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.
And please…PUT A CLOCK BY PRESSING THE PS BUTTON.
A next-gen console without a clock? The PSP, by pressing de “HOME” button, says the time, the day…
T_T
Pleeeeeease SONY!
I’m disappointed but I still support Sony and the PS3.Any of you guys hating on Sony over lack of in-game XMB can take that elsewhere.I wish 2.00 would have given us in-game XMB but I know as soon as they can give it to us they will.They will have to do a lot to get in-game XMB in to the OS like testing for one.If they give it to us before its ready and has been tested we will end up with crashing PS3s.I think the amount of comments in this post alone will tell Sony they have got to get us in-game XMB.In-game XMB is a big feature that will take a lot of work to implement.Its not a question of will we get it is a question of when.Sony never said it would come in 2.00 people assumed.I will continue to support Sony and the PS3.This update is still nice without in-game XMB.Sony you do need to get to work on it though.It will improve the system an amazing amount and its something we all want.
I’m pleased with the update and can’t wait to use the new features.
In-game XMB is a feature that is going to come out with HOME since this program is to allow people to communicate with others, you guys just have to wait a little longer.
Who said in-gamed XMB is coming out with Home?
OK Sony You Lost a lot of Cusotmers tonight!!!
Think about that…and Swee Dreams
while i could go on a long rant-post about how i don’t play online games at all (just haven’t found that “killer” game yet – how about a port of the old star wars x-wing and tie games – hell, i’d pay extra for that), i can see why a lot of us users are upset after wating a year.
I like a lot of the features in this update, but posts # 371, 286, 280, 258, 247, and 42 really point out the items i specifically are looking for. I’m not leaving sony yet, but the one thing i can’t figure out is (sorry to beat this dead horse):
at TGS this year, it was stated that the PSN would be avilable via pc, and that content would be avialable. This was not listed as a Japan-only thing, the impression given (to me at least), was that it would be for ALL PSN account holders. Since then, we have heard nothing here in the USA, what’s the status of this??
if it is Japan only, say so (just put on earplugs and don’t view your email for awhile). if it is worldwide, why haven’t we had any word on when other territories will be getting this????
let’s see if you guys can answer this question…….it seems as though you (sony) have a great system, which has a huge amount of possiblities, and you have a solid idea of your marketing and future strategy.
The problem is, you are giving some of your users who follow news on the web or after major press events (TGS, E3), the feeling that you are marching ahead with your strategy and plans………………..and dragging us along behind you, even when a sizable minority (or majority depending on your viewopoint), are saying “we’re not ready to move ahead with you untill we get what we want”.
that may be bad for you in the long run. I fully belive you will win this round of the console wars, but even if you do, MS will be right on your heels at #2, and they WILL be in a position to be #1 and unlike your released financial information, CAN afford to spend money on the big name games, accessories, hardware, etc. – even if some of them fail. MS wants the #1 spot, and your actions are helping them look better and better in spite of their notable failures (3-red rings anyone?)
Stop and re-evaluate the pace your setting, it seems you’re leaving a lot of people behind in the mud when you don’t give updated information on popular games/updates/questions, etc. or worse, give statements or promises you can’t keep (psn avaiable via pc for PSN users (from tgs 2007)…
sONy step your game up!!!
you guys say the ps3 is all powerful,but it
can’t do the functions of an inferior
machine?>?!!!plowed@>!
1. Sony has never stated that once Home was released you would have full XMB access during game sessions. This is FALSE and statements like this lead to the situation this Firmware update has turned out to be.
2. I have people here who would like to purchase the Playstation 3’s from the people who have stated they were going to sell or chuck. They just have one stipulation. Please clean the Chocolate milk off the controllers first.
Please Sony we need a moderator on this blog to establish some order and cut out the many spam that is contributed here.
Where in the damn world is In-Game XMB!? WHERE!
HELLOOO!?!?!
