If you were looking to pop online with your PlayStation 3 this evening, Sony has a surprise for you: new firmware. Yes, the PS3 has Firmware 3.42 to download, but as of the writing of this article, Sony hasn't released an official statement as to what this update does.
Sony has stealthily put out PS3 firmware version 3.42 yesterday (September 6, 2010). This update was not mentioned on the PlayStation Blog and we have no initial idea as to what this new firmware addresses. This is a mandatory update which means access to the PlayStation Network will be blocked until the firmware is downloaded and installed.
The PS3 has been getting more updates recently than most people would care to experience. The timing of this update raises some questions. The update was released on Labor Day in the United States. These kinds of things don’t usually happen during a holiday. This makes me wonder if firmware 3.42 was rushed out to prevent the PS3 hack that has become so popular. Hackers have managed to hack the PS3 through USB with everyday items such as cell phones and calculators. It’s no surprise Sony would want to protect the integrity of its console as soon as an exploit is discovered.
PS3 jailbreak devices allow anyone to save a game externally and play them on the PS3 without needing the original disc. The concept screams piracy.
Sony managed to stop the distribution of one PS3 jailbreak device in Australia permanently. Retailers are banned from selling the device and must give Sony all the profits it has made from its sales.
We will await Sony’s response as to what firmware 3.42 entails. Seeing as how it’s so late in the evening, Sony’s statement will have to wait until the sun comes up.
UPDATE: Sony has since stated the update contains "additional security features." Several users who updated to PS3 Firmware 3.42 have now confirmed that Sony has indeed patched the PS3 exploit used for PS JailBreak, PSGroove and PSFreedom as expected so it is advised you do NOT update if you plan to use them.
For those who just signed in to PlayStation Network, PS3 Firmware update 3.42 is now available to download.
