Firmware updates for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable will both arrive tomorrow, October 15. As an added bonus, the PS3 update gets support for Flash 9.

As reported yesterday, version 2.50 of the PS3 firmware brings screenshot capture, power saving, and a number of smaller tweaks. Version 5.00 of the PSP firmware, on the other hand, offers direct access to the PlayStation Store for the first time.

Semi-official blog Three Speech also picked up word that the PlayStation 3 will support Flash 9 through its built-in Internet Browser, which means owners can now use their $399 console to play the latest Desktop Tower Defense.

Both updates will be released through each system's update utility sometime tomorrow and will be available worldwide. For full descriptions of the updates, check our report featuring the official word from Sony.

Sony has issued details for the PlayStation 3 v.2.50 firmware and PSP v5.00 firmware updates, both of which will arrive as free downloads later this month.

The v2.50 PlayStation 3 update will allow users to capture their own in-game screenshots through "supporting titles in the future," to be announced later.

It also adds support for the official PS3 Bluetooth Headset, a new video scene search, automatic shut-off of the console or controllers after a period of inactivity, the ability to display custom developer-made Trophy icons, and several other tweaks.

The PSP v5.00 firmware brings direct access to the online PlayStation Store, allowing PSP owners to download games, demos and more from any Wi-Fi hotspot. It will also bring a full-size QWERTY on-screen keyboard, a sleep timer for music playback, and the ability to output downloaded PlayStation games at full-screen on a television.

The official details, as provided by Sony, follow below... Read more

Sony Computer Entertainment revealed that a forthcoming PSP firmware update will add a Google search function to the handheld's XMB operating system, the company announced on the PlayStation.Blog.

The new firmware update, which will bring the PSP up to version 4.00, adds the new Google-powered Internet Search icon under the Network icon in the XMB interface. The feature keeps track of up to 20 of a user's previous searches.

The update also adds the ability to change viewing speed during the playback of videos stored on a Memory Stick Duo loaded on the PSP with a simple press of up or down on the directional pad.

No official launch date for the new firmware has been announced, with SCE only stating that the update will be available "soon."