The rumors have swirled for some time now, and now Sony has finally made things official with the release today of PSP Firmware 4.00 update and even an update for the PS3.

While this PSP firmware release is the update that many of us have been waiting for, the biggest feature to be added is the ability to do a Google search direct from the XMB. Other features that many of us have been waiting for, like the ability to add home brew apps or better use of the memory stick (read: virtual memory), did not make the cut. In fact for an integer upgrade very little was actually added.

Yesterday Sony also released the anticipated PS3 2.36 firmware release. This version, which is a precursor to the pending 2.40 update, merely fixes a few stability issues. Better than nothing, right?

Here is the official change log from Sony for PSP firmware 4.00:

• [Internet Search] has been added as a feature under [Network].
• You can now change viewing speed during video playback by pressing the Up and Down buttons. Use this feature if you want to watch a video quickly, or if you want to slow down playback and listen to the dialogue carefully.

These updates are cool, especially the internet search (Google), but they leave much to be desired. When is Sony going to listen to its buyers and include DivX support?

As far as the updates to the PS3, unless you are having stability issues you can just wait for the 2.40 update. When the 2.40 upgrade does finally become available, Sony confirms it will feature in-game XMB and trophies.

Both the updates for the PS3 and the PSP are live now and can be downloaded at your leisure.