Sony will offer the first software update for its PlayStation 3 games console on Saturday simultaneously with the start of sales of the device. The firmware update will add support for the PlayStation Network online service and be offered as a free download. It will upgrade the software from version 1.0 to 1.1, Sony said today. Users will be able to access the update from a menu item in the PlayStation 3.

In late November the company also plans to offer a firmware update for its PlayStation Portable. The update will bump the firmware to version 3.0 and add PlayStation Network support. With the new firmware in both devices the PSP will be able to access contents stored on the PlayStation 3 via a wireless LAN connection using a system Sony has dubbed "Remote Play." It will also make it possible to purchase and download PSP games content.