SONY I don’t know if u actually read the posts in the blog, or many COUNTLESS forums out there… and all the ps3 users want 1 single effin thing: IN-GAME XMB. we wanna chat while playing motorstorm to guys playing warhawk. we wanna listen to custom soundtracks while playing warhawk. we wanna read and send messages while playing, its damn annoying to leave the game to read a msg that says:
“haha dude, u quit ur game to watch this”
“owned”
THATS ANNOYING…
With all the rumors about FW2.0 containing in-game xmb… i was waiting like hell for this day, and when u guys finally announce it… yo guys. guess what, no in-game xmb, but leave ur feedback we listen to you…
WELL GUESS WHAT. U HAVENT READ PROPERLY CAUSE I BET EVERY SINGLE PS3 OWNER WANTS IN-GAME XMB.
SONY U SAID U CARED!
SONY U SAID U CARED!
SONY U SAID U CARED!
SONY U SAID U CARED!
SONY U SAID U CARED!
SONY U SAID U CARED!
@ 645
you have a link to that or are you just trolling??
Thanks for the update! I really appreciate the added functions. I’m gonna use the PSP remote start alot. I am disappointed though that this isn’t any IN-GAME XMB. Oh well, maybe next time, hopefully!
WHY?
I wonder why the new PSN logo doesn’t fit in with the rest of the categories?
It doesn’t look very good being different. Yuck.
I feel disrespected as a loyal sony customer! I have both the PS3 and the 360. Since there aren’t too many games for the PS3, whenever one comes out that is available on both systems I usually buy the one for the PS3. But, my patience is fading ever so faster. I feel its a lack of principle and respect. I want to be able to get in contact with my friends and other users during in game play. Quiting the game and communicating that way is not an option. I understand the delay. But what I don’t understand is the vague response to our questions and comments. We should be able to get a response to a few questions/comments from sony concerning the in game xmb!!! I guess if they think they don’t have to answer us than we don’t have to be patient either. I’m giving them a little more time before I give up on them. If I don’t at least get an answer as to when or what’s going on with the in game xmb and home real soon than I’ll hit them where it hurts, in their pocket!!! I suggest you do the same! I spend alot on games and accessories. I just spent over $200 on 2 games and 2 more controllers so me and my friends can play fifa 08 at my house, since its almost impossible online. So, like I said, till the end of the year for at least an answer to the few questions we have for them. Is that asking to much considering we’re the only ones they got? I hope not! Principle and respect!!!
Sony can not do in-game xmb thats it simple as that they should of had it from day 1
HA. They went through and deleted all the posts that might actually accomplish something. I guess that means someone at Sony must have seen them. I wonder if anyone in that company has gone the balls to stand up and give us a straight answer. Perhaps one of these days companies will understand who really controls this industry….the consumer! Unless Sony learns that and learns it fast, Microsoft of the 360 will be getting all of my money.
This is great. Nice its actually deseres to be a v#.0
We aren’t going to see in game xmb until Home comes out gents so get used to the idea of it not being for a while.
but sony we all stay here instead of going to someone else, so obviously you guys really dont care about what we want.
Its been that way since the PS2
You’ve got to be kidding me. It’s finally coming out. After months and months, thanks for finally shutting everyone up :)
This seems like it will be a good update, I can’t wait to see what else is in store, when I install it.
I can’t believe how many people whine and complain when given something for free that it wasn’t what they wanted. My favorite part are the comments about “All we wanted…” as if they speak for everyone.
I’m happy that we can customize our backgrounds without having to pay for every image like some other systems, and I think being able to customize the icons is cool.
I agree that being able to sort the games we’ve downloaded would be great. Having the ability to keep the games we’ve purchased together somewhere near the top would be enough for me.
Anyway, thanks for the new additions.
The update is now available to download.
I love what you guys are doing. It’s also nice to see the community coming together. Now all you guys have to do is tie you and the community together. GOOD LUCK. It seems a lot easier now.
Well I for one am very happy with the new firmware 2.0 fetures.
All the new fetures are great for my life style. We have company over alot.
As for in game sound tracks and XMB I think that is what HOME is for people. Chill out.
