UPDATE: The Firmware 1.90 update is available now; I’ve also included an update below that addresses some of your comments here.
Firmware 1.90 brings with it several new features, many of which readers of this blog have requested – I’m happy to report.
Customization is one new feature: you can now personalize the wallpaper on your XMB with a photo. This was one of the top three requests we received via the blog’s contact form. When viewing a photo, simply bring up the options screen by pressing the triangle button and selecting “set as wallpaper” from the options displayed. Additionally, you can now change the order of the games displayed under the game icon on the XMB.
Another new feature focuses on added communication elements: When you’re sending messages to friends on PLAYSTATION Network, you can now use emoticons. We’ve added a bunch of emoticons that can be easily accessed from the virtual keyboard. Also, another cool addition is, when an avatar is displayed during voice/video chat, the avatar will move in response to audio.
Finally, on the more technical side, you can now play AVCHD videos saved on a Memory Stick or digital video camera, and we’ve added the ability to upscale audio CD output from your PS3. Now, there are two requirements for this feature: the device you’re outputting to must support a sampling frequency of 88.2 kHz or 176.4 kHz, and your PS3 must be connected to that device with an HDMI cable or digital optical cable.
Oh, and one more thing: you can now eject discs using your controller by selecting “Eject Disc” in the options menu after you push the PS button.
Several other minor options will be included in 1.90 including a few new display options that will allow you to adjust your display while playing PlayStation, PlayStation2 and Blu-ray movies.
We’re working on additional features for our next update that will incorporate more of your feedback, so as always thanks for all of your support, and please keep those suggestions coming!
[UPDATE]
The link on the SCEA website is now live, you can get the full info on firmware 1.90 here. Also, I noticed a lot of your comments were directly related to accessing XMB features in-game. We understand this is something you want and we are working on it. For the sake of keeping all the comments below on topic, please understand that we hear this request and are working toward a solution. When I have some more info to share on this, know that I will do so here on this blog.Now, with all of that said, thanks for the feedback. I decided to address some of the consistent comments in the body of this post instead of within the comments. One thing you have noticed is that under sorting your games, when you sort by creation date, it sorts by the date you downloaded the content. Sorting videos is done by the date that the videos were added to your hard drive. You can also ‘go-to’ a specific time in any of the videos on your HDD, by hitting triangle and then selecting the specific time from the clock at the bottom.
Something a few of you have noticed as well is that you don’t need to have the SIXAXIS controller connected to PS3 through the USB cable anymore to complete the update, which I know is something some of you were asking for.
@699
I think they can’t do that with firmware.
Duh it beats G but I think they need a hardware uopdate for that, which would screw most of us early adopters.
@701
WHAT ARE YOU STUPID?
SONY MAKES BLU RAY, WHY WOULD THEY BACK A COMPETING FORMAT?
SONY PS3 MESSENGER
IN-GAME XMB
RUMBLE-AXIS
Why do people keep mentioning about the PS Store….the PS store is on a server not a part of your console…so as you see it wont be updated by a firmware update.
HI SONY
I VERY VERY LOVE YOU
I LOVE EVERY THING FROM SONY ^ ^
Nice update Sony! I love my new Metal Gear Solid 4 wallpaer on my XMB.
@gate1975mlm
There is already music while browsing and showing pictures – just press the PS button while music is playing and go to the music or browser… Why are people complaining about things that are stated in the documentation!!! Read the manual before you go complaining.
@LOVELY2
I LOVE SONY
AND I’LL LOVE EM MORE
IF THEY GIVE US IN-GAME XMB
I agree that the PS store needs a new face. Currently it is a web site but they could integrate it with the XMB ala XBOX360. Works alot faster that way. If you don’t wanna do that, just integrate firefox into the system. PS3 uses linux as is, and firefox has working version on linux so the step is only minor. The time in the corner should have been there from the beginning. Sorting should be dealt with. Customizing the look even further would be so great. Being able to move the main bar left and right, up and down, or even vertical. If you wanna show what this system can do, make a more convenient media player that lists songs, not just a folder view which is only practical with a small number of songs. If Sony is serious about competing with itunes service, than give us something at least equivalent.
Nice update, i’m looking forward to the next one.
Is there any chance that we can have an Update download option as opposed to being forced to update as soon we go online?.
Also i would like the option to delete names from the Friends met folder (no offense but it’s overflowing with names).
Thanks for taking the time to read my request.
When will there be proper automatic aspect output for commercial DVDs and Blu-ray SD material? I feel like I stepped back a decade having to switch my TV between 4:3 and 16:9 screen sizes. This should be available to all output types (composite, S-video, component, HDMI) using 480i/p.
