Support for the PS3 Official Bluetooth Headset - we’ve told you about the upcoming Bluetooth Headset and SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation Bundle on the Blog. This latest firmware installment enables High-Quality (HQ) mode, which delivers clear and wide-band online voice chat. On top of that, an added on-screen indicator shows battery status, volume level and use of HQ mode.

PlayStation Trophies interface enhancements - I know that many of you are busy collecting trophies and raising your PlayStation Trophy level. This update makes sharing and comparing your trophies with your friends even easier. On 1st part of the profile page you’ll see a symbol under level that represents level and the actual percentage towards the next level along with the existing level meter. The level symbol carries over to the trophy comparison screen where you will now be able to see your level, your friend’s level and the percentage towards the next level for both users along with all of the game by game comparison information you see today.

Friend status – Offline friends on your Friends list will have information below their avatars that will indicate how long it has been since they were last online.

Video – This update adds the Scene Search feature similar to the feature on the PSP. Activating this feature while viewing a video on the PS3 will break the video up into scenes that you can quickly access by pressing the X button. You can break the videos into one, two or five minute intervals. In addition, you can now choose to have all of the videos under the video section of the XMB play in sequence. Go to Settings then Video Settings to turn this option on.

PlayStation Store – We’ve added a redeem codes option right on the store to make it easier to redeem your PlayStation Network Cards and promotion codes. In addition, PlayStation Network Sign Up and Account Management have been redesigned.

Power Save Settings – You can now set your PS3 and wireless controllers to turn off automatically after set periods of inactivity. Go to Settings then Power Save Settings to turn on these features.

Background Downloading - You now have the option to set the PS3 to turn off automatically after a background download or installation of content has completed. This option is available when you turn off the system from the button under [Users] while content is being downloaded or installed.

In-game Screenshots - this tool will allow everyone to capture, share and in other words, immortalize their favorite gameplay moments. This will be supported on a game by game basis. Please check back to find out which games will support this feature.

Sign Up Here

They’ve also announced that a demo will be avaliable for downlod from the PlayStation store this Thursday.

Awesome, thanks 2K Games!

Pretty neat huh?

If you’re a Soul Calibur fan, you’ll certainly know that like any other Soul Calibur game you’ve played in the past, the story mode is short and pretty uninteresting. Depending on the character you choose to play as, the story will slightly change; you may fight different bosses or perhaps play in a different arena – that’s all, lets move on.

The arcade/online modes of the game is what you’ll find yourself playing, pretty much all the time. The newest addition to the arcade section of Soul Calibur IV is a mode called the “Tower of Lost Souls”. This mode replaces the “Chronicles of the Sword” mode which was playable in Soul Calibur III. The aim of the “Tower of Lost Souls” is to reach the top of the so-called “tower” by defeating enemies with characters of your selection. The more rounds you win, the higher up the tower you will go, collecting treasure chests on the way. Obviously the higher up the ladder you are - the harder the enemies will become to defeat. This can be sometimes incredibly frustrating - some enemies seem almost impossible to defeat, so it’s vital to use some big combos and max out on reducing your enemy’s health.

Online? Yeah that’s right. For the first time in it’s series, - Soul Calibur receives an online gaming mode, and its fun! Select a host, choose a character to fight with and that’s it. You’re ready to battle. As you win a battle, you’ll receive points which will count towards your “Soul Calibur player level”. Like many online games, it can be addicting to level up and the same can be said about the Soul Calibur player level. Level up and show who the boss is!

The Character Creation feature in SCIV is awesome. There’s 1000s of different combinations you’re able to set for your custom character - literally 1000s. Just simply base your custom character’s fighting style on a current character and off you go! You can customize your characters voice depth, skin tone, armour - you name it, I’m sure you’ll be able to customize it! Oh, and what’s great about creating your own character? You can use him or her online in battles show off your creations - I’ve seen a couple characters from Metal Gear Solid and similar looking characters from anime such as Naruto.

The only difference between the PS3 and Xbox 360 version of Soul Calibur 4 is on the PS3, you get the bonus character Darth Vader, and on the Xbox 360 you get Yoda (both characters from Star Wars, obviously ;)). As you advance in the game, you’re able to unlock The Apprentice, also from Star Wars whom is available on both systems; PS3 and Xbox 360.

Overall we find the game great fun. The Character Creation system, online and arcade play will have you playing the game for hours giving you great value for money. Even if you’re not a Soul Calibur/Fighter game fan we really advise you to check the game out and to wrap up this review we give it a strong 8/10.

The price for the bundle is €399 - which is very cheap considering you’re getting the 80GB PS3 including the Dualshock 3 controller, oh - and of course - LittleBigPlanet itself.

Doesn’t the LittleBigPlanet PS3 box art look awesome?!

EA hasn’t set a date for the US Dead Space release date yet, but you can bet it’ll be around the same date as the UK release.

If you weren’t already aware of LittleBigPlanet’s pre-order character bonuses, you’re aware now! Depending on who you pre-order your copy of LittleBigPlanet with, you’ll receive a relatively recognisable bonus gaming character in Sackboy form to add to your character list in LittleBigPlanet. Pre-ordering LittleBigPlanet at Play.com entitles you to a bonus Nariko Sackgirl.