Listen. for all you guys that are happy about the firmware update, understand that it’s not that people arnt happy to have updates, it’s that the features the PS3 truly needs to show a more competitive face to it’s most annoying rival, are missing. the system has a 10 year life cycle but it wont make it that far if the thing cant claim to be as capable in such simple features before the second year.
Yes I’m totally happy that we have new features but there needs to be a higher priority put on making it a more convenient game system because that’s where the majority of customers come from.
[…] that are fixed taken from the playstation blog […]
Woot! I can now download the piece of sh1t Sony calls their PS3 2.0 update. Sony is either completely oblivious about what people want, or are completely ignoring their consumers.
I for one can not wait until Sony loses millions of potential customers due to their own idiocy. Honestly, do you like pissing people off? Does it give you some sort of power trip? Well know this, every second the PS3 does not have this functionality you are losing money and customers.
Just this day I bought the Orange Box for 360 instead of PS3. The reason, the game is better on 360 due to music and in game messaging.
Every day you are losing millions of dollars just so you can get a fix of leaving us high and dry. This is completely F*d up and you know it.
It’s beyond ridiculous how you had this functionality over a year ago for the dev kits, yet we can’t have it….its the same freaking system.
SURPRISE SURPRISE!
THX SONY! ANOTHER DISAPPOINTING FIRMWARE!
I’m slightly disappointed. i was really hopping for a messaging service in game to be released. That truly is the feature that draws me me towards my 360 because i can just mess around with pacman and message my friends.
i like the themes and all, but how do i create my own theme like the post says?
Anyone else’s PS3 turning on by itself after shutting down the system using the PSP during remote play?
[…] PlayStation.Blog ? Firmware Update (v2.00) digg_url = ‘http://www.lazygamer.co.za/ps3/the-official-word-on-ps3-firmware-version-20/’; digg_title = ‘The official word on PS3 firmware version 2.0’; digg_skin = ‘compact’; (No Ratings Yet) Loading … […]
Hmmm, thats all?
Well I think with a rounbd number and upcoming Xmas everybody expected a lot more. I’am missing the following features:
– Advanced Blue-Ray features like second video stream, interactive features
– The Internet-Browser needs improvment: Plug-Ins (PDF, Flash and others), handling, bookmark management (import from IE and Firefox)
– an email client please
– DTS-CDs dont’t work
– MP3-DVDs don’t work (Original!)
– VCDs, MPEG1 Video don’t work
– Shop: reach top of page by going down at the bottom und vice versa
– Please some good and versatile Music Visuals wood be great
– Please let us create Folders for files like Pictures and Music
I’m disappointed myself. HOWEVER, look how these features integrate with home, and then think “would I really expect these features, which sony is hinting as being parts of the backbone of home, to come before home is released”. The answer in short, which is unfortunate, is no.
So like I said, I totally want these features and and I’m much like the rest of the community and want it sooner than later, but when you think about it with home being delayed and all, its not a total shock.
Looks like the mob effect happening here. I would guess that probably half of the bitter complainers don’t even own a PS3, but it didn’t stop them from manipulating an angry response from those who are susceptible, for their own agendas (you know what bad karma has in store for you).
It might be too much to expect from the gaming crowd, but for those who are genuine about your concerns, at least show some emotional restraint. Take a step back, and really try to see what this update has brought us, in addition to the previous updates. It is a process (nonetheless an impressive one, to see the PS3 evolve substantially over the pass year). The truely positive things are perhaps too easy to sweep aside, when one’s own agenda is too important that the world should evolve around it.
Oh how strongly have people requested full customisation, and now that it has arrived (in a form that puts the 360 to shame, seriously), people immediately forget and claim that they’ve been asking for something else all along.
“Location free” on a new level? I am perked by this! Add official DLNA endorsement; add ground-breaking non-proprietary USB support for the mouse/keyboard/external HDD that you already own; and add a great web browser (let alone one that exists), and you have an experience that puts all the other consoles to shame. It is like fine wine. And all this is just bonus on top of a game console.
How about some fairness then, eh? Those who don’t intend to be fair, sucks to be you.
