Foster City, Calif. - Sony Computer Entertainment America on Thursday announced the release of a new firmware upgrade for its PlayStation 3 game console, which adds features including the ability to turn on the PS3 via a PSP system connected to a Wi-Fi hotspot; a scrolling PlayStation news ticker; and the ability to build music and photo playlists.

The new "Remote Start" feature complements the existing Remote Play, which allowed users to stream photos, videos and music stored on their PS3 hard drive or hard drive PC onto a handheld PSP system via Wi-Fi; now, users will not have to leave their PS3 on when they leave home to access the feature.

Sony said it will use the news ticker to deliver information about new content added to PlayStation Store, software releases, hardware news, firmware details and other updates.

Sony had previously been expected to include PlayStation Home, its networked 3D community to rival Microsoft's Xbox Live, in the firmware update, but that launch has been delayed until the spring of 2008.

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