It's April 15th on the East Coast, and firmware 2.30 is already live. The major update for this release is the redesigned PLAYSTATION Store, and boy does it look good. We fell in love the moment we clicked X and heard that new chime that signals the launch of the Store.
You'll find broken image placeholders in many places, as things still seem to be in the middle of construction. Some complained that the O button shouldn't close the Store -- it doesn't anymore. Now, it simply takes you back one page. And yes, the new Store is much, much faster.
There's a few new additions already available on the Store, such as a new Super Stardust HD update and the Lair patch. Go to Network Update on your PS3 and get downloading -- tell us what you think of the new PS Store!
SCEA has been kind enough to detail the full feature list of the upcoming firmware version 2.30, which is set to release on Tuesday the 15th of April. Yes, the new firmware will allow you to visit the swanky redesigned PSN Store, but it will also include improvements to the audio playback for Blu-Ray movies. We're not too up on audio-visual technology but we're sure it's very exciting to those who understand it.
V2.30 will add "DTS-HD Master Audio™ and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, enabling consumers to enjoy Blu-ray movies with studio-quality, high-definition audio." Apparently these features include various high numbers of things, such as 7.1 channel sound and 96k sampling frequency with 24 bit depths. The point seems to be that "things will sound better." Which sounds good to us.
People have been excited about the latest PS3 firmware, 2.20. However, some many be confused by all the features hidden in this latest update. SCEA's Eric Lempel walks us through the firmware in this very informative feature. Not only does he talk about BD-LIVE, he talks about connectivity with the PSP. Watch how he transfers a playlist to the handheld. Not bad, huh? The internet browser has also been enhanced -- something we've all been waiting for. All in all, this seems like a solid update.
Whoa, what a surprise tonight huh? We've got some really dedicated readers here; in just a few seconds, our email inbox was flooded with tips about the new PS3 2.20 firmware going live. Indeed, it is. Go update your PS3 now.
In case you don't remember what was previously revealed about this new firmware, allow us to reiterate some of the highlights: DivX content can now exceed 2GB, and resume play enables PS3 to play a BD or DVD video at the point it was stopped, even if the disc had been removed. Most of all, it now adds Blu-ray Profile 2.0 support.
Sony has announced today that a new firmware update will arrive for the PS3 later this month. Version 2.20 will add support for Blu-Ray Live (profile 2.0) features such as the ability to download extra content like bonus scenes, ringtones and subtitles. Blu-Ray Live also allows interactive movie-based games to communicate over the internet -- effectively adding online multiplayer support. Other features found in firmware v2.20 include:
"Resume play" will enable PS3 to start playing a BD and DVD video at the point it was stopped, even if the disc had been removed. (BD-J format discs are not supported)
"Audio Output Device" will be a new Remote Play setting, enabling PSP to serve as a remote control for music played through PS3.
PS3's Internet browser will be enhanced: Video files directly linked from a Web page will be able to be streamed, and the browser's view speed will be improved.
DivX and WMV format videos that are larger than 2GB will be playable.
"Mosquito Noise Reduction" will be added as an AV setting in the control panel of the DVD/BD player for improved movie playback. (BD discs recorded with BDMV format are not supported)
The update will be released sometime "in late March." In the meantime, now would be a good time to start stocking up on Blu-Ray Live discs. With few other BD-Live compatible players arriving until Summer, the PS3 is once again the best choice of device for Blu-Ray playback. PS3 owners will be able to enjoy these new features months before another player that supports them is released. Pretty good, wouldn't you say?
What is this? A new PS3 firmware update? What could be in it? And why such a random number? Mysteries abound in this random late night update. Stay tuned as we download the update and explore the new features of the firmware.
[Update 1: Doesn't appear Sony included notes with this firmware update. Most likely a few bug fixes have been included. If we find out more, you can be sure that we'll update.]
[Update 2: A post on the PlayStation.Blog lets us know that this is just a bug fix update. Specifically, online play for some PS3 games have been improved. Nothing to see here, folks.]
The update comes a few hours earlier than expected. The newest firmware, which can be obtained through Network Update from your PS3, enables DivX and WMV video playback, offers Blu-ray Profile 1.1 and includes enhancements to music playback and voice recording.
Update: Unfortunately, some of our DivX files simply didn't play on our system. The ones that do work function perfectly. You can even apply video thumbnails as with any other file. WMV videos also work perfectly. Please leave your impressions in the comments section.
The European Playstation website lists a new firmware update that will be released tomorrow. Version 2.10 is mostly a visual media-based update, with none of the listed features having any impact on gameplay. In other words, you can stop holding your breath - there's no in-game XMB here. Instead, we the arrival of two highly anticipated features. Blu-Ray profile 1.1 and DivX support will heavily increase the PS3's standing as a media hub.
There's a smattering of other little additions, all of which we've listed after the break. There are also a couple of stipulations with regards to DivX - namely, that copyright protected files, v3.11 encoded videos and files larger than 2GB cannot be played.
