>IBM has released the Extended Length 3590s today

According to the http://www.storage.ibm.com/hardsoft/tape/announce/0229ann.html
announcement, they need to be used on those drives supporting extended length:

  A new extended length media cartridge, the IBM Magstar 3590 Extended High
  Performance Cartridge Tape. The new cartridge has a native capacity of 40 GB
  (120 GB with 3:1 compression) for the Magstar 3590 Model E and 20 GB (60 GB
  with 3:1 compression) for the Model B. These capacities are double that of
  the current cartridge.

  By using the new cartridges on tape drives that have the extended media
  support, customers can experience significant savings from less tape
  cartridge handling, improved automation slot utilization, and a reduction in
  floor space requirements. Use of the new media will especially benefit
  customer applications such as system backup and restore which utilize full
  tape cartridges.

Is "extended media support" a field upgradeable option for Model B drives?
Anyone have experience with such an upgrade?

    Richard Sims, BU