Hi everyone. Here’s a preview of the next PLAYSTATION 3 firmware update (2.00) scheduled to release within the next few days. This update contains features that will allow you to receive news directly from us on everything PlayStation, enhance the way you access and organize your media, and allow you to customize your XMB in new ways.
Here’s a closer look at the new features:
You’ll notice this icon in the Network category of the XMB. This is the Information Board.
Once activated, you’ll notice scrolling headlines in the upper right-hand corner of your screen. We’ll be delivering the latest news on new games, PLAYSTATION Store updates, hardware, accessories and lots more through the Information Board. Click on the Information Board icon and you’ll be able to see all of the headlines and click through for more detail. The headlines and associated stories will be updated on a regular basis. You can choose not to display the Information Board, but you never know what you might miss, so I’d recommend keeping it on.
We’ve added a nice enhancement to Remote Play called Remote Start, to use Remote Play locally or from a Wi-Fi hotspot, you needed to make sure that your PS3 was on. With Remote Start this is no longer necessary. As long as your PS3 is in standby mode, you’ll be able to turn your PS3 on remotely via the PSP. You can then use Remote Play to access media on your PS3, and when you’re finished you can put your PS3 back into standby mode.
Another feature we’ve added with this update is the ability to set themes on your PS3. Themes will change the whole look of your XMB; the background, icons, and in some cases sounds on your XMB will completely change. We will be providing themes on PlayStation.com and through the PLAYSTATION Store. Once you have downloaded a theme, under Settings go to Theme Settings, select Theme and then choose a theme to display or install a new theme. We are also providing the ability for you to get creative and make your own original themes.
We’ve also added a new way to organize your photos and music on the PS3 – you can now create custom playlists for all of your music and photos.
Finally, regular readers of this blog may have noticed that I’m using a new avatar. You will see that logo above on your XMB representing the new PLAYSTATION Network category. You’ll find the PLAYSTATION Store and Account Management in this category.
We’ve added several other features in this update. I’ll soon be back with more details with a quick video demo of some of the new features.
As always thanks for all of your support and feedback.
@Gothdom
I agree on the spamming, it’s childish.
@Sony
Great work. I think many believe things can be created at a snap of a finger. Not many know that if you implement feature X, how will this affect feature Y that you want to implement in the future. Will feature X have to be rewritten because of feature Y that is coming later down the line? On and on. I know you are reading our requests and are working on them to implement in your next firmware update. Thanks for continuing to improve the platform with your ideas and ours.
wish this 2.00 update came out today because I want to make me a custom ps3 theme already.
Great job Sony!
No in game XMB = not worthy of the version “2.0”.
Sony still has major communication issues with it’s fanbase, obviously. You’d think after all this time they’d have gotten better at it….
“BUT, I really feel insulted with the remark that we get what we ask for when Eric talks about Remote Start. Who the hell here asked for remote start? It’s convenient, but not even a close second to people asking for in-game xmb. That was pure PR BS. ”
Great point!!! Where are all the people who were demanding remote start?
Terrible PR spin attempt there. “No ingame XMB……but hey here’s that super duper awsome remote start feature everybody has been clamoring for! All 2 of you!!”
@Gothdom (605):
Ummm, WHAT? Do you even OWN a damn PSP?
Yea, I wanted this feature SO bad, you obviously dont know. We have wanted this from the start, and this is a great feature.
Imagine you at a friends house, or at the mall or something with your PSP, now you can access your PS3 INSTANTLY. Message someone a quick note or something, show a friend a video, etc.
It is amazing, and people are FAR too unappreciative and spoiled.
Ooops, I meant to type “(601)”, sorry about that.
Yawn
Now that we know that 2.0 is a waste, I’m starting to eagerly await 3.0. Maybe in game XMB will be in that version……
@joel, #594:
You’re selling your PS3? How much do you want for it?
full in-game xmb is for retards and a waste of sony’s efforts… just allow in-game messaging and custom music
uh oh moderators are deleting the comments now.
A bit disappointing, but still hoping for in-game XMB. I do love the remote start feature. Turning on my PS3 just to download from the PSN store, then turning off when done from any wi-fi spot is just so awesome.
Yea atleast give us in game messaging, but in game music is better.
@S3NTRY
Yes, I have a PSP, but the hassle you have to go through, here in my little town, to have to connect on the internet in a store/donut shop (where half of the time they charge you for it) refrains me from using the sole feature of remote “anything”. Also, don’t morph my sentence, I didn’t say it was stupid, I even said it was convenient, just not asked as in-game XMB. Btw, I’m really happy about 2.0, although dissapointed about XMB, but I can still play my great games and the themes looks like a cool idea. Also, that little news thingy is awesome.
Wow, what a PR nightmare this is turning into…..
Remote play functionality improved – check.
Customised themes – check.
Playlists for pictures and music – check.
In-game XMB – ?
