PlayStation Plus available now

Sony's new premium subscription service PlayStation Plus has been released for PlayStation 3.

This feature arrives with firmware version 3.4. In addition, this adds network photo sharing, video editing and uploading, star ratings for Store content, more power saving options and better Facebook connectivity.

Sony has also taken this opportunity to roll out firmware 6.3 for PSP, ensuring PlayStation Plus works across both platforms.

Like Xbox Live, PlayStation Plus costs £39.99 annually - or £11.99 for 90 days. Unlike Xbox Live, Sony's keen to offer lots of free stuff above and beyond demos.

From today, LittleBigPlanet will be free to all who sign-on to PlayStation Plus. Sony's also giving away WipEout HD, Minis Field Runners and Age of Zombies, and PSone game Destruction Derby. All that and a lot more.