[…] here for full […]
I posted this on the PS3 IGN 2.0 update board:
“I have appreciated the diligence that Sony has in regards to updating the PS3.
This, however…just doesn’t feel like a complete update.
It feels like getting a big cake for your birthday…..your favorite flavor….and a midget, not a stripper pops out of the cake.
There’s content…but not really what the Sony community wants.
As a whole.
I know there are specific cases where some people don’t care about soundtracks in-game, or in-game messaging and XMB…
90% of us DO care.
That’s a promise.
I spent almost a thousand dollars on the 60GB PS3 (I got a bundle pack)
I want features to match, for Christ’s sake.
Make this damn thing worth more of my time.
Please?”
^^^^^
Sony….this is a reflection of hundreds of thousands of wanting, needing gamers who cry out for their money’s worth of features in a system they put their time into supporting.
Please…do not alienate your fan base…please…I beg you….give the populous what they want or you will be de-throned.
Your fans are who make or break your company.
You don’t listen to the general concensus…you alienate people due to the fact that it appears you are ignoring them.
I know you want to create a system that lasts a decade….
but I’ll be damned if you make me wait years of my life to achieve greater convenience in a product that should have been convenient from day one.
Luring people into buying your system, then steadily feeding us little bits to keep us alive….is not what I call a good fan treatment.
It’s not the key to success, either.
Think hard about what you’re doing (or not doing), Sony.
Think long…and hard.
Customization and USB peripheral support are NOT what sells the PS3.
Don’t even try to make a statement such as that, Onanie.
Sony… Sony… Sony… This isn’t good, I gotta’ lay down my arms on this one, I’m usually one of the hardcorest’ of the hardcore when it comes to ‘Sony’, please understand my intentions when I lay down my arms, and let these good men, and women, beat you down with their comments, you damn well deserve it.
@ Eric There is a bug in 2.00 you really need to look into. The media share isnt reading video file currectly. I have alot of big video files on my pc i usally stream to my ps3 but after 2.00 only some of my videos seem to play. Now it just play like 2 sec of the videos and stops. The same exact files didnt do this b4 2.00 so please look into this! Ive reset my media sharing and rebooted everything 4 times now and theres no fix. help?
Over 3 months since a major firmware update and only 1 out of the 4 PS2 games left in my collection now works with this update. That’s just horrible. I welcome any new firmware update (even if you still have to add some of the things people really want), but making us wait 3 months for this with BC still not being taken seriously. Try harder Sony.
@686 Onanie
I understand your feelings on the matter, I agree on some things, but I gotta’ admit, I’ve been listenning to my own music on videogames since I learned how to hack on my pc, and then a lot of companies decided that people might want to do this, and started making it easier for normal users to access their pc game’s music files and to do such things, from a laman’s point of view. I’ve been doing it with my psone… swapping game disk for cds, I even did more with the ps2 harddrive than most ps2 users that bought it, the point of the matter is, This is something that gamers want! That a lot of gamers whether it’s console or pc, are commonly used to doing, it’s ridiculous that this is something that is being left until a later date, and it’s ridiculous that it wasn’t available from launch, I agree the ps3 offers a lot of things ‘the other system’ does not, and I agree about the ‘fine wine’ referrence, hell! I love Sony as a company they are the ‘fine wine’ of the electronics industries in general, but Fine wine doesn’t age well without use of a proper bottle/cork, consumers are not going to keep this system alive, with empty defenses against the competition, I can see it now… “My system can play music during online gameplay!… What can you do?… Edit your fonts on your OS! wooooo!”
I appreciate the update 2.00, but it’s not as important as things they should have done.
I paid 700 for my ps3, and 400+ for my first psp, I as a consumer regardless of Sony’s losses, have put myself at a loss as a gamer, for them!… and I’m embarassed to defend my company of choice now!…
So I rest my case.
CANT ANYONE READ?
