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’d like to see more commitment on Sony’s part to share things.
These standard PR sentences “We’re evaluating”, “We’re always considering” are annoying.
Is it so wrong to tell that you’re working on certaing things and you expect to have them ready for a certain period?
Sharing news about features in an advanced state of development is a good thing, we have all seen what happened because rumors and false expectations on 2.0 have spreaded so quickly without being adressed by Sony in time.
Didn’t Sony show some stuff before the
PS3 hit that had in game messaging? Why don’t you guys deliver? A whole year later and still no in game XMB access. I’m going to have to hop in and out of my games for a single message forever. Like somebody above said- Why don’t you just tell us to shove off and that it isn’t coming? It’ll calm us down a whole lot. All of this “Sony-bashing” could have been well avoided if you guys set your priorities right. Instead, these people would be having a party and would be praising you to death. We’re callin you out- Can the PS3 achieve in game XMB access? No funny talk- just tell us so we can stop [DELETED]. If it is possible, get to work. We spent $600 on this thing with thoughts of what was shown in mind. You still haven’t delivered one year later. Honestly – This is all PSN needs to make it great. Sure in game music is nice but one step at a time, big guy. Don’t want you to strain yourselves.
Every day without an in-game XMB is a failure on the part of Sony. I am sorry, but this is just part of the basic online multiplayer experience. I am willing to pay for it if Sony does it, so I am not swayed by the “its free” argument. As for people who are calling for patience, I have been. I paid the original price for this system and I feel let down. I had fond memories of my psone and two, but this system has been sorely lacking in both great games and multiplayer. I really hope things turn around soon, or my Ps3 is going to end up on Ebay so I can recoup some of my investment. I am tired of the apologist excuses here. This is product. In game XMB might as well be what air conditioning is to a car. I am so jaded at this point that I don’t care if Little Big MGS4 Killzone Home is just a few months away. I am not going to wait that long for some improvement on performance here.
I’m sorry but I am getting mighty fed up with your entire team, and lack of features. The competition kills sony’s PSN, we all know this. The buddy list features kill ours, everything just about kills ours.
Now I can turn my ps3 on and off with my psp? Wow, i am so underwhelmed.
I enjoy the ps3 games, but this dog and pony half-butt attempt at our playstation game network is regrettable. I’m not going to sell my ps3, because the games are great.
Oh, GamesBlow –
I don’t think you’re ready, for this jelly.
That’s right. I went there.
BTW – isn’t advertising your personal website on here some violation of the TOS?
@gamesblow
“Your face is idiot, so it’s all even… I’m the smash hit forum/blog poster. I’m GAMESBLOW… king of trolls, jimmy jack cat scratch”
wow dude….that even makes ME feel bad for ya…
@pharmd
thats Loucifer not Lucifer…but i’ll give ya a B+ for effort
Would be good if everyone, no matter what the post, spammed IN GAME XMB, then every single post would be that in caps, on everyones posts. Making it impossible for them to get any customer responce. Should teach em a lesson when we dont get any responce to our needs.
sorry i actually spelled it right….. you’ll learn
@376 The latest generation iPods don’t work, they just lock up the PS3. (My Classic doesn’t work where as my 5th gen works fine)
so are there problems with access the xmb???? DONT LEAVE US IN THE BLUE. Give us something!
People who are deciding the fate of their PS3 console on firmware are stupid. I did NOT buy my PS3 for firmware. I bought my PS3 because I wanted to play Ratchet & Clank Future, White Knight Story, FFXIII, etc. Even another console, I did NOT buy for firmware. I did NOT buy my PSP for firmware (I bought it because it had games I like). Think about games, not firmware.
Firmware just makes our PS3 console better (kind of like accessories on a car). I’m perfectly happy with the awesome games I’m playing, and any firmware added only makes the PS3 even better.
gamesblow, thats all you have to comment…….
get a clue,
get a life,
and get out
My big concern here is this… This site is for, basically, the hardcore ps3 owners. The ones who “really matter” the ones who buy and support a lot of games and features the console has. Sony has shown us they do not listen to us. Simple as that… in game XMB was the big thing we wanted. They failed to give it to us. My christmas and many childrens christmas around the world will be ruind because of you Sony. Kittens are crying… as we speak.
RSS FEED?!? this is the first feature we are even talking about?! I am seriously pissed off at the fact that this guy seems CONTENT with the garbage. I hope all of these voices will finally carry some weight with what we want!
ACCESS XMB IN-GAME! Who said anything about RSS feed? jeez! People that dont even own a PS3 feel letdown!
Dont make a survey only G.A.P. members can fill out, I saw outrage when custom music was winning.
Also tomorrow the RSS feed will read “our customers are tired of our bs!”
@TDJ
“Making it impossible for them to get any customer responce. Should teach em a lesson when we dont get any responce to our needs.”
