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.
I 100% agree with Sabre… Only I’d cash mine in at a pawn shop. That’s where it belongs if it wasn’t for the 30 Blu-ray mvoies I bought. I do support blu-ray and that’s sad… Ps3 is a wasted venture the more and more it drags on.
@249
C’mon man. Don’t let the fact that the PS3 doesn’t have in-game XMB throw you off.
I mean, obviously we don’t have many good games YET, but look at the 360. They had absolutely NOTHING until Gears of War came out 11 MONTHS after launch.
Let me repeat that, NOTHING AT ALL UNTIL 11 MONTHS AFTER LAUNCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
….and we get worked up about having *only* 3-4 really good games 11 months after launch.
c’mon everyone give them a chance……
Wait,
that is not what i wanted to post.
Truly looking forward to more info on this firmware 2.0 update. Interested in this video he mentioned.
@243
Ever hear about copyright laws? Honestly, I have no idea how sony let us use WMAs on our PS3s, as that compression codec is copyrighted by Microsoft. Remember how you had to click “enable ATRAC” and “enable WMA”? The reason why is BECAUSE THEY ARE COPYRIGHTED!!!!!!!
WMV is also copyrighted, and if Sony let us use whatever codecs we wanted, they would be MURDERED by M$ and whoever else owns copyrights to the codecs we put on our PS3s.
@everyone else who’s complaining. If Eric is pulling a cliffhanger, you will all look incredibly foolish.
Honestly, I dont think it would be a bad idea to just put a cryptic reference to “other features” and watch everyone blow their heads off, and then show in-game XMB in the demonstration video.
If I was Eric, I might just do that to prove that all the idiots ARE idiots…
Wow, this is sad…I mean, everyone who is crying about no in-game xmb. Sony said they are working on it and I believe them. All of you are crying about it. Don’t blame Sony. They are doing their part. All of you should blame yourselves for believing the rumors and expecting RUMORS to be true.
Anyways, the new firmware update sounds cool!
But I have a question, why not merge ‘Network’ & ‘Friends’? I think that would be much better than having yet another icon. Network & Friends merge can become the new PlayStation Network icon.
Oh well. Thanks Sony.
Sony we all want In-Game XMB and In-Game music just like the “OTHER” system has since its introduction. Why are we stuck in the past……bring on the features, Sony.
you cant even change the font or the PSN logo in themes! wow, you fail even more.
to all the crybabies,maybe you should sell it and by the other one if you want in game stuff.i hope it NEVER happens because it’s funny,christmas is ruined for a bunch of 12 year old babies lol
In-game xmb where the [DELETED] is it
It is time for some personnel changes at Sony. Now.
You guys sat around letting the 2.0 XBM rumors and expectations fester to the point where they have now exploded right in your face. The [DELETED] that is raging about your incompetence across the Net is entirely your own doing.
Yes, yes…
“We don’t want to promise anything since we don’t know when it will be ready”
“Our policy is to not comment on rumors or speculation”
Blah, blah, blah…
You had months to dispel the in-game XBM access. A simply one line reply would have avoided the gigantic PR mess you are now suffering. But you didn’t.
For the past decade I have been working on Playstation software because I had the confidence that Sony was the one company with the technical and development skills far beyond the competition.
Unbelievably pointless PR screwups like this 2.0 fiasco are making me seriously question if I am making the right choice focusing on Sony and PS3 development this gen.
[…] ps3 side.. PlayStation.Blog ? Firmware Update (v2.00) __________________ Yamaha-Pioneer-Panasonic-Velodyne-Radioshak Klipsch-SVS, […]
Man, some of my fellow “fans” really make me sad.
Where to begin. Oh, I know – my favourite person: GamesBlow.
First, you [DELETED] and moan about not having enough games and content for your console, but then you say you have 30 BRDs, 12 PS3 games, and 17 PSN games and add on packs.
Sounds like you have PLENTY of content for your investment.
Then, you state that you know why Sony doesn’t have ingame XMB (because of memory issues) and how it’s technically impossible, but then go off on how they’ve had enough time and they should have it by now.
You know, you’ve been “threatening” to sell your PS3 so many times, but you haven’t. You’re all talk and no action. You’re one of those people that thinks that because he types something on the internet, that you’re important, that you’re special. NEWSFLASH – you’re no more special than any one of us, regardless of how “famous” you think you are.
