Hi everyone. We’ve been listening to all of your feedback about the PS3 and PSP, and with these next firmware updates (coming soon), we’ve added a number of new features and improved some existing functionality to make your PS3/PSP experience even better.
PSP (v5.00) update
Let’s start with the v5.00 update for PSP. In this version, you’ll notice the addition of the PlayStation Network icon on the XMB. You can now sign up for PlayStation Network, manage your account and access PlayStation Store directly from your PSP – meaning you can download games directly to your PSP while connected via Wi-Fi. Getting games, demos and trailers while on-the-go has never been easier! Check out the screen below.
The current PlayStation Store on the PC will be down in the interim as we take some time to revamp. Don’t worry, it will re-launch soon after we’ve made some tweaks. Please keep in mind, if you already have a PlayStation Network account, simply sign in on your PSP using your existing information. The same account and wallet can be used on PS3 and PSP. You will be able to check out the PlayStation Store on the PSP soon, as we’ll have a video demo featuring Grace Chen posted soon on the Blog.
Update v5.00 adds a sleep timer option that can be used while you are playing music on your PSP. In addition, we’ve added a full screen keyboard option for text entry and have redesigned the background of the XMB. You’ll be able to find all of the information on Firmware v5.00 here once it goes live.
PS3 (v2.50) update
Now on to the PS3 v2.50 update. The latest features/enhancements include:
- Support for the PS3 Official Bluetooth Headset – we’ve told you about the upcoming Bluetooth Headset and SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation Bundle on the Blog. This latest firmware installment enables High-Quality (HQ) mode, which delivers clear and wide-band online voice chat. On top of that, an added on-screen indicator shows battery status, volume level and use of HQ mode.
- PlayStation Trophies interface enhancements – I know that many of you are busy collecting trophies and raising your PlayStation Trophy level. This update makes sharing and comparing your trophies with your friends even easier. On 1st part of the profile page you’ll see a symbol under level that represents level and the actual percentage towards the next level along with the existing level meter. The level symbol carries over to the trophy comparison screen where you will now be able to see your level, your friend’s level and the percentage towards the next level for both users along with all of the game by game comparison information you see today.
- Friend status – Offline friends on your Friends list will have information below their avatars that will indicate how long it has been since they were last online.
- Video – This update adds the Scene Search feature similar to the feature on the PSP. Activating this feature while viewing a video on the PS3 will break the video up into scenes that you can quickly access by pressing the X button. You can break the videos into one, two or five minute intervals. In addition, you can now choose to have all of the videos under the video section of the XMB play in sequence. Go to Settings then Video Settings to turn this option on.
- PlayStation Store – We’ve added a redeem codes option right on the store to make it easier to redeem your PlayStation Network Cards and promotion codes. In addition, PlayStation Network Sign Up and Account Management have been redesigned.
- Power Save Settings – You can now set your PS3 and wireless controllers to turn off automatically after set periods of inactivity. Go to Settings then Power Save Settings to turn on these features.
- Background Downloading – You now have the option to set the PS3 to turn off automatically after a background download or installation of content has completed. This option is available when you turn off the system from the button under [Users] while content is being downloaded or installed.
- In-game Screenshots – this tool will allow everyone to capture, share and in other words, immortalize their favorite gameplay moments. This will be supported on a game by game basis. Please check back to find out which games will support this feature.
- In addition to all of the features above there are some additional features and enhancements included in 2.50. Once the update launches, you can read all of the details here.
The support for the Bluetooth Headset will be of particular interest to all of you SOCOM fans. With the “Proximity Chat” feature, SOCOM: Confrontation gameplay is intensified as it allows you to experience high-quality voice playback in full surround sound. Whether the action is near or far, Proximity Chat clearly matches distance to sound effects and voiceovers within the game, putting you in the heart of the action.
Enjoy and please share your thoughts with us.
Sweeet
When does this come out? I can’t wait
oh yeah, when you’re in game and you hit PS button, the clock is blocked the the controller display, i think one of them should just be moved a tad so that you can quickly check the time
plz fix msg problem in this update
Great Update!
Next please fix the clock/controller battery, that gets really annoying. Auto-install option would be nice. And cross game audio chat would be awesome. Do those and you’re almost at xbox live’s level.
@384 im with u fix da and the msg problem
ty sony. you keep on making ps3 better
Will SOCOM support the screen-grab feature right off the bat?
@Letters2Kay
Isn’t invisible mode already available with the ability to change your status from online to not available?
Well, I’m definitely picking one up. And, as someone probably already mentioned; it does seem like Sony’s making a possibly so transition away from UMD… by making game downloads a advertised feature and primary function.
Given that the PS3 only has limited RAM, I’ll try to keep my wish list somewhat realistic.
