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.
Sony completely ignores all of our comments about Custom Music and even claim that it isn’t one of the most wanted features. This is [DELETED]
To FasuXe:
They already confirmed that XMB is in development among alot of other things like soundtracks and stuff in an interview with gametrailers.
Can someone answer to me also:
HOW DO YOU GET AVATARS ON HERE!
“1. Time and Date when press PS button
2. In-Game XMB
3. RSS Feed Support
4. Music Playlist Support
5. VC-1/WMV XMB support
6. Flash Player 9
7. Oh and can we please Overscan the PS1/PS2
Upscaling so we can get rid of the black bar”
really….
Oh, and they won’t comment on when we’re gonna get features, because if they promise something, and aren’t able to implement it properly on time, you all would throw a huge hissy fit about it. They will comment on things like that, when they are sure it is ready for you to use.
i hope the stores still have 60gb by mid august, cuz thats when im getting a ps3
Great job Sony
@TheDevilsJoker
Most of us use Gravatar (http://site.gravatar.com/), allows you to make an Avatar for any websites you register an email address to.
Yes, i was stupid to jump into one without checking all of the details. My bad. But, it was advertised as a media center. You can buy a dvd player with divx capability anywhere for $60. Go figure. I just dont understand what’s the holdup. Divx is a big topic for lots of folks right now. Including me :-) obviously. Im just so furious that the new update still doesnt have the functionality. More waiting :-( Could be worse. I coulda got a 360 :-P
And who knows, that functionality could be coming in 2.0 and we just don’t know it yet.
I, sadly, prefer the surprise element. Makes it more dramatic and interesting anyways.
Sony can you guys make a headset for the ps3. that would be fantastic. would be great.
NEWS OF A FIRMWARE UPDATE CAME TO ME IN THE NIGHT!
With my eyes still shut I could feel your presence. Your touch was imminent, with delight I knew I wouldn’t have to wait much longer now. You were going to give to me what I greatly desired and it was going to feel so very good. With my eyes open I could see just what you had in store and I was very much aroused! All these sensations were bringing such vast amounts of pleasure. We played together for awhile exploring each other’s buttons and capabilities; logging on and off. My Wallpaper wasn’t the same after your surprising visit! Slowly you left but not before letting me know that this wouldn’t be the last time my sexy black beast would come to me and the next time you’d have more surprises!
Keep em coming SONY, I’m going to want to get off again here soon!
Dangit, ive signed up to that website and it never works. Always just says page cant be display. GAAAAAH
@ TheManGone
There is a headset coming out with Warhawk and right now you can already use a huge variety of USB and bluetooth headsets
Thank you. Very nice firmware update, I can see now why these take so long.
The only other things I need or want at this point in time are:
1.XMB in game
2.Custom Soundtracks
Firmware 2.0? I hope that is when we will all be able to enjoy these fetures.
Again thanks. Oh its only 9 days untill 300 hits Blu-Ray.
(re-run)
@428: any bluetooth headset will work with the PS3.
Sony,
Why did you make the L2 and R2 triggers on the Sixaxis sooo freakin’ smooth? and they curve down, too! what the hell? my fingers keep slipping off the triggers…
Also, like a lot of PS3 owners, I really want support for divx/xvid and mkv formats.
Thanks,
balliinn
Flash Player 9
hell yeah
why can we play windows media audio file and not windows media player file that is what we need.
You sony boys n girls are doing a great job of updating our beloved PS3 with new and better features, i know damn well it takes time to make and test and test again b4 you release these things to us, so to my mind and everyone else who knows……just release them when they’re good n ready and ignore those people who think the world owes them something!.
I know your all working bloody hard to get things up n running as fast and efficiently as possible, you’ve all done damn well to implement a lot of the things we’re asking for in such a short time(only 8 months and 4 months in the uk!), so dont get strung out by the impatient ones, the rest of us are with you!
.
support for divx/xvid and mkv formats
me too
How about show the clock and date on the XMB.
thanks for the headset tip. Sony you guys are doing great. cant wait for Home. its going to be crazy. love the ps3, ps2,ps1.
