The PlayStation Blog has just announced that a new firmware update for the PSP will be available soon.

This latest update, version 5.50, comes with a slew of new and upgraded features for the handheld console, including a scrolling ticker in the upper right hand corner that displays “up-to-date information about upcoming games, new content available on PlayStation Store, and other news” when the PSP is at a wireless hotspot.  PS3 owners will be instantly familiar with this “Information Board,” as well as a new feature which allows gamers to search for information about games directly from the PSP’s XrossMediaBar.

Other updates include improved functionality of the Memory Stick PRO Duo and free trial versions of two of Trend Micro’s web security services, Trend Micro Web Security, and Trend Micro Kids’ Safety. 

Sadly, we’re still waiting on that hardware update that will make a second analog nub sprout from the right side of the PSP, but I’m sure it’s on the way.