***UPDATED FLASH/JAVA/STABILITY ETC FOR THE INTERNET BROWSER***
***XMB SKYPE/IN-GAME SKYPE*** <–awesome
***THREE SPEED FAST FORWARD/REWIND FOR AUDIO FILES***
***CHANGE CLEAR FROM Shift+Backspace TO Ctrl+Backspace***
***PASSWORD PROTECTION OPTION TO VIEW/ACCESS FOLDERS AND SYSTEM SETTINGS***
***ABILITY TO UPLOAD EYE CREATE MPEG-4 VIDEO DIRECTLY TO YOUTUBE***
***RSS READER***
***LINUX RSX ACCESS*** <– I can dream can’t I? :)
Almost forgot.
***AN OFFICIAL VERSION OF REMOTE JOY TO PLAY PSP GAMES ON PS3 VIA USB.***
Put that one in between “Skype” and “clear”.
:)
Holy jumping smivelcracks batman! this is the best update yet…how bloddy cool is PSN on PSP…..I never thought it would happen.
Now hurry up get and get cross game chat sorted and i think were done…..er…well maybe not. :-)
Lurvely update thanks again
DTS MAN
It’s nice that you’ll now support the “official” BT headset… but will this update provide a fix for those of us that bought the Jabra headset bundled with Warhawk? The jabra was working just fine until your last PS3 system update and as you MUST be aware, many of us have had problems since then. (If other BT headsets are to essentially remain “disabled” in order to accommodate this new headset, be prepared for a fairly public outcry!… and please don’t play stupid and say that you weren’t aware of this issue with other BT headsets!)
On the trophies… I have two PS3 units and will this update allow trophies I earn on one PS3 to show up when I log in to the other PS3? (I’ve earned trophies on Linger in Shadows on my husband’s PS3 under my own ID, but it doesn’t show up when I log back in on my own PS3 unit).
… good call on the change to the PS Store… redeeming a code should be straightforward rather than looking all over the system to where this can be done. (now if only you can do something with the Qore episodes… I have to backtrack further and further in my download list to find the newest episode!!).
… Powersave and turning off after download are other EXCELLENT features! Thanks!
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Thanks for the heads up Sony.
The ps3 keeps getting better and better.
Awesome update. Now all we need is cross-game chat so people can stop complaining. Everything else is pretty useless. =)
Or maybe msn on Ps3 (which is impossible because Msn is from MS =/)
Wow, I knew we were due for a significant firmware update. These are some great features. I can’t wait until I get Socom and my new mic. :) With all of these features applied I wonder what the next update will bring. ;)
@C-los
The ps3 still needs the ability to access music while playing a game for all ps3 games like the 360 can.
@C-los
Also it would be nice to have the ability to create folders like the 360 and the psp can. Either folders or the ability to edit the album info for multiple pieces of data.
WE NEED MULTIPLE DATA ALBUM EDIT!!!
WE NEED MULTIPLE DATA ALBUM EDIT!!!
WE NEED MULTIPLE DATA ALBUM EDIT!!!
WE NEED MULTIPLE DATA ALBUM EDIT!!!
IN GAME MUSIC PLEASE
I really hope they can stop mixing the PSP content in with the PS3 content now on the PlayStation store. I hate reading something, only to read in the fine print it’s for PSP, now that the PSP has a browser theres no reason for the PSP to be in the way of PS3 owners.
Great to hear. Hopefully this will fix my 60gig PS3 which is now unable to play PS3 games thanks to the ignorant post of Al De Leon saying my PS3 wouldn’t be damaged if I updated v2.43… he was wrong.
Believe me, I’m NOT alone. Go read pg.5 and 6 of the last firmware update post:
https://blog.playstation.com/2008/09/16/ps3-firmware-update-v242/
it is a good update, but where is the voice/video messaging? I don’t feel connected to my psn “friends”. do you really think a stupid text message is sufficient, sony? I know you can connect and chat with someone using pseye, but due to the lack of personalization nobody wants to. with a video message I could introduce myself and maybe then my psn friends would’nt be so reluctant to respond after that. don’t tell me Home will suffice. don’t give me the “but it’s free speech” either. I would gladly pay to get features a certain competitor has, but I choose ps3. I want to see ps3 become the best, but without video messaging, cross-game invites, and other features….good luck when the ps4 comes around.
Great update. But I still want to see:
-Sending Voice Messages to Friends
-Noise when we recieve a message.
-More Gamer Pics. Make a much wider database
-Better GamerCards, the ones that currently exist suck.
-In/cross game chat
-More Refined Trophy System, maybe even a gamerscore type thing
-More information on online profile (games played, more space on about me section etc)
=Improve internet browser
-Change notification when you get a message or when some signs in, the grey with white text is bland, possibly make it similar to the information board maybe with the PSN logo in place.