PS3 firmware 2.01 is now available via Network Update. This minor update will fix a few glitches noted in the big 2.00 release. Hopefully, those that have reported game freezing, and other performance issues, will be able to sigh a breath of relief. Update: Here's the "official" word on what's new:
Improved stability when playing some PS3 format software
Improved stability of some system applications, including the Internet Browser and Information Board
Improved stability of the upscaler for PlayStation format software when played on PS3 models that are backwards compatible
The new Remote Start feature has been changed to avoid an unintentional power-on. Remote Start was introduced in firmware version 2.00 to enhance the Remote Play feature by enabling users to turn on a PS3 system remotely with their PSP system from an Internet hotspot.
Eric Lempel has written up a new post on the PlayStation.Blog in order to tell everyone that a new firmware update is on its way. 2.01 will be available in a few days and will "improve the stability" of the PlayStation 3. Lempel assures us there are specifics to be learnt at a later date and they will let the community know closer to the time.
We know that the PS3 will be receiving an update to allow its Blu-Ray features to support profile 1.1 at some point in the future. We also know that DivX support will be included in a future firmware update. Will these things be included in 2.01? Your guess is as good as ours. We'll let you know as soon as we find out more.
If pictures and words weren't enough for you, then here's a low-res video from GamesRadar of the firmware in action. It's not too exciting, until you realize that these blokes have Wipeout HD on their systems. Hey! We want that!
You've been waiting for it. Firmware 2.00 is finally coming out this week: tomorrow, to be precise. This update, which has been a year in the making, was supposed to herald a new era of functionality for PS3. Many expected in-game XMB, additional video codecs, and more. However, we're saddened to say that none of that made the cut for this update. Here's what you'll be seeing tomorrow:
Remote Start - As hinted by the last PSP firmware update, Remote Play has been enhanced with a brand new feature. Using Remote Start, PSP owners will be able to turn on and access their PS3's content from any wi-fi hotspot. For example, while vacationing, you may find out about an excellent Thursday Store update. You'll be able to turn on your PS3 and start downloading content to your PS3 while you're away. When you're done, you can turn the system off as well.
Information Board - On the upper right-hand corner of the XMB, you'll see a scrolling list of headlines, hand-picked by Sony. Currently, these will all be related to video games and PlayStation. If a specific headline is particularly interesting, PS3 owners will be able to access Information Board from Network and see the content in greater detail. Importing your own RSS feeds is something that's planned for a future firmware upgrade. This feature can be disabled in Settings.
While Sony America granted us exclusive access to information regarding firmware 2.00, it seems Sony Europe has had other plans. ThreeSpeech have revealed the feature set for the latest firmware via a SCEE press release. While this does spoil our surprise somewhat, please hang in there. When we're finally able to we will be releasing further in depth information regarding the firmware's features as well as some exclusive screen captures of it in action.
Until then, however, we'll retread the information on the press release so as to let you know what the firmware will contain. While we knew that Remote Start would be available from PSP firmware 3.72, the other features are as follows:
XMB themes
Information Board
XMB background colour changer
Music and Photo playlists
PlayStation Network XMB group
As we've said, we'll have more details (including images) for you before too long.
Gather around, PS3 Fanboy readers. Once upon a time, there long lived a tale of a magical creature. It was called PS3 firmware 2.00, and it was able to do incredible and fantastical things. When one stumbled upon it, they were granted three wishes and would live happily ever after.
A new PS3 firmware is coming, and we want you to tell us what you think will be in it. We can't tell you when it's going to be available, or what's in it ... not yet, anyway. But believe us when we say that we'll have something to share with you very soon.
Until then, speculate! Once the full details of the next firmware update are revealed, we'll see how many of your predictions came true.
Today the PSP got an update in the form of firmware 3.72 which, at first glance, appeared insignificant with nothing more than further support for PlayStation Network titles. The EU PlayStation website, however, notes an interesting addition to the patch list. Namely, the inclusion of "Remote Start for the PS3" which, the patch list continues to state, requires firmware version 2.00 for the PS3.
So firmware 2.00 is coming and, if this is any indication, it's coming soon. What will it contain? At this moment, there's nothing concrete except for Remote Start - which is a great feature, but we know that you guys are expecting so much more. We'll keep you up to date with any developments.
The European Playstation website lists a new firmware update that will be released tomorrow. Version 2.10 is mostly a visual media-based update, with none of the listed features having any impact on gameplay. In other words, you can stop holding your breath - there's no in-game XMB here. Instead, we the arrival of two highly anticipated features. Blu-Ray profile 1.1 and DivX support will heavily increase the PS3's standing as a media hub. 
Today the PSP got an update in the form of firmware 3.72 which, at first glance, appeared insignificant with nothing more than further support for PlayStation Network titles. The EU PlayStation website, however, notes an interesting addition to the patch list. Namely, the inclusion of "Remote Start for the PS3" which, the patch list continues to state, requires firmware version 2.00 for the PS3.
