Sony announces new PS3 firmware 4.00 is packed with Vita support

Weeks ahead of Sony's latest, greatest gaming handheld's Japanese launch date, the company has announced that a pending firmware patch will add PS Vita support to its PlayStation 3 console this week. Sony hasn't been shy about the cross-platform possibilities, so calling this update important would be an understatement.

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Sony Network Entertainment Vice President Eric Lempel described exactly what firmware 4.00 brings to the table at the U.S. PlayStation blog, including turning the PS3 into a "content management device" for future PS Vita software.

"[Firmware 4.00] will allow users to copy their digital content such as games, music, photos, and videos between PS Vita and PS3, back up PS Vita game games including save data to your PS3 hard drive, and update the system software for your PS Vita system using the network features of your PS3," explained Lempel.

Sony has previously demonstrated how the two systems can connect and deliver a continuous gameplay experience - not unlike the promise of Nintendo's upcoming tablet-controlled console, the Wii U. The Wii successor will be an all-in-one package, though likely a pricey one.

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PlayStation Plus members who pay $50/year for enhanced support, cloud storage and discounted downloadable content will see a minor tweak that lets subscribers turn automatic updates off. Other improvements to system software, trophy syncs and game patching were also confirmed.

Sony declined to provide specifics, but promised more information would be made available once the firmware was live later in the week.

The PS Vita launches on December 17 in Japan and February 22 in North America, Europe and other regions. A special "First Edition" bundle for the device will be available in the U.S. and Canada on February 15.

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