PS3 firmware update 4.20 drops tomorrow

The last firmware update for the PS3, version 4.10, added an audio option allowing players to hear their own voice echoed through the new Wireless Stereo Headset peripheral. Since implementing the feature, Sony has heard some complaints; this new firmware update, version 4.20, will add new audio options.

If you're using a Wireless Stereo Headset, you will be able to either turn the functionality completely off, or you can select from one of five different levels of intensity, the PlayStation Blog says. Sony will also add an option for virtual surround sound when using the Wireless Stereo Headset to watch Blu-ray or DVD movies when the update drops tomorrow.

Other non-audio additions include more flexibility when setting how long before the system will shut itself down, and an the option to manage save files in bulk.

Vita drop test goes surprisingly well if you're not taller than 4 feet

We've dissected the Vita from almost every angle imaginable, reviewing its hardware, software, design, mechanics and games, but there's one thing that we forgot to test out -- how well it will hold up during an earthquake. Or tsunami. Or anything that makes the ground unstable and people/tables prone to dropping things. Thankfully, these fellas above have that covered, conducting a thorough drop test on the Vita, which it somewhat surprisingly passes with flying colors. Er, flying Vitas.

DICE Looking To Expand Beyond The Battlefield Boundaries

DICE is well-known for their esteemed Battlefield franchise. Last
year's Battlefield 3 was certainly one of the year's best.
And while you can definitely expect more series installments in the
future,the developer has plans involving otherprojects. That's good
news, considering the last full game they created that didn't have
"Battlefield" in the title was 2008's Mirror's Edge .
DICE general manager Karl-Magnus Troedsson told Joystiq that the team
has an "ongoing plan" to step outside the Battlefield boundaries.

The ‘Starhawk’ beta is coming to a close this month, but Lightbox has just released the latest update. Version 1.3 brings a new map, larger battles and two new vehicles

 

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These days betas get a bad rap for being nothing more than a glorified demo, but if one game has bucked the trend, it’s Lightbox Interactive’s Starkhawk. The game has just entered version 1.3, bringing new vehicles, more players and a sweet trailer.
If you haven’t already booted up the Starhawk beta, you’ll be prompted to download the 1.3 update. This update will add two new vehicles to the game: the Ox Tank and the Sidewinder Jet Bike. The tank has a bit more of a futuristic look than what we’ve seen inWarhawk; it has six wheels as opposed to treads and two fire modes to boot.

Sony: 90 Million PSN Accounts, Best Royalty Rate

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It always helps when it's free.

The PlayStation Network remains free to access for everyone and the new PlayStation Vita just launched; it's only at 1.2 million sold now, but that number will certainly grow in the near future.

The bottom line is that according to Sony, speaking at GDC and as reported by Develop, there are 90 million confirmed PSN accounts around the world. SCEA Developer Relations Manager Ted Regulski said the numbers were compiled from accounts registered on the PS3, PSP, and the freshly released Vita. He also said Sony was "the only major console publisher to allow self-publishing."

"There are others but they have publishing rules that aren’t much fun, and there are no weird limits you have to hit in order for us to pay you."

Regulski added that the PSN offers a better royalty rate than either Microsoft or Nintendo, which of course is incentive for developers. As for the total number of PSN accounts, there's no doubt that users find ways to have multiple accounts on the same machine, so perhaps we should take "90 million" with a grain of salt. Still, there's no denying just how far the PSN has come in five short years.

Engadget goes hands on with Angry Birds Space

While we were talking to Rovio's Mighty Eagle Peter Vesterbacka, our good friends atEngadget were speaking with Rovio's Ville Heijari, who gave them a thorough run through of Angry Birds Space's new gravitational elements and horrendously difficult Danger Zone, the latter of which is exclusive to Samsung's massive 5.3 inch Galaxy Note smartphone.

We had a chance to play the game as well, albeit briefly, and we can report that not only are these birds still very upset, but that the pigs' space program is far, far more advanced than we had anticipated. We also had no idea there were so many planets in the solar system, but who are we to correct NASA?