Sony PlayStation 3 Beginner's Manual page 31

The Beginner's Guide To The PS3 Page 31 of 35
Software Questions
Q. How do you update the firmware for the PS3?
A. Firmware upgrades can be downloaded via System Update, or
through a game that requires a firmware update. In case you didn't
know, firmware is software that is actually embedded in the PS3's
hardware, and it provides the instructions on how the PS3
communicates with its hardware. Updates to the PS3's firmware will
generally increase stability, performance, and compatibility with
games.
Q. What does the online network for the PS3 offer?
A. The online network is an open and free network. The online
network has a variety of options including friends lists, internet
browsing, content downloading (both paid and free), voice chat, video
conferencing, and free online multiplayer games for most games
except MMORPGS. You can also download game demos to the PS3
hard drive. Basically, if you can download something for free on your
PC, you will be able to download it for free with the PS3.
You can download PS2 and PS1 games onto the hard drive for a cost of
around $8 to $15 dollars