I for one as well as others I know would really like to have our own music implimented into the game play. As well as to have more than six people in the chat room at once. This would make a most fine and deffinitive improvement into the sony franchise as well as customer base.
Is it just me or did we not get Ps3 videosettings in game? I mean… I’ve looked high and low and can’t seem to find this option. Misleading, to say the least. Maybe they’ll catch this for the next one… ????????
-gamesblow
It was meant for PS1, PS2 and Blu Ray
Sony…PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE ADD .AVI AND DIVX FORMAT CAPABILITIES..
…one of the top three request…” one of th other two must be custom sountrack. We want to put our music in the games. I do not know if this is what people talk about when they say they want XMB in-game access. We do not want to play music over the game music, we want the games to use the music stored in our hard drives. PLEASE LISTEN.
@angadh
AVI AND DIVX
ARE NOW SUPPORTED
@AssassinXIII: ?? Are you kidding or what ? The PS3 currently just can’t play Divx/Xvid nor AVI containers of any sort.
It’s great that we now have them, but then I realized something. You can’t change the UI font/icon colors, which in turn means you can’t realistically use any bright image as a background. Or rather there can’t be white space in the image.
Sure you “CAN” use any image, but GL seeing the UI.
Thoughts ???
I hope Sony will add an option in the next firmware update to change the color of the font o n the icons!
Will there by a update as far as Dolby True HD is concerned?? I bought the Playstation 3 for It’s fabulous audio and BluRay capabilities but I know Dolby True HD was to be one of the things the PS3 supports…Other then that the PS3 is a fabulous machine……JeffR714
@genesabas: HD-DVD is a dead format already. Universal is going to make the switch pretty soon now or they would end up going bankrupt sooner. Toshiba is going to do the same and that’s the reason why they are trashing the HD-DVD players at silly low prices, that’s called desperation because they know that they will have to start producing Blu-Ray products and so they need to make as much profit as possible out of their failures.
Microsoft will then easily follow trend and tell the world that they always preferred Blu-Ray over HD-DVD.. that’s a classical Bill Gates stunt tactic.
I love the wallpaper idea. What about expanding on the customization with Sony and user created themes. Also in-game XMB access would be cool, which will allow custom soundtracks and stuff.
Too lazedk
Not true!
If you are playing and then go to open up the browser the music stops!
@gate1975mim
You have to do it the other way around, open the browser then start playing.
Yes we need full divx/avi support. I don’t care what reason you do not allow this. I can use it in linux but it is a pain in my ass.
Otherwise this thing is going up on ebay!
Wallpaper should have been there all along. A UNIFIED lobby and messenger system for ALL online games as others have mentioned. HOMEwill not cut it. I don’t care to launch my games and look at trophies from a sims interface. Thank You!
The games custom order feature is half asses I am sure you know why. The triangle button reminder needs to be able to be turned off.
Also bring us good music videos from around world FOR FREE or very cheap to cover the cost of bandwith. I know you are testing it in australia.
Also bring us anime and more HD content. Make partners and bring us exclusive HD content how are you a media center when we can only play trailers and lame formats that no one supports but you. Improve your download servers. Sony you can do it. Get your stuff together. Digital distribution is the future.
Also we need custom folders and easier ways to manage our content.
Work on usuing samba. DNLA should not be the only option. Also make a way to remove the network icon for DNLA servers at the top of the different media XMB items. Video, music, photo etc. It adds clutter. Make this stuff stream lined. I have taken the time to let you know what I want. I am giving you a month. If the efforts aren’t made to implement this stuff or move in the right direction/ I am putting this thing on ebay and all my friends ( at least 7 of us) are doing the same I gurantee it! thanks sony. by the way good job at E3.
Any chance of allowing that wavy thing to appear on top of our wallpapers in a future update?
I’ve become attached to the wavy.
HI
MY NAME IS AssassinXIII
Oh god I can’t wait till they bring In-Game XMB.
For only one reason so these damn comments about In-Game XMB access finally will stop.
Now I officially hate in-game XMB access because of these freaking comments. When we finally do get to use it all I will be able to think about is all the freaking comments about in-game XMB access.
Eric Lempell: Thank you very much for the update on in-game XMB. All I wanted was to hear that you are working on it, and hopefully it comes soon. 1.9 was great, and Im really happy with the features it brought(especially wallpaper), and I thank you for your continued support with updates on the PLAYSTATION 3.
Thanks for the wallpaper feature.
***Would you be announcing when the Home public beta could open for registration? Thanks
wow
their working on IN-GAME XMB
nice
update 1.91
can’t wait
Thanks for the wallpaper feature.
