The details of the update are as follows (taken from the Playstation 3 Blog):

* Trophy enhancements – Now you can more easily sort trophies in the Trophy Collection and Comparing Trophy sections. Sorting can be done with Trophy Collection in the Game Category and also when comparing trophies with your friends in the Friend Category.
* Trophy Folder (Title List) can be sorted by game name/by title according to the date in which you earned your last trophy (ascending/descending)
* Add-on list (Group list) can be sorted by original/the date in which you earned your last trophy (ascending/descending)
* Trophy list can be sorted by original/trophy name/grade/date of obtaining the trophy (ascending/descending)

‘The Tester‘ will involve a series of challenges, including gaming as well as finding out your knowledge of video games.

Sony describe it as:

This original program will challenge a select group of gamers in a series of tests to determine if they have what it takes to make it as an official Game Tester. The elimination competitions throughout the series will not only test the contestants’ video game knowledge, but they will also challenge the gamers’ memory, stamina, dexterity, and overall mental prowess. Contestants must have the whole package to take home the coveted prize in this new original series. That’s because the lucky winner will earn a contract position at Sony Computer Entertainment’s Quality Assurance department in San Diego, CA, where he or she will get hands on time with the most highly anticipated games in the industry.

So, do you think you have what it takes to be ‘The Tester’. You can register your interest in taking part on Sony’s website.

Oh and good luck!

Sony’s CEO, Howard Stringer, moved quickly to deny rumours that were growing on the internet.

This is in response to games developer, Activision, when their CEO suggested they may stop developing games for the PS3 because of the high price of the system.

But the Sony boss responded to the Activision’s CEO:

“He likes to make a lot of noise. He’s putting pressure on me and I’m putting pressure on him. That’s the nature of business.”

And on cutting the price of the PS3?

“I [would] lose money on every PlayStation I make. How’s that for logic?”

Activision’s game titles include Call of Duty and Guitar Hero.

Due to initial production problems Sony decided to release the PS3 firstly in the US in late 2006, with the European launch four months later in Spring 2007. This decision was proved correct as even with the delay, and a massive head-start of one year and 4 months in Europe – the Sony PS3 is now leading the XBox 360 in the next generation battle.

Sony is the first of the two companies to shift 5 million consoles in Europe.

In the United States however there are now 10 million XBox 360′s in consumers hands. This compares to just under 5 million PS3′s.

Microsoft is hailing the 10 million barrier as proof that the XBox 360 has won the next generation console war.

But hold on one moment.

The PS3 is not only ahead and extending the lead in Europe but is outselling the XBox 360 in the United States according to data from the last few months.

Europe has chosen the PS3 already – the US is catching up.

(Oh and obviously the Wii is outselling them both!)

The creation of such bundles has proven a fine marketing move by Sony in recent years and the release of the Grand Theft Auto IV version last week was yet another step in this fine tradition.

However with the advent of MGS, Sony has a real chance to hit the XBox 360 where it hurts thanks to the exclusivity of the game on PlayStation only.

Keep your eyes peeled, make a note of the date, and of course (you shouldn’t need reminding) but pre-order your copy of Metal Gear (hurry to save £15 on the retail price)

The new update is said to be here this month (that’s April folks), and Sony say that we can all look forward to a special update, come mid-April. What that will be is anyone’s guess, although i personally am hoping for Home, or even a demo of the much anticipated Metal Gear Solid 4. The store, it is said, will gain a new design, interface and navigation. It also stated that current users of the store will not be affected, and so they can just look forward to the new overhaul. Although this also means that anybody that has not yet downloaded the fantastic Gran Turismo Prologue (shame on you), can still do so while the new update is incorporated, OR you can find the best price for the game HERE.

The full news item can be found on the official playstation store here

While you wait for the new update, you might like to view these quite nice looking screen shots of the new store layout. ENJOY.

Unless you’re packing plastic, you won’t be able to download and buy things from PS3′s PlayStation Store.

The playstation network cards are the golden solution to purchasing all of those great downloadable games from the PSN store, if that is you do not have access to a credit card. They are like phone top up cards, you go into a shop and purchase a PSN card for a set value. You then go home and scratch off the silver strip to reveal a code which you enter on the network. Hey presto you have funds in your account.

Sony have apparently said that they have no plans to release the cards on these shores as of yet. For those unlucky enoujgh to be able to use a credit card it looks like the only things you will be downloading is the free trials for a while. Heres hoping it is all sorted out soon.

Fingers crossed Sony Europe comes though.

Microsoft have upped their advertising budget in the United Kingdom in recent weeks in a bold attempt to ensure that their XBox 360 remains high visibility in the weeks leading up to the launch of Sony’s ground-breaking PlayStation 3.

Senior chiefs at Microsoft believe that following the first few days to weeks in which the PlayStation 3 is widely expected to sell-out like it did in the US, Microsoft aims that when gamers enter stores in the Easter holidays all that will surround them will be heavily ‘in-stock’ XBox 360.

Microsoft have more XBox 360 systems in the UK with retailers already than than the measly 250,000 which Sony is expecting to deliver.

It appears that Sony’s advertising strategy for the UK and Europe which is due to commence soon will focus primarily on ensuring that the new PS3 will set the standard for home gaming, and that any other system will be second best.

The end of March/April will mark the most intriguing battle between the two game consoles. A succesful European launch with poor sales of the XBox over Easter could decide the winner of the next generation console war.

(If you don’t want to wait till late Summer to get your Sony PlayStation 3 then read our guide to UK PS3 Pre-Orders right now – you only have another 6 weeks – and the queue is forming!)