-More statuses (Appear Offline etc)
Much needed update for both I think.
I’m sad that there’s no backward compatibility update for 40 GB though. There should be one for a few select titles (the big ones like God of War series, Metal Gear series, SOCOM series, and others) :(
Nice! Thanks!
It looks very nice indeed. My wish thought, is that one could have a search bar so one could search for any media on the PS3. It’s so annoying (and it takes a long time too), finding the song you’re looking for. The best solution (I think) would be to have a kind of search bar for the stored media.
great update!
anyword on the socom headset bundles comming to australia??
what about home.. will we be seeing that soon? i heard it will come out with little big planet. that would be an awesome combination.
WOW! Thanks Eric!
This update looks AMAZING.
@469
if u have 2 ps3 units,if you have trophies unlocked on one ps3 simpy log into the other ps3 and go to trophy selection so they can be synced…i guess now i understand why syncing is required
@esodeez
I don’t think the 360 has video chat while playing a game. I know it has audio chat. Since it can achieve audio chat, I think the ps3 should have this as well.
Although this is great news, we still have a looong way to catch up with XboxLIVE :(
wow, there’s still peoplr complaining…spoiled
@bwe45
I believe the ability to appear offline while playing a game is already available for the ps3.
Very, very awesome. The PSP Store is a huge addition, and I’m very much looking forward to no longer having to tether my PSP to my PC for PSN content.
Hopefully, this addition to the PSP is just the beginning of a burgeoning emphasis on providing content for PSP owners. Perhaps in the future, our side of the weekly updates will be more than a single game trailer and a few wallpapers. ;)
Thank you all for the great work you’re doing.
Awesome update guys! Thanks Eric for still listening to our quibbles and doing your best to improve the OS of the PS3!
I do agree with some of the people here on some of their requests. Inherently I’ll list the ones I do agree with and post my own.
-Sound when a message is recieved. This one is crucial when we have the PS3 running in the background and someone sends a message. That message is then left to the foreground until we notice it, even several days later.
-Message notification ticker. Up on the XMB next to the clock or even in the streamlined menu for holding the PS button, there should just be a message box counter at the top, and an easy way to access our message boxes from there instead of having to wind through the XMB to get to it.
-Improved internet browser. Team up with someone (Google, Mozilla, someone!) and make a proper browser for your system. As one of the leading features only available on PS3/PSP, you need to emphasize this and take advantage of it. Flash support is NECESSARY.
-More PSN ID information. I would love for that ‘About Me’ section to widen up to at least a PARAGRAPH. Come on Sony, I can’t let people know who I am in 5 words or less!
-Folder creation, sub-folder system. I would like to be able to break up my PSN original games into smaller brackets inside a central folder. I.E. PSN>Action/Strategy/Platforming etc. Same goes for PSP, music, video, the works.
-Fixed battery status icons. I know you know what I’m saying here.
-Possibly PSN readback on what PS1-2 games my friends are playing? Don’t know if it’s feasible, just thought I’d ask.
-Multiple profile login. LBP can do it, why can’t you implement this system wide? Come on…you know you can!
And that’s about it. Thanks for your time and consideration.
-CitizenInsane27
@Money1
Not spoiled, cognizant of the competitions features.
@488
i dont think the goal is just to catch up to live…it’s to surpass it
Best. Update. Ever.
Sony cant update PS3’s broswer because the PS3 is based on its cell processor. Flash doesnt work that way. Therefore, they have a really low level of Flash.
The only thing close to watching other websites is Playon. I’d suggest using that then the browser.
Stop complaining it to Sony and go to the Flash website. Sony cant do anything about it.
skype on ps3 and get rid of the chat feature because you can’t call out to pc’s with that.
@FeaturePreacher
As of right now The PS3 Does not currently have that feature. It has the not available but not the Appear off Line.
@493
you have your opinion and i have min lol but seriously, microsoft gave too much too fast,nothing really to anticipate other than gamed
A search bar for the stored media, so you easily can find the song you’re looking for would be awesome!!!
Good Work!!!
this has so many comment i hope we dont crash this post :) but oh wat you guys like thath ;)
@ FeaturePreacher “cognizant of the competition” or something to that effect is right on. We are not spoiled, it’s just we see what is happening elsewhere.
finally. i hope they will make a feature (preferably in HOME) that allows more of a myspace feel.
ie.viewable pictures, videos, set up your apartment just like you would on myspace.
it gives a better social networking idea and the ability to really show off.
The only thing I would like to see added is a voice chat that isn’t dependent on what game you are playing. Like a voice chat room where you can invite friends.
Nice to finally see a blog post above a 4.90 rating…