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Gadgets PlayStation 3 Firmware Hits Version 2.0
Marcus Yam (Blog) - November 8, 2007 3:03 PM
Print E-mail del.icio.us 89 comment(s) - last by bobobeastie.. on Nov 27 at 12:27 AM

The new "Pixels" theme gives the XMB a neo-retro feel

The "Nature" theme makes the XMB seasonal

The Information Board feature sits under the Network section

Loading up the Information Board

Information Board provides a news feed with the latest PlayStation happenings  (Source: SCEE)
New PS3 software adds themes, news feed, progressive video downloading, custom playlists, web filters, PSP Remote Start and more

Just shy of its one year launch anniversary, the PlayStation 3’s system firmware has jumped a full version number. New features in version 2.0 include remote play, unlimited playlists, more Xross Media Bar customization and more.

Those with PSPs can make use of the improvements to the Remote Play linkage between the handheld and the PS3. With the latest firmware for both systems, PSP users have the ability to turn their PS3 on and off from a Wi-Fi connection, adding the opportunity to listen to the music, look at the photos and watch the videos saved on the PS3 hard drive from anywhere in the world.

Version 2.0 also improves upon the PS3’s functions as a media player. The new firmware allows users to create custom playlists for its music and photos – a feature that will be handy for those using the PS3 as a slideshow creator or digital music player.

Another new feature, which was first seen in the PSP 3.70 firmware, is support for custom themes. Previous PS3 firmware allowed the user to select a custom background, but the latest firmware allows for changes in color, brightness, font and the overall look for the XMB.

According to the video demonstration made by Eric Lempel, Sony’s director of PlayStation Network operations, new themes will be available for download tailored to certain gaming and non-gaming motifs. Likely this means that PSN will be mirroring Xbox Live’s use of themes, with somebeing free and the others available for a small charge.

Three sample themes are now ready for download and can be placed on a memory card or USB device for installation. While not yet officially supported by SCEA, Sony of Japan has released a tool to allow users to create their own themes.

As first seen in the 1.94 firmware update, which was included with the game Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction, today’s firmware update also has support for force-feedback controllers. The PS3 appears unable to distinguish between a SIXAXIS and DualShock 3 controller, so those curious may press the PS button on any PS3 controller to view the new vibration toggle option.

No longer will those who download trailers and other videos from the PSN have to wait until the transfer is complete to view the content. A new progressive download feature allows the user to view a video as it is being downloaded from the PlayStation Store.

The new update also introduces Trend Micro web security for the console, allowing parents to block the viewing of inappropriate sites from the PlayStation Internet Browser.

The most noticeable addition for PS3 owners is the new Information Board, which adds a panel onto the XMB interface with expandable items on the latest PlayStation news. The new firmware may now be obtained using the PS3’s network update feature or downloaded directly from SCEA’s Network Update page.

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Possibly a valid question
By InternetGeek on 11/9/2007 12:58:43 AM , Rating: 2
Why does it take Sony a firmware update to install new themes and functionality to the PS3?. These are functions that, IMO, can be handled by the underlying OS. Normally you associate a firmware update with improvements to execution, stability, etc.

Or are these updates called "Firmware" in a broad sense and they include a lot more?

In the case of 360 its easier to understand because it is basically running Windows on a lower Ring. So MS would be just 'patching' the OS and adding whatever program they need.

I don't own any console for the moment. This is a technical question.




RE: Possibly a valid question
By crazyblackman on 11/9/07, Rating: 0
RE: Possibly a valid question
By enlil242 on 11/9/2007 7:46:08 AM , Rating: 1
All I want is a killer "must have" app. So far that is the one thing Sony has not provided.

Right now, I can get any game I want on the 360 or PC . There is no compelling reason for me to pick up a PS3. Releasing a new firmware update is good for the curent owners as it gives them something to do in between watching movies, but will not make me spend $400. Heck not even $300.


RE: Possibly a valid question
By michal1980 on 11/9/2007 10:05:21 AM , Rating: 3
Ratch and Clank.

Thats a killer ps3 app.

now you will come back and say well its not what you want. Dismissing the fact that it is a great game period.


RE: Possibly a valid question
By Locutus465 on 11/9/2007 10:13:25 AM , Rating: 3
Perhaps he meant one that causes the masses to finally decide the cost of the PS3 is worth it and go buy systems en-mass? I'm not going to put down rachet and clank, particularly since I've never played it there for I have no place to... But (say what you want about it), the game didn't have the same effect for sony that Halo 3 did for the x-box. While I'm interested in the possibility of getting a PS3, $400 is a bit steep for me right now and I'll need something that I know is going to keep me playing it (not just for Disney BD movies).

At the very least the 3rd party situation seems to be improving a bit for sony... I just read (here on DT) that COD4 is just as good on PS3 as it is on 360, which shows that at least some game studios are finally getting the hang of programming it. Who knows, perhaps after another round of price cuts and a larger more varided game library I'll finally make the leap and go all purple and grey.


RE: Possibly a valid question
By Chaser on 11/9/2007 10:52:50 AM , Rating: 2
I don't think anyone could reasonably complain about how agressive Sony has been with delivering significant firmware updates and new features for the PS3.

And now this month's complaint is the need for a "killer app" um game, from the Halo 3 crowd. Yes Rachet and Clank is an awesome game which distinctively highlights the PS3's very impressive graphic rendering capabilities. So much so I think its a showcase game to lay to rest a couple of baseless myths that floated around this forum: the idea that the PS3 is "a good number cruncher, but has lesser graphics capabilities" or that it's "too hard to program for developers". I'd say the list below appears to settle that notion nicely:

Rachet and Clank, Assassin's Creed, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, COD4, GTA4, UT3, God of War 3, DIRT, Oblivion, MSG4 and many more.

