good news. Speaking through semi-official community site Three Speech, SCEE has released a statement reiterating that PlayStation 3 update 2.41 (the good news) has been released, fixing the bricking issue associated with update 2.40. The statement attributes affected 2.40 users' inability to load the console's XMB to "certain system administrative data ... contained on the HDD." Spooky.

Unfortunately, if you're the proud parent of one of a "limited number" of bricked PS3s, you're stuck with your brick, a fix, and no way to wed the two. SCEE recommends contacting Customer Service (presumably for a new or repaired unit) -- or you can wipe your PS3 hard drive on your own (losing all data in the process) and try reinstalling. This is, if you haven't guessed already, the bad news.

Looks like the software engineers at Sony have finished tweaking firmware 2.40. The much-anticipated firmware update included crucial features, like in-game XMB and trophies, but was pulled shortly after its release due to reports of bricked systems. Now, a few days after the controversial removal of firmware 2.40 from Sony's servers, firmware 2.41 is available to download worldwide. Turn on your PS3 and hit Network Update to get started.

[Thanks, Seth C.!]

A "customer support" representative for Sony has reportedly informed CVG that firmware version 2.41 for PS3 should be available "midweek." Sony has not made an official statement about when version +.01 will be available, but we've sent carrier pigeons to their offices to peck on the windows until we get a response.

Sony has gone dark on the issue since July 2nd, presumably as it tries to figure out why some consoles had adverse reactions to the 2.4 upgrade. We'll update as soon as we receive a response from Sony.

What a day for PS3 Firmware. (Image via Engadget). Dare we call it the "killer app?" Check out the highlights for today:

The Rise and Fall of PS3 Firmware 2.40 and (the Spiders from Super Stardust HD)
PS3 Firmware 2.40 is now live
PS3 firmware 2.40 spruces up PSN Store
PlayStation 3 2.40 firmware update not available (pulled?)
Sony responds to adverse firmware 2.40 effects

Joystiquery
An exhaustive look at Game & Watch
Joystiq eyes (only) on: James Bond in Quantum of Solace: The Game
Joystiq hands-on: American McGee's Grimm
Metareview - Guitar Hero: Aerosmith
Poll: Does Guitar Hero Aerosmith support Rock Band guitars?
PS3 Fanboy's guide to Super Stardust HD Trophies
Wii Fanboy Weekly: June 26 - July 2

News
Heavy is next in line for Team Fortress 2 update
Square Enix countdown site opens, most likely Chrono Trigger DS
GamePro August issue sheds Resistance 2 details
Nyko Media Hub adds USB, card readers back to 40GB PS3s
Chrono Trigger DS confirmed for North America this holiday
New Games This Month: July 2008
Uncharted and 'every game' getting PS3 Trophies
Battlefield: Bad Company dev lists 'issues' to be fixed
'Several' Halo Wars demo stations at E3
American McGee's Grimm: All episodes free for first 24 hours
See Bond run in Quantum of Solace: The Game screenshots
DC Universe Online images revealed on MySpace
Yakuza 3 confirmed, coming exclusively to PS3
Oh craps! This is Vegas delayed until 2009
Ninja Gaiden 2 'horse armor' now on sale
GameStop officially acquires NZ's Gamesman
Insomniac not 'currently' adding trophies to Ratchet or Resistance
Diablo 3 producer talks art, says 'color is your friend'
Elebits 2 charging DS for Fall release
Activision execs receive millions in bonuses
Hypnotic new PixelJunk Eden multiplayer footage
PlayStation.com hacked, security firm reports
Dead Space box art a hands-off affair

Rumors & Speculation
Rumor: Next Tony Hawk to have peripheral, not developed by Neversoft

As we've already reported, SCEA has removed firmware 2.40, released early this morning, from its update servers. Users attempting to use the System Update feature from the PS3 XMB from firmware prior to 2.40 are now being told that their software is up to date.

This action follows a large number of reports on the official PlayStation message boards of the update adversely affecting users' systems. The most widely noted problem is systems simply failing to reach the XMB upon booting, instead getting stuck on a screen with only the familiar "wave" background displayed.

Some posters have reported that removing the PS3 hard disk, formatting it via a PC, then re-inserting it allows the PS3 to boot properly ... with the obvious drawback of losing everything – profiles, saves, DLC, etc. – that was on the drive.

Joystiq contacted SCEA for comment on the situation as was told by PR director Patrick Seybold that they are aware of the message thread and that they are "looking into it right now and will work with those customers directly to address any issues they may be experiencing." This comment came before the update was removed from Sony's servers. We're seeking further comment and will update as we receive it.

