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.
Very nice. I’ve been waiting on a lot of these. Can’t wait for them to go live!
Sony Computer Entertainment America Read This
Crucial Features Needed for PS3
-Ability to password protect a user.
-Multiple user log in for games (Little Big Planet for example)
-Notification sound when message is received, friend signed in or out, when you sign in or out, chat invitations, game invites.
-Smoother in-game XMB access. Instead of going by the games current frame rate, freeze the game in the background and have it run smoother. For online titles, Make the background black and have the in-game XMB still move at a smooth pace.
-PLAYSTATION Network profile cards. Ensure easy access and making it possible to scroll through multiple friends’ profile cards instead of having to exit out of it and then click on another friend. Add % to next level. Region flag next to name to show where the player is located and to promote easier communication. Trophy icons load faster in the profile card, ability to display your top 8 favorite trophies (an option ro display recent trophies earned or display favorite trophies), the ability to click on those 8 trophy icons to take you directly to the trophy information about it.
-In-game chatting with at least 1 person to start, expand upon more friends in future.
-All setting available while in game, movie, PS1 or PS2 game. If major change is preformed, screen will go black for a few seconds until changes are applied.
-In-game XMB for Movies, PS1 and PS2 games.
-MAJOR UNIQUE FEATURE; Create a clan or manage clan icon is added to friends tab in XMB. Here you can create a global clan name, tag, modo, insignia, calendar, ect. Here you will be able to invite players from your friends list, players met, or you can simply enter an online ID. From here the user will receive a clan invite which contains the following information–
-Clan Name
-Clan Tag
-Clan leader
-Region
-# of players in clan
-Spots available
The max number of clan members in 250 and will expand upon future game releases (MAG for example).
-Max friends increased to 250.
Thanks again, take care.
It was a mistake to leave in-game music to the developers, it was a mistake to leave trophies for new games to the developers, and it’s a mistake to leave in-game screenshots to the developers.
It sounds harsh, but it’s absurd to me. History has shown that developers just aren’t going to implement those features into their games. Few games have trophies, no game I know of uses the in-game XMB for music (which should be a global feature, not game-by-game—it’s inexcusable that it isn’t), and I’m sure the same will be for screenshots. Some games already have this feature.
>_> I want a clock when you press the PS button for PS2 and PS1 games.
@FeaturePreacher
I downloaded a movie from PSN onto my PS3 HDD and tried to access it via REMOTE PLAY and it says on my PSP- ‘ not available during remote play ‘.
So could you please explain to me how you are able to view movies stored on your PS3 using remote play?
Thanks
Thank you, Eric and your team, for all the hard work that went into these updates. It is much appreciated!
Could I suggest, within the ‘Friends’ section, tweaking the ‘Not Available’ status to be set automatically after 5-10 minutes of user inactivity. What do you think?
Thanks again guys,
Keep up the good work!
What about the release of SOCOM:Confrontation in EUrope???Is it delayed till fall November????
2.50 FTW!
i would like to c certain games where u can play ps3 vs. x box
@FelonOnParole
Well I’ve never purchased a movie from the video store and tried to watch it via remote play. However, I have been able to watch video files, such as those with an .avi, .wmv, or .mp4 extension, via remote play. I guess there has to be someone out there who can try to do that.
What an update!!!!! Cant wait to try out these features!!! keep it up Sony dont fail us all!!!
I still wish for the day that the US PS Store gets an over abundance of PlayStation one classics.
It would save me so much money on certain games :(
*nudges Sony*
Be a pal :)
@Delriach
Well you could move to Japan where they have 239 different ps1 games.
blog.wired.com/games/2008/10/there-are-this.html
WOW THIS IS A GREAT UPDATE!!!!
Some seriously cool stuff in there.
The auto power off options are great and I can’t wait to test out the screen shot feature.
AWESOME!!!!
hey i dunno about anyone else but im gettin screwd on psn cards i buy them pay tax and then pay tax again can u guys at sony explain and rectify this (im sorry this may not be the forums and u dudes are doin a good job but i had to try to get this addressed
Still not personal ingame XMB music, FW updates are worthless.