Because having them say “fugget” and ignoring all of the comments here instead is better?
Well thought out plan. Way to stick it to “the man”.
idiot.
Eric wrote:
Personally, I’m looking forward to using this feature as I’m frequently on the road
Is that why you focused on that feature?
Isn’t it better to focus on what the market has been craving for all these months?
If you where on my company and made such a big mistake you would be long gone.
WTF…. NO “ in-game XMB” with 2.00 ???
SONY…I supported your PS3 from day one and did the same for PS2.
But NOW..…I MUST say this ….
YOU MAKE ME SICK TO MY STOMACH!!!!!!!!
SPARDA
@386 Quote:
“Also people, let’s remember Sony’s track record. We unanimously wanted background downloading – we got it. We wanted more demos on the PSN – we got them. We want in-game XMB – we’ll get it.”
Agreed!
I’m here to talk joysticks. I have a 60GB PS3 (b/c I wanted full PS2 support, I’m more than a little disappointed this is being mostly phased out) and two Hori Real Arcade Pro 3 (HRAP3) joysticks. The HRAP3s work perfectly while playing PS3 games and PC games, but they are completely hopeless while playing PS2 games.
When in PS2 mode, games will receive random inputs. Usually “up” on the joystick, but sometimes other joystick directions and random buttons (including the PS Button) will be “pressed” even if I’m more than 10 feet away from the joystick. This happens with both sticks, and has been reported by other people with the same stick while playing various PS2 games.
This problem is most problematic while playing versus fighting games. It makes them absolutely unplayable (anything else that is unforgiving of incorrect inputs would be the same, though I doubt anyone wants to random have the game paused or sent to the PS Menu for no reason).
Since the problem is with PS2 mode only, and there are no problems with PS3 games or PC games, I have to assume the joystick’s PCB is NOT at fault, but it is some kind of incompatibility issue due to the PS3 itself and its lackluster support of non-SIXAXIS controllers in PS2 mode. Mind you, after paying over $500 USD for the PS3 and over $200 USD for the joysticks, having this kind of problem goes way beyond insult to injury.
I emailed support to ask if this issue would ever be addressed in a future firmware update. I was given some links to stuff that does NOT help me, and was told to call with my question instead. Not to be rude, but unless the tech support on the phone is going to teach me how to write my own firmware update, I don’t think that’s going to help me. So, how about it, Sony? Is this update or a future (coming soon maybe?) going to address this issue?
I’d really appreciate it if you guys did, because otherwise there’s really no reason for me to have all of that stuff I bought. I would have just stuck with the PS2 and not even bothered with the PS3 in the first place if I would have known about these issues. Thanks.
I miss a clock when the PS is used, like the HOME in PSP, yo can see the hour easily.
WE WANT A CLOCK!! :D
@380
Wow, way to cross the line! It’s one thing to voice your disappointment with an update and it’s another thing to insult a person.
Eric if you do read comments, just let us know if In game XMB is coming or not, the rest of this stuff isn’t want the audience is asking for!
Why waste your resources on something that we’re not looking for and furthre upset your audience?
@415, I agree. I like the idea of the Information Board in the top-right corner, but can’t you also have an option for the date and time in the top-left, then?
From what I’ve seen around the interwebs, the Themes look cool. No In-game XMB is HUGE disappointment (Sorry but I had to say it again). You can make it up to the PS3 owner by giving us Rumble sooner! Next year is too far away and I want it in Ratchet and Clank!
One quick question, is the Information Board going to slow everything else down? I read a post about how to speed up graphics by disabling upscaling for DVD and Bluray and amazingly it works. Is this just another thing I’m going to disable?
He didn’t insult anyone… He simply said that if the problem stems within this section the playstation brand it’s time to get someone new in there to take over and change things. Sony’s classic for it. Kaz replaced Ken, Cory replaced Jaffe… it’ll happen time and time again. Sony needs to reconstruct themselves. simple as that. they’re broken.
Seriously, There is no way in hell that Eric could have honestly thought to himself this would be a great post, and that ps3 owners would be happy.
Read the comments. Hardcore PS3 owners aren’t happy.
Gamesblow you’re a legend in your mind and a small legend at that to fit into that ever shrinking piece of CRUD you have for a brain. Everybody except for a few other deviates thinks you are a IDIOT. So jump ship and dive into the sewerage of that other system you brag about so much. Thanks for leaving GOODBYE !!!
im so disappointing
i will not upgrade
why should i there no
reason to
http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=21486331
Best commercial for the ps3 to date.
I think it’s silly that everyone arguing.
Be happy they give firmware updates as often as they do. You shouldn’t have bought a PS3 if you’re this upset with the features that it already has. Stop whining already.
And the wait for In-Game XMB continues!
Yipee! >.
@kenji and others like him.