Update: SCEA has issued a formal statement via the official PlayStation blog confirming that firmware 2.40 has "temporarily" been taken offline until it can "isolate the problem" and "identify a solution."

After issues were reported with the PlayStation 3's 2.40 firmware update, it appears the update has been completely pulled from the Network. This blogger had not updated yet and, when attempting to, was told the latest version was already installed. A tipster reported the same thing. We've contacted Sony for comment and will update as soon as we hear back. If you haven't updated yet, give it a shot and let us know if you're successful.

[Update: Sony just updated the PlayStation blog stating that it has "temporarily taken Firmware v2.40 offline" due to "a limited number of calls from consumers experiencing an issue with installing the system software update on their PS3."]

[Thanks, Ian]

Right now, you're probably at work, reading this at your cubicle, wondering how exactly your two college degrees and years of hard work and ambition got you to where you are now. Meanwhile, our pals at PS3 Fanboy are at home, probably in their underwear, futzing around with PS3 firmware 2.40, high-fiving each other every time they find something "totally rad." This one took quite a bit of digging, but we agree it's pretty important.

The updated PSN Store brought Sony's web-based circa 1997 shopping experience into the 21st century, but it wasn't without fault. Most notably, the tiny icons often didn't communicate the content very well ... that is, if they ever loaded. Yeah, it had caching issues too. So, we're happy to report that as of today, the PSN Store has a new "view mode" which puts things into a list format, as seen above and, whaddyaknow, they're caching images now too so everything should be lickity-split!

The much-ballyhooed PlayStation 3 firmware 2.40 update -- with in-game XMB and Trophies -- is now available. What are you waiting for? Download it now, and be sure to check out our coverage of the firmware so far.


Check out more information about Firmware 2.40's features, including the Trophy system and video of the in-game XMB in action.

With the help of PSN director of operations, Eric Lampel, PlayStation.Blog has compiled a Firmware v2.40 FAQ, answering many of our most common questions. In most cases, with "No." Voice messaging? No. In-game web browsing? Negative. In-game display settings? Nope. In-game shopping? Uh-uh. In-game music streaming? Pfft. Cross-game invites? Sorry. Well, okay, what about Trophies -- will they make a funky little noise when unlocked (like Achievements!)? Of course not ... er, wait a minute: "I got an email from Eric asking me to update this post; there *will* be a sound effect when a user unlocks a trophy. You'll be hearing it soon enough. Hopefully a lot."

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

Sony broke out its short list of Trophy system inductees today. Not surprisingly, the first confirmed titles to gain Trophy support are all first-party games. What kinda coup is this?

• BUZZ! Quiz TV
• LittleBigPlanet
• MotorStorm Pacific Rift
• NBA 09
• PAIN**
• PixelJunk Eden
• Resistance 2
• SOCOM: Confrontation
• Super Stardust HD**
• Warhawk**

** Requires game update to install Trophies. (And requires you to play again to unlock them.)

Update: PS3 Fanboy informs us of the first two third-party games (!) confirmed to feature Trophies: BioShock and Tiki Games' self-published PSN shooter, Novastrike.

We had the opportunity to see exactly how the Trophy system will work, which games will support it, and more nitty-gritty details that you can read about after the break!

Following months of rumors, speculation, and – most of all – waiting, Sony has officially unveiled version 2.40 of the PlayStation 3's operating system and XrossMediaBar (XMB) interface. Joystiq got a look at it in action last week and can finally unzip our lips about what we saw.

In a nutshell, the update introduces most of the features we've seen floating around as rumors for some time. Here's the short list of what you can now do without exiting from games:

• In-game XMB (a quick tap of the PS button brings it up)
• View game-specific Trophies (We'll have more on this major feature at 8AM EST / 5AM PST)
  
• Time / date display
• Send text messages to PSN users on your friends list
• Access accessory settings, such as Bluetooth pairing and voice changer
• View and manage downloads
• Quits game directly from an icon under the "Game" section of the XMB
• Search the web using the Google Search option under "Network" (similar to the latest PSP firmware)
• Launch directly into another game from the one you're currently playing
• Play music tracks stored on the HDD in games that support this feature
• Access a new on-screen music player interface (when listening to your own tracks in supported titles)

Sony hasn't announced a release date for its latest firmware update, stating only that it will be "very soon." The official press release says the firmware is coming July 2 (this Wednesday!). There are quite a few rumored / hoped for features that aren't finding their way into this release. There are also a number of quibbles with the functionality of the features that did make the cut. We go in-depth with our likes and dislikes of firmware 2.40 right here.