And on the PSN these were announced for the holiday season:

the following titles are expected to launch on the PlayStation Network this holiday season:

Aquatopia
Go! Sports Skydiving
High Velocity Bowling
Mesmerize 1
Operation Creature Feature
Pain
PixelJunk Monsters
Snakeball
Toy Home
Trials of Topoq

Merry Christmas.


RE: Possibly a valid question
By michal1980 on 11/9/2007 11:28:30 AM , Rating: 1
most of the games that play better on the 360 vs the ps3 tend to be ea games.


RE: Possibly a valid question
By deeznuts on 11/9/2007 1:23:24 PM , Rating: 1
quote:
most of the games that play better on the 360 vs the ps3 tend to be ea games.
This is true, but I think early Ubisoft was guilty as well. Ubi I think is making headway with Assassins Creed

Infinity Ward came in and bitchslapped all those lazy devs, by producing a beautiful game on both platforms, and said developing on the PS3 was fun, and not hard, just different and challenging.

And now Kane and Lynch dev just said the same thing, contrary to the whining of John Carmack (well gripes, he didn't whine that hard, just griped, but he got it done), that Harmonix developer just recently (Harmonix? Seriously?) and Gabe Newell


RE: Possibly a valid question
By BansheeX on 11/9/2007 8:55:26 PM , Rating: 2
That's because John Carmack and Gabe Newell develop games on the PC first and foremost and are partial to the easier port. Which console do you think provides that? Hmmm, do you think it's the console made by the same company who makes Windows? For initial development, the PS3 is just fine as recent titles have proven.


RE: Possibly a valid question
By sxr7171 on 11/10/2007 6:41:21 PM , Rating: 2
If they are so fucking aggressive where is the BD 1.1 capability? I bought this thing only for Blu-Ray since there isn't a game worth a damn on it yet (alright maybe Ratchet and Clank, but that's not my cup of tea) and I know that devs will not favor the PS3 over the 360.


RE: Possibly a valid question
By SirLucius on 11/9/2007 12:30:35 PM , Rating: 2
*Sigh* Please stop with this argument. For the first year of it's life, there was no "killer app" for the 360. That's right. Nothing. Zilch. Nadda. Gears of War came out 1 whole year after the 360 was released. Halo 3 2 friggin' years. So the two most popular 360 exclusives took some time to come out.

The PS3 is coming up on the 1 year mark. Ratchet and Clank was just released and, IMO, is a far better game than Halo could ever hope to be. But even with my bias against Halo aside, nearly every review of the game out there, save Gamespot, rates the game well over a 9. It is a "killer app", or can only FPS's be considered the best?

There are good games out for the PS3. If you don't own the system, then of course you wouldn't know this. But the fact is there is a solid lineup of games out that is comparable to what the 360 had in it's first year of existence. And there are more great games coming out. Who cares if some of them are available on both systems? That doesn't detract from the fact that the PS3 is building a solid lineup of games.


RE: Possibly a valid question
By Locutus465 on 11/9/2007 1:12:23 PM , Rating: 3
That's fine and dandy, but what you seem to miss is that many of us making this argument (and who have since bought a 360) didn't bother buying an x-box 360 until there *was* a killer app, further some of us (me) until there was a price reduction from $300/$400 (PS3's current entry cost).

So at least for us, the lack of killer app (and for more price sensitive people like me, price) are still valid arguments to not buy a PS3, just like they were valid arguments to not buy an x-box 360 until last september.

This doesn't mean the PS3 is crap hardware, it's not and only a complete x-box/wii fan boi would deny this... It just means given it's current selection of software, and it's price point, there still seems to not be a very compelling reason to make the purchase.


RE: Possibly a valid question
By Chaser on 11/9/2007 1:21:55 PM , Rating: 1
And your personal budget limits are fine and dandy also. But thankfully they don't speak for a majority. As everyone knows the PS3 has been out for a year less than the 360 but if you compare sales numbers over the same period of time the PS3 is way ahead.

Cheers


RE: Possibly a valid question
By Locutus465 on 11/9/2007 1:28:57 PM , Rating: 3
If what you say is true then why is sony being creamed?


RE: Possibly a valid question
By SirLucius on 11/9/2007 1:57:32 PM , Rating: 1
Sony isn't being creamed. They aren't selling as many units as the 360 currently, but as I've said over and over, the 360 has a 1 year advantage on the PS3. It makes sense that they'd have more games/a bigger install base.

Sony's sales figures for the first year are comparable to that of the 360 for the first year. They aren't doing as well in the US as the 360 did, but worldwide they're doing better. And there's more to gaming than the US.


RE: Possibly a valid question
By Locutus465 on 11/9/2007 2:14:28 PM , Rating: 2
Apparently you're another gamer discounting nintendo? Microsoft and sony are both being creamed... I happen to be a fan of x-box 360, but that doesn't change facts... The Nintendo did an excellent job with the wii... Heck, I own one my self (though a lady friend of mine has custody of it at the moment).


RE: Possibly a valid question
By SirLucius on 11/9/2007 2:32:24 PM , Rating: 1
I honestly don't count Nintendo with Sony and Microsoft. Nintendo is in a league of their own when it comes to the gaming industry for this generation. I mean they don't even have their biggest titles out yet and they're already running away from the pack.

And yeah I have a Wii too. But if things continue the way they have been going for Nintendo, it's really just a battle for second place between Microsoft and Sony. I don't see either one really coming close to Nintendo.


RE: Possibly a valid question
By bangmal on 11/9/2007 4:24:29 PM , Rating: 2