@663
Easy solution: use a credit card. If you refuse to use a credit card, then tax is the price you have to pay. Blame the government, not sony. Seriously, why people make such a big deal about PSN cards is beyond me, especially considering that just about every bank out there gives their checking account holders a debit card that can be used as a credit card.
Question: Now that the psp can connect to the PSN with our PSN ID, and considering the new psp 3000 with the built in microphone, can a person sitting at a ps3 voice chat with a person using a psp? And can a person using a psp voice chat with another person using a psp? (using the psn I mean, I know you can already do it through skype)
I have some suggestions for future firmware updates like showing recent games played on profiles and a new interface.
Hi, What about including the chance to select .srt subtitles on divx?
Thanks!
@FeaturePreacher,
I don’t need to move to Japan to play those games. I already have purchased a few games thanks for network tickets. Einhander, IQ, IQ Final, Raystorm, and R-Type Delta.
I just want one thing:
Make first controller to be switched on Controller 1 in case you have USB devices connected! Currently, I have an infrared receiver plugged in for use with my universal remote as well as the Buzz! wireless receiver. If I turn on the PS3 using my controller, the controller will be assigned to Controller 3, not 1, so I manually have to switch back to Controller 1 to play, which is really annoying. PRETTY PLEEEEEASE change that in a future update!
Cheers,
Wataru2001
@kspraydad. Thanks. Full format did the trick.
Waz
so, you already have 14 pages of people making replies, so my little wishlist is probably meaningless…
but i would LOVE if the psp had an Enqueue feature, basically an “add to playlist” feature for music playback. i love being able to pick out my next song, as the previous one is still playing, but i can’t get two or three songs ahead because if i click on the next song it will cut off the one thats currently playing. so you can see my dilemma!
also, i wish the shuffle feature would randomly play songs from inside different folders and non-folders, rather than being confined to the folders (when shuffle mode is enabled).
please consider these two changes! it would really improve the music feature on the psp!
also, thanks for this current update, i can’t wait to get to try the screenshot feature on the ps3.
Cool,..
but when will in-game PRIVATE voice-chat come to PS3!??!!
This is amazing.. this is what I call about consumer satisfaction. All these small features bring a lot of convenience in some way. I honestly am happy with this update although there are still some features I still want integrated which can be in future firmware…. such as in-game music (from XMB) enabled all the time in no matter what game you access or quit. Most of these features have already been integrated to the xbox 360 from day 1…. lol Sony is slightly slow and is taking it step-by-step.
Great I am looking forward to this update… lets hope to see some more features added in the future :)
@ hijaker77 | October 14th, 2008 at 2:27 am
In-game music from XMB has been possible for some time now. MS has a pattent on in-game music player from a dashboard and we dont want Sony to pay them, do we?
that is really awesome like all the changes etc i really like the psp update and the sleep timer but i have one idea now that you have a sleep timer what about an alarm i have always wanted to wake up to the sound and or music from/on my psp!
Eurogamer. com says the new 2.5 update has Flash 9 support for the browser. If this is true, than this update is the best ever!
@Trat (678)
Yeah I know that….. but people want that feature… why not?
@ 681 hijaker77 | October 14th, 2008 at 3:33 am
Nah, its only for kids IMO. Its very simple: if a new game doesn’t have the feature then don’t buy it – hit the devs where they feel it most: in their pockets. I don’t care for it, I hate listening to music when playing games – always turn it off. So, for me its not a good feature and I only care for myself so Sony shouldn’t waste any money on it. ;-)
@ 682 Trat | October 14th, 2008 at 3:44 am
Some games are suitable for music.. once again everyone has their personal preference but adding this feature as an option wouldn’t be bad after all.
love it guys.. you rock sony! keep it coming..
http://threespeech.com/blog/2008/10/new-info-on-the-firmware-updates-for-ps3-and-psp/
• Flash 9 content becomes supported on the Internet Browser.
Guys, I just read over at EuroGamer that this firmware is going to add Flash 9 support to the web-browser!!
Article here: [http://tinyurl.com/4yl8md]
Woot!!