Do us all a favour – sell it and then shut it. Go back to your bridge – I think I see some goats coming across.
So, lack of InGameXMB – yeah, bit disappointed, but oh well. It’s not like that would make or break my affinity for the console. If NOT having ingame XMB is that big of a deal for all y’all to be crying like babies who don’t have your milk, well, that’s just sad for you.
Can someone, anyone, find a quote where Sony said that InGameXMB would be a part of 2.0?
You know why you can’t find it? Cuz they never said it!
If you think you’re so smart to know how to implement InGameXMB, I’m sure Sony would love to hear the solution.
Like Camo said, if you want, no…NEED InGameXMB so badly, buy a 360. Do you hear Wii owners complain? No – they have a system with a library of games that mostly rely on waggle-ports and party games, no unified online game service like PSN, nor any way of downloading game videos or demos to their console. Comparing the Wii to the PS3, I’d be pretty upset if all I had was a Wii and I saw the online service playstation has AND for FREE!
Oh, and for all of you saying that Eric should answer each and every one of your questions, comments, or issues…
After reading some of the comments, would you want to be in Eric’s shoes? Would you want to have to deal with the blatant ongoing disrespect some of you have shown, some of which are against his personal character, work ethic, etc.? FYI – he’s not PR and his focus isn’t this blog. If it was, I’m sure some would still complain that he was spending too much time answering questions instead of taking care of whatever whim people had.
You do realize that in the REAL world, REAL people have jobs that aren’t centered around pacifying the stupid ramblings of a vocal minority, don’t you?
And this brings me to a bigger issue. You probably know why it seems like Sony doesn’t listen?
Cuz all you complainers go on ad nauseum, that it’s annoying and you eventually learn to tune it out.
Way to go and ruin it for the rest of us who offer constructive comments.
If you’re disappointed in this update, it’s your own [DELETED] fault for believing the internet rumours and speculation.
What this update does, that most (not all) of your are missing is that it enhances connectivity between home and portable devices like no other console.
But heaven forbid they try to do something revolutionary. OhNoes! We want something the other console’s been doing!
So Sony follows XBL to a tee with its features, and then everyone starts complaining that “Sony’s just copying and not being innovative”.
BTW – the “no games” line is old now. I guess Warhawk, Ratchet, Uncharted “don’t count” as big AAA games (and those are just from Sony) since they don’t support your theory that “there aren’t any games for PS3”. Add COD4, Assassin’s Creed, Haze, etc. and I’d say there won’t be enough time for me to play everything I want to on my “console with no games”…
Come on people, requesting a feature is welcome. Complaining about the lack of a feature is fine. But please stop with the juvenile tantrums. Caps lock, multiple exclamation points, calling things “gay” – what are you in 3rd grade? Have fun boycotting Sony and instead playing 360 through the holidays. The RROD has pretty festive colors I guess.
its the devs that do all this [DELETED], everyone [DELETED] chill!
WTF Sony??? is IN-GAME XMB really that hard to archive????
Wow – a lot of comments, and very quickly. Let me address a few things:
About the firmware version number – In general, we don’t wait to release new features based on a particular firmware update number. The 1.80 update, for example, was pretty substantial, including important features like DVD upscaling.
That said, this update does include valuable features that consumers have been asking for – such as the Remote Start functionality. Personally, I’m looking forward to using this feature as I’m frequently on the road – and I know a lot of you are too.
As far as other features many of you are calling for (such as in-game XMB) – SCE continues to evaluate opportunities to provide new functionality to PS3 on an ongoing basis. New features and functionality have continually been added to the system since it debuted, and we will continue to update you with new developments.
We do read your comments, and they have helped shaped previous updates – including this one.
If you want to see what is meant by themed XMB icons, check this page out.
http://www.us.playstation.com/psp/downloads/systemupdate/PSP_370_update.html#custom_theme
I personally think it’s pretty cool, but I do still hope that Eric is merely leaving us with a cliffhanger in regard to in-game XMB. (or in-game messaging/music or whatever….I still think full XMB access would be really awesome. see my previous comment.) (#253)
first time sony has not responded to questions on the comments lol There all scared or something. come on sony just tell us whats gouing on with in game xmb. It doesnt have to look like the xmb it could be like the prototype menu from 2 years ago. jus give us some info please.
This is so awesome… I’m so looking foward to it. Pleeease add more updates to the XMB… it is the best interface for a home entertainment system ever!