Custom soundtracks – ?
I can live without the last one possibly, but we need to be able to send and recieve messages in-game, will Home allow us to do this?
Also is this update going to put the clock up in the corner of the screen when we press the PS button? It’s a little thing, but something I’d appreciate.
Anyhow, thanks for evaluating, improving and progressing with the firmware upgrades. I appreciate the effort and look forward to the weeks ahead. Uncharted is still coming, right?
Thanks for remembering us!!! This is one of the biggest updates so far, but we’re still hoping the best thing: In game XMB.
Still, good job guys!!!
Can’t wait for the update. I really like the new information board, I’m always on the net trying to find info about Playstation, now I can find all that information with ease.
The themes update is going to be fun as well. (even though I like the idea of people creating their own i’ll probably be using the original because it’s awesome already).
In my opinion in-game messaging should be added, but not in-game music. I have a stereo in the same room with my ps3 and I like original game music anyway.
In game messaging seems like it would be pretty easy to accomodate. Why not just add that feature and then expand upon it in the future to include more xmb assets as they can. Oh well, we’ll see when it comes. Assassins Creed and Uncharted still come out within the next two weeks. I guess thats something to keep your chin up about.
This update is ridiculously disappointing.
Sony listen up, this is what we need.
IN-GAME XMB!!!
IN-GAME XMB!!!
IN-GAME XMB!!!
IN-GAME XMB!!!
also…
UNIVERSAL FRIENDS LIST.
VOICE MESSAGING.
IN-GAME PRIVATE CHAT.
custom soundtrack.
Woah, hold the back page, did I just read correctly that the information board will stream the latest news to us, whilst in-game possibly? That would be quite something, is this going to extend to the new portal that is opening up between IGN and the PS3, I’d love to be able to watch the latest trailers and videos in HD glory from my PS3 without having to wait each week for the store to recieve them. If this is so, that is quite something.
This is the ONE big reason why I buy multi-platform games for the other console. If I can’t easily access my friends list during a game and send voice messages and invites then FORGET IT.
Oh man you gotta be kidding me…
Playlist..information in form of a RSS…nice features…but…
I honestly said that I was NOT going to be like one of those who ask for in-game XMB or in-game music (Actually I only care about the last one since I am playing..I dont care about the messages if I am shooting someone)
It looks like you are trying to gives us all king of upgrades which are nice..I cannot say they aren´t but…it has been a while since the last firmware update…
Taking about numbers is stupid. Look the features. 2.0, 8.5, -13,4 who cares?
I am looking forward to hear what are the other features but at least could you tell us what is SO difficult about the ingame things?
There must be an issue otherwise it is a pretty stupid move not to release it NOT hearing the customers.
I am happy customer. I use the PS3 for more than games. It is a media device for me so I dont and wont regreat my purchase but come on…
Anyway..it is a great update. Really is. It´s sad that it´s been a while and we are still stuck.
@Gothdom (613):
Wow, go back and read what you said: “I really feel insulted with the remark that we get what we ask for when Eric talks about Remote Start. Who the hell here asked for remote start?”
Yea, many people I know wanted it, and just because YOU live in a small town and have no internet connections to make this feature worth while, dose NOT mean that you should find it “insulting” that he said it is what we wanted.
It was a feature MANY wanted, just because YOU didn’t, dose not mean his post can be “insulting”. ::)
And did I really ‘morph’ your words? No, not at all, look what I was referring to..
thanks for the update, i hope we see more updates in the future that address more of our concerns.
Sorry, back again, another quick question or suggestion. Friends list – could you guys increase the number from 50 to say 100? Possible? Go on, you know you can do it.
I am a huge Sony fan, why because they are the best. Being the best I expect the best… not some sorry excuse for a online interface that after a year on the market (not including the years in preproduction) is still not even close to the competition. You are not doing Sony any favors by being a brown nosing zealot, I am sure Sony is grateful you are happy with their mediocrity. But if they are stay on top they need to step it up, and quick. And communicate with us dont let this crap get soo out of control.
@Gavi: They just might! :D
I hope so TBH… Because Eric said “We’ve added several other features in this update. I’ll soon be back with more details with a quick video demo of some of the new features.”
So maybe that will be one of them?
Time will tell. :)
so wheres the video? maybe we can wait another year?
sony you failed the consumer…again.
I saw the video demo, its nothing impressive, the update 1.60 was way more impressive than 2.00
Highly doubt it but if Sony did implement in-game XMB as a surprise then everyone will be speechless. I really doubt it though because he already said that Sony is working on it, blah blah blah.
@S3NTRY
I AM insulted by Eric insuating things.
Also, I’m just saying that the remote feature was not hyped as much as In-Game XMB.
“It was a feature MANY wanted, just because YOU didn’t, dose not mean his post can be “insulting”. ::)”
The same could be said about you, just because YOU were hyped about this feature, doesn’t mean EVERYONE was.