Ok, Flash 9 Support !!!!
2.50 is the best firmware yet !!!!
Good work guys. :D
Guys, I just read over at EuroGamer.net that one of the not-mentioned features is Flash 9 support for the web-browser.
Woot!!
Thanks, Sony! Even if this is not true… I love all the changes you mentioned here.
Gah… Sorry for the double-post… (triple with this one).
I don’t get why if Flash 9 is in this update why Sony didn’t mention it? Although they are known not to mention everything in a FW update, but still. Thats a big one.
Looking forward to this update.
For the future, how about some work on the music section of the xmb?
– Use L2/R2 to skip to next letter, i.e. grouped by artist will skip from groups starting A to ones starting B etc. – takes so long to go through the list at the moment.
– Add sub-groups, i.e. Arist/Album or Genre/Artist/Album – so you have levels of ‘folders’ rather than current top folder then everything is listed as a single list. (Tversity does this really well for streaming from pc… but all my musci is on the PS3)
– SingStar already does some of these things, how about adding some of this functionality into the xmb?
This is the BEST UPDATE that i have seen in a while!!!, AWESOME!!! Keep up the good work guys!!!
@Al de Leon (68)
thx for the info :)
redeem codes option for the store… very nice… too bad there aren’t any plans for the PSN cards in europe :(
not fair.
OH!, you forgot about the FLASH update! ok guys i’ll just let it slide for this time.
@ 692 Skilly9000 | October 14th, 2008 at 4:55 am
Forget those cards, its much better to buy with a creditcard since you buy for the exact amount you need. Get a creditcard, they cost like nothing.
The Flast 9 functions have been confirmed at ThreeSpeech:
http://threespeech.com/blog/2008/10/new-info-on-the-firmware-updates-for-ps3-and-psp/#more-2251
Wow! these are some worthwhile enhancements!
I have complained about how you can’t background download with the console off as you can with the Xbox360. Even though the PS3 will remain on (the 360 is really “on” anyway) now I can leave my house or go to bed and feel comfortable that the PS3 will shut down when completed. Now we need to be able to charge our wireless controllers while the console is off…
The PS Store on the PSP is really exciting too. I’ve used Remote Play to browse through the PS3, but it’s hard to read. It will be nice to have a store optimized for the PSP. I can also more easily manage my demos and other PSP downloadable content.
Very exciting stuff guys! thank you for the hard work you put into improving our products!
Why doesn’t Eric Lempel comment?
Just curious.
@697 Too busy watching all that new ‘content’ in his PS3 browser?
:)
What I cant understand about sony is the untapped potential, and im NOT talking about the cell processor! Sony is not just playstation and t.v’s. Its also sony music and movies. Sony BMG music is home to smaller labels such as arista, jive, columbia, epic, rca, etc. There is a diverse group of artist’s under sony including: Alicia keys, AC/DC, Usher, britney spears, leona lewis, jordin sparks, dido, etc. I could literally go on forever!
SO WHY?!!?:
Why is there not any exclusive content concerning all this different talent? Why is sony not helping themselves out? Its easy, just have exclusive new Alicia keys (or any other artist under sony) music on the ps3 for download before radio, mtv, etc. Exclusive new videos! This is great promotion for not only the ps3, but the artist’s on that label. Throw a ps3 controller in the hand of the artists in there music video’s (if it makes sense for the video of course). Thats not hard. It shouldnt cost sony anything!
SO WHY?!!?:
Why is there not any exclusive content for movies if anything. Sony has a huge catalouge. From spiderman to pineapple express to james bond. So many that im not even gonna attempt to name anymore. How hard would it be for the psn to get these movies even before released on blu-ray, etc.
By comparision, if microsoft had these same guns at there disposal they would have already been unleashed, and knowing there reputation for talking **bleep**, it would have been thrown in the face of sony and nintendo. I personally dont care about there business decisions because i dont have stock invested in them. But just sitting back thinking about things that are missing from the service that i enjoy, these things didnt make sense. I can understand securing other companies works could be a challenge, but they have so much of there own they barely need anyone else.
Do you agree??