What I want- The ps3 should globally scale it’s output like every other HD device ever made- Giving you 1080p suppport for every game, and fixing the “embarrasing” (per Evan Wells) 1080i problem.
@kanyn
maybe not exactly 3rd grade…maybe 4th or even 5th
@Eric
Does that mean that In-gameXMB is definatly NOT in this update?
well, you DID give us custom media folders……
Still, we ALL want in-game XMB…..
We are complaining a lot but like I said before I think we could all wait a little while longer if that In-Game XMB/In-Game Messaging feature was included in the update.
I don’t believe I mentioned before but this update is huge I love RemotePlay I just hope I can login while Folding@Home is running now that it works via RemotePlay. I can then exit Folding@Home to download from the PS Store or access my media remotely. This is important to me because my PS3 is on 24/7 Folding@Home so this update won’t mean much if it doesn’t function this way.
I also love the News Feed and Custom Themes those are great additions to help unify the PSP and PS3.
I think it would help if the feature requests and comments we make were acknowledged a little better so we know we are heard.
Thank You again Sony and keep up the good work!
@Eric Lempel, well aparently not. About everyone and there brother has been waiting about a year now for In game communication features. Now I don’t understand why Sony can not immplement this. It was running pretty fine before launch. All I have to say is Im a kinda dissapointed. As is many others. But asside from that flaw I like this update.
Why should i even bother to post here. It will just drown in the masses…
Never the less, as far as i know the important thing is in game messaging and friend list. Sony did put some restriction on game developers to leave some ram space free for sony to use.
This was the one thing. I could care less about in game music. But i don’t want to quit a game, answer a message, start up a game and then quit it when i get a reply…
Snap why do I ramble here? To be a part of the sheephurdle who in reality just screams YES or NO here?
Well I scream BOOOO!
@235 PhDFatty
You think that was your idea, heheheh, why do you think the ps3 have the hardware to wake on lan from the beginning. Besides, I hope it works on wlan or it wont be much use for me.
@Eric Lempel
That last sentence has to be the most ironic thing in a long time. I can just feel you thinking “Please, let them be happy, please!”
Other then that, its an good 2.0 update. Its just not BOOM good.
Heck. You could just write “In game XMB in 2.0” and these responds would be good.
Why do I continue writing?
/random
Oh, yeah. Mention the PSN logo as your new avatar make me wonder if you live in your own world where everything is happy and pink and you can dance your silly HOME dance. In this world it just turns the knife around. And then pokes three new holes.
I can’t say that I’m “excited” about this, but I am very interested in the custom themes. All of the additions are very nice, and I’m glad we keep getting more features. That being said, I do think Sony should be more open about what features they are planning (maybe give us a feature roadmap?). Just be more forthcoming about what is going on in the Playstation world, and I think you’d have a lot more happy users. Thanks for the update.
We should get at least Home Beta this month? Isnt Home beta suppose to be included with the update? I cant wait for home any longer. What happened to the Open Beta?
there isn’t anything in this update that’s worth jack spits to me… At all. I don’t need to turn my ps3 on wiht my psp… Why would I? I use Tversity. Absurdity. I’m sure everyone wanted these options above in game xmb… rolls eyes.
Per Eric! no in-game! LOL!
ofcourse once you translate what Sony’s legal dept told him he could say…
I’d really like a better management of folders. Instead of viewing 500 albums and having to scroll all the way down, it would be nice to go by Artist – Album, or Artist – Year.
Also, the picture management needs a lot of refinement as well, I’d like to make my own folders, not labeled by month.
smoke and mirrors…hehe
“We do read your comments, and they have helped shaped previous updates – including this one.
”
[DELETED].
@263 Eric, Could we atleast hear some information regarding a in game xmb type menu. It would really help calm us down if we just new for sure it was coming sooner rather then in a year or if its coming at all. Is it coming within a year? yes or no Thats all we need to hear.
Sony gives us some great stuff then everyone starts complaining. Thank you sony this is a very nice update. Although I hope you are working on changing the max number of friends, in game xmb, and allowing our music in games. Oh and Playstation Cards, pleeease make them available, I want to buy stuff off the PS store.
WHAT THE HELL NO IN-GAME XMB……
GARBAGE SONY PURE GARBAGE. NO WONDER “THE OTHER SYSTEM” IS SELLING SO MANY UNITS.