Official comment #266 pretty much says
“We never promised in game XMB, what are you idiots on about? And as for in game XMB in the future, dont count on it because we’ll give you better things, like new icons, different fonts and extra letters in the alphabet”
Regarding comment #419,
I just dled firmware 2.00, and retested my (Hori Real Arcade Pro 3) HRAP3 joysticks. I put in a PS2 fighting game into my 60GB PS3, and flip over to Training Mode. I let the joysticks sit there while I sit at my PC over 10 feet away. Approximately every 1 minute (sometimes more or less often), both characters jump as if the joystick was pressed upward (they aren’t in sync; it’s fairly random).
If you guys really read this stuff, could you please divert some resources to fixing this issue? As I stated previously, these sticks work flawlessly on both PS3 and PC games, so I don’t really want to hear that it’s an issue with the sticks themselves (it’s the same story with multiple sticks across multiple games, and only in PS2 mode, which is notorious for only properly supporting SIXAXIS controllers… come on, guys).
I don’t hate Sony, and I’m not crying that I feel “betrayed” because there’s no in-game XMB or whatever. I do, however, feel a little irritated that I had a 30 USD game I can’t play, coupled with 500 USD of system and 200 USD of joysticks I’m totally not using. I can’t imagine this would be a difficult problem to solve. So, please, please, please look into fixing this issue in the next firmware update. It’s really all I care about, so I’d be a lot more excited about supporting Sony and buying actual PS3 games if this happens.
Otherwise, meh. I want a system that is properly supported. If I didn’t care about PS2 games and my joysticks working like they should, I wouldn’t have even gotten a PS3 until MGS4 came out. Seriously. I already put forth the cash, can you guys please put forth the effort? Thanks!
@695
Sorry, no one will answer you,
this blog is for either saying
“Wah, where’s my in-game XMB”
or
“Wah, everyone stop complaining about no in-game XMB”
I think each and every person on here should be considered as a percentage of the entire user base, as sure as we are upset about the fact that the ps3 doesn’t allow the two main features people want, I am sure that the same 4/5 ratio is reflected in the entire ps3 user base, so out of 5million that would be 4million people, and out of 10million that would be 8million people… it’s clear we are the majority … We deserve in-game custom music/playlists, just as Sony deserves our respect for updates (albeit updates the majority of us find useless) that they pour a lot of effort into.,, to bring their user base for free!
even after all my harsh words, I want to say Thank you for continuing the Free firmware updates, I’m not completely ungrateful, I just think your efforts to bring what we want as users could have better been spent on in-game user options.( the aforementioned music/messaging) If this is a problem with Hardware Restriction, we as users deserve to know, Save your fanbase…
@689
Dearest coeus,
Don’t even pretend to think that you define what is a system seller. By all accounts, a web browser, official DLNA support, USB peripheral support and FULL non-half-assed customization are ALL desirable features. You simply took it for granted, or are bitter that your 360 don’t have some of those.
Every update has improved the PS3 feature set. As I have said, it is a continuing process, and just because the update carries a rounded version number, doesn’t mean the process has halted (you guys are just reading too much into a number).
In-game XMB will come. What’s to stop it, really? Even when it comes, there will be the likes of you who will still complain about a certain aspect of it.
It doesn’t hurt to ask nicely, and to not forget all the other features that have arrived in response to actual requests. Yours are not the only ones.
I find it very frustrating, I know the drip-drip approach to functionality keeps us hanging on like some junky for his next fix, but this just looks like bloody-mindedness. Anyone who is interested in the system can see what a fantastic bit of kit it is, however it always just falls short on being really useful. It does lots of things in a half-cut way. No sub-folder support for games or media, poor codex support, and no surround sound for MP4 playback, poor web browser, poor implementation of DLNA, no in game support for media or communication, no RSS, poor visualizers, the remote play for PS1 games is ok, but why not PS2 games? We all had great expectations of this 2.0 upgrade and what this appears to be is just a slightly bigger drip with no REAL substance for gamers or media players. Come on Sony just do it.
Sony please in the next update please have in game XBM the 2.0 update is good, but really want in game XMB and I thought it would be in 2.0 Sony XMB Pleasseeeee!!!!!