For the record, you are putting words in my mouth I haven’t said. It’s not the update that’s insulting, but, again, Eric’s statement.
In update 3.0 they will be adding George Foreman Grill capabilities instead of IN-GAME XMB, seriously can’t wait for that one!
@Joel: That was not the video, because that video didnt ‘unveil’ any new features that was not included in the first post, as Eric said…
So yea, there should be a few small new features, hopefully up the friend list limit.
And people are still over reacting, its all god, no worries, this is only the first damn year guys, and everything we want will come, this is still great, no worries.
People, honestly, calm down.
the least they could’ve done was re-designed the store and built it into the firmware.
but of course they wont, they’re sony. say things they’re working on but will never come true.
Once again Sony gives us a bunch of crap we’ll never use. In game RSS game news feed. Whatever… Who’s gonna use that? Who’s gonna use their cutom backgrounds? No one. this is just filler junk is all it is. As I said before… Busy work to make it look like they’ve done something instead of the nothing they’ve really been doing. Sony is in shambles. All there is to it. Kaz looks tired. This site has gone to the real voice of people… Sony’s dead in the water.
Are you sure you know what video Im talking about?
https://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=130057014&blogID=326440198&Mytoken=E5B86726-BA95-4F2D-A9ABF8EC59224DB21327989
Thats the new 2.0 features.
@S3NTRY
DualShock 3 support is added, you can turn it on or off.
Now why wouldn’t SCEA disclose that information? Oh that’s right, because the controller isn’t coming out in North America till next year, so it would create a storm of protests from angry PS3 owners moaning about the delay in the release of said controller.
But for importers, it’s out this weekend in Asia, yipee! Back to Resistance and MotorStorm we go.
I agree @634
The PSN store is so bad… I mean, I’d rather be smacked in the face with a sock filled with CAT SQUIRTS than to shop there anymore. It’s an eye score. It’s unconventionl too. It’s hard to navigate it’s ugly… It’s boring. Shopping at the PSN is like shopping at the dollar store. highly generic experience.
@Gothdom: How is he “insuating” things?
Thats true, many of my friends and I wanted that, because it was a hassle to leave the PS3 on.
And no, you cannot say the same thing, because you saying it isn’t a feature people were asking for, just because of the place you live in?
Of course it is not as wanted as in-game XMB, DUH, I never said anything, all I am saying is that it is stupid for you to be insulted my Erics post for saying that remote start is what many people wanted.
Now just drop it, I can go on, but there is no need to.
Lets just hope there is a FEW new features in the next post Eric speaks of.
That video sucked… and so does this update.
Motorstorm? You must play with an MP3 in your ear… I can’t stand to play it with all the **** ball music in it. I mean, I don’t care what album you buy there is always 1 good song. atleast 1 good one. Motorstorm is loaded with the worst songs from each album from the artist. I mean, none of them were good to begin with “the artist” but each song is bad. Painful to listen to. I hate it. I loath it and refuse to play it and am going to now sell it since XMB in game music won’t be on our plate until next christmas… Sony sucks.
Shiva H. Vishnu! What’s with all the crying about in-game xmb? What is it that all you cry babies think in-game xmb is going to do for you? …’cause I just don’t get it.
You all hyped 2.0 so much & now your dissapointed, suprise suprise
This update is terrible.. I mean, just f’n aweful.. much like the last year of Sony’s life. I cannot believe the 360 outsold them in Japan this week. WOW! That’s gota hurt, right Sony?
@ Joel (636): Yea, I have seen that video, but I dont think thats the video Eric was referring to posting in his first post… because it only shows features he has already talked about in his first post..
This is a pretty sad collection of features for a 2.0 branding, honestly. I guess maybe you’re saving in-game XMB for when Home launches, whenever that it. Sony, listen to the fans on this blog; even the die-hard Sony supporters are getting seriously hassled here.
@Eric Lempel
If the in-game xmb isn’t working why don’t you tell us???!!! We’ll understand more if it doesn’t work yet and you don’t want something that’s broken to be put on the PS3 but tell us!! Don’t just sit there ignoring 95% of the people who own a PS3 asking why we don’t have it!!!
Please read and respond.
What happened to that Blu-ray supprt we was suppose to have, Eric? Taht still coming or… let me guess, you all weren’t happy with it so you wantd to delay it too… Just to make it better for us consumers. By the time Sony gets around to doing anything substantal on their system we’ll all be dead or playing the next xbox that hits in 2009. What a joke!
@ FreelancePolice: I agree… somewhat…
They should have marked it as 1.95, 6, 7, 8, or even 1.99….
Then released the Home beta sign ups (that everyone gets in), on November 17th, along with 2.0, which would have in-game friends access. If you dont know, 17th is the PS3’s anniversary.
But oh well, maybe 2.5 on that date? :D