We need in game XMB and then we’re set! Also custom soundtracks for games is a must since every PS3 has a HDD. And also! Though kind of irrelavent, I hope Sony comes out with rumble sixaxis, and please don’t rip off the Wii!!! All we ask is for the same controler with dual shock (or that touchsense in the rumors we been hearing about) and sixaxis motion all in the same lookin controler and we can call Perfection on this!!! :)
great that you’re listening to what the users want and implementing it. few things I’d like to see:
a) Improved video/audio playback support. Eg:
– MP3, DTS, DD, AC3 5.1 etc in HD videos. (No more AAC only)
– MKV container support
– Extended AVC playback (PS3 is too picky when it comes to non PS Store videos)
– XviD support (codec is far too popular for this to not be an option)
– VC-1 support (I don’t care much for it, but if you’re going to boast the PS3 as a media center then you need full HD support)
b) Download speed/Est time left on PS Store downloads.
c) Fix internet browser download bug. When you start a download and place it into the background then exit internet browser the download resets.
Heavenly Sword And Ratchet & Clank Future Demos Coming Soon
by Billy Berghammer
POSTED: 7/23/2007 11:56 AM
ony has confirmed to Game Informer that both Heavenly Sword and Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction will see demos on the PlayStation Network in the near future. So when exactly? Sony’s Dave Karracker believes this week, and considering Europe is supposed to get Heavenly Sword on Thursday, we’re betting we’ll see the same here in the States.
Stay tuned…
Found this on Gameinformer.com
hi did you guys in us got the darkness demo last thuersday.we in euro got that demo last thu
Downloading extra maps for RFOM i hope there are good.
[…] released in Japan, it’s coming tomorrow in EU and ’soon’ in the US. From PlayStation.Blog. A quick update: we have a new firmware upgrade in the works for PS3, it will be available for […]
This may not be the most requested, but _better_ backwards compatibility for PS2/PS1 games would be nice, not more but better, as some games (particularly PS2) are still horrible to play on PS3,
i know this doesn’t affect most (if any) american gamers, but i’m sure europeans like myself would like it.
UNOFFICIAL DATE FOR IN-GAME XMB
You can access the XMB from within Home so that should be inplented in the OS with the “Home update” ( maybe 2.0 )
This is something that people should read so they stop complaining about in-game XMB.
Sounds like a good update! Now I personally have not experienced this problem, but i know people who have: In alot of forums, peopel have complained about their SIXAXIS controllers “Losing their mind,” for about 3 seconds every so often or so. It could be a software problem, perhaps hardware, or perhaps something beyond your control ( Such as interference from otehr wirelss devices, ) but either way, just look it to this potential issue and address it to those who suffer from it, just to show them that you guys do listen.
Keep up the good work!
@ Copy and Pasters…LOL!
This is exactly what makes this blog uninteresting to read the comments written by other people. Comments that some may be of an importance and some miss them because they don’t feel like scrolling so much. It makes this blog look like it is being commented on by 10 year olds. There is really no need to be writing the same features more than once on one single comment. Geez! Grow up to whoever does that….
@Shajan
They are never gonna stop complaining. We all know it’s coming, but some people don’t have the virtue of patience. I wouldn’t even be surprised if we see it before HOME’s official release.
Man, I really hate the people on here who think posting something a million freaking times copy pasted is gonna yield results. Even if Sony was going to respond, they are not going to respond to something that badgering and pointless. I’d actually love to see Eric Lempel, or a bunch of the programmers for the PSN come on here and explain to every one how frustrating it is for them to be hated on for things they are doing, no acknowledgment of their good deeds for the most part, just a lot of people who cannot ever be happy. Even after the InGameXMB comes out, how much money you wanna bet people are still gonna find things to complain about.
“PRE INSTALLED MOVIES AND MUSIC!!!!!!!”
eric is not answering any question until there is like 1000 comments on this site.
Wow, well as the consumer, and this being a blog where Sony is sopose to hear what their loyal fans want, I don’t see nothign wrong in stating what we want and making sure we get heard.
@CitizenInsane27
Finally someone who agrees. What’s your PSN ID? if you don’t want everyone to see it you can e-mail it to me @: shajan.k@hotmail.com
Thx
@Citizensinsane27
People only complain about in-game XMB because it was a featured advertised that would be launching WITH ps3. Sony doesn’t have to give us firmware upgrades, but I think they should give us in-game XMB because they advertised it as a launch feature. I can’t speak for the other people here, but I know if they add in-game XMB, I’d certainly stop complaining.
