DailyTech - New Firmware Upates for PS3, PSP Announced

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Gadgets New Firmware Upates for PS3, PSP Announced
Stephen Kamizuru (Blog) - October 14, 2008 12:03 PM

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16 comment(s) - last by Kamasutra.. on Oct 20 at 4:46 PM

Official Bluetooth PS3 Headset on display at the Tokyo Game Show 2008

Updates for the PS3 and the PSP provide new and improved functionality for both consoles

Sony announced new firmware updates for the PlayStation 3 and the PlayStation Portable for late October. Firmware version 2.50 for the PS3 and version 5.00 for PSP will provide new functionality the two consoles currently do not have.

The PSP firmware version 5.00 will allow you to sign up for the PlayStation Network and access the PlayStation store using your PSP. It will be possible to download games, demos, and trailers using your PSP while connected to a Wi-Fi network. The update also adds a sleep timer option that can be used while you are playing music on your PSP. A full screen keyboard option for text entry and a redesigned background for the XMB are also included in the firmware upgrade.

The PS3 firmware version 2.50 will provide support for the official Bluetooth PS3 headset. The update enables High-Quality (HQ) mode, which delivers clear and wide-band online voice chat. An added on-screen indicator shows battery status, volume level and use of HQ mode.

An in-game screenshot tool will be added that allows gamers to capture their favorite gaming moments. This feature will be supported on a game by game basis. Video functionality has been improved with the addition of a Scene Search feature similar to the feature on the PSP. Activating this feature while viewing a video on the PS3 will allow you to break up the video into scenes that you can access by pressing the X button. You can break the videos into one, two, or five minute intervals.

The wireless controllers for your PS3 can now be set to turn off automatically after not being used for a set amount of time. Another power saving feature is it will now be possible turn off the PS3 automatically after a background download or installation of content has completed.

Other miscellaneous improvements include an improved interface for The PlayStation Trophy Achievement system. A redeem codes option has been added on the PlayStation store to make it easier to redeem your PlayStation Network Cards and promotion codes. Finally, the status of your offline friends on your Friends list will be visible underneath their avatars, showing how long it has been since they were last online.

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Long time comming

By the goat on 10/14/2008 12:13:55 PM , Rating: 5

quote:
Another power saving feature is it will now be possible turn off the PS3 automatically after a background download or installation of content has completed.

This should have been added a long time ago. I hate leaving the PS3 running all day just to allow some downloads to complete.

The other new features all sound good.

RE: Long time comming

By tastyratz on 10/14/2008 12:56:15 PM , Rating: 5

Now to improve that feature there should be a checkbox to install downloaded content upon completion. Pisses me off that I have to download, wait, say install, wait. I would love it if I could set up my ps3 to auto install so when I downloaded something it will just be ready when its ready and not need my intervention.

I definitely agree though these features are really needed. I love the controller timeout one.

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RE: Long time comming

By mmntech on 10/14/2008 1:34:14 PM , Rating: 2

Auto-install would be nice. I like that you will now be able to turn the controllers off automatically. That's very useful when playing a DVD or downloading a big file and you forget to turn them off. Playstation Universe is reporting that Flash 9 support is also being added.

The PSP update is more interesting because it's finally getting direct store support. Sony used to allow direct downloads of PSP demos from their website, then they stopped that forcing you to use the PC or PS3 store.

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RE: Long time comming

By Golgatha on 10/14/2008 2:23:07 PM , Rating: 2

"The wireless controllers for your PS3 can now be set to turn off automatically after not being used for a set amount of time. Another power saving feature is it will now be possible turn off the PS3 automatically after a background download or installation of content has completed."

Agreed, it's about time they added these functionalities. Give me a download and auto-install feature for game demos/DLC/etc. and I'll be even happier.

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I'm still waiting...

By bravacentauri83 on 10/14/2008 10:04:47 PM , Rating: 2

for support to watch h.264 content.

RE: I'm still waiting...

By DOCDAT1 on 10/15/2008 5:58:58 AM , Rating: 2

ditto that!

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RE: I'm still waiting...

By Kamasutra on 10/20/2008 4:41:32 PM , Rating: 2

Both the PSP and PS3 have had that ability for a long time. Are you maybe referring to some specific profile of H.264?

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no bluetooth stereo?

By Lotus SE on 10/14/2008 1:50:42 PM , Rating: 2

I would like to be able to use my Plantronics Voyager 855 stereo bluetooth headset with the PS3! That way I can turn the stereo speakers off and keep from waking up a sleeping roommate.

My bluetooth headset can stream stereo music from my phone over 30ft, I would think the PS3 could as well.

The phone is an HTC touch that supports Bluetooth 2.0 (EDR), and streams stereo. The PS3 is also Bluetooth 2.0 (EDR). I would think that it should be able to stream stereo.

RE: no bluetooth stereo?

By joeld on 10/14/2008 3:47:33 PM , Rating: 2

You'll have a small amount of delay (my pulsar 590 stereo headset does anyway), but as long as it's not your primary method of playing games or watching videos, it won't bug you too much.

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Themes

By afkrotch on 10/17/2008 8:28:53 AM , Rating: 2

Now they need to allow me to set my own Icons in the XMB. It's odd to have a nice wallpaper and be stuck with my Toro icons. Only icons I have with an anime style to them.

RE: Themes

By Kamasutra on 10/20/2008 4:46:53 PM , Rating: 2

There are tools with which you could just make your own theme.

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Video Playlist

By SpaceJumper on 10/14/2008 1:54:28 PM , Rating: 2

I wish they add the playlist for the video, so my dixv videos can be selectively played.

Yay!

By Gul Westfale on 10/14/2008 10:03:56 PM , Rating: 2

and archos released a new firmware for my archos 5 just yesterday... my week is starting off rather well.

Re-enabling upscaling

By noirsoft on 10/14/2008 10:31:38 PM , Rating: 2

Okay, I don't want this to start any arguments. I am looking for technical information.

I just updated my PS3 to the latest OS, and I can't play DVDs any more. My TV is a 1st generation DLP, and the input that supports 720p doesn't support 480i. It also is pre-HDMI, so I connect over component. With the new OS, it won't upscale over component (even to 480p) and so sends out a 480i signal on all DVDs, making it useless as a player. Blu-Ray discs play fine, but most of the bonus content doesn't play for the same reason.

Is anyone aware of the reson for this, and any possible workaround, short of buying a new TV, which is not really an option?

I mostly use my 360 for DVD playback, so I only noticed this recently when trying to watch the bonus Torchwood features.