InGame XMB is something that everyone (pretty universally) is looking forward to, but it doesn’t mean that it’s the only thing.
I want to be able to access my media stored on my PS3 when I’m not at home.
I want to be able to turn on my PS3 and start downloading stuff without having to be home.
I want to be able to customize my PS3 with FREE wallpapers and themes.
Just because you, and people like you, may not want to use these, DOES NOT mean that “the audience” isn’t asking for them.
Hey, just wanted to say thanks Eric & the crew for the great update
greetz
@422
I’m endearing… The feel good troll of the year, that’s for sure. You’re just upset is all. Dry your eyes. Gamesblow will lead the revolution.
@408:
That’s where I disagree with you. When did Sony say that this blog was basically for Hardecore gamers? This blog is for EVERYONE and anyone who wants to learn more about the Playstation Brand and its products. This blog was never meant to cater to You and you alone. That is a bad assumption on your part…
I wish I could get my $600 back
We all feel like mushrooms…kept in the dark and fed manure. Why cant you just give us a status report and timeline. All this silence and political double talk is insulting. This outcry from your customers is YOUR fualt for not keeping them informed on what you were including in this update. It is a good update is just overshadowed by what is not included. Still you remain silent on when or if we will see some of the features most are asking for. If it is not possible just tell us and we can move on.
@408:
That’s where I disagree with you. When did Sony say that this blog was basically for hardecore gamers? This blog is for EVERYONE and anyone who wants to learn more about the Playstation Brand and its products. This blog was never meant to cater to You and others like you not withstanding everyone else. That is a bad assumption on your part…
Eric, how on Earth did we get themes out of this update when the number one asked for feature has been IN GAME XMB? I thought this blog was made so the PS team would listen to us and work on what we wanted. You’re lacking features in PSN… Much needed features. We are a group of pisses of PS3 owners. Maybe this’ll- ah [DELETED] it. You guys don’t listen to us.
where is IN-GAME-XMB
@ Solace
Its not sticking it to the man, its more like a child who doesnt listen, but you need for certain things. You try telling it over and over but it still is off in a dream world
Oh geez, they have said they are working on it and also asked how important the feature is on their other playstation site with a poll. So what if it wasnt on the 2.00 it doesnt mean that you cant have big features on 2.10
Also I dont need ingame XMB completely, I only want Music section and Friendlist so I get to send messages while in game instead of quiting the game. Looking pictures and surfing on web while in game are pretty much unimportant.
This week has been good for me, they finaly added PSN fund cards and seems 2.0 holds some nice features too. And the poll which you can check in here:
http://www.n4g.com/ps3/News-81014.aspx
Seems rather clear that they are working for some nice things with the 2.XX updates.
I understand where some of you guys are coming from with the In-Game XMB, but it’s really not an essential feature.
That is, it’s not if Sony adds the options for the chat/message/invite system so that it’s accessable when you hit the PS button on the controller.
These are really 2 different things, and while in-game XMB may be difficult or not feasable to pull off due to system or RAM issues, the chat/invite system certainly would be.
You guys should be a lot more specific, other than ranting on about “No In-game XMB”.
@gamesblow
dude we all know what the Sony issues are…and yes this is a place for PSfans, voices and opinions
but when you say things like “My christmas and many childrens christmas around the world will be ruind because of you Sony. Kittens are crying… as we speak”
dude what the hell is wrong with you??
to state ones opinions or debating ones opinions is from my understanding what constitutes a BLOG the the other stuff just makes you lose any credibility, maturity and respect.
“king of trolls”? how bout a F’n moron
A lot of nice features, but some people were expecting more. It is my theory that Home was originally meant to be released with FW 2.00, before it had to be delayed into next year. That’ll be the greatest Firmware update the console is likely to get, but I’m happy with what’s here now.
Awaiting Download! :D
I understand where some of you are coming from with the In-Game XMB, but it’s really not an essential feature.
That is, it’s not – if Sony adds the options for the chat/message/invite system so that they are accessible when you hit the PS button on the controller. You really don’t need the XMB to come up.
These are really 2 different things, and while in-game XMB may be difficult or not feasible to pull off due to system or RAM issues, the chat/invite system certainly would be.
You guys should be a lot more specific, other than ranting on about “No In-game XMB!”.
Good to hear. Looking forward to the update :)
Also, I’m very happy that Sony is so committed to adding features to the PS3 system and fixing things in the firmware updates, like they do for the PSP.
It wasn’t so long ago where we had a base console with no way of adding such cool new features.
@439
Russ, Sony themselves helped contribute to the confusion by saying “in game XMB is coming.” (See video links.)
What people are asking for is in-game messaging (and for some in-game music)… as has been discussed earlier in the posts.
@437
The only morn here would be you for actually believing I was serious about that statment…
[…] For full firmware details, please visit PlayStation.Blog […]