Along the lines of physical hardware, I’m with new age soldier, release the rumble sixaxis soon… hopefully it will come out before or by the time Sony releases the next bigger better ps3. Firmware wise…CUSTOM SOUNDTRACKS!
You know….as a parent….reading all the kiddie comments here has me wondering…
if you guys enable something…say… online chatting for example. Can I disable it and lock it down? Can I disable access to the browser and lock it down? In short, if it can be turned on, can I turn it off and keep it off?
By “lock it down” I mean secure it in a disabled state such that it cannot be re-enabled unless I manually enter some key. It would also be a good idea to remove it from the xmb once it’s been disabled.
I really whant that new psp.But can it come out in july 30.And i now it has a tv output.I already have a psp and my brother how is 7 and his name is tyrell who loves to play ghost ryder on it.So i think i should have the new psp then i have 2 psps.And i now it comes in September .
YESSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finally, I can change the wallpaper!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@ CitizenInsane27
I totally agree with you bro. I don’t know why they think pasting so many times 1 single feature would result in Sony releasing the update any earlier than what it is already planned to be released on.
@ new_age_soldier
There is nothing wrong with posting what we want to see out of firmware updates, but when it gets to the point, where people are continually writing the same feature they would like to see more than 10 times on one comment itself is getting out of hand. There is no need for that. What difference does it make if I wrote it myself once? Sony still sees it as the same feature….
yeah what ever
Thank you for what seems to be a great update coming out way…
Now, please, give us some in game XMB access with custom soundtracks/
Thanks in advance! Keep up the great work!
Now all we need is customizable music tracks, XMB icon/text themes (ex: Resistance Fall of Man Icon Pack, Text themes, etc.), In-Game XMB access, and maybe some folders?
@Eric Lempell and the PSN team
It’s clear you’re working on in-game XMB, but how about acknowledge it on the blog? You were supposed to post the top 10 features over a month ago, but it never happend. Please report back to us with in-game XMB, as Im sure it’d delight us all.
im pretty sure that everyone will agreed that we all want access to the XMB wail playing our games so we can see who is online . Also a general friend list PLEASE
SONY IS THE BEST
in my opinion one of the best things that you could do for the ps3 is allow you to acces your music while in game via the ps3 button or at least be able to program in game soundtracks from the music you have on the ps3 itself. i have 30 gigs of music on mine and i use my ps3 as my multimedia center but i probably everyone of your consumers present and future would be floored if this could happen. because one of many reasons there aren’t more systems out is that you can’t play your own music like you can on the 360
Keep em features rolling Sony… at this rate the 360 will seem like some DOS operated console!
“Hope you can easily switch between the default XMB background display and a background image.”
@citizeninsane27
I remember back in December, where everyone wanted background downloading. Solved. Month later: UPSCALING UPSCALING UPSCALING
Solved.
The pattern continues, and always will unfortunately.
That’s awesome. Too bad I can’t afford a PLAYSTATION 3 because I’m lower class and work in game retail, so nobody considers me when selling stuff. (And I REALLY want one… :( )
Anyways, try adding the ability to set your own PSN avatar from the [Photo] folder on your PS3’d harddrive.
Besides, that, you should also try adding the PSN buddy list to PSP and the ability to sign up for a PSN account from your PSP.
Finally, can you give me a job at SCE as a game designer. :) It’d be worth it.
(If not that, then I’d be willing to blog for free for the PlayStation Blog. Sorta like the Major Nelson guy from Xbox….except I’m just a normal consumer. I like this blog approach. It’s less phony than a lot of approaches Sony Computer Entertainment and it’s competitors have made in the past and is easier to relate to then the miserable failure that was “allIwantforxmasisapsp.com”(….seriously, what the hell were you guys thinking when you allowed that to be created!).
I feel that the natural evolution of this blog is to have 1-5 normal users like me who’d blog here for free about what they feel about Sony’s actions in the game industry and the gaming industry as a whole.
Please consider it….
Sincerely, Stephen AKA MrDaBucket
P.S. Can you post a blog explaining how to use the avatars with Gravatar in the blog comments? It’d be appreciated. Thank you!