DON’T EVEN TRY TO CENSOR US BY DELETING ALL THESE POST. WE WILL CONTINUE TO POST UNTILL WE GET IN-GAME XMB
“We do read your comments, and they have helped shaped previous updates – including this one.
”
Bull$hit.
So SCE continues to evaluate opportunities to provide new functionality to PS3 on an ongoing basis. Surely it must have been evaluating in game messaging for the best part of a year.
There are obviously problems with implementing this- lack of memory? or it would have been included before now.
Looks like I chose the wrong console for online gaming.
Eric,
I’m sorry but what is there to assess? Are there problems in implementing this feature, is that it? We’ve been asking for this for a year now and everytime Sony rep give us the same damn answer “we’re evaluating…”
@eric
if you’re still on, please say straight out whether in-game XMB will be in this update.
I’ve been sitting at my laptop for almost 45min now waiting for you to confirm or not confirm this.
not a BAD update, (custom folders) but not really good either. Look at PSP 3.00…..
@Eric Lempel (#263) READ THIS!
I don’t think you based this update off of our thoughts, because nobody asked for it.
I like the idea of the PLAYSTATION Network XMB group, but thats not the way to do it.
Remove Friends, under PLAYSTATION Network, add in Friends under there. We need game invites as well.
Under Game, add categories, such as Demos, Games, and then the Blu-Ray Disc icon stays right above those.
Under Video, add categories, such as TV Shows, Movies, Trailers, and Game Videos.
Add in-game XMB so that we can use the game and cross game invites so we can actually have a good online experience.
You’ve had in-game XMB in the prototype so I don’t understand why it would be so hard to incorporate into the system.
Add support for video files such as WMV and AVI, nobody likes converting to MPEG4 all the time.
Add real profiles to the games, like how gamertags work on the 360. Add those entitlements that you were talking about a while back.
We want organization, and good features, like the Xbox 360 has. Get it right.
What about the PLAYSTATION Store? Why not remove it and update it with a built in program instead of a crappy and ugly looking webpage? With a program, it wouldn’t be so hard to update because you just drop it it and it will organize itself.
Give us more frequent updates as well.
IF YOU REALLY READ THIS, THEN REPLY! SPECIFICALLY TO ME.
Eric, the Remote Start Functionality WILL be a great feature, and I do think you guys are doing a good job with the incremental updates. We just need better communication on SCE’s end and then there will be more patience and customer loyalty on our end.
Yeah, there really is no question… WE WANT IT. Make it happen. What a joke! This is the worst damn thing that could’ve happened, other than the xbox 360 smokin’ you guys in Japan now. What a shame.
I have a question that unrelated to In-Game XMB!
Why does it appear that the PSN logo cannot be themed? It breaks the consistency of the XMB.
Also, is it really nessessary? You could at least move Friends into there. Surely there’s no need for PSN, Network AND Friends.
its all your own faults, beliving in some dumb ass rumor ROFL
hahahahaha, dumbass, anyways cant wait 4 the update :]
The whole Sony network is garbage… Let’s call it for what it is. They should **** can it and start over. I’d rather just have the Ps2 interface than this empty promise of a service. What a joke! A complete piece of Joke! I’ve supported you all for too long Thousands of dollars wasted… I even bought a 1080P bravia tv to go with my Ps3. That’s how stupid I was. Videogames are dying… Simple as that. Sony has lost themselves and they’ve lost me as a consumer. Bye.
@Eric Lempel
Thanks for your response. I’ll give you that.
Just so you know, PSP users are used to big things in 2.0 and 3.0.
Webbrowser in 2.0
PSX support in 3.0
Thats why so many wanted it to be big. At least me. Its good, just not big.
[…] on PlayStation.Blog, a preview for the v2.00 PS3 firmware has been posted. Alongside the details of the new features […]
@288 gamesblow
PS3 is getting whipped in japan?
look at http://vgchartz.com/japweekly.php and scroll down about half-way to “hardware sales.”
PS3 20,000 to X360 3,000 doesn’t look like the PS3 is getting beat, but hey…..
since this is 2.00 i thought we would have gotten in game xmb, but i guess we will have to wait to say 3.00. ( sigh) good update though. I appreciate these monthly sometimes weekly updates, far more than those 360 updates. ( twice a year… come on.) Cheers.
Thank you!