***Would you be announcing when the Home public beta could open for registration?*** Thanks
I think it’s great how you guys interact with the community via this blog. I’m happy you guys read this and make real changes. Keep up the fantastic work.
One small suggestion regarding the latest update. Perhaps make it an option to be able to turn on/off the little dialog that was added with 1.90 that comes up for a few seconds to tell you to “Press Triangle for options” or “Press the PS Home button for menu?”
This was a very good idea, as a person who just got their PS3 obviously may be confused as to what button does what, but for someone already familiar with the keys, it just seems unnecessary and somewhat annoying.
Thank you for the awesome update Sony and please keep the awesome features coming! Also, thanks for listening to our requests about XMB in-game.
this is great. Keep up the good work!
My current wishlist:
– FLAC support for audio file
– 5.1 support for Media file saved on HDD
– use the dvd upscaler to upscale media file saved on HDD
Thanks for the new features but I would also like to request the addition of folder making to organize photos, videos, and music. Also, I don’t really like the new organization of games. I would like to organize it the way I want instead. Thank you.
Good job, once again!
It’s great that you guys are chasing the home theater all-round dream. I do think that (and don’t get me wrong, I’m sure you guys are working your butts off!) a few very important additions are urgently needed to conquer the digital-media system:
– Full 5.1ch support, from all mediums/containers
– Better AVC support – I have many h.264/AVC files that still refuse to play
– Matroska, Ogg, and MS AVI container support, I believe this will be a big step in making the PS3 the ultimate in home-theaterey goodness
– With support for major open codecs, Xvid/DivX, and audio codecs such as FLAC
That’s my current wishlist; if all these get conquered then the PS3 will become the ultimate in digital entertainment, there will be no other.
Hey wow sony really listens well here are a few of my own ideas first is the ability to lock ur account username when you first boot up the ps3 i am not talking about the playstation network password thingy cuz when i get pissed when my parents let my little siblings play on my ps3 when im not around and im scared to death that they dont erase my game files or crash the hardrive thats how my ps2 broke i know i can hide my controller but then i forget where i put it and its no gaming for me for a while . Another thing is to have updated adobe flash player with the ps3 browser so i can go to more sites than limited ones cuz it gets annoying where almost every website i go to tells me to update my flash player to view there content and then when i go to downlad the flash player it tells me i have an incompatible browser. Last but not least is when ever i play one of my old ps2/ps games when im done with it the controller losses its connection and turns off then ive got to reconnect it thats annoying well these are a few ideas please impliment them thanks.
Wow… In-game FULL xmb access is much needed… especially chats…
thank you for answering us Eric… you guys really are doing a great job over there…
lol also this isn’t really a feature that needs to be added but it would be cool if, on PSN, you guys released a video capturing program so we could record cool in-game moments… that would be awesome…
Hey Sony, thanks for the updated firmware.
Just wanted to mention some things I have had on my mind.
1. Since we now can set our own wallpapers, it would be nice if we could also modify the color of the XMB text and icons so we can see them when our wallpapers are up.
2. It would be nice to fold while listening to music (maybe this will come when you grant us the in-game playback).
3. Not sure this is possible, but was wondering if instead of icons for our profile pics we could load video clips of ourselves (this would kind of be like the video clips we can create for our movie/game previews in our XMB)
This is all I have to say for now. I’m looking forward to seeing my investment (PS3) grow.
Good Update I’ll Agree Except WHERE”S THE MUSIC SELECTIONS DURING GAME PLAY!!! I REALLY WANT THAT. If I Could I Would Pay You 100,000,000 Dollars To Have That As A Freature. But I Don’t Have That Money So I Can’t And Won’t Pay You. But Come ON!!!
Eric, when you said “Oh, and one more thing: you can now eject discs using your controller by selecting “Eject Disc” in the options menu after you push the PS button.” It’s actually the TRIANGLE button not the PS one. :)
Thanks to you guys who listen gamers and making this a better experience. And thanks to the engineer who makes these things possible ;;))
Hey any chance of us able to change the official xmb backround to our own color? Sorta like the psp has.
thank god for not having to use the usb cable for an update…;)
All I gotta say it thanks for Wallpaper on XMB… Now the XMB on PS3 is just as good as the one on PSP… Even better, due to animated video icons and game icons.
Just thought of something else.
I really like how on the PSP there are so many more playback backgrounds during music playback. Is there any way that we can get those same playback backgrounds for the PS3? I particularly like the equalizer one, it would look awesome on my 46″.
Great update!
but… I’d like to be able to play my own music (in game) in the next release because some game music isn’t all that great.
nice update :)
thanks sony